Patent GB-625975-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for forming articles of a predetermined shape
IPC: B23Q35/128
Filed: 1946-06-11
Abstract: 625,975. Electric control systems. TANDLER, W. S., and WALKER, D. S. June 11, 1946, No. 17479. [Class 40 (i)] [Also in Group XL (b)] In apparatus for forming articles of a predetermined shape, the shaping tools are mounted on a rack, supported on and movable at right-angles to, a carriage which is moved along a straight path, and both rack and carriage are alternately actuated. General mechanical and electrical lay-out, (Fig. 2).-The invention is described with relation to the flame cutting of steel sheets to produce, simultaneously, a plurality of identical patterns. The cutting torches 11a ... 11d are moved along alternate very small paths at right-angles, to execute a net linear movement. The torches are slidably positioned on the arms 17a, 17b, through the rack and pinion 19, 20 and gearbox 21, by the motor 22 mounted on carriage 10. The latter is moved to effect longitudinal displacement of the torches, along the fixed rails 46, 47 by the motor 49 through the gear-box 52 and rack and pinion 51, 50. The motors 22. 49 are controlled from the control cylinders 27, 28, 54, 55, carrying the helical control records 29, 30, 56, 57, through the co-operating photo-electric scanners 36, 37, 38, 39, 61, 62, 63, 64, and the control box 42. The control cylinders 27, 28, are rotated by the motor 22 through the gear-box 25 and the electromagnetic reversing clutch 26, and are also actuated axially by the screw threads 34, 35. The control cylinders 54, 55 are similarly rotated by motor 49. The motors automatically alternate operation, each running for a period defined by the interval between marks on the corresponding control record. The starting of each period is controlled by the record of the opposite control cylinder. Electrical control system, (Figs. 6A, 6B).- Forward operation. The forward rotation of the motor 49 (motor A) is initiated by the start' switch 85 through the relay Al and is continued until a reflecting spot on the control record 56 is brought under the P.E. scanner 86, whereon the stop relay AS is momentarily energized through the amplifier 89. The relay Al is then de-energized and the motor 49 is braked to standstill by the application of reverse power over relay A2, and when a predetermined low speed is attained, the switch 90 falls out. Upon the stopping of motor 49, the motor 22, (motor B), is simultaneously given a forward rotation by the energization of relay B1. Thus, the cutters are given a small movement by 49, followed by a small movement at right angles, by the motor 22. The latter continues rotation until a control mark on the control record 29 is intercepted by the corresponding scanner, whereon the relay BS is energized and the action is transferred back from motor 22 to 49. Reverse operation. For effecting a bend in the cutting path by a reversal of the motors, the reverse control records 30, 57, are employed. In the case of a reversal of motor 22, immediately prior to the actuation of relay AS to stop 49 and start 22 in the forward direction, a reversing control mark, on the reversing control record 57, energizes the reversing control relay BR which effects simultaneous energization of the reversing relay RB and the reverse clutch solenoid BCR, and the de-energization of the forward clutch solenoid BCF. Thus, upon the stopping of motor 49 by relay AS, the motor 22 rotates in a direction opposite to normal due to the energization of relay RB, while the normal direction of rotation of the direction and reverse control cylinders 27, 28 remains unaffected owing to the operation of solenoid BCR. Similarly, the motor 49 may be reversed. Pattern inversion.-This is effected, by either switch 75 or 80, which intercharge the forward and reverse relays of one or other of the motors 22, 49. The pattern may also be turned through 90 degrees by the operation of handle 73 which exchanges the control records associated with the two motors. Specification 580,440 is referred to.