Manufacturing Process

1 Mixing

Multiple metal powders are mixed together in a mixer. There are various kinds of metal powders, including iron, copper, and stainless steel. Basically, any metal can be used for metal powder for raw materials. The proportions of metals can also be freely selected to suit the characteristics desired.

2 Molding

Multiple metal powders are mixed together in a mixer. There are various kinds of metal powders, including iron, copper, and stainless steel. Basically, any metal can be used for metal powder for raw materials. The proportions of metals can also be freely selected to suit the characteristics desired.

3 Sintering

The step of heating the green body in a sintering furnace is called “sintering”, and the heated object is called a sinter. The metal powders in the green body are not bonded together, so they are heated at a high temperature to make the metal powders bond together and improve the strength of the product.

4 Sizing

The step where the sinter is pushed into the die and compacted into the desired dimensions using a press is called “sizing”. It is performed to correct distortions caused by sintering and to obtain accurate dimensions. In this step, adjustment of oil pores for releasing oil from the inside diameter of the powdered metallurgy bearing is also performed.

5 Impregnation

In the “vacuum impregnation” step, a vacuum pump is used to remove air from openings in the product, and lubricant is injected into them instead. This step determines the amount of lubricant in the pores, called oil percentage. Common oil-impregnated bearing products have an oil percentage of 18% or more.

6 Final inspection

In the final inspection, we perform a final check to see if the product satisfies the customer’s requirements.

Product complete