Patent ID: 6272751
Filing Date: 2001-08-14
Classification: F16C,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of making a circularly sectioned bearing having a radially supported filled polymer compressible lining comprising the steps of:(i) defining a tubular form of which the filled polymer compressible lining presents a bearing surface extending about, and facing inwardly towards, a longitudinal axis, having an internal diameter ID.sub.MAX smaller than the desired internal diameter of the bearing and having an axial length;(ii) mounting the tubular form in a radially restraining housing to define a mounted form, and(iii) increasing the internal diameter of the mounted form to said desired internal diameter by passing therethrough a burnishing tool having a cylindrical portion of length less than said axial length of the tubular form and a diameter in excess of the desired internal diameter of the bearing and operable to effect by said passage compression of the filled polymer compressible lining in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface, the method being characterised by the steps of, prior to the passage of said burnishing tool through the mounted bush form, effecting at least a partial compression of a minor part of the area of the filled polymer compressible lining as a plurality of depressions in said bearing surface of the mounted tubular form, the depressions being distributed over the surface and having a depth of less than 25% of the thickness of the filled polymer compressible lining.