Improvements in Shaping, Forging, Drawing, Solidifying, and Squirting Metals, and in Means and Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Feb., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 11th Dec., 1896-Accepted, 11th May, 1897
Improvements in Shaping, Forging, Drawing, Solidifying, and
Squirting Metals, and in Means and Apparatus therefor.
1, JAMES ROBERTSON, Engineer, of Rainhill, Lancashire do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates mainly to new and improved means and apparatus for
shaping, forging, drawing, solidifying and squirting metals which when cold are
of a hard nature and become harder by pressure and hammering such as iron, steel
and copper which I from ingots, billets or masses of same I artificially heat into a
soft or plastic state, shape, forge, draw, solidify and squirt into tubes, tubular or
hollow articles, plates, bars, rods, wires, and the like, or for making blanks for
same for the after making of these. Consisting mainly in placing ingots, billets,
or masses of metal so heated into strong tubular metal containers or long dies, by
preference made of steel with freedom in these dies to the metal placed in them to
be moved end wise out of same. These long dies in a new and improved form to
effect quick shaping action of the metal, from which I propel it out by new and
improved means and apparatus over or through shaping tools, such as tube mandrils
and dies by direct contact and force from water or other liquid, and by preference
water, in part insulated generally by a gaseous fluid only, with which water at a
very high pressure I force out the metal placed in the long die retaining the heat
and soft state of same very materially until shaped to the form required by new
and improved insulating means and apparatus interposed between the water and
hot metal. I use the term long die to dencte the containing vessel into which the
hot metal is inserted as I in this invention in a new and improved way operate it.
and use it at its mouth for most purposes as a shaping die. But I also place and
fix for some purposes a short shaping die to the mouth or discharging end of the
metal billet container or long die which I term a short die.
For propelling and shaping the hot metal billets out of the long die I use the
propelling water at as high a pressure per square inch of cross sectional area on
the billet as force it over a mandril or through a forming die.
Which whether for
shaping a billet into a tube bar or other article as aforesaid ordinarily requires a
forcing or a discharging pressure of about 20 tons to the square inch whatever the
cross sectional area of the long die may be. Between the water forcing apparatus
and containing die for shaping hot metal in a new and improved way by this means
I dispense with an operating hydraulic cylinder and ram or other means for
operating a mandril or other shaping tool heretofore used to shape, forge, draw
squirt and solidify metal made soft by heat. Which older means of doing this only
at most gives one degree of pressure whatever the cross sectional area of the metal
billet operated upon may be. But in this new and improved way of leading the
propelling water by a small pipe or otherwise directly into the long die I obtain
always the requisite force end wise for operating a metal billet of any diameter
placed in a long die whatever its cross sectional area may be. These long dies
may be of any form of cross section, preferred to be of steel, and made very
strong, but for most purposes and for shaping short billets into short tubes, or
other short articles, I prefer the long die to be internally round, bored out smoothly

page_text: and parallel, closed ended and the operating water introduced into it at its bottom
end by a small tube or otherwise. Adapted for the billet to be inserted into it at
its mouth, which mouth part also for most shaping purposes serves as a forming die
to the metal article. In a new and improved way for forcing out hot billets of
metal into longer tubes, bars, and other articles a slight degree of taper inwards
from its mouth is given to the die which shape by pressing on a soft metal parallel
billet inward into it facilitates having the billet close fitting to the die at its bottom
end next to the propelling out water. Its pressure staving up and expanding the
diameter of the metal billet as it moves outwards by this tapering form given to
the die tends also to relieve the friction of the billet on the walls of the die. I have
beretofore used taper long dies and operated them by either forcing in the mandril
into the metal from its wide end or by traversing itself with its contained heated
soft billet over a stationary mandril, but in both these other methods (this older
mode of operating a long taper shaped die) produce an externally tapered tube
suitable mainly for cannon blanks and like articles. But this new and improved
means of operating a long taper die for hot metal-by the water pushing out the
billet from the small end of the die and over a stationary mandril, produces a
parallel tube and externally as well as internally so. By having the walls of the
long die internally formed to a degree of taper, to form an angle when its opposite
side lines of walls are produced to meet and form an angle of about fourteen (14)
degrees this large degree of taper, by the steady staving up and expanding action
of the propelling water on, the billet as it is moved outwards and over its stationary
tube forming mandril has about sufficient propelling power on the billet to neutralize
its frictional resisting contact to its forward motion on the sides of the long die.
By having the heated soft billets taper shaped to suit the long die used of this form
very long tubes and other articles can be formed to this way.
In a new and improved means and apparatus and part of my invention for
holding the mandrils and short dies centrally to the long die and for moving
inwards a mandril or other shaping tool on to or into the metal billet a short
distance in order mainly to press the metal of the billet on to the walls of the die
at both ends water and steam tight, I secure this apparatus to the long die by
connecting stays or otherwise to a means of doing this. Which in the smaller
applications of this invention may be done by a hand screw or like means. But
for all the main applications of this invention this operation is effected best by a
short stroke hydraulic cylinder and ram provided with reversing action. This
hydraulic cylinder and ram or other like means, of holding the shaping tools and
for moving then inwards a short distance, on the billet to be shaped being secured
to the long die by strong stays or other framework. Of sufficient strength to
resist the pressure of the operating water in the long die and of a form to allow
the tube or other article being formed to flow out freely and with a traverse
sufficient to draw back the mandril or die when the shaping process is completed.
Giving thereby clear way back from the mouth of the long die for charging it for
a fresh operation. For shaping and squirting out tubes of small diameter and
short articles in another new and improved way to obtain like means of recharging
and tightening the billet in the long die as just described, I secure a short traverse
hydraulic cylinder and ram or like means for fixing and traversing the billet
closing up and shaping down dies of mandrils by fixing it or forming it in one
piece with the long die itself and the outstanding framework in this modification is
not required.
These long dies may be used in any posture but for making tubes, bars and all
articles of moderate length, the vertical posture suits best for having the hot
billets insulated from the propelling operating water. In the larger diameter
billets the steam which is instantly generated by its contact with the hot metal
generally forms sufficient insulating matter for the short duration of the time
required for shaping the article required. These new and improved appliances for
shaping hot metal being all designed for quick forming action and sufficient power
and speed used after the propeiling water is admitted to the die-to effect and

