# US 9,427,790 B2 · Method for forming a workpiece > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,427,790 B2 - Document ID: US9427790B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/005,261 - Filed: 2011-11-11 - Published: 2014-01-23 - Granted: 2016-08-30 - Earliest claimed: 2010-11-12 - Assignees: Pmg Asturias Powder Metal S.A.U. - Applicants: Diego Castro Menendez-Castanedo; Juan Ignacio Lopez Martinez; Ivan Jose Presa Lopez - Inventors: Diego Castro Menendez-Castanedo; Juan Ignacio Lopez Martinez; Ivan Jose Presa Lopez - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9427790B2 ## CPC - B21D 31/00: Other methods for working sheet metal, metal tubes, metal profiles (deforming one surface of tubes helically by rolling B21H3/00; upsetting B21J5/08; working metal by removing material therefrom B23; embossing B44B) - B21J 5/12: Forming profiles on internal or external surfaces (making screw-thread by forging, pressing, or hammering B21K) - B21J 13/025: {Dies with parts moving along auxiliary lateral directions} - B21K 1/30: with gear-teeth - B22F 3/24: After-treatment of workpieces or articles {(B22F3/1146 takes precedence)} - B22F 5/08: of toothed articles, e.g. gear wheels; of cam discs - B22F 2003/031: {with punches moving in different directions in different planes} - B22F 2003/245: {Making recesses, grooves etc on the surface by removing material} - B21D: WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL (working or processing of wire B21F) - B21J: FORGING; HAMMERING; PRESSING METAL; RIVETING; FORGE FURNACES (rolling of metal B21B; making particular products by forging or pressing B21K; cladding or plating B23K; finishing surfaces by hammering B23P9/04; compacting surfaces by blasting with particulate material B24C1/10; general features of presses, presses for consolidating scrap B30B; furnaces in general F27) - B21K: MAKING FORGED OR PRESSED METAL PRODUCTS, e.g. HORSE-SHOES, RIVETS, BOLTS OR WHEELS (making particular articles by working sheet metal without essentially removing material B21D; processing wire B21F; making pins, needles or nails B21G; making particular articles by rolling B21H; forging machines, pressing machines, hammering machines, in general B21J; making chains B21L; plating B23K) - B22F: WORKING METALLIC POWDER; MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES FROM METALLIC POWDER; MAKING METALLIC POWDER (making alloys by powder metallurgy C22C); APPARATUS OR DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR METALLIC POWDER ## Abstract The invention relates to a method for forming a surface relief on an available surface of a compacted sintered component which forms the workpiece, using a forming element that is moved in the working direction towards the available surface. The working direction runs radially in relation to the workpiece and a contact surface of the forming element. The shape of the surface having the relief is applied to the surface of the workpiece in the working direction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for forming a relief on a sintered workpiece, comprising: moving a forming element having at least one forming relief in a radial working direction into contact with the surface of the sintered workpiece; radially applying the at least one forming relief to the surface of the sintered workpiece; and creating a corresponding relief in the surface of the sintered workpiece having an inverse shape of the at least one forming relief of the forming element, wherein the surface of the sintered workpiece includes a toothing system comprising at least one tooth. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein moving the forming element further comprises varying the radial deflection of the forming element in the working direction to move the at least one forming relief into contact with the surface of the sintered workpiece. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method as set forth in claim 2, wherein varying the radial deflection of the forming element comprises moving the forming element to a maximum radial deflection, wherein the corresponding relief is formed on a radially inner surface of the sintered workpiece. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method as set forth in claim 2, wherein varying the radial deflection of the forming element comprises moving the forming element to a minimum radial deflection, wherein the corresponding relief is formed on a radially outer surface of the sintered workpiece. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the surface of the sintered workpiece is a surface of at least one tooth of the toothing system. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method as set forth in claim 5, wherein the surface of the at least one tooth is at least one of: a lateral tooth flank facing an adjacent tooth; a radially outer tip region; and a root region adjoining a main body of the at least one tooth. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method as set forth in claim 6, wherein the corresponding relief in the surface of the sintered workpiece includes at least one of: an undercut formed as a recess in the lateral tooth flank; a latching groove formed as a recess in the outer tip region; and a stop tooth with at least two different tip portions in the outer tip region which extend to different radial lengths. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the toothing system is an internal toothing system comprising one or more teeth disposed on an interior surface of the sintered workpiece. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) New A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the toothing system is an external toothing system comprising one or more teeth disposed on an exterior surface of the sintered workpiece. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sintered workpiece is a sliding sleeve for a shift transmission of a motor vehicle. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising moving a drive element in a drive direction transverse to the radial working direction of the forming element, and wherein moving the drive element in the drive direction controls the movement of the forming element in the working direction. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method as set forth in claim 11, wherein the drive direction is axial direction to the sintered workpiece. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method as set forth in claim 11, wherein the drive element has a drive surface to transmit force from the drive element to the forming element. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein the drive surface is acutely positioned relative to the drive direction. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein moving the drive element in the drive direction transfers the force to a complementary transfer surface of a transfer element positioned between the drive element and the forming element. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method as set forth in claim 15, wherein moving the drive element in the drive direction results in moving the transfer element in at least one of the radial working direction of the forming element and the drive direction of the drive element. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method as set forth in claim 15, wherein the transfer element includes a first transfer surface contacting the drive element, and a second transfer surface contacting a complementary bearing surface of the forming element. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method as set forth in claim 17, wherein the second transfer surface and the bearing surface run parallel to the drive direction of the drive element. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the forming element contacts a transfer element having at least two transfer element parts transversely spaced apart from one another in the working direction, wherein each transfer element part has a first transfer surface contacting the drive element and a second transfer surface contacting a bearing surface of the forming element. ### Claim 20 A method for using a tool for forming a relief on a surface of a sintered workpiece, comprising: radially deflecting a forming element toward the sintered workpiece, wherein the forming element has at least one forming relief facing the surface of the sintered workpiece; impressing the at least one forming relief at least partially into a surface of the sintered workpiece; and removing the at least one forming relief of the forming element from contact with the sintered workpiece, revealing a sintered workpiece having a corresponding relief formed in the surface.