Split die and method for production of compacted powder metal parts

A method of producing a compacted part out of powder material by utilizing a tool set having a top die, a bottom die, at least one top punch associated with said top die, and at least one bottom punch associated with said bottom die, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) prior to filling with powder, initially positioning the top and bottom dies in contact with a bottom punch engaged in the bottom die to create a cavity for powder substantially adjacent the top die;
• (b) filling the cavity by moving a feeder box across the upper surface of the top die and allowing powder to fall into the cavity formed by the top die, bottom die and the bottom punch;
• (c) during the filling of said cavity with powder relatively moving the top and bottom die and bottom punch in order to draw powder downwardly into a portion of said cavity that is formed adjacent to said bottom die due to said relative movement;
• (d) compacting the powder in said top and bottom die chambers by moving said top and bottom punches toward each other;
• and
• (e) after compaction of the powder moving the top and bottom dies away from each to eject the compacted part.

A tool set to compact a part out of powder material, comprising:

• (a) a top die movable along an axis relative to a bottom die;
• (b) at least one top punch associated with said top die for relative movement within said top die;
• (c) at least one bottom punch associated with said bottom die for relative movement within said bottom die;
• (d) a core rod associated with said bottom punch for relative movement within said bottom punch;
• (e) said top and bottom dies being initially positionable in contact in a closed position and with said bottom punch and said core rod creating a cavity for receiving powder, said top punch being raised and separated from said top die;
• (f) said top and bottom dies and said bottom punch being relatively movable to draw powder downwardly into a portion of said cavity formed adjacent the bottom die due to said relative movement;
• (g) said top and bottom punches being movable toward each other with said dies in the closed position and said core rod raised into said top die to compact powder material to produce the part;
• (h) said top and bottom dies being movable to an open separated position and said core rod being movable downwardly for ejection of the compacted part.

A method of producing a compacted part out of powder material by utilizing a tool set having a top die, a bottom die, at least one top punch associated with said top die, and at least one bottom punch associated with said bottom die, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) prior to filling with powder, initially positioning the top and bottom dies in contact with a bottom punch engaged in the bottom die to create a cavity for powder substantially adjacent the top die;
• (b) filling the cavity with sufficient powder to form the part by moving a feeder box across the upper surface of the top die and allowing powder to fall into the cavity formed by the top die, bottom die and the bottom punch;
• (c) after filling said cavity with powder relatively moving the top and bottom die and bottom punch in order to draw powder downwardly into a portion of said cavity that is formed adjacent to said bottom die due to said relative movement;
• (d) compacting the powder in said top and bottom die chambers by moving said top and bottom punches toward each other;
• and
• (e) after compaction of the powder moving the top and bottom dies away from each to eject the compacted part.