page_text: complete the shaping process on the metal desired in from about one to three
seconds according to the length of the article shaped. But in the smaller diameter
of hot billets used little insulating steam is generated the water hardens their inner
ends quickly and in a new and improved way to avoid this effect more effective
insulating apparatus and matter is more required. In one form a cold thin metal
plate by preference of copper or steel I use of an inverted cap shape like unto in
shape a cup leather of a hydraulic press which may be further insulated by having
sheet asbestos or a thin piece of wood or other like heat non-conducting substances
placed between the hot metal and this cup shaped plate. In another form
I insulate the hot metal from the water a metal piston piece which may be packed
is used. Any substance also used by itself like to a thin board of wood or graphite
of low heat conductivity or lubricating matter that does not burn off very quickly
or by contact with the hot metal generates a gas to form like air or steam a thin
film of compressed insulating gas on the top of the water and interposing itself
between the water and square ended billet in a die when placed to stand vertically
serves the insulating purpose very effectually.
When no insulating apparatus or matter is used between the operating water and
the hot billet other than steam which is always more or less generated and present,
the metal gets all forced out of the die in the shape desired and with scarcely any
residuum left in the die other than water. In charging the die for another
operation where insulating apparatus or matter is used it is first inserted into the
die then the hot billet placed before it.
When a horizontal position to the long die is adopted which is the posture most
suitable for making long tubes and bars a like billet charging and insulating process
and shaping tool moving inwards and fixing means is employed as above described.
In a new and improved way for this and other postures of the long die 1 place the
water forcing apparatus at a lower level than the long die so that air or other gases
in the water forcing apparatus used or in the water pipes or ducts leading to the
long die will rise on the top of the water and first enter the die. It is part of my
invention in these to form a short cavity at the after ends of the long die to collect
and hold gas or other light insulating substances used on the top of the propelling
water. Or steam or gas generated by any substance by heat from its contact with
the hot metal will be held more tightly by this means in a thin insulating film
between the propelling water and the hot metal.
Propelling hot billets of metal by direct contact and force from water unlike
metal rams operated for this purpose as heretofore used the water readily fits itself
to any form of container or long die used nor does the hot billet when of large mass
require to fit the die very accurately as from steam being instantly generated in a
thin crevice between the hot metal and walls of the die, and flowing out to the
water at great speed, water does not enter therein very quickly. It is part of my
invention to use annular dies and for squirting out small tubes in one form I place
a packed piston piece in the inside end of the long die and insert a mandril on it so
long as to project out at the mouth of the die a short distance and over this mandaril
and inside the long die place a tubular or annular billet to approximately fill the
die. I also place and fix a short die on the mouth of the long die which forms the
outside diameter of the tubes. The mandril forming its inside diameter. In a
similar annular die particularly suited for large diameters of tubes-the central
tube part may be fixed or formed in one piece with the die and an annular space
turned out, for a cast or otherwise annularly formed steel or copper billet, for being
squirted out into a tube.
It is part of my invention to form a long metal die bored ont parallel into which,
I insert a hot metal tube to be drawn out to a thinner gauge and effect this by
pushing in by hand the hot tube to be operated upon into this die and entering in
a short mandril a short distance in to the tube and die of a diameter to reduce the
tube to the thinner gauge desired. A breach closing piece seat is provided at this
bottom and tube entering end for same which is thereafter closed by a breach
piece and the propelling water being thereafter entered between the breach piece

page_text: and short mandril, the mandril is thus propelled through the tube and out at the
other end of the die drawing out the tube and cooling it at the same time.
For squirting out plates, bars, rods, wires and the like out of long dies and part
of my invention one or more forming tools or dies may be used connected to a long
die. It is also part of my invention to use shaping end tools used for solid articles
and also for tubular articles by placing inside the long die before the billet is
entered an end shaping tool such as a short conical end shaping piece with its apex
or point set to the mouth of the long die to form a conical recess in the bottom of
a tube billet so as the propelling water may enter it and press out the end of the
billet so as to make its end tight against the propelling water.
In a new and improved way I also form bosses on the forward ends of bars, tubes
and like articles or for having them made square or otherwise formed at their
forward ends by obstructing the outflow of the bar, tube or other article as it first
begins to flow through the forming die. The requisite degree of obstruction for
this purpose to be obtained by a metal shearing or breaking piece of a strength
suited to give the required obstruction to produce the end shaping effect required,
but afterwards to give way and allow the article being formed to flow out freely.
For forcing the actuating water by preference I use apparatus generally similar
to that which is described in the specification of my invention for which I obtained
Letters Patent of the United Kingdom, entitled "Improvements in and connected
with hydraulic piston pressing and forcing tools and in means and apparatus for
operating same applicable for solidifying and shaping metals" numbered 4722 and
dated the 4th of March 1893. It is necessary to have reciprocating or reversing
action for all apparatus used for forcing water at such a high pressure or force as
is required for this purpose along with very quick speed but only required for a
few seconds when each article is formed-and not again until the long die is
refilled. 1 store the requisite force in a heavy fly wheel revolving at a high speed
continuously for this purpose and by its momentum obtain sufficient force for the
few seconds it is required. The force being only required in an intermittent way
in about every minute for a fresh tube or bar forming operation power is obtained
in this way by a steam engine of moderate power moving in one direction and I use
for forcing the actuating water, a long hydraulic cylinder and ram and actuated by
a toothed rack and pinion as explained by the invention above referred to-I
throw into gear by a clutch in the gear so propelled with the momentum of the fly
wheel behind it at the instant the water is required for the long die herein before
described and generally allow the pinion of the rack to throw itself out of gear at
the last tooth and extreme end of the rack. But in an automatic way I relieve the
strain from the rack and hydraulic ram, by a relieving safety valve so soon as the
tube or other article being so formed is completed. For instant relieving action
I prefer connected to the hydraulic cylinder to use the safety valve loaded by a
steam cylinder and piston. In a new and improved way I transmit reverse motion
to the hydraulic ram, rack, and gear for these metal shaping purposes after its
driving clutch is thrown out of gear by forcing in water into the hydraulic cylinder
by preference by a set of ordinary hydraulic pumps forcing back the ram out to the
reverse head of its stroke and at the same time recharges the hydraulic cylinder
with water for a fresh operation. This return motion is effected in this way slowly
but is done in less than the time needed for bringing forward a fresh billet for
inserting it into the long die. In the interim the speed of the driving steam engine
and its heavy fly wheel reduced by the effort required to work this water forcing
apparatus regains again its normal speed.
Dated this Tenth day of February 1896.

page_text: Improvements in Shaping, Forging, Drawing, Solidifying, and
Squirting Metals, and in Means and Apparatus therefor.
I, JAMES ROBERTSON, Engineer, of Rainhill, Lancashire, do hereby declare
the nature of my invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement in
writing
My invention relates mainly to new and improved means and apparatus for
shaping, forging, drawing, solidifying and squirting metals, which when cold are of
a hard nature and become harder by pressure and hammering, such as iron, steel
and copper which from ingots, billets or masses of same I artificially heat into a
soft or plastic state, shape, forge, draw, solidify and squirt into tubes, tubular or
hollow articles, plates, bars, rods, wires and the like, or for making blanks for same
for the after making of these. This consists mainly in placing ingots, billets, or
masses of metal so heated into strong tubular metal containers or long dies, by
preference made of steel with freedom in these dies to the metal placed in them to
be moved end wise out of same. These long dies in a new and improved form to
effect quick shaping action to the metal, from which 1 propel it out. by new and
improved means and apparatus over or through shaping tools, such as tube mandrels
and dies by direct contact and force from water or other liquid, and by preference
water, in part insulated generally by a gaseous fluid only, with which water at a
very high pressure I force out the metal placed in the long die retaining the heat
and soft state of same very materially until shaped to the form required by new
and improved insulating means and apparatus interposed between the water and
hot metal. I use the term long die to denote the containing vessel into which the
hot metal is inserted as I in this invention in a new and improved way operate the
metal and use the die at its mouth for most purposes as a shaping die. But I also
place and fix for some purposes a short shaping die to the mouth or discharging end
of the metal billet container or long die which I term a short die.
For propelling and shaping the hot metal billets out of the long die I use the
propelling water at as high a pressure per square inch of cross sectional area on
the billet as force it over a mandrel or through a forming die, which whether for
shaping a billet into a tube bar or other article as aforesaid ordinarily requires a
forcing or a discharging pressure of about twenty tons to the square inch whatever
the cross sectional area of the billet and internal cross sectional area of the long
die may be. Between the water forcing apparatus and containing die for shaping
hot metal in a new and improved way by this means I dispense with an operating
hydraulic cylinder and ram or other means for operating a mandrel or other shaping
tool heretofore used to shape, forge, draw, squirt and solidify metal made soft by
heat, which older means of doing this only at most gives one degree of pressure
whatever the cross sectional area of the metal billet operated upon may be. But
in this new and improved way of leading the propelling water by a small pipe or
otherwise directly into the long die I obtain always the requisite force end wise for
operating a metal billet of any diameter placed in a long die whatever the cross
sectional area may be. These long dies may be of any form of cross section,
preferred to be of steel, and made very strong, but for most purposes and for
shaping short billets into short tubes, or other short articles, I prefer the long die
to be internally round, bored out smoothly and parallel, close ended and the
operating water introduced into it at its bottom end by a small tube or otherwise.
The long die is adapted for the billet to be inserted into it at its mouth, which
mouth part also for most shaping purposes serves as a forming die to the metal
article.

