Apparatus and method for manufacturing rack bar

An apparatus for manufacturing a rack bar, the apparatus comprising:

• a pre-forming machine configured to form a flattened portion extending in an axial direction of a hollow shaft member on an outer peripheral surface of the hollow shaft member;
• a teeth forming machine configured to form rack teeth on a flat outer surface of the flattened portion;
• a heat treatment machine configured to quench the rack teeth;
• a first conveying machine configured to carry the hollow shaft member into the pre-forming machine and to carry out the hollow shaft member on which the flattened portion is formed from the pre-forming machine;
• a second conveying machine configured to carry the hollow shaft member on which the flattened portion is formed into the teeth forming machine and to carry out the hollow shaft member on which the rack teeth are formed on the flattened portion from the teeth forming machine;
• and
• a third conveying machine configured to carry the hollow shaft member on which the rack teeth are formed into the heat treatment machine and to carry out the hollow shaft member in which the rack teeth are quenched from the heat treatment machine,
• wherein the first conveying machine, the second conveying machine, and the third conveying machine are configured to hold at least one end of the hollow shaft member from a radially inner side of the hollow shaft member.