Anderson Cook, Inc.

Utica Enterprises, Inc.

James T Killop

Carl E Anderson

Robert E Roseliep

Gerald W Holbrook

A power transmission member ( ) is provided by a spline rolling method and apparatus ( ) that includes a pair of racks ( ) for providing splines ( ) with ends ( ) opposing each other in a precisely spaced relationship at an annular groove ( ) that is utilized to provide snap ring or other fastener positioning for axially locating the member during use.

Power transmission member

A power transmission member (,) is provided by a spline rolling method and apparatus (,) that includes a pair of racks (,) for providing splines (,) with ends (,) opposing each other in a precisely spaced relationship at an annular groove (,) that is utilized to provide snap ring or other fastener positioning for axially locating the member during use.

Method, apparatus and rack for making power transmission member

A machine (20) for rolling power transmission formations in a workpiece includes a base (22) having spaced base portions (30) and a rear connecting base portion (32) extending between the spaced base portions which project forwardly therefrom to define a workspace (34). A headstock spindle support (48) is mounted on the rear connecting base portion (32) along a rotational axis A of the machine and is moved therealong by a headstock electric servomotor (152). A tailstock spindle support (52) is mounted on the spaced base portions (30) adjacent front ends (36) thereof to cooperate with the headstock spindle support (48) in rotatably mounting the workpiece and is also movable along the rotational axis by a tailstock electric servomotor (180). A pair of movable slides (66) respectively support a pair of forming racks (68) and are respectively supported by the pair of spaced base portions (30) within the workspace (34). A pair of slide electric servomotors (94) move the pair of slides (66) in opposite directions such that the forming racks (68) thereon provide the rolling of the power transmission formations in the workpiece.

Power transmission formation rolling machine having movable headstock

A machine (20) for rolling power transmission formations in a workpiece includes a base (20) having a pair of spaced base portions (30), headstock and tailstock spindle supports (48,52) that cooperate to mount the workpiece for rotation about a rotational axis of the machine and a pair of antifriction linear bearings (58) respectively associated with the pair of spaced base portions. Each bearing (58) includes a stationary carriage (60) and an elongated movable guideway (62). The stationary carriages (60) are respectively mounted on the pair of spaced base portions (30) with the rotational axis (A) of the machine (20) therebetween, and each stationary carriage (60) includes rolling elements that support the associated movable guideway (62) for movement along its length on the adjacent side of the supported workpiece. A pair of movable slides (66) respectively support a pair of forming racks (68) and are respectively supported by the elongated movable guideways (62) of the pair of antifriction linear bearings (58) to move the forming racks to roll power transmission formations in the workpiece. The machine (20) also has a second pair of antifriction linear bearings (78) each of which has a stationary guideway (80) and a pair of movable carriages (82) for supporting the associated slides (66). A pair of electric servomotors (94) respectively move the pair of slides (66) through a pair of rotary connectors (96).

Machine having antifriction support for forming racks for rolling power

A machine (20) for rolling power transmission formations in a workpiece includes a base (20) having a lower end (24) for providing support thereof in an upwardly standing orientation. The base (22) includes a pair of spaced base portions (30) and a rear connecting base portion (32). The spaced base portions (30) project forwardly from the rear connecting base portion (32) to define a vertically extending workspace (34) and are secured to each other and to the rear connecting base portion by tie rod assemblies (38, 40, 42). Headstock and tailstock spindle supports (48,52) cooperate to rotatably mount the workpiece about a rotational axis (A) of the machine. A pair of vertically movable slides (66) respectively mount a pair of forming racks (68) and are respectively mounted by the spaced base portions (30) on opposite sides of the rotational axis (A) about which the workpiece is rotatably supported such that the forming racks oppose each other and roll power transmission formations in the workpiece during vertical movement in opposite directions.

Machine base for supporting vertical movement of forming racks for

An apparatus (10) and die assembly (26, 30) for forming a splined power transmission member from a thin-walled blank. The apparatus (10) comprises a pair of die assemblies (26, 30), each including a supporting frame (28), first (42) and second (44) die bodies independently mounted on the supporting frame (28) in end-to-end coaxial relationship with each other, with rough (46) and finish (48) spline-forming surfaces formed on the first (42) and second (44) die bodies, respectively. The pair of die assemblies (26, 30) are supported with the spline-forming surfaces of the respective die bodies (42, 44) in spaced, oppoosed, parallel relationship to each other. A power drive mechanism sequentially moves the pair of die assemblies (26, 30) in opposed directions. The power drive means effectuates a rough spline-forming stroke and then returns the die assemblies (26, 30) to the neutral position.