page_text: Any good kind of water forcing apparatus may be used that will produce the
water or other operating fluid but by preference a liquid quickly and at the
requisite pressure will suit this purpose and any good ordinary form of inlet or
regulating hydraulic valve will suit this purpose there being generally only an
inlet valve required and therefore generally I do not show details of these or water
conduits other than a short piece of pipe as they generally do not form part of my
invention. The ready means and apparatus shown for changing, jointing, and
fixing the dies suited to withstand the exceptionally great water pressure required
show part of my invention.
And in order that my said invention and the manner of performing same may
be properly understood I have hereunto appended five sheets of explanatory
drawings, and I use throughout the following description the same letters and
1.umerals of reference to indicate like parts in all the figures where like parts are
shown in order as far as possible to avoid needless repetition in describing the
various modifications shown.
Figure 1 is a side sectional elevation. Figure 2 an enl elevation partly in
section and Figure 3 a sectional plan of the base plate of this apparatus in its
most simple form suited for making tubes from solid billets of iron, steel, or copper
or from like billets of any metal or alloy of a hard nature and that can be made
sufficiently soft by heat. For metals such as lead and tin which are in a cold state
soft and do not harden materially by hammering or pressure my apparatus is
unsuitable, and it is no part of my invention to operate on such metals. This form
of machine is shown suited for operating on solid billets of metal of the smaller
diameter used which can be formed into tubes by it. By preference this would be
operated by water at any ordinary natural temperature and without insulating
matter or apparatus placed between the hot billet and the propelling water other
than the steam generated by its contact with the hot metal and which by the sudden
introduction and quick speed of the propelling water into the die A allows no time
for the cooling action of the water to penetrate to any injurions degree into the
mass of the billet B.
The die A shown in section in Figure 1 is of a round form externally and
internally and is bored out smoothly and parallelly and shown with the round
billet B placed in it and the mandrel entering guide C is shown placed in the
mouth of the die A above the billet B for guiding centrally the mandrel D into
the metal billet B, and the mandrel D and its stem rod D₁ are shown as being
held stationary in the top holder H' and crosshead H against the upward traverse
of the billet. B by the force from the water which is in the direction indicated by
the arrow b to 6. The die A is shown with a screw A¹ formed on the lower end
of its body and shewn correspondingly screwed into the strong base plate E which
secures the die A in its place as well as provides ready means for interchanging
these dies and as well provides ready means for connecting them to the water
conduits and is part of my invention. The arrangement of this apparatus is
shown in section by Figures 1 to 3. The die A. is shown formed somewhat longer
than the billet B placed in it to provide room for the mandrel D and its guide C
being placed above it, these parts being shown in position for a forming stroke by
Figure 1 and a completed stroke by Figure 2. A water inlet A2 into the die is
also shown in these figures which is made to pass down through the small tapered
projection A3 formed on the bottom of the die and shown connected and jointed
into the water pipe faucet piece F shown in the plate E in Figures 2 and 3 to
which is shown connected the inlet operating forcing water pipe F¹ the motion of
the water being as indicated by the arrows bb' and 62 in the die. This moveable water
pipe, steel faucet piece F has to be very securely jointed to the spigot piece A³ of the
die and is effected by screwing down the die A into the base plate casting E.
top part of the die A has a series of hand bar holes A shown formed in it which
afford facilities for this being effectively done as well as for securing the die in the
base plate casting E. This base plate casting E has shown formed in it four holes into
which are shown placed four standards G of wrought steel and secured in same by
The

page_text: screw nuts in the manner of an ordinary packing hydraulic press frame and which are
thenre shown extending upward and supporting the strong top cross-head frame stem
rod abutting plate H into which the four standards G are shown correspondingly
inserted, and secured same as in the sole plate. Connected to this top plate H is
shown an abutting holding mandrel stem rod piece H into which the mandrel stem
rod D¹ is shown inserted a very short way and has for this purpose formed in it a
side lateral slot H' through which the upper end of the stem rod D' is inserted!
laterally, the mandrel stem rod D' fitting loosely so as to leave a little loose.
play between the mandrel D and billet B just before the forcing water is turned
on into the die. It is important in working to have the die A kept dry for an
instant after the billet B is placed in it and to have the water turned in to it on the
hot billet as suddenly as possible and at full speed and force and particularly so in
operating on billets of small mass of metal and for this purpose and part of my
invention in one form I insert a thin round metal water way jointing and
temporary closing plate F in the faucet piece F between the spigot en 1 A of the
die of such a thickness as to prevent the water at first entering slowly but which
on its full pressure or nearly so being reached bursts through this thin plate and
in this way expels the billet B instantaneously in the form of a tube B' as shown in
section in Figure 2 enclosing the mandrel stem rod D' which retains the position
it is set to at the commencement of the tube making operation. By using a sharp-
pointed mandrel there is little or almost no metal broken off at the passage of the
billet B over the mandrel D at its alter end, the steady and equal pressure of
the water forcing almost all of it into the tube B' and with small reduction in
temperature from the degree of heat from what it possessed when entered into
the die A.
In a new and improved way for forcing out hot billets of metal into longer tubes,
bars and other articles a slight degree of taper inwards from its mouth is given ti
the die which shape by pressing on a soft metal parallel billet inward into it.
facilitates having the billet close fitting to the die at its bottom and next to the
propelling out water. Its pressure staving up and expanding the diameter of the
metal billet as it moves outwards by this tapering form given to the die tends also
to relieve the friction of the billet on the walls of the die. I have heretofore used
taper long dies and operated them by either forcing the mandrel into the metal
from its wide end or by traversing itself with its contained heated soft billet over-
a stationary mandrel but in both these other methods this older mode of operating
a long taper shaped die produces an externally tapered tube suitable mainly for
cannon blanks and like articles. But this new and improved means of operating a
long taper die for hot metal, by the water pushing out the billet from the small
end of the die and over a stationary mandrel, produces a parallel tube and externally
as well as internally so. The walls of the long die are internally formed
to a degree of taper to form an angle when its opposite side lines of walls are
produced to incet aud form an angle of about 14 degrees. This large degree of
taper, by the steady staving up and expanding action of the propelling water on the
billet as it is moved outwards and over its stationary tube forming mandrel, has
about sufficient propelling power on the billet to neutralize its frictional resisting
contact to its forward motion on the sides of the long die, and by having the heated
soft billets taper shaped to suit the long die used of this form very long tubes an
other articles can be formed in this way.
meet
It is part of my invention to have a new aud improved means and apparatus for
holding the mandrels and short dies centrally to the long die and for moving
inwards a mandrel or other shaping tool on to or into the metal billet a short
distance in order mainly to press the metal of the billet on to the walls of the die
at both ends water and steam tight, and I secure this apparatus to the long die by
connecting stays or otherwise and have a means of doing this which in the smaller
applications of this invention may be done by a hand screw or like means, but for
all the main applications of this invention this operation is effected best by a short
stroke hydraulic cylinder and ram provided with reversing action. This hydraulic

