Method of machining a rotor with variable-lead screw

Abstract

A method of machining, with a formed tool, a first rotor and a second rotor with mutually complementary meshing threads involves rotating a first workpiece about a longitudinal axis of the workpiece. The tool makes one or more passes along the longitudinal axis of the workpiece as the workpiece rotates so as to remove material, thereby forming the flanks of each helix of the first rotor's thread. The value of at least one of the parameters that collectively define the relative position and relative movement of the workpiece and formed tool is varied during each pass so as to vary the lead of the thread. The above steps are repeated for a second workpiece, thereby forming the second rotor. Adjustments are made to at least one of said parameters during one or more of the passes in order to maintain mutually complementary shapes of the threads of the rotors.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.