Improvements in Machinery for Shaping Metal Tubes.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Dec., 1337
Specification Accepted, 9th Mr., 1888
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
:
Improvements in Machinery for Shaping Metal Tubes.
I, ANDREW PATERSON, of McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United
States of America, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:—
This invention pertains to machinery for giving special forms to metal tubes. As
an illustration of the line of operations of my improved machine I refer to a hollow
wagon axle formed from parallel tubing having, at each end, tapering reductions to
receive the wagon wheels, and also end nipples to receive the axle nuts, the axle.
being formed by properly operating upon metal tubing. I refer to the wagon axle
as a mere example of the work of my machine.
My improvements will be readily understood from the following description, taken
in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which-
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine serving to illustrate my improvements.
Fig. 2 a plan of the same.
Fig. 3 a front elevation of the rear housing with attached parts, some being shown
in vertical section.
.
Fig. 4a rear elevation of a portion of the rear housing with various parts
in place.
Fig. 5 an end view of one of the nipple-roll-carriers which is supported by the
rear housing.
Fig. 6 a diagram illustrating the relation of rolls to each other and to the tube
being formed.
Fig. 7 a side elevation of a portion of a tubular wagon axle, shown in connection.
with an elementary forming roll, such formning roll being designed to serve in
[Price Ed.]
:

page_text: 1
mustrating a peculiar principle of operation which I prefer to involve in my
machine.
Fig. 8 a side elevation of a fluted forming roll; and
Fig. 9 an end elevation of a portion of a forming roll showing one of the flutes.
In the drawing A indicates the rear housing of the machine, the same consisting
of a vertically disposed plate provided with a vertical slot to receive sliding roll-boxes,
and with a horizontal slot crossing the same and arranged to receive sliding nipple-
roll-carriers.
B, the front housing, similar to the rear housing, but not necessarily provided with
slots for nipple-roll-carriers, the two housings being set in parallel planes.
C, roll-boxes fitted to slide in the vertical slots of the housing.
Da pair of rolls journalled in the roll-boxes, and having a length and diameter
suited for the range of work desired of the machine.
E, a front bearing supported by the front housing, the axis of this bearing passing
between the axes of the main rolls D.
F, a chuck fitted to revolve freely in the front bearing.
G, a driving shaft journalled in the housings above the main rolls, and intended to
receive rotary motion and serve in imparting the proper motions to the various parts
of the machine.
H, a pair of vertical shafts to the rear of the rear housing, and disposed one on
each side of the plane of the driving shaft and main rolls.
J, a worm gearing serving to transmit motion from the driving shaft to the vertical
shafts, one worm upon the driving shaft engaging a worm wheel upon each of the
vertical shafts, one of the vertical shafts being set further to the front than
the other.
K, worm gearing serving to transmit motion from the vertical shafts to the shafts
of the main rolls, the main roll shafts projecting rearwardly beyond the rear housing,
cach a sufficient distance to permit its worm wheel to engage the worm of its
appropriate vertical shaft.
.
L, a top shaft supported in the housings above and parallel to the driving shaft.
M, vertical screws disposed alongside the housings and engaging each an appropriate
roll-box in such manner that when all of the screws are simultaneously revolved the
main rolls will be brought together or moved apart.
N, worm gearing serving to transmit motion from the top shaft to the vertical
screws, the arrangement of this worm gearing being similar to that of the gearing J.
O, gearing serving to transmit motion from the driving shaft to the top shaft, the
same consisting of a pair of spur gears the one on the top shaft being loose on the
shaft and provided with a clutch hub.
P, gearing similar to the gearing O, but involving an intermediate gear so as to
cause a reversal of direction of motion, the wheels of this gearing being proportioned
to. give to the top shaft a velocity of motion different from that given by the
gearing O.
Q, a clutch upon the top shaft fitted to be thrown into engagement with either of
the spur gears upon the top shaft so as to serve in locking either gear to the
top shaft.
