Improvements in Wire-drawing Machines.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Feb., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 7th Nov., 1889-Accepted, 11th Jan., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Wire-drawing Machines.
I HERBERT SMITH of the City and county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts.
United States of America, Manager, do hereby declare the nature of this Invention to
be as follows
My invention relates to improvements in wire drawing machines having a series of
dies, through which the wire is drawn and reduced several sizes by a continuous
operation; and it consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of parts
hereinafter specified, whereby the above result is effected, the essential feature being
to produce a machine which shall run smoothly with the least possible vibratory
motions, as and for the purpose hereinafter more fully set forth.
In a suitable frame and upon suitable bearings, is the main driving shaft,
having at one end a fast and loose pulley, and connected to any suitable driving
mechanism.
Upon the said shaft are mounted a a series of friction discs, whose hubs engage with
the upper ends of clutch levers, arranged under each hub. The lower ends of the said
clutch levers are fitted over horizontal longitudinal threaded shafts, one for each clutch
lever, and fitted to turn in suitable stationary bearings; these threaded shafts are
held against longitudinal movement in their bearings, and are turned by means of a
hand wheel, on the end of each shaft.
The discs are fitted to slide longitudinally on the shaft, but are held against rotary
motion thereon by means of the feather-key which is preferably extended the whole
length of the shaft between its bearings, the said dises engage with a second series of
discs, arranged at right angles to and upon a line horizontally therewith; the latter
discs are mounted on the outer ends of a series of horizontal shafts, arranged at right
angles to a second shaft mounted upon suitable bearings in the frame of the
machine.
Upon the said horizontal shafts are mounted suitable friction cones, and above
which are mounted on suitable shafts, similar friction cones, the cones being arranged
in pairs in line horizontally lengthwise of the machine with the cones of each pair
bevelled in opposite directions, and sufficiently apart to a admit of a friction belt
between them, the purpose of thus interposing the belts between the cones being to
admit of imparting a varying speed from the bottom to the upper cone of each pair
hy moving the belts longitudinally from one point to another on the peripheries of
said cones; this operation may be performed by means of any suitable and convenient
shipping device. In this instance the result is effected in the following manner;
between the cones of each pair at one side and parallel to the axes thereof, is arranged
a transverse threaded rod fitted to turn in suitable bearings at each end of the frame,"
but held against longitudinal movement therein; each of the said rods is provided
with a hand wheel, whereby the same may be turned, and a forked belt carrier,
engaging with the belt, is also fitted to travel over each between the bearings thereof,
the same being provided with a transverse threaded opening to receive th
threaded rod, and with a smooth opening to receive a smooth holding and a guide
rod secured at the ends of the frame, at one side of and parallel to the threaded rod,
the purpose of the said rod, being to hold the belt carrier against rotary motion on
the threaded rod, so that when the latter is turned, the said carrier will be move
along the same in one direction or the other, according to which way its hand whe
is turned. The aforesaid friction belt is thereby moved with it, and in consequence
changes the speed of the upper cone, it being increased by moving the belt toward
the smaller end of the said upper cone, and decreased by reversing the said move-
ment. The top cones are fitted to turn in adjustable bearings and fixed so as to slide

page_text: vertically in suitable housings, the said top cones rest upon the bottom cones, with
the friction belts between them, and additional downward pressure may be applied
when required by means of vertical holding-screws, which may be turned down
against the tops of the adjustable bearings. The said screws are fitted to turn in cap
plates fastened to the tops of the said housings; a constant pressure is imparted to
keep the faces of the second discs against the peripheries of the other discs, by means
of suitable springs, in this instance fitted over the aforesaid horizontal shafts, between
the side of the said frame and the hubs of the second series of discs; any other suitable
spring device may be used to effect the same purpose.