page_text: cylinder and ram or other like means of holding the shaping tools and for moving
them inwards a short distance, on the billet to be shaped being secured to the long
die by strong stays or other framework, and of sufficient strength to resist the
pressure of the operating water in the long die and of a form to allow the tube or
other article being formed to flow out freely and with a traverse sufficient to
draw back the mandrel or die when the shaping action is completed, giving thereby
clear way back from the mouth of the long die for charging it for a fresh operation.
For shaping and squeezing out tubes of small diameter and short articles in another
new and improved way to obtain like means of recharging and tightening the
billet in the long dic as just described, I secure a short traverse hydraulic cylinder
and ram or like means for fixing and traversing the billet closing up and shaping
down dies or mandrels by fixing it or forming it in one piece with the long die
itself, and the outstanding framework in this modification is not required.
Figure 4 is a side sectional elevation, Figure 5 an end part sectional elevation
and Figure 6 a sectional plan of apparatus for operating a long taper die A as just
described. This internally round and tapering die A which is shown in section in
Figures 4 and 5 is outwardly similar to that just described as also is the base plate
of its containing frame and in all its lower parts, and the same letters and numerals
of reference refer to like parts as described in connection with Figures 1, 2, and 3,
and need not be again described.
In this modification, the upper part of the apparatus shows in one form the
means described of entering and forcing in the mandrel D and partially forming
the tube, shown effected by a short stroke reversing hydraulic cylinder I, shown
in section in Figure 4 placed and fixed with screw nuts on the top of the frame
columns G and the ram J of this cylinder would preferably be operated from a
bydraulic accumulator. Any other good ordinary form of reversing hydraulic
cylinder will suit this purpose and this part of the apparatus forming no part singly
of my invention need not be further described. It is shown with its piston
piston rod J mandrel holder H' affixed to it. Mandrel stem rod D' and mandrel D
affixed to these operated down to nearly the full length of the stroke of the
cylinder and the mandrel pushed down into the metal of the billet B in which
state it necessarily has pressed the hot soft metal down to fill the die A and water
tight at its mouth around the mandrel D in which state on the operating water being
admitted to the die at the requisite pressure as explained in connection with
Figures 1, 2, and 3 it forces out of the die A the metal of the billet over the
mandrel D in a parallel tube B leaving it as shown in section in Figure 5.
One very important object and advantage of this invention for forcing heated soft
metal by a liquid over or through shaping tools such as the dies and mandrels, is
its thorough fitting and propelling efficiency as applied to either a large or small
serrated or uneven surface and without injury to either the propelling "media" or
propelled surface. My older though recent invention of the mandrel A and the
central mandrel guide I shown in Figures 15 and 16 of British Patent No. 15752
of 1884 insures the hot tube being made accurately concentric, and my other
invention of the concentric abutting bottom end cup or ferrule G for receiving the
mandrel after it has passed through the billet British Patent No. 5018 of 1888 and
ferrule G2 in British Patent 1627 of 1890 answers entirely well for supporting the
metal of the billet and for receiving the mandrel after its full stroke is completed
for the manufacture of thick tubes, but thick walled tubes pierced out of solid
billets involve exposure after drawing out processes to draw out these to the thin
gauges required in tubes for most purposes whereas this part and use of this
invention at the after supported end of the billet where the stroke of the shaping
tool or mandrel terminates, allows of tubes or other articles being made of thin
gauges directly from the heated soft solid billet and may to reach nearly the full
advantage of the invention be used for a small part of the traverse of either a die
or shaping tool or mandrel when nearly completing the shaping stroke on the metal
billet operated on.
Figure 7 is a sectional plan of a long die designed to be operated in a horizonta

page_text: position and Figure 8 an external end elevation of same. The long die A has
shown contained in it a bottom end supporting hollow piston piece or ferrule K
which supports the billet while the mandrel D is being passed into the after end
of the ferrule K being formed with thicker walls than the tube B' which is also
shown contained in the die as also the mandrel D and its stem rod D'. The
mandrel D is shown by its passage through a solid billet to have made a tube B¹
with thin walls but it being a necessity for the walls of the ferrule K to be thicker
and stronger to bear the pressure of the metal while being pierced it is shown as
brought to rest on the ferrule K before it has got fully through the thick annular
end B2 of the billet, at which instant or near to it water at a sufficient high pressure
which may be done automatically as explained in connection with Figures 1 and 2,
is brought to force this obstructed part B of the billet over the mandrel and
thus complete the formation of the tube B' which is left undone by an ordinary
mandrel.
These long dies may be used in any posture but for making tubes, bars and all
articles of moderate length, the vertical posture suits best for having the hot
billets insulated from the propelling operating water. In the larger diameter
billets the steam which is instantly generated by its contact with the hot metal
generally forms sufficient insulating matter for the short duration of time required!
for shaping the article required. These new and improved appliances for shaping
not metal being all designed for quick forming action and sufficient power and
speed used after the propelling water is admitted to the die, to effect and complete
the shaping process on the metal desired in from about one to three seconds
according to the length of the articles shaped. But in the smaller diameter of hot
billets used little insulating steam is generated the water hardens their inner ends.
quickly and in a new and improved way to avoid this effect more effective
insulating apparatus and matter is more required. In one form a cold thin
metal plate by preference of copper or steel I use of an inverted cup shape
like unto in shape a cup leather of a hydraulic press which may be further
insulated by having sheet asbestos or a thin piece of wood or other like heat
non-conducting substances placed between the hot metal and this cup shaped plate.
In another form in which I insulate the hot metal from the water a metal piston
piece which may be packed is used. Any substance also used by itself like to a
thin board of wood or graphite of low heat conductivity or lubricating matter that
does not burn off very quickly or by contact with the hot metal generates a gas to
form like air or steam a thin film of compressed insulating gas on the top of
the water and interposing itself between the water and square ended billet
in a die when placed to stand vertically serves this insulating purpose very
effectually.
When no insulating apparatus or matter is used between the operating water
and the hot billet other than steam which is always more or less generated and
present, the metal gets all forced out of the die in the shape desired and with
scarcely any residuum left in the die other than water. In charging the die for a
fresh operation where insulating apparatus or matter is used it is first inserted into
the die, then the hot billet placed before it.
Apart from steam generated by the contact of the propelling water with the hot
metal and gas raised from insulating matter such as outer thin boards of wood
which may be rendered less combustible by creasote or other chemical fire proofing
processes this insulating matter unless for hot billets of metal of small mass is not
very requisite to be used. The main condition to be had to prevent the metal
being cooled is the swift introduction of the water into the die at the requisite
force from propelling water forcing rams actuated at a high speed by toothed rack
and pinion gear, as shown by me in Letters Patent granted ine of the United
Kingdom entitled "Improvements in and connected with hydraulic piston pressing
and forcing tools and in means and apparatus for operating same applicable for
solidifying and shaping metals," No. 4722 and dated the 4th of March 1893, this

