Abstract: A method of forming a metal alloy from a powder composition comprising first particles in a range of approximately 20-90% by weight of the powder composition, the remainder of the powder composition comprising approximately 95% by weight of second particles and 5% by weight of third particles, wherein the method includes the step of using rapid thermal processing (RTP) to sinter the powder composition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing high strength aluminum alloys from a powder containing Ll2 intermetallic dispersoids. The powder is degassed, sealed under vacuum in a container, consolidated by vacuum hot pressing, extruded into a rolling preform and rolled into a usable part.

Abstract: A method and apparatus produces high strength aluminum alloy parts from a powder containing L12 intermetallic dispersoids. The powder is degassed, sealed under vacuum in a container, heated, consolidated into billet form by vacuum hot pressing. The billet is then shaped into a ring preform by extrusion, forging or rolling. The preform is then ring rolled to form a useful part.

Abstract: In a punch die for powder compacting, a powder compacting equipment equipped with the punch die, and a forming method with the equipment, for suppressing the occurrence of stress concentration in the die without changing a shape of a powder compacting body, the punch die is used to form a cylindrical member by powder compacting, which has a substantially cylindrical shape and has a protrusion portion formed on the inner peripheral side thereof to protrude in the axial direction or a stepped portion or a concave portion formed on the inner peripheral side thereof in the radial direction. The punch die has a substantially cylindrical shape, and has a protrusion portion formed on at least a part of the inner peripheral surface or the outer peripheral surface thereof to protrude toward the center axis.

Abstract: Provided are molds comprising a substantially concave portion, and a cap portion that is configured for removable attachment to the substantially concave portion and comprises a mandrel formed from a substantially rigid material, wherein the cap portion and the substantially concave portion, when attached, define an internal space having a three-dimensional shape. Among other benefits, the disclosed devices and methods of using such devices provide more uniform and repeatable compaction than conventional molds, and can be used to produce compacted structures having more dimensionally accurate and repeatable surface features, thereby yielding a better, more optimal near net shaped part.

Abstract: A method and apparatus produces high strength aluminum alloys from a powder containing L12 intermetallic dispersoids. The powder is degassed, sealed under vacuum in a container, consolidated by vacuum hot pressing, and superplastically formed into a usable part.

Abstract: A lower punch is arranged to be inserted into a cavity of a die from a lower side of the die. A upper punch is arranged to be inserted into the cavity from an upper side of the die to compact the powder filled in the cavity, in cooperation with the lower punch. A feeder supplies the powder into the cavity. A first cam driving system has a first cam for vertically moving the die relative to the lower punch. A second cam driving system has a second cam for vertically moving the upper punch. A third cam driving system has a third cam for moving the feeder forward or backward relative to the cavity. A contact member is connected to the first cam driving system. A stopper is located above or below the contact member and regulates relative vertical movement of the die with respect to the lower punch, in cooperation with the contact member. A fourth cam driving system has a fourth cam for vertically moving the stopper. The first cam, the second cam, the third cam, and the fourth cam are rotated in synchronism.

Abstract: A method and container for forming billets using hot isostatic pressing is provided. The method and container prevent or minimize the diffusion of metals between a high value powder alloy and the container used for hot isostatic pressing. In one exemplary embodiment, a diffusion barrier is placed on the container between the powder and the container to control diffusion therebetween.

Abstract: An improved method and container for forming billets using hot isostatic pressing is provided. The improved method and container have features that control the deformations of the container during the high temperatures and pressures experienced in such processing so as to provide a billet having a predetermined shape such as, for example, substantially parallel, convex, and/or concave sides. Conservations of the powder used for the billet and more efficient use of the container upon the resulting billet can be achieved.

Abstract: An improved container and method for forming billets using hot isostatic pressing is provided. The method and container allows for adjusting the volume of the container so as to obtain a billet of the desired shape based on selected powder charge for the container. In addition, the corner of the container can be adjusted to allow for elimination of edge effects and further shape control in the resulting billet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus produces high strength aluminum alloys from a powder containing L12 intermetallic dispersoids. The powder is degassed, sealed under vacuum in a container, consolidated by vacuum hot pressing, and extruded into useful shapes.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to uses of novel nanomaterial composition and the systems in which they are used, and more particularly to nanomaterial compositions generally comprising carbon and a metal, which composition can be exposed to pulsed emissions to react, activate, combine, or sinter the nanomaterial composition. The nanomaterial compositions can alternatively be utilized at ambient temperature or under other means to cause such reaction, activation, combination, or sintering to occur.

