IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDRAULIC APPARATUS FOR PUNCHING, EMBOSSING, PRESSING, MOULDING, CRUSHING.
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Mac Lellan Blair, of Glasgow, in the County of
"
Lanark, Engineer, for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDRAULIC
APPARATUS FOR PUNCHING, EMBOSSING, PRESSING, MOULDING, CRUSHING.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James MacLellan Blair at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th March 1881.
JAMES MAC LELLAN BLAIR, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDRAULIC APPARATUS FOR PUNCHING, EMBOSSING, PRESSING,
MOULDING, CRUSHING, SHEARING, CUTTING, AND SHAPING METALLIC AND OTHER
SUBSTANCES."
My Invention relates to apparatus for performing, with or by the aid of fluid
under pressure, the operations mentioned above, or any of them, and has for its
object the so constructing, arranging, combining, and operating the parts, that the
advantages now to be named are secured :-(1) rapid action; (2) economy in the
fluid-at-pressure used; (3) extensive area for blank or articles to be operated on;
(4) uniform action; (5) adjustability of acting tools, and (6) rapid clearance of tools
from the sheet of metal or article operated on.
The apparatus may be described as having a frame of gigantic size, resembling a
hydraulic press with large area between the pillars. The operating rams and parts
necessary therewith are of novel construction, and constitute the first part of my
Invention.
First Part. This consists of a large central cylinder or of a central cylinder, and
an annular space with two or more side cylinders, all being provided or arranged
with the necessary rams below or at the back of the follower. The two or more
side cylinders are employed to quickly raise the follower to the actuating, as for
instance, shaping position, whereupon with the large cylinder or cylinder and
annulus the required pressure is given to the object to be treated or shaped. Fluid

page_text: is allowed to flow freely into and out of the large cylinder, or cylinder and annulus
(and can thus be used over and over again), until immediately before the end of the
advance stroke. Operating levers and valves are provided, and so are connections
to accumulators or the like.
Second. With apparatus constructed under the above first part of my Invention,
I employ a follower constructed or provided with a frame so adjustable that punches
or the like may be spaced as required at regular or irregular distances apart. The
parts of the said frame are provided with apertures which fit opposite each other,
and allow of rigid tightening up of the whole. The sill or other part opposed to the
follower has a part, the negative of, or adapted to, the said follower. Both the
adjustable frame and sill or like part have apertures for receiving and holding
the operating tools. For punching a number of holes in a plate for bridge, wagon,
and the like work (especially when a number of each is required), this part of my
Invention is of great value. It will be obvious that the said adjustable frames may
be used with hydraulic apparatus constructed otherwise than in accordance with
the first part of my Invention.
Third. To release plates from multiple punches used in hydraulic apparatus, I
employ bars arranged longitudinally or transversely. These are arranged near the
punches; when the punching has been effected, they are moved so as to push and
liberate the sheet or article without twisting the punches. After the said bars
have done their work, they are returned to position ready for the next plate, a
hydraulic cylinder with piston, piston rod, and connections being by preference used
for the purpose.
Other substances than metal may be acted or operated upon by the apparatus
above described, for instance, stone-bricks may be shaped in proper moulds.
The dies or equivalent parts are always adapted for the work to be done, and
are fitted to the follower and the opposed sill or equivalent part.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James MacLellan Blair in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th
September 1881.
JAMES MAC LELLAN BAIRD, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDRAULIC APPARATUS FOR PUNCHING, EMBOSSING, PRESSING,
MOULDING, CRUSHING, SHEARING, CUTTING, AND SHAPING METALLIC AND OTHER
SUBSTANCES."
My Invention relates to apparatus for performing, with or by the aid of fluid
under pressure, the operations mentioned above or any of them, and has for its
object the so constructing, arranging, combining, and operating the parts that the
advantages now to be named are secured:-1, rapid action; (2) economy in the
fluid at pressure used; (3) extensive area for a blank or articles to be operated on ;
(4) accuracy or uniform action; (5) adjustability of acting tools, and (6) rapid
clearance of tools from the sheet of metal or article operated on.
The apparatus may be described as having a frame of gigantic size resembling a
hydraulic press, with large area between the pillars. The operating rams and parts
necessary therewith are of novel construction, and constitute the first part of my
Invention.
First Part. This consists of a large central cylinder, or of a central cylinder and
an annular space, with two or more side cylinders, all being provided or arranged
with the necessary rams below or at the back of the follower. The two or more
side cylinders are employed to quickly raise the follower to the actuating, as for
instance, shaping position, whereupon with the large cylinder or cylinder and
annulus the required pressure is given to the object to be treated or shaped.
Fluid is allowed to flow freely into and out of the large cylinder or cylinder and
annulus (and can thus be used over and over again), until immediately before the
end of the advance stroke. Operating levers and valves are provided, and so are
connections to accumulators or the like.