page_text: being the most suitable for this service; but water forcing rams propelled by
percussive force such as by the falling weights of stamping and hammering
machines used for some purposes rightly applied will suit for forming some forms
of short articles. But any good swift and continuous means of forcing water at the
requisite pressure such as can be had by the intervention of a good hydraulic
accumulator will suit this purpose.
Figure 9 is a sectional elevation of the after end of a long die and
Figure 10 an end sectional elevation through the line of the same form of
die as described in connection with Figures 1 to 3 in which there is shown inserted
in its bottoin a metal plate L of an inverted cup shape on its top side and over it
is laid a thin cup shaped plate L' like unto a cup leather of a hydraulic piston and
laid over it by preference as shown a thin board L2 of wood, these metal plates LL'
by the formation and discharge of a tube or other article do not get materially
injured but the wood of from about to 1 inch thick though rendering the most
important service by the great pressure from the water and heat from the billet
leaves but small destruction behind though the whole process should be done in
about two or three seconds. Figure 11 is a similar side sectional elevation and
Figure 12 an end sectional elevation to that just described of the after end of a
long die of a similar form to that described in connection with Figures 4 to 6 and
suited to be operated in the same way in which is shown inserted in its bottom end
a conical metal casting which the top operating bydraulic cylinder described in
pressing down the billet B before the operating water is introduced forms in its
bottom as shown a corresponding conical recess and the water first entering same
tends to expand out the metal of the billet thereby to make it water tight against
the walls of the die A.
Figures 13 and 14 show in sectional elevation a similar die to that shown by
Figures 9 and 10 in which there is only inserted as insulating matter a piece of
wood L2 of about an inch thick. It is unimportant that it should fit the die
accurately.
For forming tubes, tubular and hollow articles the dies may be formed internally
of almost any other form of cross section or of a round form as heretofore shown,
such as oval and of a square form and the mandrel may be correspondingly shaped
in cross section or otherwise. A useful modification consists of a square long die
internally, all these long dies by preference being formed round externally and a
correspondingly square shaped inandrel in cross section but pointed as in the
general shape longitudinally of the round mandrels hereinbefore shown and useful
for making such articles as hollow square building liutels and beams by preference
at one operation from a solid square billet. In all forms of these long dies the
propelling out and shaping water may be used alone as described in connection
with Figures 1 to 3 or the tube may be formed by motion given to the mandrel
by an bydraulic cylinder and to the billet by the water simultaneously, as described
in connection with Figures 4 to 6 or by a first forming stroke given to the
mandrel before applying the water pressure to the billet within the die or a first
stroke imparted to the billet by the water to force it on the mandrel before the
latter receives its forward operating action.
Figure 15 is a side sectional elevation and Figure 16 a mouth end elevation of a
long die A of a square form internally but otherwise of the general construction
described in connection with Figures 1 to 3, Figure 16 showing the square form in
cross section of the mandrel D. The stem rod D' is shown of a round form as
I prefer to use generally for holding or for operating inandrels of all forms of cross
section. The billet B is shown partially operated out of the die A by the water
and partially from a stroke from a pushing draw bench.
Figure 17 is a side sectional elevation and Figure 18 a mouth end elevation of a
similar die to that just described and operated in the same way, and also with
billet B partially operated out of the die A but with a mandrel D shown in side
elevation by Figure 19 and in front end elevation by Figure 20 a round stem

page_text: rod D is shown usel. This mandrel D has shown in it eight longitudinal grooves
suited for forming a corresponding number of internal fins B' projecting inwards
from the walls of the tube B', a useful form of tube for increasing the heating
surface of small diameter tubes for steam boilers; the water as a projecting out
media readily chasing out heated soft metal into any shape of cross section in this
way so long as parallel objects are the subjects for its being so used.
Figure 21 is a side sectional elevation and Figure 22 a mouth end elevation of a
similar die to that just described and operated in the same way having a round
external surface but of a polygonal form internally suited for operating on a hot
metal billet of the same form, the mandrel D is shown of a round form by Figure 22
to form a thick walled tube hexagonal externally and round internally suitable for
being cut off in short lengths for screw bolt nuts and like articles the internal
surfaces of these long dies can in this way be shaped to proluce all generally
useful forms to the exterior of tuhes. By shaping the mandrel most useful forms
are produceable as described in connection with Figures 17 to 20, and in one
operation special forms can be formed to both their internal and external surfaces
as described in connection with Figures 15 and 16.
There are some tube and bar forming operations and particularly for acting on
hot billets of small mass which are best accomplished under this process by using a
packed piston piece M in the bottom end of an internally rouni parallel die and
the hot billet to be operated upon inserted in front of it and a billet of hot metal
of a square or other angular form to be pierced by a round mandrel leaving thereby
room for the metal of the billet on the flat of the billet to expand by the passage of
the mandrel laterally and requiring thereby to pierce the billet less force than if the
billet were of a round section and filled the round die.
Figure 23 is a longitudinal side elevation and Figure 24 an end elevation of long
die fitted with a bottom end packed piston M and operated in this way.
In order to prevent the propelling water from passing up to an injurious degree
between the longitudinal flats of the billet B the packed piston piece M fitted at
inner end of die A, is formed with a recess all round its periphery in which is
placed a water tight packing M' and the top end of piston piece M is formed with
a recess for the mandrel D entering when the billet B becomes raised up in the
form of a tube over the mandrel D. Round billets can also be pierced in hexagonal
or fluted long dies in a similar way and the propelling water sufficiently prevented
from rising up too copiously and quickly to the metal, though by the time the tube
making process is thus complete there is sufficient water passed the piston piece M
or steam generated as to expel the tube so formed from the dic.
Figure 25 is a side sectional elevation of a long die A similar in form to that just
described shown with its contained billet B, mandrel D, mandrel guide C, and stem
rod D', all in position to take a tube forming stroke showing the packed piston M
placed at the bottom of the die and the billet B at its top end. Figure 26 is a side
sectional elevation of the same die showing the packed piston M raised up by the
propelling water and the billet expelled from the die in the form of the tube B'.
In this modification the packed piston piece is of a tubular form and has shown in
it a central packed piston piece M as in large diameter, at its upper end as large
as the mandrel D this central piece being also provided with a water tight
packing M³ which is shown in Figure 25 in its position flush at both ends with its
main piston piece M. But in Figure 26 the mandrel D and its stein rod D' in
this modification is held stationary and has pushed this central piece down in the
water at its bottom end to leave room for the mandrel D while the inain piston piece
is shown raised up beyond the mandrel D and has entirely pushed out in a complete
state the tube B'.
Figure 27 is a side sectional elevation of a similar long die to that just described
shown arranged for squirting out a thin tube over a long mandrel D from annular
billet B or thick tube and through a short die N fixed to the mouth of it. This
short mandrel D is shown placed into a piston piece M into which the down end of
the mandrel D is shown secured. This piston piece Mis turned a good working

