Method of manufacturing bushings with powdered metals

Abstract

A die assembly having a cavity in which powdered metal is compressed with upper and lower punches. A core extends through the lower punch to form the inner wall of a bushing, and a core extension rod having a lateral protrusion that extends into the cavity to form a groove in the upper portion of the bushing. The core and the core extension rod move in concert between positions to receive powder, compress it and moves upward to afford expelling the finishing bushing. One stationary protrusion extends from the die into the cavity to form a groove in the powdered metal along the full length of the completed bushing. Air passage means are used to direct air into the cavity to remove residue powder that may eventually build-up and cause inaccuracies. Also, in the preferred embodiment a powder feeder means is used on a die table to reciprocate between a retracted, inactive position and an extended position to deposit powdered metal into the cavity and later to bump a finished bushing across the table.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.