Patent GB-1533571-A (GB)
Title: Nailing machine suitable for use in nailing cable reel flanges
IPC: B23Q1/40
Filed: 1975-05-08
Abstract: 1533571 Nailing machine for cable reel flanges WHITFIELD WYLIE Ltd 7 May 1976 [8 May 1975 10 Oct 1975] 19323/75 and 41689/75 Heading B4C A machine for nailing together blanks to form a cable reel flange comprises a workpiece support table 14, 16, at least one nail inserting means 22, a workpiece turning element comprising a workpiece engaging surface 30 and a projection 28 about which the workpiece may be turned, and lift means 32-38 for raising the turning element 28, 30 through an aperture in table 14, 16 so as to lift the workpiece to facilitate its rotation about projection 28. In the embodiment of Fig. 1, suitable for the production of reel flanges having a central aperture, projection 28 fits into the central aperture. Compressed air supplied to cylinder 38 via a pressure regulator valve acts on piston 36 to raise projection 28, surface 38 and the workpiece. During each nailing operation, piston 36 is pressed down, allowing table 14, 16 to take the impact. Cylinder 38 incorporates a pressure relief valve. The nailing means 22 each comprise a conventional hammer box 54 into which nails are fed successively through a pipe 56, the box including spring fingers which hold the nail until it is driven by hammer 24. The nailing means are supported on rods 58, 60 carried by beam 20 and disposed so as to nail a segment of the reel flange at each operation of the hammers. A bracket 66 carries a plate 77 which presses the workpiece against the table during each nailing  operation and a sighting pin 70 slidably accommodated in a bore 68. The sighting pin is coaxial with projection 28 and facilitates aligning the central aperture of the flange with the projection. The table 14, 16 contains workpiece supporting ball bearings 40. In these operative positions shown each ball projects through an aperture (44, Fig. 2, not shown) in the table. Each ball is seated on a piston (46) of a pneumatic cylinder so that each ball can retract below the top surface of the table during each nailing operation. Each piston is also supported by a spring (52) so that apertures (44) remain sealed even if the air supply is cut off.  If the flange is to have no central aperture the projection about which it is turned comprises a lower spike 28<SP>1</SP>, Fig. 3. An upper spike 70<SP>1</SP> is urged downwards by spring 92 and upwards by compressed air in cylinder 68<SP>1</SP>. When an operator considers he has aligned the center of the workpiece, (the potential flange), with the spikes he operates a valve (VI, Fig. 4, not shown) to cut off compressed air from cylinder 68<SP>1</SP>, and from a port leading to cylinder 38 above piston 36, whilst supplying compressed air, through a restrictor (R1), to cylinder 38 below piston 36. Hence upper spike 70<SP>1</SP> is lowered rapidly and lower spike 28<SP>1</SP> is raised slowly. If the operator sees that the workpiece is not centralized he can reverse valve V1. Otherwise the spikes contact the workpiece, the lower spike being pushed into the workpiece by compressed air and the weight of the workpiece and the upper spike is driven into the workpiece following operation of a valve (V2) to lower support beam 20 and operate a hammer actuator beam to strike hammers 24 and rod 90 so as to drive in upper spike 70<SP>1</SP> and the nails. The control circuit can be such that the hammer beam is operated at fixed intervals, the workpiece being turned between each operation, or the hammer beam can be controlled by the operator.