Second. With apparatus constructed under the above first part of my Invention,
I employ a follower constructed or provided with a frame or plate so adjustable
that punches or the like may be spaced as required at regular or irregular distances
apart. The parts of the said frame or plate are provided with apertures which fit
opposite each other, and allow of rigid tightening up of the whole. The sill or other
part opposed to the follower has a part the negative of, or adapted to, the said
follower. Both the adjustable frame and sill or like part have apertures for
receiving and holding the operating tools. For punching a number of holes in a
plate for bridge, wagon, and the like work (especially when a number of each is
required), this part of my Invention is of great value. It will be obvious that the
said adjustable frames or plates may be used with hydraulic apparatus constructed
otherwise than in accordance with the first part of my Invention. Additional
hydraulic cylinders or arrangements, such as now described, may be added to
perform minor eperations, such as in the case of embossed sleeper chairs for
railways, for punching transversely the tie bar holes, or carrying out any special
form that cannot be attained by vertical pressure.
Third. To release plates from multiple punches used in hydraulic apparatus, I
employ bars arranged longitudinally or transversely. These are arranged near the
punches; when the punching has been effected, they are moved so as to push and
liberate the sheet or article without twisting the punches. After the said bars
have done their work, they are returned to position ready for the next plate, a
hydraulic cylinder with piston, piston rod, and connections being by preference
used for the purpose.

page_text: Other substances than metal may be acted or operated upon by the apparatus
above described; for instance, stone-bricks may be shaped in proper moulds.
The dies or equivalent parts are always adapted for the work to be done, and are
fitted to the follower and the opposed sill or equivalent part.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a view mainly in side elevation, parts being in section; Fig. 2, an end
elevation; and Fig. 3, a plan view of hydraulic apparatus constructed in accordance
with my Invention, having a central cylinder with annular space, and two side
cylinders, and illustrative of the three heads thereof. Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 are
detail views of such essential parts of the apparatus as are not represented with
sufficient clearness in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. Fig. 4 is an end elevation; and Fig. 5 a
plan view of the valve lever frame, showing the levers by which the valves con-
trolling the working of the apparatus under the first part are moved. Fig. 6 is a
sectional elevation, and Fig. 7 a plan view of the adjustable follower and frame
under the second part, and Fig. 8 is a side elevation, and Fig. 9 a plan view of the
apparatus under the third part for pushing off or liberating the metal acted upon
from the punches or tools.
Under the first part 1, 2, are top and bottom sills connected by pillars 3. On
the bottom sill 2 rests a cylinder of two diameters, the lower portion 4 being of less
diameter than the upper portion 5. Within the cylinder fits a ram 6, 7, also of two
diameters. When the ram is fitted within the cylinder, the upper portion 5 of the
cylinder forms an annular space. On the head of the ram is secured the table 8
provided with guides 9 working around the pillars 3. 10, side or auxiliary
cylinders, two in number, resting on the bottom sill 2, and fitted with rams 11
attached to the table 8. To the lower face of the top sill 1 are secured beams 12,
to which are attached bars, plates, or other devices, such as the adjustable follower
described under the second part for carrying tools for punching, cutting, shaping,
or otherwise acting on metal, as herein before set forth. The plate guide or other
article or object to be acted on rests on or is secured to the table 8; 13, tank
fixed on the top sill 1; 14, 15, 16, 17, valve chests and valves connected to the
frame 18; 19, pipe leading from the tank 13 to the valve box 14; 20, pipes leading
from the valve box 14 to the portions 4, 5, of the cylinder; 21, pipe leading from
the valve box 15 to the lower portion 4 of the cylinder; 22, pipe leading from the
valve box 16 to the upper portion 5 of the cylinder; 23, pipe from the valve box 17
to the side or auxiliary cylinders 10; 24, pipe from an accumulator or pump
leading to the valve boxes 15, 16, and 17; 25, pipe from the valve box 17 to the
tank 13; 26, overflow pipe; 27, 28, 29, 30, levers for operating the valves in
14, 15, 16, and 17; 31, stop valves; 32, pipes leading from the accumulator or
pump pipe 24 to the top of the auxiliary cylinders 10.
The hydraulic apparatus above described is drawn to a scale in which one inch is
equal to a foot, and the pillars and other strain bearing parts are constructed to
resist the pressure of 1000 tons exerted when working with a head of water equal to
1500 pounds per square inch. When in operation the apparatus is capable of
punching duplicate plates at the rate of about 100 per hour.
To cause the rain 6, 7, to travel at a speed sufficient to produce the results above
stated would require a very rapid inflow and outflow of the water, say, about sixty
five gallons needed to fill the double cylinder 4, 5, and would necessitate the use of
an accumulator or pump of unusual size. To obviate this difficulty water is allowed
to flow freely to and from the cylinder 4, 5, thus being used over and over again,,
through the large diameter pipe 20 leading to the valve box 15, which valve box is
connected by the large diameter pipe 19 to the tank 13, and the ram 6, 7, and
table 8 is raised rapidly by the pressure beneath the rams 11 in the auxiliary
reservoirs. 10. A constant pressure of water is maintained on the tops of the
rams 11 through the pipes 32, so that as soon as the pressure. beneath the largė

page_text: ram 6, 7, and auxiliary rams 11 is taken off the said large ram 6, 7, and the table 8
are caused to descend quickly.