Abstract: A powder press for producing a metal powder compact comprises an upper punch arrangement and a lower punch arrangement (1) which accommodates the die arrangement (3) which forms the mold cavity (8) into which the metal powder is filled, whereupon the pressing process is carried out. The lower punch arrangement (1) is equipped with a plate (2) on which the die arrangement (3) is placed and to which plate (2) cross pressing devices (4) are fastened. Each cross pressing device (4) is equipped with a cross pressing punch (5) that can be linearly driven by a drive unit and that can be pressed into and retracted out of the mold cavity (8) in the cross pressing direction through an opening (6) in the die (7) which is essentially perpendicular to the pressing direction.

Abstract: A compaction tool is provided for compacting an element from metal powder where the element has uniform axially displaced protrusions, and the tool comprises a die and a top and a bottom punch with punch surfaces. The top and bottom punch comprises displaceable opposing punch surfaces for displacing the metal powder there between before compacting the element. Additionally provided are a method for compacting an element from metal powder and an element made from such a method.

Abstract: Improved methods and containers for forming billets using hot isostatic pressing are provided. The methods and containers have features that control the deformations of the container during the high temperatures and pressures experienced in such processing so that the loss or removal of material from the resulting billet can be optimized.

Abstract: A method of forming a component (30) by isostatic pressing, the method comprising: providing a canister (4) suitable for isostatic pressing, the canister comprising first and second membranes (14, 16) which, in use, are disposed within the canister (4); the first and second membranes (14, 16) defining a component cavity (24) disposed between the first and second membranes (14, 16), a first tool cavity (26) disposed between the first membrane (14) and an adjacent wall (10) of the canister (4), and a second tool cavity (28) disposed between the second membrane (16) and another adjacent wall (12) of the canister (4); filling the component cavity (24) with the component powder for forming the component (30); filling the first and second tool cavities (26, 28) with a second tool powder; and isostatically pressing the canister (4) to form the component (30).

Abstract: Disclosed in this specification is a process for refurbishing a spent sputtering target. The process includes the step of applying sufficient heat and axial force to the filled sputtering target to hot press the filled sputtering target such that the powdered metal fuses with the un-sputtered metal, producing a refurbished target. The process may be used to refurbish precious metal targets, such as ruthenium targets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making cutting tools comprising a substrate having a hard phase and a binder phase, the method comprising forming green powder compacts using powder metallurgical techniques, charging the green powder compacts, placed on one or several trays, in a furnace and sintering the green powder compacts wherein the furnace comprises an insulation package, at least three individually controlled heating elements located inside the insulation package including a vertical heating element, an upper horizontal heating element arranged in an upper part of the furnace, and a lower horizontal heating element arranged in a lower part of the furnace, wherein operating the at least three heating elements such that an average controlled cooling rate from a sintering temperature down to at least a solidification temperature of the binder phase is 0.1-4.0° C./min, and a sintering furnace operable to obtain a controlled cooling rate.