The frictional power of the first series of discs against the second discs may be
augmented by providing the said discs with leather bearing-faces. Upon the outer
ends of the aforesaid shafts, and opposite to the second series of discs on the shafts
before described, are mounted flanged drawing-through pulleys, around which the
wire is wound one or more turns, in its passage through the machine, as is usual in
other machines of this class. Between the said drawing-through pulleys, and in a
horizontal line therewith are arranged the reducing dies, which are beld in position
in the adjustable holders fixed upon the frame, the said die-holders are constructed as
follows:
A plate having a vertical holding-slot in its front side is attached to the frame of
the machine, and in this slot is fitted an angle plate, having a horizontal arm extending
out laterally from the machine; the angle plate may be adjusted vertically in the holding
slot of the aforesaid plate, and fastened after adjustment by means of a set screw and
nut, the screw being passed transversely through the plates; upon the horizontal arm
adjustably fastened is the box or receptacle, in the front of which a die is placed against the
vertical end thereof, the opposite or rear end of the said box is made trough shaped, with
the bottom of the trough just below the level of the wire, and is made adjustable on the
arm by forming a vertical screw stud on its underside which passes through a slot in
the horizontal arm, and is fastened after adjustment by a nut, the said slot admitting
of its being moved laterally toward and from the machine, to bring the die opening
to the required position.
By so constructing the before mentioned adjustable die-holders, it is obvious that
the dies may be readily adjusted either vertically or laterally, so as to bring the said
dies in any desired position, thus admitting of the size of the drawing-through pulleys
being varied to suit different requirements.
The wire drawing block is preferably arranged vertically, and its shaft is fitted to
turn in a suitable bearing attached to the machine frame, the base of the block rests
upon a vertical disc, secured to one of the friction cone shafts, and coming in line
therewith, the block being driven thereby, otherwise the arrangement for driving and
regulating the said block is the same as that employed for driving and regulating the
drawing through pulleys.
The wire is supplied to the machine from a reel, and is drawn forward therefrom,
through the various dies to gradually reduce it in size by the bluck and drawing-
through pulleys in like manner to other similar machines.
It may be supplied with with a proper lubricating fluid in passing through the
aforesaid reducing operation, by arranging a main supply pipe, having suitable
branches and shut off cocks over the die holders, adapted to discharge the said
lubricant over the wire just prior to its passing through the die; the above pipe
may in practice be connected with any suitable reservoir or other means for supplying
the necessary lubricant.
As the fluid flows out of the die receptacles it enters a stationary trough, arranged
under such receptacles, and from thence through the waste pipe, to any suitable tank
or vessel,
JOHN E. WALSH,
Orosley Street, Halifax, Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: Fig. 2 is an end view thereof with the driving pulleys, as well as wire reel and
block, left off, looking in the direction of arrow a in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a side view of one end of the back of the machine looking in the direction
of arrow b in Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a side view of one end of the front of the machine looking in the direction
of arrow c in Fig. 1.
Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8 are a front view, plan, central longitudinal section, and central
transverse section, respectively, of the die holder or support.
The various parts marked A represent the main framework of the machine, made
in practice of the proper shape to support the various operating parts.
B is the main driving-shaft, fitted to turn in suitable bearings B1, B', in frame A,
and having at one end the fast and loose pulleys CC, which may in practice be
connected, as usual, with any suitable driving mechanism.
Upon the main shaft B, are mounted a series of friction disks D, (five in this
instance), the discs D are fitted to slide longitudinally on the shaft B, but are held
against rotary motion thereon by means of the feather-key D', which is preferably
extended the whole length of the shaft between its bearings. The said discs D engage
with a series of discs H, arranged at right angles to, and upon a line horizontally
therewith; the latter discs H are mounted on the outer ends of a series of horizontal
shafts I, arranged at right angles to the shaft B, and fitted to turn in suitable stationary
bearings 11, 1, in the frame A.
Upon the shafts I, between the side frames A' and A2 of the frame A, are mounted
the friction cones J, and above the said friction cones are mounted on shafts K, similar
friction cones I, the cones being arranged in a series of pairs in line horizontally
lengthwise of the machine, with the cones of each pair bevelled in opposite directions,
as is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, and at sufficient distance apart to admit a friction
belt M, between the cones, being to admit of imparting a varying speed from the
bottom to the upper cone of each pair by moving the belts longitudinally from one
point to another on the peripheries of the said cones. The said operation may be
performed by means of any suitable and convenient shipping device.
In this instance the said result is effected in the following manner: Between the
cones of each pair at one side and parallel to the axes thereof, is arranged a transverse
threaded rod, e, fitted to turn in suitable bearings at each end of the frame A, but
held against longitudinal movement therein.
