Gkn Automotive Gmbh

Gkn Automotive Components, Inc.

Jurgen Wagner

Daniel W Hazebrook

A method for making constant velocity joint cages involving a minimalization of offal, scrap, rework, production time and production costs. A sheet of flat metal stock is die-cut stamped or cut by laser into a circularly shaped multi-limbed member having a central circular aperture therein and truncated limb radials extending therefrom that end in a predetermined angle. The multi-limbed member is then pressed into a spherical shape, forming a half-cage member. This process is repeated to make a second half-cage member. The two half-cage members are then placed together with their radials aligned. The aligned radials form legs which thereby define windows on the cage. The half-cage members are then rotated relative to each other with the angle on each radial acting as a ramp that causes the window width to lengthen or shorten in response to rotation in a particular direction. In this way, the window width may be precisely set to specification. When the window width is set, the radials are welded together forming a constant velocity joint cage needing only heat treating, and minimal polishing and grinding. No further processing of the windows is necessary.

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Greensboro, NC, United States of America

Jurgen Wagner