Rack assembly for forming splines in thin-wall member

An apparatus (12) for cold sizing a round workpiece (14) having round surfaces of cylindrical shapes that are coaxial about a central axis A of the workpiece and have different diameters. A support (54,55) rotatably mounts the workpiece (14) about its central axis A between a pair of die assemblies (24a, 24b) which are spaced from each other. Each die assembly (24a,24b) includes a plurality of dies (56,58,60,62) that are respectively aligned with the round surfaces (46,48,50,52) of the workpiece (14). Movement of the die assemblies in opposite directions as each other engages sizing surfaces (66,68,70,72) of the dies with the aligned round surfaces of the workpiece to pressure size the workpiece surfaces. In one embodiment of the sizing apparatus (12), the die assemblies (24a, 24b) have elongated shapes and are moved rectilinearly in a parallel relationship to each other to perform the sizing. Another rotary embodiment of the sizing apparatus (12') includes rotary die assemblies (24a',24b' ) mounted by associated spindles (85) whose rotation likewise pressure sizes the round workpiece surfaces. Both embodiments of the sizing apparatus are disclosed as including forming projections for forming projections such as splines (82) and/or a helical thread (84) on the sized surfaces of the workpiece.

Method and apparatus for cold sizing a round workpiece having multiple

A power transmission member (42), as well as apparatus (10,110,210) and method for forming the power transmission member (42) from a thin-walled blank. The apparatus (10,110,210) comprises a pair of opposed toothed dies (26,30;112,114;138,140). A toothed mandrel (40) is rotatably supported between the dies and received within the sleeve portion (46), flatly engaging an annular end wall (44) of the member. The dies (26,30;112,114;138,140) and mandrel (40) have chamfered surfaces (68,70), respectively, for forming a chamfered flange (66) on the power transmission member (42) as the toothed surfaces of the dies are relatively moved during the splining operation. A loading notch (122) is formed intermediately along the toothed work surfaces of each die member (112,114;138,140) for receiving a blank to be splined when the notches (122) are vertically aligned with one another in a neutral or loading position on opposite sides of the mandrel. Groups or rough (124,126,128) and finish (130,132) forming teeth are spaced along opposite sides of the notches (122 ), and progressively increase in height from group-to-group away from the notches. Initial opposed movement of the dies (112,114;138,140) from the loading position simultaneously engages opposing pairs of similar rough forming teeth (124,126,128) and the mandrel teeth (48) with the sleeve portion (46) therebetween, rough forming splines therein. The dies (112,114;138,140) are then moved in the reverse direction, simultaneously engaging opposed pairs of similar finishing teeth (130,132) and the mandrel teeth (48) with the sleeve (46) therebetween to finish forming the splines (64) therein. Opposed rows of raised synchronizing teeth (142) respectively extend along the toothed work surfaces of the dies and mandrel and are spaced inwardly therefrom, meshing together to rotate the mandrel and coordinate the relative movement of the dies and mandrel during a splining operation.

Thin-walled splined and flanged power transmission member

An apparatus for forming splines in a first portion (22) of a shaft (13) of a workpiece (12) and a thread in a second portion (24) of the shaft (13) which has a smaller cross sectional diameter than the first portion (22), the apparatus including supports (26,28) for rotatably supporting the shaft (13) about the longitudinal axis A thereof and a pair of forming assemblies (36,36',38,38') mounted for movement with the workpiece (12) therebetween. The apparatus (10) is characterized by the forming assemblies (36,36',38,38') including oppositely opposed dies for simultaneously forming the splines in the first portion (22) of the shaft (13) having the larger cross sectional diameter and threads in the second portion (24) having the smaller cross sectional diameter in a single pass of the dies over the shaft (13). A method for forming the splines and threads includes the steps for supporting the shaft (13) for rotation about the center longitudinal axis A thereof between a pair of forming assemblies (36,36',38,'') mounted for movement with the shaft (13) therebetween and moving the forming assemblies (36,36',38,38') to form splines in the first portion (22) of the shaft (13) while simultaneously forming a thread in a second portion (24) of the shaft (13).

Threading and projection forming on different size diameters

A power transmission member (42), as well as apparatus (10,110,210) and method for forming the power transmission member (42) from a thin-walled blank. The apparatus (10,110,210) comprises a pair of opposed toothed dies (26,30;112,114;138,140). A toothed mandrel (40) is rotatably supported between the dies and received within the sleeve portion (46), flatly engaging an annular end wall (44) of the member. The dies (26,30;112,114;138,140) and mandrel (40) have chamfered surfaces (68,70), respectively, for forming a chamfered flange (66) on the power transmission member (42) as the toothed surfaces of the dies are relatively moved during the splining operation. A loading notch (122) is formed intermediately along the toothed work surface of each die member (112,114;138,140) for receiving a blank to be splined when the notches (122) are vertically aligned with one another in a neutral or loading position on opposite sides of the mandrel. Groups of rough (124,126,128) and finish (130,132) forming teeth are spaced along opposite sides of the notches (122 ), and progressively increase in height from group-to-group away from the notches. Initial opposed movement of the dies (112,114;138,140) from the loading position simultaneously engages opposing pairs of similar rough forming teeth (124,126,128) and the mandrel teeth (48) with the sleeve portion (46) therebetween, rough forming splines therein. The dies (112,114;138,140) are then moved in the reverse direction, simultaneously engaging opposed pairs of similar finishing teeth (130,132) and the mandrel teeth (48) with the sleeve (46) therebetween to finish forming the splines (64) therein. Opposed rows of raised synchronizing teeth (142) respectively extend along the toothed work surfaces of the dies and mandrel and are spaced inwardly therefrom, meshing together to rotate the mandrel and coordinate the relative movement of the dies and mandrel during a splining operation.

