Constant velocity universal joint outer joint member and manufacturing method for same

A method of manufacturing an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint, the method comprising:

• forming a cup member by forging, the forging comprising:
• upsetting a billet having a columnar shape successively in a plurality of stages;
• extruding a cylindrical portion and a shaft portion;
• and
• ironing the cylindrical portion;
• and
• joining the cup member and a shaft member to form the outer joint member, wherein
• the cup member has a bottomed cylindrical shape that is opened at an end on one side in an axial direction, and comprises the cylindrical portion, a bottom portion, and the shaft portion protruding from the bottom portion toward another side in the axial direction,
• the shaft portion has a solid shaft shape, and comprises an annular joining end surface at an end portion thereof,
• the shaft member has a solid shaft shape, and comprises an annular joining end surface at one end thereof,
• the joining comprises bringing the annular joining end surface of the cup member and the annular joining end surface of the shaft member into abutment against each other and welding the annular joining end surface of the cup member and the annular joining end surface of the shaft member to form a welded portion having an annular shape,
• in a course of the upsetting, a diameter of a first region of the billet corresponding to an opening side of the cup member is increased and a second region corresponding to a bottom side of the cup member is narrowed,
• the welded portion is formed on a cup member side with respect to a bearing mounting surface formed on the shaft member, and
• the welded portion formed by the welding is free from interference with center segregation of the cup member.