Powder feeding apparatus, pressing apparatus using the same, powder feeding method and sintered magnet manufacturing method

A sintered magnet manufacturing method comprising:

• a first step of applying an impulsive force by an impactor to a container which includes a bottom portion provided with a powder holding portion formed with a plurality of openings capable of allowing a powder to pass through, thereby feeding the powder contained in the container via the openings into a cavity formed in a die;
• a second step of forming a compact by pressing the powder fed in the cavity;
• and
• a third step of manufacturing a sintered magnet by sintering the compact.

A powder feeding apparatus for feeding a powder into a cavity

• formed in a die comprising:
• a feeder box movable to above the cavity, including a bottom portion formed with an opening, and for containing the powder;
• a rod member provided inside the feeder box for positioning the powder for the downward movement;
• a linear member provided at the opening of the feeder box;
• and
• orienting means which orients the powder fed from the feeder box in the cavity.

A powder feeding method for feeding a powder into a cavity formed in a die, the method comprising:

• a step of moving a feeder box to above the cavity of the die, with the feeder box containing the powder, being provided inside thereof with a rod member movable in a horizontal direction, and having an opening provided with a linear member;
• a step of feeding the powder into the cavity while moving the rod member in the horizontal direction within the feeder box, when the feeder box is above the cavity;
• and
• a step of orienting the powder by applying an orienting magnetic field to the powder in the cavity.