Method of tensile flow forming

Abstract

A method of flow forming in a tensile direction. More particularly, it comprises flowing the metal on the surface of a sheet (or plate) metal blank from a center radially outwards. A roller is initially engaged near or at the center of a rotating metal blank. The roller is then moved radially outward to the edge of the metal blank, gathering the metal as it moves. A mandrel tool surface is used to accumulate the gathered metal to form a predetermined shape at the edge of the workpiece, such as v-belt or multi-ribbed v-belt profile, or gear or sprocket tooth profile.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A method of flow forming comprising the steps of: 
 rotating a workpiece with a rotating mandrel;    engaging a roller with the workpiece;    moving the roller in a workpiece tensile direction;    gathering material against a member; and    forming a workpiece surface.    
     
     
         2 . The method as in  claim 1  comprising the steps of: 
 forming the workpiece surface into a profile.  
 
     
     
         3 . The method as in  claim 2  comprising the step of: 
 forming a fastener receiving portion to cooperate with a workpiece center of rotation.  
 
     
     
         4 . The method as in  claim 3  comprising the step of: 
 forming a multi-ribbed profile in the workpiece surface.  
 
     
     
         5 . The method as in  claim 3  comprising the step of: 
 forming a toothed profile in the workpiece surface.  
 
     
     
         6 . The method as in  claim 1  comprising the step of: 
 engaging the roller substantially at a center of rotation of the workpiece.  
 
     
     
         7 . The method as in  2  comprising the step of: 
 engaging a second roller with the workpiece surface; and  
 forming a profile in the workpiece surface between the roller and the second roller.