Patent ID: 6898835

Claim:
A method of assembling a blower wheel, comprising the steps of: placing a ring and a hub on a first die; placing a cylindrical blade strip on the ring; placing a backplate on the cylindrical blade strip, wherein the hub slidingly engages a hole in the backplate; placing a second die on the backplate and hub; applying a first compressive axial force to a second die, wherein the ring, cylindrical blade strip, and backplate are generally compressed between the first die and the second die; applying a rotational force to the first die and the second die, wherein the first and second die are rotatably coupled by a transfer gear assembly; applying a first radial crimping force on the ring, wherein a first flange of the ring engages a first portion of the cylindrical blade strip; applying a second radial crimping force on the backplate, whereby a second flange of the backplate engages a second portion of the cylindrical blade strip; generally stopping the rotation of the first and second die; applying a second compressive axial force on the second die without removing the first compressive axial force, wherein the hub is generally deformed on one end, thereby engaging the backplate.