Each of the said rods is provided with a hand wheel f, whereby the same may be
turned, and a forked belt carrier g, engaging with the belt, is also fitted to travel over
each rod between the bearings thereof, the same being provided with a transverse
threaded opening to receive the threaded rod, and with a smooth holding and guide

page_text: rod gl, secured at the ends in the frame A, at one side of and parallel to the threaded
rod, the purpose of the said rod g', being to hold the belt carrier against rotary
motion on the threaded rod e, so that when the latter is turned, the said carrier will
be moved along the same in one direction or the other, according to which way the
hand wheel is turned. The belt M, is thereby moved with it, and in consequence
changes the speed of the upper cone, it being increased by moving the belt toward
the smaller end of the said upper cone and decreased by reversing the said
movement.
The top cones are fitted to turn in adjustable bearings K', fitted to slide vertically
in suitable housings K2; the said top cones rest upon the bottom cones, with the
belts M between them; and additional downward pressure may be applied when
required by means of vertical holding screws h, which may be turned down against.
the tops of the adjustable bearings K, the said screws are fitted to turn in cap plates i,
fastened to the tops of the housings K².
A constant pressure is imparted to keep the faces of the discs H, against the
peripheries of the discs D by means of suitable springs j,-in this instance, fitted
over the shafts I, between the side frame A', and the hubs of the discs H. If
desired, any other suitable spring device may be used to effect the same result.
The frictional power of the discs D against the discs H may be augmented
hy providing the said discs D, with leather bearing faces k, as is best shown in
Fig. 1.
Upon the outer ends of the shafts K, opposite to the discs H on shafts I, are
mounted the flanged drawing through pulleys N, around which the wire is wound
one or more turns in its passage through the machine, as is usual in other machines
of this class. Between the said drawing through pulleys, and in a horizontal line
therewith are arranged the reducing dies 7, which are held in position in the adjustable
holders O, fastened to the frame A. The said die hollers are constructed in the
following manner.
A plate m, having a vertical holding slot in its front side, is secured to frame A,
and in the said slot is fitted an angle plate n, having a horizontal arm n¹, extending
out laterally from the machine, as is best shown in Fig. 8. The said plate n, may be
adjusted vertically in the holding slot of plate m, and fastened, after adjustment,
by means of a set screw o, nut o', the screw being passed transversely through the
plates.
Upon the horizontal arm n¹, is adjustably fastened the open box or receptacle p,
in the front end of which the die l, is placed against the vertical end thereof, as is
shown in Fig. 7. The opposite or rear end of the said die receptacle is made trough
shaped, with the bottom of the trough just below the level of the wire. It is made
adjustable on the arm by forming a vertical screw-stud n², on its underside, which
passes through a slot n³, in the arm n', and is fastened after adjustment, by the nut n*
the said slot n³, admitting of its being moved laterally toward and from the machine,
to bring the die opening in the required position. By thus constructing the die
holders O, it is obvious that the dies may be readily adjusted either vertically
or laterally, so as to bring the said dies in any desired position, thus admitting
of the size of the drawing through pulleys being varied to suit different
requirements.
The wire drawing block P is preferably arranged vertically, and its shaft r, is fitted
to turn in a suitable hearing, extending out from the frame A. The base s, of
the said block rests upon the vertical disc t, secured to one of the shafts K, coming
in line therewith, and the block is driven thereby; otherwise the arrangement
for driving and regulating the said block is the same as that employed for
driving and regulating the drawing through pulleys N, as will be observed by
the drawings.
The wire is supplied to the machine from a reel Q, and is drawn forward
therefrom through the various dies to gradually reduce it in size by the block P
and drawing through pulleys N, in like manner to other similar machines.
It may be supplied with a proper lubricating fluid in passing through the said

page_text: reducing operation, by arranging a main supply pipe u, having suitable branches and
shut off cocks v, over the die holders, adapted to discharge the said lubricant over the
wire just prior to its passing through the die. The said main pipe u, may in practice be
connected with any suitable reservoir or other means for supplying the same with the
lubricating fluid. As the said fluid flows out of the die receptacles p, it enters a
stationary trough w, arranged under the said receptacles and from thence it is returned
and discharged through the waste pipe a, which may in practice be connected with a
suitable receiving tank or receptacle.
The lubricating fluid may be used over and over if required, by combining a suitable
force pump, with the said receiving tank or receptacle for forcing the said fluid back
into the supply reservoir or pipes.