The action of the apparatus, say, in punching duplicate plates, or in the production
"of railway sleeper chairs, is as follows:-When the metal or material to be punched
or acted on has been placed on the table 8 the lever 27 connected to the valve in 14
is moved so as to open communication between the tank 13, pipe 19, and the
pipes 20; at or about the same time the lever 28 is moved so as to actuate the valve
in 17 and allow water under pressure to flow from 24 through 23 to the auxiliary
cylinders 10 and act on the under sides of the rams 11 so as to raise the table 8.
As soon as the table 8 has been raised sufficiently high the valve in 14 is closed by
moving the lever 27, and one or both of the levers 29, 30, or are moved so as to
admit water under pressure from the pipe 24 through the pipes 21, 22, to the
lower and upper portions 4, 5, of the cylinder or either of them. The lever 29
actuates the valve in 15 to control the passage of water to the lower portion of the
cylinder, and the lever 30 acts on the valve in 16 to control the passage of water to
the upper portion of the cylinder. Whether water is admitted to one or both
portions depends on the work to be done. The pressure exerted when water is
admitted into the lower, upper, or both portions of the cylinder is in about the
proportions of 303-697 and 1000 tons. When the punching or other action has
been effected the valve levers 29, 30, are reversed so as to close communication
between the supply 24 and the cylinder 4, 5, the lever 27 is moved so as to open
free communication between the tank 13 and the cylinder 4, 5, and finally the
lever 27 is reversed and communication opened from beneath the rams 11 through
the pipes 22, 25, to the tank 13. The weight of the ram 6, 7, and table 8 assisted
by the pressure in the cylinders 10 above the rams 11 causes the table 8 to descend.
The levers 28 and levers 29 and 30 are connected by locking mechanism in such
manner that when communication is opened between the main pipe 24 and the .
cylinder 4, 5, the valve in 14 is closed. The said locking mechanism may be of any
convenient or desired construction.
When flat plates are being punched or operated upon the releasing or liberating
cylinder marked 48, and more particularly referred to in the third part hereafter,
serves to liberate the plates. In the case of plates to be embossed and punched the
requisite dies and punches are provided as will evidently be necessary.
The auxiliary cylinders 10 are available for raising the large ram 6, 7, out of the
cylinder 4, 5, to allow access for cleaning and for adjusting and renewing the cup
leathers, and also to allow of the raising of the top sill on pillars when more head
room is required in the press. Hand holes are provided in the lower portion 4 of
the cylinder for the same purposes.
Figs. 6 and 7 are illustrative more particularly of the second part of my Invention.
An adjustable frame is made of four bars of steel 33 connected together by knee
pieces and bolts 34. The said bars have tapped holes 36 therein, into which
punches 37 or like tools are screwed. The bolster is constructed in manner similar
to the follower 33, and pieces 38 to suit the diameter of the punches or like tools
are inserted into the openings 39. The size of the frame 33 is altered by unbolting
the knee pieces and rebolting them after the bars have been placed in the required
positions. A large plate is sometimes used for holding the punches and bolsters,
and in this form a variety of templates can be used. The proper position of the
punches or tools is obtained by placing a template over the frame so as to cover
the holes not wanted. Into the holes not covered by the template punches or
other like tools are screwed and the frame is attached to the beams 12.
Figs. 8 and 9 are illustrative of the third part of my Invention. 40 are rods
connected by links 41 to the levers 42 on the shaft 43; 44, levers attached to the
shaft 43 and to the links 45. The links 45 are jointed to the rods 46, which latter
are connected to the ram 47 of the hydraulic cylinder 48. The general position of
the parts is shown in Fig. 1. On the rods 40 are adjustable blocks 49, through
which bars 50 pass. The bars 50 are arranged free from so as to lie as close as
possible to the punches without touching them. After the punches have acted

page_text: water under pressure is admitted to the cylinder 48, and the bars 50 are moved so
as to force the plates or other articles operated on from off the said punches. Power
other than hydraulic may be used.
Having now described and illustrated my said Invention so that others will be
enabled to carry my improvements into effect, I claim,-
First. Hydraulic apparatus so constructed, arranged, and combined as to operate
substantially in the manner and for the purposes setforth.
Second. An adjustable frame or follower or plate for holding punches or like tools
constructed substantially as setforth.
Third. The bars 50, blocks 49, and rods 40 suspended through links and levers
41, 42, 43, 44, and 45, and operated by hydraulic or equivalent power for pushing
off or releasing plates from multiple punches, substantially as setforth.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Mac Lellan Blair, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
JAS. MACLELLAN BLAIK. (L.S.)