R, nipple-roll-carriers, the same consisting of blocks fitted to slide in the horizontal
slot of the rear housing.
S, nippling rolls supported by the nipple-roll-carriers, such rolls being of a length
and size and contour suited to the form of nipples desired upon the tube being
operated upon.
T, a rack in the rear face of each nipple-roll-carrier, such racks being fitted for
horizontal adjustment in their carriers.
U, pinions upon the vertical screws pertaining to the rear housing, these pinions
being secured to the screws at points in their length not needed for the purpose of
the screws, the pinions engaging the racks T.
V, screws serving to fix the racks to the nipple-roll-carriers after adjustment.
W, (Figs. 8 and 9), flutes on the main rolls.

page_text: o, the tapering portion thereof.
c, the nipple thereof, to receive the axle nut.
, an elementary forming roll, or rather a structure intended to illustrate
principle of construction which may be involved in the forming rolls, such elementa
roll being illustrated as consisting of two end portions or Hanges only instead o.
having a continuous length, the two flanges being, of course, secured to the shaft so
as to revolve together.
e, the flange of the elementary roll corresponding to the small end of the taper to
be produced in the work in hand.
the flange of the elementary roll corresponding to the larger end of the taper to
be produced; and
shallow notches in the periphery of the flanges.
The driving shaft G, revolving continuously, serves to transmit continuous rotary
motion to the two main rolls in opposite directions, and at the same time serves in
transmitting rotary motion to the top shaft I. when the clutch Q is thrown.
The direction of motion of the top shaft, and the velocity of its rotation depends
upon which way the clutch is thrown. The rotation of the top shaft serves in rotating
the vertical screws M, and these screws serve in adjusting the distance between the
main rolls. The gearing O and P is to be so arranged, with reference to direction
of motions, that the opening of the rolls will take place much more quickly than the
closing of the rolls. It follows that while the main rolls are revolving, they may be
quickly opened or slowly closed.
While the vertical screws are opening or closing the main rolls the pinions U
will serve in simultaneously opening or closing the nippling rolls, the closing of all
of the rolls taking place simultaneously. But it is obvious that as the opening and
closing of the main rolls is effected by the screw threads, while the opening and
closing of the nippling rolls is effected by the racks and pinions, the opening
and closing of the nippling rolls will take place much more rapidly than the
corresponding opening and closing of the main rolls. The adjustment of the racks
upon the nippling roll-carriers renders it possible to fix upon an adjustment for a
predetermined distance between the nippling rolls corresponding with a different
predetermined distance between the main rolls.
Let all the rolls be opened; heat the end of a metal tube for such length as
requires condensation of diameter; open the chuck F insert the metal tube through
the chuck and endwise between the main rolls, until the end of the tube lies between
the nippling rolls and about even with the rear ends of the main rolls; then tighten
the chuck. The driving shaft being in continuous rotation, the main rolls will be
continuously revolving. Throw the clutch so as to close the main rolls, and the main
rolls will begin to approach each other slowly and powerfully and their running
peripheries will soon come in contact with the periphery of the stationary tube, the
nippling rolls meantime either standing at some distance from the tube but moving
toward it, or else, under certain circumstances of adjustment, making contact with
the periphery of the tube at the instant the main rolls make such contact. When
the revolving main rolls come in contact with the tube rotary motion will be
transmitted to the tube by the friction of the contact, and the chuck F, revolving in
its bearing, will serve in supporting the outer portion of the tube, and in furnishing
the tube with its true bearing of rotation. While the main rolls and tube are thus
revolving the main rolls are gradually approaching each other and the consequence
is that the diameter of the tube, when in contact with the main rolls, will
become reduced. Meanwhile the nippling rolls are approaching each other,
and the speed of their approach is greater than that of the main rolls. When
ihey come in contact with the periphery of the metal tube they will become
revolved by the friction of contact, and, by their inward movement, will serve
in reducing the diameter of the tube at the point where they engage the
iube. By reason of their superior speed of approach they will, obviously, effect a
greater reduction of the diameter of the tube than the main rolls will, and, as a

page_text: consequence, the main rolls will reduce the diameter of the tube to a certain extent,
and the nippling rolls will reduce the diameter at the end of the tube to a greater
extent thus forming a nipple at the end of the tube. When the proper reduction of
diameter has been effected the clutch is to be thrown in the opposite direction; the
rolls opened the chuck is to he loosened; the tube withdrawn ; a new one inserted,
and the operation is repeated as before.