page_text: fit for the die but it is net packed but has a series of grooves M turned in it which
retards the passage of the propelling water for about as long as allows the metal
of the billet B to be discharged out of the die and suitable for most forms of these
piston pieces. A portion of the tube B' to be squirted out is shown squirted over
the mandrel D and through the short die N, the die N is shown fixed by the sliding
casting.
When a horizontal posture to the long die is adopted, which is the posture most
suitable for making long tubes and bars a like billet charging and insulating process
and shaping tool moving inwards and fixing means is employed as above described.
In a new and improved way for this and other postures of the loug die I place the
water forcing apparatus at a lower level than the long die so that air or other
gases in the water forcing apparatus used or in the water pipes or ducts leading
to the long die will rise on the top of the water and first enter the die. It is part
of my invention in these to form a short space at the after ends of the long die to
collect and hold gas or other light insulating substance used on the top of the
propelling water. Or steam or gas generated by any substance by heat from its
contact with the hot metal will be held more tightly by this means in a thin
insulating film between the propelling water and the hot metal.
Propelling hot billets of metal by direct contact and force from water, unlike metal
rams operated for this purpose as heretofore used, the water readily fits itself to
any form of container or long die used, nor does the hot billet when of large mass
require to fit the die very accurately as from steam heing instantly generated in a
thin crevice between the hot metal and walls of the die, and flowing out against
the water at great speed, water does not therein enter very quickly. It is part
of my invention to use annular dies and for squirting out small tubes in one form
I place a packed piston piece in the inside end of the long die and insert a mandrel
on it so long as to project out at the mouth of the die a short distance and over
this mandrel and inside the long die place a tubular or annular billet to approxi-
mately fill the die. I also place and fix a short die on the mouth of the long die
which forms the outside diameter of the tubes, the mandrel forming its inside
diameter. In a similar annular die particularly suited for large diameters of
tubes, the central tube part may be fixed or formed in one piece with the die and
an annular space turned out, for a cast or otherwise annularly formed steel or copper
billet, for being squirted out into a tube.
Figure 28 is a plan, Figure 29 a side elevation Figure 30 an after external
elevation and Figure 31 a transverse section on the line a Figure 29 of a form of
machine suited for operating short dies for shaping and drawing solid bars of hot
metal as well as tubes and other parallel articles. 1 show used a short die N suited
for squirting out round hars from a billet B but it is obvious that within the limits
of the cross area of the billet used bars of any form of cross section, by shaping
the short die N to suit, can be shaped and squirted out in this way. Round, square,
triangular, rail shaped or almost any form of bars, rods, plates, or wire of steel or
other metals are required but it is needless to show these or what other forms of
these can be in this way made, as their number is indefinite. Only the round form
of the short dies or nearly so which are preferably made of steel will always stand
best. The general form of the long die A and mode of fixing in this machine
is similar to that described in connection with Figures 1 to 3. "The short die is
similar in form to that described in connection with Figure 27. The cylinder I is
an ordinary reversing stroke hydraulic cylinder and rain somewhat similar to the
cylinder I shown in Figures 4 and 5 and shown bound to the crosshead holder H of
the long die by the strong stays G. The use shown here of the hydraulic cylinder I
and its ram J is to secure the short die N to the long die A which is here used as a
billet container and to release this die N for being removed for a fresh charge
after the bar B1 is fully squirted out and these actions are effected by the casting O
being pressed and held up against the short die N while the squirting operation of
the bar B is being performed and again drawn back by the ram J for the removal
of the die N. The form of the front end of this sliding casting O is shown by

page_text: Figure 31 which is planed on its sole surface and left free to slide as moved by the
rain J while it is made to rest over the stool casting O2 and stool H2 of the
crosshead H. This is a quick way of placing, fixing and releasing these short
dies whilst through the end gap Ohandy access is provided for the insertion of
the billet B into long die and for the passage out of finished bar B'.
It is part of my invention to form a long metal die bored out parallel into which
I insert a hot metal tube to be drawn out to a thinner gauge and effect this by
pushing in by hand the hot tube to be operated upon into this die and entering
in a short mandrel a short distance into the tube and die of a diameter to reduce
the tube to the thinner gauge desired. A breach closing piece seat is provided at
this bottom and tube entering end for same which is thereafter close 1 by a breach
piece and the propelling water being thereafter entered between the breach piece.
and short mandrel, the mandrel is thus propelled through the tube and out at the
other end of the die drawing out the tube and cooling it at the same time.
The main objects to be attained of my improved means and apparatus in this
modification as applied to the manufacture of tabes is to impart longitudinal
strength to hot tubes behind the point being drawn immediately it is related in
thickness between the die and mandrel to prevent the much felt tendency of a thin
hot tube breaking across by the drawing tension of the mandrel and to reduce the
tendency of the surfaces of these to be cut up by heat and abrasion. In Figures 32
to 35 an apparatus is shown in which an hydraulic cylinder is used with forward and"
return acting ram.
Figure 32 is a sectional plan, Figure 33 a sectional side elevation and Figure 34
an after sectional end elevation facing the inside and Figure 35 an out end elevation
of the short stroke reversing acting hydraulic cylinder I.
The long die A is in Figure 32 shown in section and is of a round form throughout
its length and a billet B is shown placed in it but in this example it is a thick tube
or "shell" which is shown being operated upon and which is cominenced first by
an outward stroke from the ram J of the reversing stroke hydraulic cylinder I and
the short mandrel stem rod or driver H. The shell or billet B is formed with a
bell mouth B on its outer end to prevent it from being moved too far in bodily by
the mandrel D which is first inserted a short distance by hand, the piston rid J
and the mandrel stem rod pushing piece H forcing the mandrel in to the tube as
shown in Figure 32 and the billet is prevented from going further inwards by the
piston J2 which is formed in one piece with its piston rod J¹ getting to the end of
its stroke as shown, and likewise by the slightly bevelled out mouth of the die A
and by the now bell-mouthed intervening end B3 of the billet or blank B. It does
not require much force from the ram J to effect this part of the operation and a
thin bursting plate F similar to what is described in connection with Figures 4
and 5 is shown inserted into the faucet end of the ram J¹ to withstand all the
pressure in the cylinder I required, but an instant increase of pressure is thereafter
required which bursts out through the plate F and forces the mandrel Dout
through the billet B drawing out in a thin tube B as shown in sectional side
elevation in Figure 33. The mandrel D as there shown being placed in the mandrel
exit way in the crosshead casting E. It takes little force as it nears the end of the
tube it is forming and the steam generated inside the die from the water hurls it
out with considerable force for which an arresting plate by preference of wood is
used to arrest its motion. It is preferable to use two dies in this machine as shown
A and A which have shown a rolling guiding boss formed on each end A' and A
these wide square formed bosses longitudinally are of equal diameter and shaped
to roll freely on the plates P and P which have planed out channels shown of a
square fitting form P in which they roll laterally in a parallel way freely by hand
when required. The end of the dies A and A are turned up truly and when in
the working position shown in Figure 32 are shown abutting up against the turned
face of the strong crosshead casting E which is shown connected to the hydraulic
steel cylinder I by the strong stay rods G in Figure 33 shown also in end elevation
in Figures 34 and 35. In Figure 32, the die A is shown in the position when the

