Method and apparatus for manufacture of a forged rack
First Claim
1. A method of manufacturing a steering rack bar by forging, said method comprising the steps of:
- (i) placing a heated cylindrical rack bar in a first forging die and forging a first toothed portion at one end thereof;
(ii) removing said rack bar;
(iii) heating said rack bar at or near the other end of said rack; and
(iv) placing said other end of said rack bar in a second forging die and forging a second toothed portion wherein, prior to forging said second toothed portion, the rack bar is axially and angularly aligned to a predetermined axial location and angularly orientated utilising said first toothed portion or features at or near said one end of said rack bar as a datum, and placed and held in said predetermined axial location and angular orientation prior to forging of said second toothed portion.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of manufacturing a steering rack bar (6) by forging, the method comprising the steps of pacing a heated cylindrical rack bar (6) in a first forging die (15) and forging a first toothed protion (37) at one end thereof; removing the rack bar; heating the rack bar at or near the other end of said rack; and placing the other end of the rack bar in a second forging die and forging a second toothed portion (39) wherein, prior to forging the second toothed portion, the rack bar is axially and angularly aligned to a predetermined axial location and angularly orientated utilising the first toothed portion or features at or near the one end of the rack bar as a datum, and placed and held in the predetermined axial location and angular orientation prior to forging of the second toothed portion.
26 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of manufacturing a steering rack bar by forging, said method comprising the steps of:
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(i) placing a heated cylindrical rack bar in a first forging die and forging a first toothed portion at one end thereof;
(ii) removing said rack bar;
(iii) heating said rack bar at or near the other end of said rack; and
(iv) placing said other end of said rack bar in a second forging die and forging a second toothed portion wherein, prior to forging said second toothed portion, the rack bar is axially and angularly aligned to a predetermined axial location and angularly orientated utilising said first toothed portion or features at or near said one end of said rack bar as a datum, and placed and held in said predetermined axial location and angular orientation prior to forging of said second toothed portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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- 9. An apparatus for forging a second toothed portion onto a steering rack bar having a first toothed portion at or near one end, said apparatus comprising, grip means for gripping said rack bar in a predetermined axial location and angular orientation utilising said first toothed portion or features at or near said one end as a datum, transportation means for transporting said gripped rack bar and placing the other end of said rack into a forging die, and orientation maintaining means to hold said rack bar in said predetermined axial location and angular orientation prior to said forging die forging said second toothed portion.
- 13. A steering rack comprising at least two axially spaced-apart forged tooth portions.
Specification