By constructing a wire-drawing machine as hereinbefore described I am enabled,
as will be seen, to adjust the speed of the shafts I K by means of the friction-
disks D H, and also the wire-drawing pulleys N and block P, by the friction cones J L
and belt M, so as to vary their speed to a nicety, the shafts being adjusted inde-
pendently of the wire-drawing pulleys, and each shaft and pulley independent
of the other. Being thus enabled to exactly adjust the various parts, and all
the parts being driven by frictional power rather than gearing, the wire is drawn
through the machine in a very smooth and even manner, without any jerks or vibratory
movements, and in consequence a superior quality of wire is produced, especially.
in treating the finer grades, for which this machine is more especially designed.
I am aware that it is not broadly new to obtain a varying speed or adjustment by
means of a pair of friction-disks, as D H. Neither is it new to effect the same result
by means of friction-cones and a belt placed between them, as J, L, and M, and I
therefore limit my invention to the combination thereof with the other parts of my
improved machine.
Having now particulary described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In a wire drawing-machine, the combination of a series of rotary friction driving
disks, and a series of rotary friction-driven disks driven at varying speeds from the
first named disks, with a series of friction-cones on the same shafts as the friction
driven-disks, a series of friction-cones driven at varying speeds from the first named
cones through the medium of a series of adjustable belts arranged one between each
pair of cones of the series, a series of drawing through pulleys, and the wire drawing
block, said pulleys being on the same shafts as the driven cones and the block on an
independent shaft driven in turn from the shaft of one of said driven cones, all having
suitable supports, as well as constructed and arranged for operation sub-stantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
2. In a wire-drawing machine the combination of a series of adjustable rotary disks
and a series of rotary disks driven at varying speeds from the first-named disks. with
a series of friction-cones on the same shafts as the driven disks, a series of friction-
cones driven at varying speeds from the first-named cones through the medium of a
series of adjustable belts arranged one between each pair of cones of the series, a
series of drawing-through pulleys, and the wire-drawing block, said pulleys being
the same shafts as the driven cones and the block on an independent shaft driven
in turn from the shaft of one of said driven cones, a series of adjustable die-holders,
and the dies, all baving suitable supports, as well as constructed and arranged for
operation substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
on
3. In a wire-drawing machine, the combination of the rotary friction driving
disks D, mounted on and keyed to driving-shaft B so as to slide but not turn thereon,
and the rotary friction-driven disks H, mounted on shafts arranged at right angles to
shaft B and having means for forcing said disks H against disks D, friction cones J L,
the cones J on the same shafts with disks H and cones L on shafts parallel to said
first named shafts, adjustable friction-belts M, interposed between the peripheries of
each pair of cones J L and having means for moving the same laterally between the
ends of the cones,
the drawing-through pulleys N, and block P, said pulleys mounted.

page_text: on the same shafts as the friction-driven cones L, and the block on an independent
shaft driven from one of the shafts of said driven cones, the stationary adjustable
die-holders O, arranged between the drawing-through pulleys, in line therewith, the
dies L, held in position in said die-holders, suitable means for supplying the lubricating-
fluid to said dies and for discharging or carrying off the waste, a suitable
reel for holding the wire as it is drawn forward into the machine, and suitable
means for supporting the various parts, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
4..In a wire-drawing machine, the combination of the rotary friction driving-
disks D, mounted on and keyed to driving-shaft B so as to slide but not turn thereon,
with the rotary friction-driven disks H, mounted on shafts arranged at right angles
to shaft B and having means for forcing said disks H against disks D, friction-
cones JL, the cones J on the same shafts with disks H and cones L on shafts parallel
to the first-named shafts, adjustable friction-belts M, interposed between the peripheries
of each pair of cones J L and having means for moving the same laterally between
the ends of the cones, and the drawing-through pulleys mounted on the same shafts as
the driven cones L, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
5. In a wire-drawing machine, a die-holder comprising, in combination, the vertical
plate M having a vertical holding slot in its front side and secured to a stationary
support, the angle-plate N, adjustably fastened in the slot in said plate M and having
the horizontal arm N', provided with the vertical slot N³, and the die-receptacle P,
adjustably fastened to said arm N, substantially as set forth.
6. In a wire-drawing machine, the combination of the die L with a die-holder, O,
consisting of a stationary holding plate, M, an angle-plate, N, adjustably fastened to
said plate M, and a receptacle, P, in turn adjustably fastened to plate N, substantially
as set forth.
Dated this Fifth day November 1880
JOHN E. WALSH,
Crossley Street, Halifax, Agent for the Applicant.