page_text: tube B' formed in it is to be drawn out and in the position suited for a billet or
shell to be placed in it for a fresh operation when the die A is rolled to the other
end of the plates P and P and the die A placed where the die A is shown for a
'fresh operation. The rolling parts of these dies A and A' for this purpose coul
have their rolling bosses A' and A toothed and their channels in the plates P and P
correspondingly toothed but roll out and into the operating seat in a sufficiently
parallel manner on their plain surfaces as shown in Figure 32 in these different
positions by hand freely and do not require other fixing in their operating seat in
Figure 32 other than their abutting frictional hold of their after ends on the faced
boss of the after holding casting E.
For cooling and increasing the tensional strength of a tube drawn over a long
mandrel in this new and improved way which may be operated by a pushing or
tensional tube draw bench a somewhat different modification of apparatus is required
than as just described. Figure 36 is a plan, Figure 37 a side clevation and Figure 38
an end elevation of a short die N and long mandrel D over which in Figure 36 is
shown the thick tube or billet B to be drawn out to a thin gange and the fore part
of it in part pushed and drawn through the die N and is of my improved external
tapering form protected against bursting by the strong steel containing crusshead N1
shown in sectional plan by Figure 36 aud in front elevation by Figure 38 with its
strong stay rods G shown broken off short which are suited to extend back to and
be fixed to the propelling forward means and apparatus which may be a hydraulic
cylinder or my rack motion draw bench or otherwise for propelling forward the
mandrel D. In the after side of the crosshead die container is shown a water
trough Qwhich is shown bolted up water tight to the die holding crosshead N.
This trough Qis open at the top and is shown filled up with cold water above the
level of the tube B being drawn, shown in section in Figure 37, the front side of
the trough Qbeing shown broken off to allow this to be seen. To keep the short
die N dry until the mandrel billet B is entered into it a plug piece N2 which is
preferred to be of wood is shown pushed into the opening through the die con-
tainer N and this plug N' becomes pushed out when the point of the mandrel D
in its passage through the die reaches it at which point it is shown in Figure 36.
When this plug N' is thus pushed out of its seat the water in its trough Q instantly
surrounds the part of the tube and after side of the die N, thus left free for the
approach of the water. The immersed position in the trough Q of the tube and
mandrel D when passed through the die N and of the plug N being shown in
Figure 37. It is important that the tube be cooled very quickly at the part
immediately passing through the die N and an additional improvement is the use
of a water jet or jets made to play on this part of the tube B¹ and after side of the
die N.
For squirting out plates, bars, rods, wires and the like out of long dies and part
of my invention one or more forming tools or dies may be used connected to a long
die. It is also part of' my invention to use shaping end tools used for solid articles
and also for tubular articles by placing inside the long die before the billet is
entered an end shaping tool such as a short conical end shaping pieco with its apex
or point set to the mouth of the long die to form a conical recess in the bottom of
a tube billet so as the propelling water may enter it and press out the end of the
billet so as to make its end tight against the propelling water.
In a new and improved way I also form bosses on the forward ends of bars,
tubes and like articles or for having them made square or otherwise formed at their
forward ends by obstructing the outflow of the bar, tube or other articles as it first
begins to flow through the forming die. The requisite degree of obstruction for
this purpose to be obtained by a metal shearing or breaking piece of a strength
suited to give the required obstruction to produce the end shaping effect required,
but afterwards to give way and allow the article being formed to flow out freely.
Figure 39 is a side sectional elevation, Figure 40 an end elevation and Figure 41
an after elevation of a die A suited for making a round body with a square boss
near to its after end and beyond this boss an additional part beyond the square

page_text: boss, the rest of its length being of a round form, the article being formed being
shown by Figures 42, 43 and 44. It is obvious that by the internal shape given.
to the die A and the after shaping piece A' a great variety of shapes can be given
to hard metals made soft by heat. In the article shown the shape of article is
round from to g, from g to h square, and from to round, these forms being:
shown by the front end elevation Figure 43 and the shape of the after end shown
by Figure 44.
In regard to the internal surface of the die and that of its after shaping
piece A, the internal form of the die to k is square and from j to round and
the square shaping piece A is secured in its position by the steel cotter A
shown in Figures 39 and 41 as passed through the die A and the square shaping
piece A'.
The heated soft metal billet B in the form of a wide billet is inserted at the
front end of the die A which is afterwards closed in by the screwed breech piece R
which is similar to the screwed breech piece of a cannon, all as shown in section
in Figure 39. A short packed piston piece as herein before described in connection
with Figures 23 to 27 is shown placed before the billet B. The forcing water is
shown in Figure 39 entered into the die A between the breech piece and the
packed piston piece D pressing up the billet and shaping it as described but by an
increase of pressure given to it thereafter all is expelled out of the die A the billet
being shaped as described and shown by Figure 42.
For forcing the actuating water by preference I use apparatas generally similar
to that which is described in the specification of my invention for which I obtained
Letters Patent of the United Kingdom, entitled "Improvements in and connected
with hydraulic piston pressing and forcing tools and in means and apparatus for
operating same applicable for solidifying and shaping metals" numbered 4722 and
dated the 4th of March 1893. It is necessary to have reciprocating or reversing
action for all apparatus used for forcing water at such a high pressure or force as
is required for this purpose along with very quick speed but only required for a
few seconds when each article is formed, and not again until the long die is refilled.
I store the requisite force in a heavy fly wheel revolving at a high speed
continuously for this purpose and by its momentum obtain sufficient force for the
few seconds it is required. The force being only required in an intermittent way
in about every minute for a fresh tube or har forming operation power is obtained
in this way by a steam engine of moderate power moving in one direction and
I use for forcing the actuating water, a long hydraulic cylinder and ram and
actuated by a toothed rack and pinion as explained by the invention above referred
to. I throw into gear by a clutch in the gear so propelled with the momentum of
the fly wheel behind it at the instant the water is required for the long die herein-
before described and generally allow the pinion of the rack to throw itself out of
gear with the last tooth and extreme end of the rack. But in an automatic way
I relieve the strain from the rack and hydraulic ram, by a relieving safety valve
so soon as the tube or other article being so formed is completed. For instant
relieving action I prefer connected to the hydraulic cylinder to use the safety valve
loaded by a steam cylinder and piston. In a new and improved way I transmit
reverse motion to the hydraulic ram, rack, and gear for these metal shaping
purposes after its driving clutch is thrown out of gear by forcing in water into the
bydraulic cylinder by preference by a set of ordinary hydraulic pumps forcing
back the ram out of the reverse head of its stroke and at the same time recharge
the hydraulic cylinder with water for a fresh operation. This return motion is
effected in this way slowly but is done in less than the time needed for bringing
forward a fresh billet for inserting it into the long die. In the interim the speed
of the driving steam engine and its heavy fly wheel reduced by the effort required
to work this water forcing apparatus reguins again its normal speed.
This part of my invention relates to a means and apparatus of transmitting force
to hydraulic pusbing draw benches and machines for shaping, forging, drawing,
solidifying and squirting metals for which in the larger applications for this purpose