Assume that it is desired to produce a tube having a diameter, near the nipple, of
one and one quarter inches, and having a diameter, at the nipple, of seven-eighths of
an inch. The machine is to be adjusted for these sizes before beginning the operation
upon the tubes. The main rolls are caused to approach each other until the distance
between them at the proper point is an inch and a quarter, and they are caused to
remain in this position for the time being. The screws V are loosened, thus freeing
the nipple-roll-carriers from the racks, and the carriers are pushed inward until the
distance between them is seven-eighths of an inch, after which the screws V are
tightened. The machine is now adjusted for work. When the main rolls open the
nipple rolls will also open but to a greater extent, and when the main rolls move
inwardly to produce a tube of a diameter of an inch and a quarter the nipple rolls
will move inwardly to produce a tube of a diameter of seven-eighths of an inch.
Either the main rolls or the nippling rolls or both may have shapes or contours
given to them to produce desired contours of the tube. For instance, in Fig. 5, it
will be seen that the outer end of the nippling roll S has an OG contour given to it.
This will result in giving to the nipple shoulder a shape substantially corresponding,
and it is obvious that grooves in any of the rolls would serve in producing beads upon
the tubes, and that beads upon the rolls would serve in producing grooves in
the tubes.
If it is desired to roll tapers upon the fubes, as, for instance, in the tapering
spindles of wagon axles, the space between the main rolls will be formed tapering,
either by tapering the rolls and placing their axes parallel, or by using cylindrical
rolls with their axes placed at angles with each other, the latter plan being illustrated
in Fig. 1.
I now come to the explanation of a peculiar principle of construction applicable
to but not essential to main rolls for tapering work. Assume cylindrical main
rolls running in contact with the tapering tube, and driving the same by friction of
contact. It is obvious that the rolls will tend to revolve the small end of the taper at
a higher rate of speed than the large end, and that slipping and rubbing must take
place somewhere along the length of the taper between the rolls and the tube. For
some kinds of tube material such action may result in the crimping of the tube, and
in rough surfacing and bad behaviour generally.
It is obvious that main rolls having a properly proportioned taper, and running in
contact with the tapering tube, will produce equal travel of corresponding contact
surface at all points of the taper of the tube, and the slipping referred to will not take
place but it is also obvious that such tapering main rolls, when running in contact
with the parallel tube, would be open to the same objections as exist in connection
with parallel rolls in contact with a tapering tube. Therefore, as we begin operations
with a parallel tube, and finish the operations with a taper tube, the true remedy
cannot be completely found in fapering rolls adapted for taper tubes, and when taper
tubes are produced with swelling contours, the trouble increases.
I lessen the difficulty referred to by properly corrugating one or both of the main
rolls and the principle of the procedure will be explained in connection with Fig. 7 of
the drawing. In this drawing let e and represent flanges of equal diameter, corre-
sponding to the two ends of the cylindrical roll, shown as operating upon a tapering
tube . represents a series of notches or reliefs cut in the periphery of the flanges.
