Patent GB-721542-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to cartridge finishing machines
IPC: B23B9/08
Filed: 1951-09-20
Abstract: 721,542. Cartridge-case finishing machines. GUTMAN, I. Sept. 17, 1952 [Sept. 20, 1951], No. 22084/51. Class 9(1). [Also in Group XXII] A cartridge-finishing machine having a rotatable tool head in which a plurality of tools can move in radial guideways and comprising a member rotatable with the head but movable axially relative thereto is provided with means whereby the relative axial movement causes radial movement of the tool carrier elements. The machine has a base 10 supporting a rotatable indexing drum 12 around which are collets 14 to receive and hold cartridge cases parallel to the axis of the drum. A tool assembly 15 on one side of the drum includes a drill for drilling the base of the case, a grooving tool and a finishing device which may include marking means. At the other side of the drum is a tool assembly 16 which may include a finishing tool for the open end of the case together with devices for plugging, cleaning and drying the interior of the case. The tools are rotated by means of belts 17, 18, 19, 20 from a motordriven shaft 21 and in addition are given a reciprocating motion in a horizontal path. The driven shaft 22 carrying the chuck is rotatably journalled in a block 23 carried by a member 24 slidable on a guide 25. To align the tool holder or chuck with the case a wedge 26 is provided between the block 23 and the member 24. An arm 27 depending from the block is integral with a sleeve 28 slidable on a guide 29 and urged by a spring 30 into a retracted position. Depending from the sleeve 28 is a cam follower 31 engaging a cam 32 mounted on a shaft 33. Each tool or tool holder in the assemblies 15, 16 is similarly mounted, thus there are three cams 32, 34, 35 for each tool assembly. To reciprocate the tools a motor 36 is connected by a belt 37 and worm gearing 38 to a shaft 39 carrying the cams of assembly 16. The drive is transmitted to the second cam shaft 33 through gear wheels 40, 45 meshing with pinions 41, 44 carried by a shaft 42, Fig. 1. Also on the shaft 33 is a Geneva wheel 46 engaging studs 47 on a disc 48 keyed to the shaft of the drum 12 to give the drum a step-by-step motion as the shaft 33 rotates. Thus the tools are advanced and retracted into and from their operative positions by the rotation of the cams synchronously with the motion of the drum. The cases are fed from a hopper 49, Fig. 4, to the outlet of a shoot 50, where a spring 51 controls their escape to a feed mechanism 52 delivering the cases to the drum 12. The feed mechanism 52 comprises an arm 53 pivoted on a lever 54. The oncoming cartridge case is gripped between the arm 53 and a spring 55, while a spring 55<SP>1</SP> holds the arm 53 in position. A rocking movement synchronised with the drum is given to the lever 54 so that when an empty collet 14 arrives at the feeding mechanism, the arm 53 is moved forwards and the case is aligned with the collet. Thereupon a pusher 56 moves to thrust the case into the collet. The collet is closed and the drum again rotates bringing the case to the first tool station and another empty collet to the feeding mechanism while the cams 34 cause another tool to move forward in each assembly. The process is repeated until the case arrives at a discharge point where test mechanism may be provided. Incorporated in the tool assembly is a die-head 60, Figs. 1, 5, comprising a body 61 keyed to a sleeve 63 free to move axially on the body 61. Gear play in the assembly is taken up by a compression spring 64 in the sleeve. Mounted on ball bearings 68, 69 is an outer sleeve 66 having two spaced ribs 67 to accommodate the prongs of a shifting fork. Between the bearings 68, 69 is a thrust bearing 70 with one race 71 connected to the sleeve 66 and the second race 74 connected to the sleeve 62. The sleeve 62 has an enlarged portion 79 with an internal thread 80 serving as a rack. Mounted in slots in the body 61 are gear wheels 82, 83, four sets of gear wheels being provided, each set displaced by 90 degrees relatively to each other around the die head. The gear wheel 82, which is mounted on a shaft 84 freely journalled in the body 61, meshes with the rack 80 and the gear wheel 83. The wheel 83 meshes with a helical rack 86 on a block 87 slidable in radial guideways at the outer end of the body 61. Thus corresponding to each set of gear wheels 82, 83 there is a block 87 carrying a tool and provided with a rack 86 whereby the blocks may be moved radially. Relative axial movement between the sleeve 62 and the body 61 causes rotation of.gear wheel 82 which in turn rotates the wheel 83 to move-the block 87 radially. Movement of the sleeve 62 is caused by rotation of the sleeve 66, through the thrust bearing 70. Thus by rotating the sleeve 66, the four tools may be moved radially. The racks 80, 86 and gear wheels-82, 83 are provided with helical teeth to give a smooth transmission.