Abstract: Powder metallurgy techniques are utilised to form components and in particular titanium components in moulds. By the nature of the powder forming process, closed surfaces are created in the powder formed component, particularly when hot iso-static pressing techniques are utilised. In order to create surface texturing, and in particular entrant features, a mould lining is associated such that it reciprocates the shape of an underlying mould. The mould lining incorporates surface discontinuities such as holes, slots, spots or folds which result, once the moulded material is formed, in entrant features which can be utilised to enhance bonding through adhesives or other surface features beneficial to a component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a powder metal forging (B) includes a die set (A1D) for forming the powder metal forging (B) having a first die (A) complementary with a second die (D) in a longitudinal direction (ZC). The die set (A,D) has at least two features (10) of dimensions with a longitudinal component (10) and a lateral component (18), and at least the lateral component (18) varies along the longitudinal direction (ZC), at least one such feature (10) in each die (A,D). Each of the first die (A) and the second die (D) includes a castellated parting interface (12,13) dissecting the laterally varying internal longitudinal feature (10, 18) in the first die from the laterally varying feature (10, 18) in the second die (D). The castellation (12,13) in the dies (A,D) provides forged powder metal parts (B) with features of opposite drafts without trapping the part (B) in the dies (A,D).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device according to rapid technology for the production of a three-dimensional object made of a powdery material, which can be compacted, wherein additional temperature control is carried out in the available space by passing a temperature-controlled fluid through the powder.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus (1) for producing a three-dimensional object (6) layer by layer using a powdery material which can be solidified by irradiating it with an energy beam (4), said apparatus (1) comprising an electron gun (3) for generating said energy beam (4) and a working area (5) onto which the powdery material is distributed and over which the energy beam (4) sweeps during irradiation. The invention is characterized in that the apparatus (1) is provided with a system (12, 14, 16, 18) for feeding controlled amounts of a reactive gas into the apparatus (1) such as to contact the reactive gas with material positioned on the working area (5), said reactive gas being capable of, at least when having been exposed to the energy beam (4), reacting chemically and/or physically with the material positioned on the working area (5). The invention also concerns a method for operating an apparatus of the above type.

Abstract: Systems and methods produce forged powder metal parts respectively comprising a transverse feature. A system may comprise a powder metal die, a sintering oven, a forging apparatus, a core material, and a powder metal. The powder metal die may receive and compact the core material and the powder metal to form a compacted powder metal part with at least a portion of the core material embedded therein to define a transverse feature in the compacted powder metal part. The sintering oven may receive and sinter the compacted powder metal part with the core material remaining embedded therein to maintain the definition of the transverse feature during sintering. The forging apparatus may receive and forge the sintered powder metal part with the core material remaining embedded therein to maintain the definition of the transverse feature during forging with the embedded core material being removable from the forged powder metal thereafter.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for forming compacted powder metal parts having a non-axial undercut feature. An undercut die is located between the upper and the lower dies and contains a plurality of shaped punches aligned in a circular pattern. Each of the shaped punches contains a working edge. The working edges converge to form an inner circumference which creates the undercut feature. The edges of the shaped punches slide with respect to each other to change the size of the inner circumference from a maximum diameter position to a minimum diameter position. During compaction, the rotation of the shaped punches alters the inner circumference to its minimum diameter position thereby forming an undercut in the final compacted part. The retraction of the shaped punches to its maximum diameter position enables the unimpeded removal of the part from the tool set.

Abstract: Method for determining a reference for a powder press, which comprises a die plate for attaching a die and an upper adaptor plate which may be actuated by a drive which is hydraulic, mechanical, electric or the like for attaching an upper punch, a lower adaptor plate which may be actuated by a hydraulic drive for attaching a lower punch or the die plate and at least one distance measuring system for the upper and lower punch and/or the die plate with the following steps: a reference die and at least one reference punch are made, the reference die is attached to the die plate, by an optical measuring device usefully arranged on a base plate and/or die plate, the position of the upper edge of the reference die is measured and the position value stored, the reference die is removed, the adaptor plate with the reference punch previously attached therein, is moved in the direction of the die until the lower edge of the reference punch has reached the stored position of the upper edge of the reference die, the sum

Abstract: A process for production of a packed soft magnetic component, comprises the steps of: —preparing a rotational mould, consisting of at least one mould cavity connected to a driven rotational axle, arranging a coil in the mould, filling the at least one mould cavity with a binder and a soft magnetic, metallic material in the form of a powder, —driving the axle for rotation of said at least one mould, whereby the soft magnetic, metallic material is packed by centrifugal forces to one side of said at least one mould cavity, mixed with the binder, thus forming a component comprising a soft magnetic composite with a coil embedded therein.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for forming a compacted powder slug coated with a film. The powder, e.g. of a medicament, is compacted and enrobed to produce compacted powder slugs by preferably mechanically compacting a powder and forming a film of a material, preferably hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose, by vacuum or pressure differential, about the surface of the powder thus compacted.

