Patent ID: 8459080

Claim:
A method of producing a flow formed part comprising the steps of: providing a blank formed of a flowable material; providing a tool having a first end and a second end, the first end adapted to abut the blank, the tool having an annular array of recesses formed intermediate the first end and the second end, each of the recesses having a first end including a first rounded corner and a second rounded corner, an outlet formed between the first rounded corner and the second rounded corner; positioning the first end of the tool adjacent the blank; applying pressure to the blank to cause the material of the blank to flow into the recesses of the tool to form a part having a plurality of splines, each of the splines having a first rounded edge formed by the first rounded corner and a second rounded edge formed by the second rounded corner, at least a portion of the material flowing through the outlet of the recesses forming a protuberant portion disposed between the first rounded edge and the second rounded edge on each of the splines of the part; and removing the protuberant portions from the splines of the part.