Patent GB-602216-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to typographical slug casting machines
IPC: B41B11/54
Filed: 1945-12-05
Abstract: 602,216. Type-casting machines. LINOTYPE & MACHINERY, Ltd. (Mergenthaler Linotype Co.). Dec. 5, 1945, No. 32913. [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 slotted mould against a line of matrices composed in a hand stick, from metal forced into the mould from a stationary pot, a hinged support for the mould is automatically operated to carry the mould bodily in a facewise direction from casting to ejecting position and back to casting position, and a positive lock-up between the hand stick, mould and mouthpiece of the metal pot is effected automatically preparatory to the casting operation. Matrices X, Fig. 20, similar to those described in Specifications 387,118 and 396,045 are clamped between movable blocks Y<6>, Y7 in a handstick Y by a turning screw Y<9>, the movement of the block Y<7> causing vertical movement of a bar mounted on inclined guides and having inclined slots engaging screws, to force the matrices down on to an aligning-rail Y<2> provided with graduations to indicate the length of the line composed. The hand-stick is pushed into a receptacle A and when properly positioned releases a pawl D normally latching the receptacle in the upper or normal position. The receptacle is situated between a reciprocating wedge B and a mould C, Fig. 6, downward movement of the wedge forcing the receptacle horizontally against the mould and the mould against the mouthpiece F<1> of a metal pot F. The receptacle is raised by links A<3> connected to arms A<1> rocked about a shaft A<2> by a cam P<2> on a main shaft P (see below), and, when released, is pressed down by springs A<7> on to a micrometer stop G, Fig. 20, adjusted to suit the point size of the font in use. The wedge B slides in inclined guides e<4>, Fig. 6, and is raised by an arm B<4> which is connected by a link B<5> to the wedge and is rocked about a pivot B3 by a cam P<2>, the active stroke of the wedge being effected by a returning-spring B7. The mould C is moved upwardly and towards the pot F about a pivot C<2> by an arm C3 operated by a cam P<3>, a pin-andslot connection at the pivot allowing a slight additional clamping movement of the mould towards the pot. A double-faced wiper A<11> carried by the receptacle A cleans the mouthpiece F<1> and the rear face of the mould as the receptacle is moved to and from casting position. The mouthpiece F<1> is supported by lugs projecting inwardly from side members of a bracket E to engage behind lugs on the pot throat, whereby the pressure created by casting will be absorbed by the bracket E. After the slug is cast, the mould is turned into a horizontal position where it rests in a slot E6, whereupon the slug is trimmed by a knife H reciprocated from a cam on the main shaft through a rock shaft H<2> carrying an arm H<3> connected to the knife, and is ejected by a blade J<1> carried by a slide J reciprocated in vertical guides j by arms J<7> connected to arms J‹ fixed to a shaft J<4> rocked from a cam P<4>. The blade J<1> is attached to a plate J<2> hinged to the slide J and a stud j<1> on the plate J<2> engages an angular slot e<5> whereby, as the slide rises after ejection of the slug, the blade J<1> is swung out of the path of the mould. The slugs fall into a trough E<8> under the control of a deflector plate E<9>. The casting-mechanism comprises a reciprocating pump-plunger connected by a link to a bell crank F<6>, F<9>, Fig. 10, rocked by an arm F<10> carrying a roller f riding on a cam P<6> whereby the plunger is raised against the action of a spring F" which provides the force for pumping metal into the mould. To enable a strong spring to be used, the cam extends over an angle of 200 degrees. The casting pressure is increased by providing a quick-drop device consisting of a finger f<1>, which, by engaging a wear plate p<6>, supports the lever F<6> independently of the roller f and releases the lever suddenly. The pump comprises a plunger F<4>, Fig. 11, in which is mounted pressure release valve K grooved longitudinally to serve as a by-pass for molten metal from the crucible to the well during the up stroke of the plunger. During the down stroke, the' valve closes and metal is pumped into the mould under the influence of the spring F<11>, Fig. 10, the plunger being arrested at a level depending on the amount of metal required to fill the mould &c. The valve K is opened by a cam K<1> on the shaft P, acting on a lever K<2> pivoted at k2, which rocks a bell-crank K<6> connected by a link K' to the valve, the cam being angularly adjustable to vary the time the pressure is maintained in accordance with the size of slug. The pump plunger is locked against operation if the wedge B does not descend to its proper position for clamping the receptacle and mould against the mouthpiece, or if, owing, for instance, to the mould or receptacle or both not being in position, the wedge descends too far, by a slide operated from the wedge and adapted to be moved into the path of the lever F<6>. The cam-shaft P, Fig. 12, is driven by gears from a shaft L driven from a rotary wheel M3 through a friction clutch M, M<1> controlled automatically or by hand. A disengaging-lever L<6> is rocked about a pivot l by a cam L<9> carried by the shaft P to stop the latter after one revolution, overrunning being prevented by engagement of a lip L<8> on the cam with the end of the lever. The cam is connected to the shaft P by a spring l<5>, relative movement between the cam and shaft being allowed by a pin-andslot connection whereby on movement of a lever L<13> a bell crank l<6>, is rocked and the lever L<6> is momentarily released from the cam L9 which .moves under the influence of the spring I<5> so that the lever L<6> can swing back to allow the clutch to engage and start the shaft P. Disengagement can be effected at any time by moving the lever L<13> the other way to operate the clutch rod through toggles L<14>,