Abstract: Cam lobe packs and methods of producing the same. The method uses a tool made up of an insert disposed within a sleeve such that both are responsive to a dynamic magnetic compaction (DMC) pressure source. The insert defines a substantially axisymmetric exterior surface and a cam lobe-shaped interior surface that can receive a compactable material such that upon DMC, the material is formed into the shape of the cam lobe. The sleeve is disposed about the insert and defines a substantially axisymmetric exterior surface such that an axisymmetric compaction imparted to the sleeve by the DMC pressure source forms the desired shaped cam lobe. The tool is configured such that individual tool members corresponding to one or more of the cam lobes can be axially aligned so that an aggregate interior surface is formed that defines an exterior surface profile of a camshaft being formed.

Abstract: A gear wheel includes multiple helical toothings, each having a different helical angle. A pressing method for molding a gear wheel involves introducing a compactable material into a chamber of a pressing tool, compacting the material, exposing the helical toothings of the gear wheel, and removing the molded body from the pressing tool. A pressing tool for pressing, as one part, a gear wheel, includes a matrix, cylindrical first and second molding tool parts which can be translated along and then rotated about a longitudinal axis, and a driver coupled to the molding tool parts or driving them. The molding tool parts can be moved towards and away from each other and the inner surface of the matrix delimits the chamber and is shaped to allow a linear axial sliding movement of the compactable material relative to the matrix.

Abstract: A method for producing a radially anisotropic ring magnet having at least one axial groove on the inner surface comprises using a die comprising a cylindrical, magnetic core, a magnetic sleeve having an axial ridge in alignment with the groove on the outer surface and disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the core, and an outer, cylindrical die member defining a cavity for forming the ring magnet with the magnetic sleeve, and compression-molding magnet powder charged into the cavity while applying a magnetic field in a radial direction, and a radially anisotropic ring magnet substantially having a composition of R-TM-B, wherein R is at least one of rare earth elements including Y, TM is at least one of transition metals, and B is boron, having at least one axial groove on the inner surface, and magnetized such that centerlines between magnetic poles do not overlap grooves.

Abstract: A die press assembly (14) for pressing carbide steel cutting inserts for cutting tools comprising a lower clamp (8, 13) for clamping and holding a lower punch (7), a die clamp (6, 11) for clamping and holding a die (5) and a core pin claim 10, 12) for clamping and holding a core pin (9), where the lower punch (7), the die (5) and the core pin (9) each have a bore or a recess (16, 30, 31, 32) for receiving a locking device (17).

Abstract: Systems and methods for converting a powder to a solid mass are disclosed. A furnace is provided to melt the powder and deliver a stream of resulting molten material to a bed of beads on a vibratory conveyor. Cooling gas flows through nozzles positioned above and along the conveyor to cool the beads and liquid. The liquid solidifies and forms a solid mass, incorporating beads from the bed. The conveyor can be periodically stopped to produce a plurality of discrete solid masses. Masses and unincorporated beads fall into a collection container. Unincorporated beads pass through a screening device and are returned to the bed of beads. A make-up bead system adds beads to the bed as needed to maintain a suitable bed depth. In some embodiments, the powder and beads consist essentially of silicon, and the solid masses formed are suitable for preparing silicon ingots.

Abstract: A gas operated part forming die apparatus has compact high tonnage presses which are operated by high pressure gas generated within chambers and controlled to operate high pressure pistons and dies for compressing particulate material into dense formed parts. Combustion chambers are filled with pressurized mixtures of combustible gases and diluents. Elongated chambers have insulating walls and spaced electrodes. Some contain liquid or particulate ablatable materials or ablatable liners. Others extend fuzes between the electrodes and are filled with pressurized gases. Gas is removed from the particulate material. Die cavities may be precompressed during filing of chambers with pressurized gas. Igniting the combustible gases or creating arcs between the electrodes produces rapidly expanding high pressure resultant gases for driving pistons and movable dies and rapidly compressing die cavities. Pressures in the chambers are contained, or pistons are restrained until releasing and driving the pistons.

Abstract: A die for use with a uni-axial press including top and bottom rams, at least one of the top and bottom rams being movable along a pressing axis. The die includes at least two separable die parts mutually engageable along adjacent parting surfaces extending in a direction non-perpendicular to the pressing axis and a removable core rod. The die parts are movable between separated and engaged positions in a direction non-parallel to the pressing axis. The die includes a first passageway extending therethrough between the periphery of the die and the die chamber. The first removable core rod is configured to be inserted into the die chamber through the first passageway.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing binderless briquettes from metal chips and metal dusts in which the metal chips are pressed into a cup-shaped form and the upwardly open cavity produced as a result is filled with metal dust, after which the opening is closed with a cover consisting of pressed metal chips.

