Method of making a component using a phased split die

A method of forming from a powdered metal charge a phased component having upper and lower portions of similar shape but displaced relative to one another, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing an upper die set and a lower die set wherein at least one die set comprises a punch and a die, forming a cavity in each of said die sets corresponding to respective ones of said shapes, bringing said die sets into abutment along a plane of separation with said cavities substantially aligned to form a mold cavity, moving one of said dies relative to the other die in said plane of separation to phase said dies prior to compression of said charge, subsequently compressing said charge within said mold cavity to form said phased component, separating said dies at said plane of separation, and removing said component.