Roller assembly of an undercarriage assembly having an integrated retainer and thrust bushing and method for making the same

The present invention relates generally to a roller assembly of an undercarriage of a work machine, and more particularly to a roller assembly of an undercarriage assembly having an integrated retainer and thrust bushing and method for making the same. A roller assembly for an undercarriage of a work machine has a roller rim having central passage defined therein. The roller assembly also has a roller shaft positioned in the central passage of the roller rim. Moreover, the roller assembly has a retainer secured to the roller rim so as to retain the roller shaft in the central passage. The retainer is prepared by a process including the steps of (i) arranging a first type of metal powder in a first predetermined location, (ii) arranging a second type of metal powder in a second predetermined location, the second type of metal powder being different than the first type of metal powder, and (iii) sintering both the first type of metal powder and the second type of metal powder. A method of manufacturing a roller assembly of an undercarriage assembly is also disclosed.