Abstract: A method and apparatus produces high strength aluminum alloys from a powder containing L12 intermetallic dispersoids. The powder is degassed, sealed under vacuum in a container, heated, consolidated by vacuum hot pressing, and extruded.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a cutting insert green body having undercuts includes providing a die cavity formed in closed top and bottom dies; closing a bottom of the die cavity by a bottom punch accommodated in a punch tunnel formed in the bottom die; filling the die cavity with a pre-determined amount of sinterable powder; moving a top punch towards the die cavity through a punch tunnel formed in the top die; compacting the powder by urging the top and bottom punches towards each other, thereby forming the green body; and moving the top die and punch away from the bottom die and punch, thereby enabling removal of the formed green body. An apparatus for manufacturing a cutting insert green body having undercuts includes top and bottom dies which abut each other and top and bottom punches which slide in their respective dies.

Abstract: Press for producing dimensionally stable pressed parts from powdered material, with a press frame, a die holding plate, at least one upper punch holding plate, at least one lower punch holding plate, adjusting drives for the upper punch and lower punch holding plate and/or die holding plate, a vertical guide in the press frame for at least the upper and lower punch holding plate and a measuring device for measuring the position of the upper punch holding plate, the lower punch holding plate and/or the die holding plate. A single measuring rule is attached in its thermal fixed reference point to a support vertically uncoupled from the press frame, on which measurement slides cooperating with the holding plates are guided.

Abstract: A powder alloy rolling case (1) includes a side face configuring member (10) formed like a rectangular frame with two members (10a, 10a) combined, and surrounding side faces of metal powder (2); an upper lid configuring member (11) provided to cover one opening of the side face configuring member (10), and covering an upper face of the metal powder; and a lower lid configuring member (12) provided to cover the other opening of the side face configuring member (10), and covering a lower face of the metal powder (2), wherein joints (10b, 10b) between the members (10a, 10a) configuring member (10) are provided in opposing two side faces out of four side faces of the side face configuring member (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for producing a 3D object by means of a generative 3D-method, for example, selective laser sintering (SLS) and selective laser melting (SLM). An infrared sensor can be cross-flown by a tempered fluid in order to prevent said infrared sensor (6), which is provided in the process chamber (1) of the device, from being impaired by monomer deposits, oligomers or solid material particles during the construction thereof.

Abstract: The invention describes a device (1) for calibrating a sintered moulded part (2) with an angular toothing (3) by means of a calibrating tool (4), comprising a lower punch (15) for mounting the sintered moulded part (2) with a lower punch external toothing (23), a vertically movable and axially rotatably mounted upper punch (8) with an upper punch external toothing (21), as well as an axially rotatably mounted die (14) with a die internal toothing (24). The lower punch (15) is mounted to be moveable only in vertical direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the sintering cycle method and apparatus of a kind of box-type sintering machine, which is peculiarly applicable to the production of lightweight aggregate using fly ash or industrial waste by sintering process. This apparatus includes four conveying systems, ignition station #1, ignition station #2, one tilt discharger, and one crusher; the box-type sintering stacking line A and B are straight and parallel, sharing one coarse dust collector; each box-type sintering stacking line is equipped with overhead workstation gantry crane rails and cranes, and each crane comprises two parts, i.e., hoist system and single rail trolley system; each box-type sintering stacking line has multiple sinter boxes; each sinter box has an air chamber below, under which there is the air chamber pipeline connected to the coarse dust collector.

