At Compax, Inc., we specialize in providing powder metallurgy gears also known assintered gears, offering a cost-effective, reliable solution for industries requiring high-quality, high-performance components. Powder metallurgy (PM) gears are manufactured through a process that utilizes powdered metals compacted into gear shapes, then sintered at controlled temperatures to form solid, durable parts. This method offers significant advantages for producing gears with tight tolerances and consistent quality.
Why Choose Powder Metallurgy for Gears?
Powder metallurgy is an efficient way to produce gears, offering a reduction in material waste and a streamlined production process. Eliminating or minimizing the need for machining reduces both time and costs, making it an ideal choice for moderate to high-volume production.
Powder metallurgy gears are known for their ability to maintain precise dimensional tolerances. The sintering process makes a smooth surface finish (RMS 32 or better), which is crucial for gears that need to function smoothly and with minimal wear.
Powder metallurgy gears are also particularly well-suited for high-volume production runs. The manufacturing process lends itself to large volumes, providing consistency across every part and having excellent part-to-part reproducibility and repeatability.
The process of making powder metallurgy gears is energy efficient and environmentally friendly. The production methods utilize less energy compared to traditional gear manufacturing processes, and the compacting process generates minimal waste.
Sintered Gears
Sintered gears are a specific application of powder metallurgy, created by compacting metal powders into the desired gear shape and then heating (sintering) them below the melting point to form solid, durable parts. The sintering process allows for the creation of gears with intricate shapes and if needed can be subsequently machined or heat treated
Sintered gears provide several advantages over traditionally machined gears. The sintering process minimizes the need for additional machining, cutting down on time and production costs. Sintered gears also maintain excellent mechanical properties,including strength, wear resistance, and durability. They can be made from a variety of materials, such as iron, steel, stainless steel, brass, bronze, and more, to suit specific application requirements.
Sintered gears are often used in industries like automotive, aerospace, medical, and others, where reliable, high-performance components are essential. The flexibility of sintering allows for the production of gears with complex shapes and features, making them ideal for a range of applications that require tight tolerances .
The Sintering Process at Compax
Compax has developed advanced sintering capabilities that set us apart from many competitors. We offer high temperature sintering for increased physical properties. We can also sinter and heat treat with one pass. This means we can eliminate the cost and variation of a secondary heat treating operation. Our sintering process uses controlled temperatures and atmospheres to create strong metallurgical bonds between powder particles, making the highest quality components. The sintered parts are subjected to a carefully controlled heating process, where particles are bonded together without fully melting, creating the strength and properties of the material.
By using higher sintering temperatures, we enhance the mechanical properties of materials, particularly stainless steel, improving strength and durability. This process provides excellent long-term performance reliability for sintered gears used in demanding applications.
Why Compax for Powder Metallurgy and Sintered Gears?
Compax is committed to providing high-quality powder metallurgy and sintered gears. Our advanced sintering capabilities, ISO 9001:2015 certification, and strict quality assurance processes guarantee that our gears meet the highest standards of performance. We use the latest technology, such as Keyence Image Measurement Systems, density and hardness checks to inspect and test the quality of the parts we produce.
If you’re looking for reliable, cost-effective powder metallurgy gears or sintered gears, contact us today. Our team is ready to help you find the right solutions for your specific needs.