Die for flanging and chamfering thin-walled members

A mandrel of the type for making a transmission member (42) from a thin-walled blank. A toothed mandrel (40) is rotatably supported between a pair of dies and received within a sleeve portion (46), flatly engaging an annular end wall (44) of the member. The dies (26, 30; 112, 114; 138, 140) and mandrel (40) have chamfered surfaces (68, 70), respectively, for forming a chamfered flange (66) on the power transmission member (42) as the toothed surfaces of the dies are relatively moved during the splining operation.

Mandrell for flanging and splining thin-walled members

A method for forming a power transmission member (42) from a thin-walled blank. The apparatus (10, 110, 210) comprises a pair of opposed toothed dies (26, 30; 112, 114; 138, 140). Initial opposed movement of dies (112, 114; 138, 140) from a loading position simultaneously engages opposing pairs of similar rough forming teeth (124, 126, 128) and mandrel teeth (48) with a sleeve portion (46) therebetween, rough forming splines therein. The dies (112, 114; 138, 140) are then moved in the reverse direction, simultaneously engaging opposed pairs of similar finishing teeth (130, 132) and the mandrel teeth (48) with the sleeve (46) therebetween to finish forming the splines (64) therein. Opposed rows of raised synchronizing teeth (142) respectively extend along the toothed work surfaces of the dies and mandrel and are spaced inwardly therefrom, meshing together to rotate the mandrel and coordinate the relative movement of the dies and mandrel during a splining operation.

Method for splining and flanging thin-walled members

An apparatus (10) and die assembly (26,30) for forming a splined power transmission member from a thin-walled blank. The apparatus (10) comprises a pair of die assemblies (26,30), each including a supporting frame (28), first (42) and second (44) die bodies independently mounted on the supporting frame (28) in end-to-end coaxial relationship with each other, with rough (46) and finish (48) spline-forming surfaces formed on the first (42) and second (44) die bodies, respectively. The pair of die assemblies (26,30) are supported with the spline-forming surfaces of the respective die bodies (42,44) in spaced, opposed, parallel relationship to each other. A power drive mechanism sequentially moves the pair of die assemblies (26,30) in opposed directions. The power drive means effectuates a rough spline-forming stroke and then returns the die assemblies (26,30) to the neutral position. Subsequently, there is a finish spline-forming stroke and then return to the neutral position.

A machine (10) disclosed incorporates spline rolling apparatus (12) having a pair of racks (30) of a construction that permits precise rolling of coarse pitch splines (45). Each rack (30) includes a toothed forming face (32) and a flat base surface (58) as well as a flat side support surface (60) that cooperatively provide accurate location of the rack during the spline rolling. Teeth (56) spaced along the toothed forming face have tapered ends such that a rotatably supported workpiece (14) which is moved axially between the racks (30) during reciprocal driving thereof is progressively formed with the coarse pitch splines (45) without excessively loading the teeth. Both straight and curved tapers are disclosed, preferably on both ends of each tooth, and the teeth are disclosed as being both perpendicular to the direction of the rack to roll straight splines as well as angularly with respect thereto to roll helical splines. A drive mechanism for slides (27) on which the racks (30) are carried includes a pair of rotary hydraulic motors (82) which drive a gear drive train (86) for moving the rack slides.

Coarse pitch spline rolling

A method and apparatus (12) for cold sizing a round workpiece (14) having round surfaces of cylindrical shapes that are coaxial about a central axis A of the workpiece and have different diameters. A support (54,55) rotatably mounts the workpiece (14) about its central axis A between a pair of die assemblies (24a, 24b) which are spaced from each other. Each die assembly (24a,24b) includes a plurality of dies (56,58,60,62) that are respectively aligned with the round surfaces (46,48,50,52) of the workpiece (14). Movement of the die assemblies in opposite directions as each other engages sizing surfaces (66,68,70,72) of the dies with the aligned round surfaces of the workpiece to pressure size the workpiece surfaces. In one embodiment of the sizing apparatus (12), the die assemblies (24a, 24b) have elongated shapes and are moved rectilinearly in a parallel relationship to each other to perform the sizing. Another rotary embodiment of the sizing apparatus (12') includes rotary die assemblies (24a',24 b') mounted by associated spindles (85) whose rotation likewise pressure sizes the round workpiece surfaces. Both embodiments of the sizing apparatus are disclosed as including forming productions for forming projections such as splines (82) and/or a helical thread (84) on the sized surfaces of the workpiece.

Growing community of inventors

Warren, MI, United States of America

James T Killop