Abstract: A hydraulic press can include a press frame with a press table arranged thereto and a traveling press platen arranged therein, in which at least one rapid motion cylinder with a platen connection can be arranged for the rapid no-load stroke of the press platen, in which at least one working cylinder with a piston directed toward the press table can be rigidly arranged on the upper crosshead of the press frame, in which a coupling device and opposed thereto a crosshead with at least one positioning and synchronizing cylinder for the piston can be arranged on the piston toward the press table, in which the piston can include a centrically arranged cylindrical extension for the sliding guide of a connecting device, such as a toothed rack, in which this connecting device can be connected to the press platen.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a case for rolling powder alloy without failures at the time of rolling. The case for rolling powder alloy (1) is formed like a shape of box and comprises a side constituent member (10) forming like a rectangular frame in a combination of two members (10a, 10a) and surrounding a side surface of metal powder, an upper lid constituent member (11) mounting on one opening of the side constituent member (10) and covering an upper surface of the metal powder, and a lower lid constituent member (12) mounting on the other opening of the side constituent member (10) and covering a lower surface of the metal powder. The peripheral edges of the upper lid constituent member (11) and the lower lid constituent member (12) are,respectively, provided with a peripheral wall (11b, 12b) standing upright along an outer peripheral surface of the side constituent member, and the side constituent member (10) is inserted into a space surrounded by the peripheral wall (11b, 12b).

Abstract: Refractory metal powders are dehydrided in a device which includes a preheat chamber for retaining the metal powder fully heated in a hot zone to allow diffusion of hydrogen out of the powder. The powder is cooled in a cooling chamber for a residence time sufficiently short to prevent re-absorbtion of the hydrogen by the powder. The powder is consolidated by impact on a substrate at the exit of the cooling chamber to build a deposit in solid dense form on the substrate.

Abstract: A method for producing a three-dimensionally shaped object, includes the steps of: (i) forming a solidified layer by irradiating a light beam on a specified portion of a powder layer placed on a shaping table to sinter or melt the specified portion; (ii) forming another solidified layer by placing a new powder layer on the solidified layer thus obtained, and irradiating the light beam on a specified portion of the new powder layer to sinter or melt the specified portion of the new powder layer; and (iii) repeating the step (ii) to produce a three-dimensionally shaped object. When performing the steps (i) to (iii) within a chamber, at least a part of an ambient gas in the chamber is exhausted from the chamber through a gas passage of a shaping tank.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for pressing a formed part, in which a ceramic and/or metallic material to be pressed, in particular powdery and/or granulated material (3) is being filled into the die cavity (2) of a die (1), in an axis of compaction (X) with at least one pressing punch (4, 5) the material (3) is being pressed, and in a direction, with a component of movement perpendicular to the first axis of compaction (X), a transverse punch (6) is being moved into the material (3) in a transverse axis (QX), with the movement of the transverse punch (6) being carried out during and/or after pressing of the material (3) in the axis of compaction (X), in particular during and/or after beginning of the compaction operation of the material (3). In particular there is carried out according to the method the actuation of pressing punches in the axis of compaction in such a way, that there act onto the transverse punch in the direction of the axis of compaction on both sides approximately equal forces.

Abstract: By arranging such that the crystal fractures of alloy raw meal powder having crystal orientational relationship with one another get combined in the magnetic field, there is provided a molding apparatus which is capable of molding a molded body having an extremely high orientation. The molding apparatus of this invention has: a cavity for filling thereinto a powder that is polarized in magnetic field or electric field; means for generating magnetic field or electric field capable of charging the powder filled in the cavity with the magnetic field or electric field; an agitating means for agitating the powder in a state of being charged with the magnetic field or the electric field, thereby orienting the powder; and a pressurizing means for applying a compression force in the magnetic field or electric field to the agitated and oriented product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a net or near net shaped work surface includes providing a substrate and engaging a die with the substrate forming a die cavity enclosing a portion of the substrate. A powdered metal is introduced into the cavity, heated prior to and within the die cavity, and pressurized to consolidate the powdered metal. The die is then disengaged from the substrate. In one exemplary embodiment, the work surface forms the cutting teeth of a saw blade.

Abstract: A press machine 10 includes a die 12 with a through hole 12a that defines a cavity, a first press surface 14a and a second press surface 16a for pressing a magnetic powder 18 loaded in the cavity, and magnetic field generating means for applying an aligning magnetic field to the magnetic powder 18 in the cavity. At least one of the first and second press surfaces 14a and 16a has a region made of a material having a Vickers hardness that is higher than 200 but equal to or lower than 450. In pressing the powder under the aligning magnetic field, the press machine 10 minimizes the disturbance in the orientation of the powder.