page_text: requires great power. The largest instalment in use designed by me for this
purpose in which reversing steam engines are used exerts 3500 indicated horse
power and to pierce a hot solid steel billet 14 inches in diameter into a tube
at the requisite speed requires a force of about 10000 indicated horse power,
suitable reversing steam engines for such large instalments are therefore
expensive.
Figure 45 is a plan shown on Sheets 3 and 4 partly in section of this gear
showing portion of a steam engine the bed plate S being broken off short,
crank S', crank shaft S and fly wheel S, and Figures 46 and 47 are sectional
elevations of the hydraulic ram and rack gear, these being shown in detached
portions en Sheet 5 the guiding sole plate of the rock being marked S. The
shaft S has shown fixed on it a toothed pinion S shown gearing into a large
toothed wheel S' which has cast on its boss the driving half of a claw clutch S
and shown in gear with it an endwise moveable detaching half of same S'. The
wheel So when propelled by its driving pinion S revolves loosely on its shaft Ss
when the claw of the moveable half of the clutch S7 is drawn out of gear and as
shown it propels the shaft S which is shown coupled to a shaft S and tonthed
pinion S10 forined in one piece with it, the pinion S10 being shown in gear with a
strong toothed rack S" this gear by preference being all formed of steel; suitable
rack carriages, gearing and fixing plates for these revolving shafts being provided
of a substantial ordinary form all as shown by drawings. The steel rack S" with
its driving toothed pinion S is placed on a strong housing S shown in section
which shows its pinion S10 seated in bush pieces similar to the ordinary form, the
rack being placed in large plate rolling mill housings. In the front end of this
steel rack S is shown socketed into it the round steel ram T of the hydraulic
cylinder T shown in section with its ram T drawn out its full reach corre
spondingly with its propelling rack S" this position and form of the rack Sand
pinion housing S", ram T and cylinder T' being also shown partly in side sectional
elevation by Figure 46 broken off in two parts on Sheet 5. When the driving
steam engine is put in motion and the moveable balf of the clutch S' is thrown in
gear as shown and supposing the stroke of the water forcing ram T is not sought
to be modulated but is arrested to suit the work on hand or gets neglected a full
stroke is given to the ram T and the pinion S throws itself out of gear with the
rack S". In this state its driving pinion S10 is left free to revolve with its driving
gear and driving engine and the strain being thus taken off the claws of the
clutch its moveable half S' is easily detached from its corresponding driving
claws S by its attendant hy the clutch detaching lever S" and the motion of the
shaft S and rack pinion S arrested.
To relieve the strain on the claws of the clutch S7 and allow it to be withdrawn
out of gear with its companion driving half Se at any point of the stroke a strong
though very small bydraulic safety valve Y and chest Y for same is provided
shown in sectional plan in Figure 45 and in external side elevation by Figure 48
with its inlet pipe X shown connected to the hydraulic cylinder T and short
waste water pipe U by the branch pipe X, the arrows i and j indicating the
direction the water flows when it escapes by these. This safety valve also serves
the use of a common safety valve for the hydraulic cylinder T¹ but it is shown
loaded by steam cylinder U and piston U shown in section in Figure 45 and in
Figure 48 with a steam inlet pipe U and exhaust pipe U regulated in its action
by a single inlet and outlet slide valve being a modification of a common valve and
requiring no description further than its special application here. This slide valve
is shown as operated by the cam lever U which is keyed on the cross shaft U'
which extends to the standing place of the attendant and to be operated at pleasure
by him by the shaft U and hand lever Us which when the safety valve U is thus
relieved or opened by him arrests all force from the bydraulic ram T at any point
of the stroke of the rack S" and the strain being thus relieved from the driving
clutch S allows the attendant to withdraw it which may be done by a steam or
hydraulic cylinder in common use for like purposes and is here shown to be

page_text: effected by the hand lever S¹³ which is suitable enough for the smaller instalments
of this plant.
A self acting or automatic mode of stopping the flow of water at the high
pressure required for these herein before purposes described consists in a light sized
toothed pinion V keyed on a journal S formed on the out end of the rack
pinion shaft S. This toothed pinion is of the same diameter at pitch line as the
rack vinion S10 and it is made to gear with a toothed rack V which is planed on
its sides and under surface and slides in a channel plate V2. The pinion V being
of the same diameter as the large rack pinion S10 the extent of traverse of this
small rack V¹ is the same as that of the large rack S" and is shown with its
plain front end part in Figures 45 and 48 about as long as both the rack S" and
the ram T together. There is shown in Figures 45 and 48 a "kicking" cam U10
similar to the well known and generally used contrivance of this kind employed
on metal planing machines operated to any length of stroke required and a
detent V³ is shown fixed by set pins to give about full stroke to the ram T but
suited to be set to any required length of stroke. Water is admitted to the
hydraulic cylinder T' through a self acting check valve on the pipe X and forced
out to the hydraulic machine to be operated by it through the pipe X the motion
of same being as indicated by the arrows o and p.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inveu-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
First. The method herein described for shaping and treating metal billets
rendered soft by heat into a red or white glowing state consisting in placing these
within a strong container or die and forcing same over a mandrel or through a die
or other shaping tool by the direct force of a pressure liquid insulated by vapour,
substantially as and for the purposes herein described in reference to and by way
of application shown in the accompanying drawings.
Second. In treating heated metal billets the arrangement of dies mandrels and
water introducing appliances shown in Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying
drawings.
Third. In treating heated metal billets, the forming of the container or die of
a taper shape in combination with pressure liquid acting on the billet, and a shaping
mandrel or tool substantially as and for the purposes herein described in reference
to and shown in Figures 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.
Fourth. In treating heated metal billets, the mode of and arrangement of
appliances for holding the shaping tools and moving them inwards on the billet
which is acted on by a pressure liquid substantially as and for the purposes herein
described in reference to Figures 4 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.
Fifth. In treating heated metal billets, the method of forcing the bottom end
of the billet over a mandrel by liquid pressure, substantially as and in the manner
herein described in reference to Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.
Sixth. In treating heated metal billets by acting on them with liquid pressure
the methods of insulating them by vapour and appliances from the actuating
liquid within a containing die substantially as and in the manner herein
described in reference to the figures shown on Sheets 1 and 2 of the accompanying
drawings.
Seventh. In treating heated metal billets, the method and appliances for
operating on billets of various sections and forming tubes rods and other articles
of various sectional shapes by the direct action of a liquid, substantially as and
in the manner herein described in reference to Figures 15 to 31 of the accompanying
drawings.
Eighth. In treating heated metal billets, the method of cooling the back end of
the die and mandrel, and the part of the article drawn while the hot billet is being
operated on, substantially as and in the manner and for the purposes herein
described in reference to Figures 32 to 38 of the accompanying drawings.

page_text: Ninth. In treating heated metal billets, the arrangement and use of packed and
grooved piston pieces, substantially as and for the purposes herein described in
reference to Figures 23 to 27 of the accompanying drawings.
Tenth. In treating heated metal billets by the action of pressure liquid the
method of drawing out or reducing the diameter of the hot metal tubes or tubular
articles by inserting same in a die and propelling a mandrel through the tube and
die substantially as herein described in reference to and shown in Figures 32 to 35
of the accompanying drawings.
Eleventh. In treating heated metal billets, for squirting out plates, bars, wires
and the like the arrangement and use of one or more forming tools or dies in
combination with a long die substantially as and for the purposes herein described
in reference to Figures 39 to 44 of the accompanying drawings.
Twelfth. In treating heated metal billets, the method of forming bosses on the
forward ends of bars, tubes, and the like, by giving an obstruction action at the
required time, substantially as herein described in reference to Figures 39 to 44 of
the accompanying drawings.
Thirteenth. In treating heated metal billets, by acting on them with pressure
liquid the arrangement and use of a safety valve for relieving the strain from the
clutch gear and rack and hydraulic ram after the article being formed has been
completed, substantially as herein described in reference to and shown in Figures 45
and 48 of the accompanying drawings.
Fourteenth. In treating heated metal billets, by acting on them by pressure
liquid the method of giving a reverse motion to the hydraulic ram, rack and
mechanism after the driving clutch has been thrown out of gear substantially as
herein described in Figures 45 to 48 of the accompanying drawings.
Deted the 10th dox of December 1906
W. R. M. THOMSON & Co.,
96 Buchanan Street, Glasgow, Agents.