Abstract: A method for making a core for one of a rotor and a stator for use in an electric motor, the core being formed from a plurality of laminations, includes forming a predetermined number of through-material slots in a first portion of a material stock, forming at least one angled interlocking projection in the material stock, the projection having a circumferential length and being formed so that at least a portion of the projection remains integral with the material stock, cutting the material stock to define a receiving opening corresponding to the interlocking projection, the receiving opening positioned relative to the projection at an angle &phgr; that is a whole number multiple of &bgr;, where &bgr; is an angle defined as a ratio of 360 degrees to the number of slots and cutting the material stock to form a first substantially circular lamination. Second and third laminations are formed in kind.

Abstract: A motor rotor or stator core is formed of a plurality of stacked generally circular laminations. The stack defines at least one inner lamination having laminations positioned adjacent to both sides of the lamination. Each lamination has a predetermined number of circumferentially equally spaced slots or bar elements extending radially at about an edge thereof. The inner laminations include at least one interlocking projection formed in one of the surfaces at a predetermined radial distance from the center of the lamination. The laminations further define at least one projection receiving region formed therein to engage the projection when the laminations arc in the stacked formation. The projection receiving region is spaced from the interlocking projection by an angle .phi. that is a whole number multiple of .beta., where .beta. is an angle defined as a ratio of 360 degrees to the number of slots. A method for making the stacked core is also disclosed.