When one of these notches comes opposite the tube it is obvious that the flange will
le free from contact with the tube. It will be noticed, in Fig. 7, that the right hand
flange is in contact with the tube. The left hand flange is not in contact with the
tube, the lack of contact being due to the fact that a relieved portion of the flange is
opposite the tube. Under such circumstances it will be obvious that, at the instant of

page_text: such condition, the velocity of rotation of the tube will be controlled entirely by the
right hand flange. As the flanges continue to revolve together, the noich previously
referred to, in the left hand flange, will have passed beyond the tube, and the periphery
of that flange will engage the tube, and then that flange will begin to affect the tube
and its velocity of rotation. But at the instant the left hand flange takes held of the
tube, the right hand flange leis go, by reason of the notch in the right hand flange
coming opposite the tube. The velocity of the rotation of the iube will then be con-
trolled entirely by the left hand flange until the notch in the right hand flange is
passed and a new notch in the left hand flange reached. Thus it will be seen that
neither of the flanges need slip upon or rub the tube; that the peripheral velocity of
the tube will correspond precisely with the peripheral velocity of the flange which
engages it; that the tube will be driven first by one flange and then by the other;
and that the speed of rotation of the tube will shift from fast to slow according to
which of the flanges is driving it. It will, of course, he understood that the flanges
are to be provided with complete peripheral series of notches, and that, as these notches
will seldom, if ever, make a second contact with the same point of the tube's periphery
they will not do harm by leaving marks upon the tube.
The arrangement of Fig. 7 may be defined, therefore, as a pair of flanges provided
with notches so related to each other that when the notch of one flange is at the tube,
the unnotched portion of the other flange will be engaging the tube. It should now
he understood that we might secure a third notched flange midway between the two
flanges shown and still carry out the same principle, the notches of the three flanges
respectively occupying a spiral relation to each other. It should now he apparent
that we might add notch flanges between the two shown until we have formed a solid
cylindrical roll, the notches of the flanges forming spiral grooves in the roll. Having
thus, by means of the elementary device illustrated in Fig. 7, illustrated the principle
involved in the spiral fluted arrangement of the roll, it is sufficient, to say that, in
practice, the principle may be carried out by simply providing the main rolls, one or
both, with spiral flutes, the pitch of the spiral being such that a single portion only
of the roll will make frictional driving contact with the periphery of the tube at one
time. Any form of flute thus spirally arranged will serve in realizing the principle.
But the production of spiral flutes upon cylindrical, or tapering, roll surfaces
involves the use of more or less expensive machinery, not found at hand in the
machine shop. I have, therefore, devised a system by means of which flutes having
the spiral characteristics may be produced by a simple operation of straight planing
or milling. This I will explain in connection with Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawing.
Let it be assumed that the roll to be fluted has an uncut smooth surface. Mount
the roll upon a planing or milling machine upon the usual character of centres, by
means of which, as the work progresses, the circumferential division is effected. Put
into the planing or milling machine a cutiing tool which under ordinary circum-
stances, would cut a groove of the shape indicated at W in Fig. 9. If the roll should
he fluted with such a tool we would produce simply parallel flutes of the shape of tool,
and of a depth corresponding to the depth to which the tool was fed inward during
the cutting. Under such circumstances the desired flute, having spiral characteristics,
would not be at all produced. Now lower one end of the roll, as it is supported in
the planing or milling machine sufficiently to permit the cutting tool to produce the
full desired depth of the cut at one end of the roll without producing any depth of cut
at the other end of the roll. It will be seen that both shores of such a flute form
substantially spiral lines and produce the characteristic of spiral flutes. The groove
thus planed or milled may be defined as a groove wider at its top than at its bottom,
and having its bottom line in a plane at a greater distance from the periphery of the
roll at one end than from the periphery of the roll at the other end. After a roll has
been thus provided with grooves having certain depth at one end of the roll and
running out to nothing at the other end of the roll, the roll may, if desired, be reversed
endwise, or the highest end of the roll set so as to be the lowest, and a set of grooves
may be planed or milled between those already produced but of reversing character,
thus forming upon the rolls ribs having both sides possessing the spiral characteristics.

