Patent GB-551185-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to typographical slug casting machines
IPC: B41B11/38
Filed: 1941-08-06
Abstract: 551,185. Valves. MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE CO. Aug. 6, 1941, No. 9972. Convention date, March 13. [Class 135] [Also in Group XVI] The vice-jaws and the spaceband driver of a type-bar making machine are operated by individual pneumatic power-units under the control of a timing camshaft. The jaws are closed upon the line for each casting operation by separate pneumatic motors, by which they are opened again to the fullest extent after the casting. Hand-adjusted stops are provided for determining the inner position of the jaws both for the regular operation of the machine in casting from lines of full length and for indenting lines to a constant length at one or both ends. Either or both of the stops are withdrawn to permit one or both of the jaws to close upon the line itself for quadding at either end or for centring. The right-hand jaw normally occupies a position below the line, and is raised in order to enclose it. Hydraulic cylinders are provided for applying a clamping pressure to the line during casting. The spaceband-driver is operated in both directions by an air-motor, and its pressure and that of the clamping-cylinders are relaxed during alignment of the matrices. The pressure of the spacebanddriver is increased during second justification by the 'action of a pressure-regulating valve. (1) The right-hand jaw C, Fig. 2, is slidable horizontally on a vertically movable support C<SP>3</SP>, which is raised and lowered by a pneumatic cylinder C<SP>6</SP> controlled by a valve C<SP>11</SP>. The valve is shifted, to cause the jaw to be raised behind the line, by the movement of the line delivery carriage A acting through levers C14, C<SP>15</SP>. The valve is reversed by the action of a cam D<SP>1</SP> on the camshaft D. The rise of the jaw sets the cam-shaft in motion. The jaws are moved inwards and outwards by two pairs of air-cylinders F<SP>10</SP>, Fig. 4, the pistons of which act through rack-mechanism to rotate vertical shafts F, F<SP>30</SP>. Pinions at the upper ends of the shafts gear with racks on the jaws, the pinion F<SP>1</SP>, which operates the right-hand jaw being splined to its shaft to permit of the vertical movement of the jaw. The inward movement of the jaws is normally arrested by stops E, El, Fig. 6, carried by rack-bars E<SP>2</SP>, E<SP>3</SP>, which are adjusted by means of pinions E<SP>20</SP>, E21, provided with finger-knobs E<SP>18</SP>, E<SP>19</SP>. The stops are held in position by sliding locking-bolts E<SP>4</SP>, Fig. 7, having toothed ends E<SP>9</SP>, which engage with teeth on the front faces of the rack-bars E<SP>2</SP>, E<SP>3</SP>. The bolts are withdrawn, to permit of adjustment of the stops or their disablement when not required, by pulling forwards the knobs E<SP>18</SP>, E<SP>19</SP>. The stops are adjusted by the aid of a scale and pointers, and a fine adjustment is provided by means of eccentric sleeves for the locking-bolts, which are turned by means of finger-levers. The jaws are clamped against the stops or against the ends of the line by hydraulic cylinders G2, Fig. 4, the pistons of which are geared by rack-mechanism to the shafts F, F<SP>30</SP>. The cylinders are contained in an oil compartment G, with which each communicates through a port G<SP>18</SP>, Fig. 13, controlled by a plunger G<SP>16</SP>. The descent of the plungers first closes the ports G<SP>18</SP> and then exerts pressure through the oil on the pistons, which apply clamping pressure to the jaws. Each plunger is depressed by a lever G<SP>20</SP> and a spring G<SP>24</SP> under the control of a cam D<SP>5</SP> and a lever G<SP>33</SP>. The spring G<SP>24</SP> is normally reinforced by a second spring G<SP>30</SP> acting through a lever G<SP>27</SP>. The load on the cam D<SP>5</SP> is lightened by a pneumatic cylinder acting through a link G<SP>47</SP> on the lever G<SP>33</SP>, the admission of air to the cylinder being controlled by another cam. When quadding is being effected, the auxiliary spring G<SP>30</SP> corresponding to the quadding-jaw is disabled by the action of a slidable interponent J<SP>28</SP> which obstructs the lever G<SP>27</SP>, so that the other jaw is firmly held against its stop by the combined action of the springs G<SP>24</SP>, G<SP>30</SP>. After the first justification of the line, the plungers G<SP>16</SP> are raised, so as to relieve the pressure on the line and permit of alignment of the matrices. The left-hand jaw is normally connected by a pawl to its stop El, so as to move therewith, since outward movement of the jaw by its pneumatic motor is unnecessary during the casting of full-length lines or those indented at the left-hand end. The pawl is automatically disabled when the machine is adjusted for centring or left-hand quadding. For centring, the jaw-operating shafts F, F<SP>30</SP>, Fig. 2, are coupled together' by gearing and a sliding toothed clutch-member, which is operated by the setting- device of the machine. (2) The line is justified by a horizontal driving-bar H, Fig. 2, operated through a vertical slide H<SP>1</SP>, by a double-acting pneumatic cylinder H<SP>5</SP>, the admission of air to which is controlled by a cam-operated valve. The air supply is interrupted between the first and second justification to permit of alignment of the matrices. The second justification is carried out under heavier air pressure than the first by the action of a cam-controlled regulating- valve H<SP>13</SP>, Fig. 24, which is inserted in the airsupply pipe H<SP>11</SP> leading to the cylinder H<SP>5</SP>. The air is admitted to a chamber H<SP>21</SP> containing a valve-member H<SP>26</SP>, which is controlled by a diaphragm H<SP>19</SP>. The diaphragm is supported by a sliding rod H<SP>43</SP> and a spring H<SP>36</SP> contained in a housing H<SP>14</SP>, which is movable vertically by a cam. As the pressure builds up in the chamber H<SP>21</SP>, the diaphragm is depressed and the valve H<SP>26</SP> closes. The air supply is then cut off, to relax the justifying pressure, and the valve reopens. When air is again admitted for the second justification, the housing H14 is raised by its cam, so that a sleeve H<SP>37</SP> resting on a spring H<SP>35</SP> is brought into contact with a collar H<SP>42</SP> on the rod H<SP>43</SP>. The pressure built up in the chamber H<SP>21</SP> then has to overcome both of the springs H<SP>35</SP>, H<SP>36</SP>, so that greater force is applied to the justifying-bar. The pressure of the springs H<SP>35</SP>, H<SP>36</SP> is adjusted by means of a screw-knob H<SP>33</SP>. (3) The various pneumatic motors are all controlled by valves operated by timing-cams on the cam-shaft D.