Patent GB-602217-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to typographical slug casting machines
IPC: B41B11/52
Filed: 1945-12-05
Abstract: 602,217. Type-casting machines. LINOTYPE & MACHINERY, Ltd. (Mergenthaler Linotype Co.). Dec. 5, 1945, No. 32914. [Class 100(iii)] Type-bar making machines; matrices; metal pots and pumps; moulds; trimming and ejecting type-bars; driving- mechanism.-In a typographical slug casting machine wherein a slug is cast in a mould against a composed line of matrices by injecting molten metal from a pot and is subsequently ejected from the mould, clamping- mechanism adapted to effect a lock-up between the composed line, the mould and the mouthpiece of the' metal pot preparatory to casting is operated by an individual power unit. The clamping-means may comprise a reciprocable wedge operated pneumatically. The matrices X, Fig. 12, are composed in a hand-stick Y in which they are clamped between movable blocks Y‹, Y<6> by turning a screw Y<7>, the block Y<6> being normally held spaced from an end wall Y4 by a spring y<1>, and the movement of the block Y<6> being utilised to actuate a bar whereby the matrices are pressed into alignment on a guide rail y engaging notches in the matrices. The handstick Y is pushed endwise into a receptacle A, Fig: 7, adjustable vertically in guides in a wedge C to suit the point size of the matrices, by turning a shaft geared to a camshaft A<1>, a dial being provided to indicate the position of the receptacle and a detent to maintain the parts in adjusted position: a spring-pressed arm A<2> presses the receptacle A down on to the cams. The wedge C is reciprocated to press the receptacle A against a mould B and the mould against the mouthpiece Fl of a pot F, by gearing operated from a pneumatically-operated piston, admission of air to the cylinder being controlled by a slide valve C<9>, Fig. 25, which is one of several in a manifold R, the valves and manifold being similar to those described in Specification 553,033: After a slug is cast and the receptacle A returns to normal position, the mould B is lowered and then turned into a horizontal position for ejection of the slug, arms B<7>, Fig. 7, pivoted to the mould being connected to crank arms B<6> on a shaft B4 which is rotated one and a quarter revolutions whereby detents on the arms B<7> engaging slots b<1> in arms B<2> rigid with the mould are released from the slots and re-engaged therewith below the shaft B<4> to swing the mould B down on to stops d<10> and along guide grooves d<11>; an adjustably mounted knife H trims the base of the slug during the forward horizontal movement of the mould. The shaft B<4> is rotated in opposite directions by gearing from a rack B‹ attached to a piston B<14> working in a pneumatic cylinder B<13>, admission of air being controlled by a slide valve B<16>, Fig. 25. The slug is broken off and ejected through a slot d<13>, Fig. 7, into a trough D<9> by an ejector bar G<3>, Fig. 18, slidably mounted in a slide G<1> reciprocated in vertical guides D<5>, D<6> by a pneumatically-operated piston G<6> controlled from a slide valve G<8>, Fig. 25. The piston rod is connected to bell cranks g<2> pivoted to the slide G<1> and connected by arms g<3> to the ejector bar whereby on initial downward movement of the piston a toggle action of the members g<2>, g<3> provides the greatest pressure at the start of the slug-ejecting operation. On the return stroke, the bar G<3> encounters a lug g<6> on a cross member G<2> of the slide G<1> which rises until the member meets a stop screw g<5>. Metal is pumped into the mould by a plunger F3, Fig. 4, connected to a block f<1> on the end of the rod of a piston F<5> working in a pneumatic cylinder F<6> under the control of a slide valve F<7>. To ensure maximum air pressure in the top of the cylinder preparatory to injecting metal into the mould, the piston F<5> is retained in its raised position until pressure builds up by a slidable latch pin F<9> engaging a lug f<7> on the block f<1>, the pin being retracted by a lever F<13> rocked by an arm F<16> operated by a cam S<1>, Fig. 25, on a main shaft S. To provide for injection of metal into the mould at maximum pressure, a port f<11>, Fig. 4, through which the molten metal in the throat and crucible is maintained at a common level is controlled by a fluted release valve I connected to a piston I<2> working in a cylinder P under the control of a slide valve, the valve I being closed just before the pin F<9> is withdrawn and opened to allow the plunger F3 to complete its stroke. The main shaft S, Fig. 25, is driven from a rotary wheel K3 through a cone clutch K\ K<2>, reduction gearing J<1>-J<4> and a one-revolution control device L. The latter comprises a bar L<1> keyed to the shaft S and carrying wedge blocks l<1> engaging similar blocks l<2> on a disc L<2> loose on the shaft S. By moving a hand lever a stop is momentarily released from a tooth on the disc L<2> whereupon the latter rotates one revolution, and, on engaging the stop again, the wedges cause the bar L<1> to move axially so as to rock a lever J<6> acting on a clutch-disengaging rod K<4> to stop the drive to the shaft S; a spring connecting the bar L<1> to the disc L<2> is tensioned by the movement of the bar after the disc is arrested and returns the parts to normal position. To stop the machine at any time, the hand-lever is moved in the, opposite'direction acting on toggles N<4> to operate the rod K<4>. The machine is stopped automatically by means of a series of stop pins co-operating with studs on the disc L<2>, the pins being connected by Bowden cables to levers actuated to retract the pins but not actuated if (1) the mould B fails properly to reach the ejecting position (lever 15, Fig. 7), (2) the mould B is not restored to its vertical position of rest in front of the mouthpiece F<1>, (3) the pressure-release valve I fails to close before the plunger F<3> drops (lever 33, Fig. 4), (4) the plunger F<3> fails to complete its downward stroke (lever 37, Fig. 4), (5) the ejector blade G<3> fails to rise high enough, after ejection, to clear the mould (lever 41, Fig. 18) and (6) the wedge C fails to complete its downward stroke or its upward stroke (cam-plate 25 on wedge co-operating with lever 31, Fig. 7). The machine is also stopped if the hand-stick Y is not properly inserted or is withdrawn before casting, by means of a bell-crank 39, Fig. 12, connected by a Bowden cable 40 to a pawl adapted to engage teeth on the member L<2> if the lever 39 is not actuated. Specification 602,216 also is referred to.