GB668713A - Axle housing and method of producing same - Google Patents

Abstract

668,713. Making axle housings. TIMKENDETROIT AXLE CO. July 4, 1950 [Sept. 3, 1949], No. 16623/50. Classes 83 (ii) and 83 (iv). Forging, stamping.-In method of making welded axle housings, half sections 12, 13, Fig. 1, are formed from flat sheet metal blanks of the developed shape of the sections by first stamping the blanks to substantially channel shape between punch and die members and then pressing them between finishing punch and die members which upset the side walls adjacent the ends of the section to form thickened corners 12, Fig. 22, constituting. spring seating areas 13 of greater thickness than the side walls 17. Blanks are formed to the shape of the half section in two operations in a double die having a pair of cavities 44, Fig. 16, 45, Fig. 18, which are engaged respectively by punches 92 and 115. The cavities 44, 45 are substantially similar and rectangular in plan and the shape of the axle casing is formed therein by a number of hard steel blocks in banded pairs 57, 59, 64 and 66, side plates 69 and a central block 53, all of which may be changed for different shapes of blanks. The blocks are held in position by wedges 80, Fig. 17, on each side of the cavity. Knock-out members are provided in bores 43, 82 in the die block for ejection of the pressed blanks. The punch 92 comprises a rectangular holder 84 to which is secured a central punch 85 of substantially the same shape as the inner face of the axle section and is centrally guided over a rod 93. The finishing punch 113, Fig. 18, for the cavity 45 is similar to the punch 92 but has semicircular side plates 120 for forming the semicircular edges 22, Fig. 1, of the axle casing and further has an upper block 117, Fig. 22, which engages the upper edges 36 of the sections at the ends, confining the section to form the thickened corners 12 and simultaneously scarfing the edges 36 in preparation for welding. Blanks cut to the developed shape of the axle section in a single punching operation are heated, descaled, and formed while hot in the double die which may perform the two operations simultaneously on separate blanks. The finished blanks are clamped in blocks while cooling and are subsequently welded together along the seam 14. Wheel bearing sleeves 28, Fig. 1, a differential housing flange 21 and the usual closure bowl are finally welded to the casing.