page_text: Attention should be called to the fact that the purpose of the chuck F is simply to
grasp and furnish a true bearing of rotation for varying sizes of tubes. Where the
machine is intended for but one size of tube it is obvious that they may be run directly
in a properly fitting bearing corresponding with the bearing E, and the chuck may
be omitted.
Having now particularly 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 forming machine, the combination substantially as set forth, of a pair of rolls
disposed alongside each other and leaving a space between their peripheries, mechanism
for imparting rotation to said rolls, housings for the support of the rolls, a roll-box for
each journal of each roll fitted for movement in the housing so that both rolls may
be uniformly moved and adjusted to and from each other, mechanism for adjusting
the roll-boxes and thus effecting the opening and closing of the rolls and a bearing
for the tube disposed beyond one end of the rolls and having its axis disposed in a
line passing lengthwise between the rolls.
2. In a forming machine, the combination substantially as set forth, of roll
housings, roll-boxes all fitted to slide therein, mechanism for adjusting the boxes
uniformly in pairs in the housings, rolls fitted to revolve in said boxes, mechanism
for imparting rotary motion to the rolls, a bearing disposed beyond one end of the
rolls with its axis in a line passing lengthwise between the rolls, and a chuck
journalled in said bearing and adapted to receive a tube whose rear end projects
through the chuck between the rolls.
3. In a forming machine, the combination substantially as set forth, of roll
housings, roll-boxes, fitted to slide in said housings, screws engaging said roll-boxes,
and serving by their rotation to adjust the boxes in the housings, rolls journalled
in the roll-boxes, a driving shaft substantially parallel with the rolls, a worm upon
the driving shaft, a pair of shafts at right angles to said driving shaft and provided
with worm gears engaging said worm and with worms engaging worm wheels on
the shafts of the rolls.
4. In a forming machine, the combination substantially as set forth, of roll
housings, roll-boxes all adjustable therein, screws for simultaneously adjusting all the
boxes, a driving shaft, gearing arranged to transmit rotary motion from the driving
shaft to the rolls, a shaft geared to said screws, gearing fitted to transmit rotary
motion from the driving shaft to said last mentioned shaft in a direction corresponding
to and slower with reference to that of the driving shaft so as to cause the screws to
revolve either one way or the other while the driving shaft revolves continuously,
and a clutch adapted to throw such last mentioned gearing into action and determine
the direction of rotation of the screws.
5. In a forming machine, the combination substantially as set forth, of rolls adapted
to receive a tube lengthwise between them and to revolve the tube by frictional con-
fact and to be themselves driven by power applied to them, means for adjusting the
rolls simultaneously and uniformly to or from a plane disposed between the rolls
during the rotation of the rolls, and a bearing beyond the ends of the rolls with its
axis in said plane.
6. In a forming machine, the combination substantially as set forth, with rolls
arranged to be driven by power and to receive a tube disposed lengthwise between
them and to rotate the tube by frictional contact, and rolls projecting from beyond
one end of and along a portion only of said power driven rolls fitted to engage the
periphery of such tube and be driven by frictional contact with the tube, and means
for adjusting said last mentioned rolls to and from each other.
5
7. In a forming machine, the combination substantially as set forth, of roll
housings, roll-boxes adjustable therein, power driven rolls journalled in said boxes,
means for adjusting the opening and closing of the rolls, roll-carriers, rolls carried
by said roll-carriers and projecting along a portion only of said power-driven rolls
and fitted to be revolved by frictional contact with the tube revolved by frictional 5
contact with said first mentioned rolls, means for opening and closing said friction

page_text: driven rolls, simultaneously with the opening and closing of the first mentioned rolls,
and means for adjusting the relative distances of approach of the two sets of
rolls.
8. In a forming machine, the combination of a pair of power-driven rolls disposed
with their peripheries separated for the admission of a tube to be revolved by contact
with said rolls, one of said rolls having grooves, the margins of which grooves impress
the tubes spirally, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
9. A roll provided with a flute wider and deeper at one end of the roll than at the
other, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 13th day of December 1887.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.