IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF WIRE
Year: 1884

page_text: I SAMUEL HENRY BYRNE of Brighouse in the County of York, Wire
Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF WIRE" to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object improvements in the manufacture of wire.
I employ for this purpose a machine in which the wire is drawn successively shut
at one continuous operation through a series of dies. This has before been done to
some extent in drawing stout wire of the lower numbers but my Invention is
directed especially to the production in this manner of fine wire which has never
heretofore been produced by drawing through a series of dies at one operation.
My machine consists of a frame in which is mounted a series of horizontal and
parallel axes which carry double flanged rollers of earthenware. These axes are
driven by means hereinafter described at progrescively higher and higher speeds in
passing from one end of the machine to the other.
In front of each roller there is set a die with a jewelled hole; in preference I form
the hole in a hard mineral known as carbonate.
The die in each case is set in a holder upon which spur teeth are formed and
this holder is carried in a bearing on the frame in such a manner that it can be
caused to rotate, all the die holders are turned simultaneously by means of pinions
on a horizontal shaft, to which a slow movement is imparted.
The wire which has to be drawn from a lower to a higher number is unwound
from a reel at one end of the machine whence it is led through the jewelled hole
in the first die of the series and this is of a size suitable to produce the first
reduction in the diameter of the wire.
Having passed through this die the wire is wrapped say twice around the first
of the series of earthenware rollers and it is the rotation of this roller which draws
the wire forward through the die. The wire then passes similarly through the
jewelled hole in the second of the series of dies and this produces a further reduction
in the diameter of the wire.
Next the wire passes twice around the second of the earthenware rollers and
this revolves faster than the first, just in the proportion necessary to carry forward
the greater length resulting from the extension of the wire in the first die.

page_text: Similarly the wire passes on to the further end of the machine alternately
through a die and around a roller.
I can construct the machine to work in this manner with eight ten or more dies
the number of dies being dependent on the extent to which the material will bear
extension without annealing.
After each passage of the wire through a die it is oiled by means of a cotton
wick which rests against the wire and dips into a vessel containing oil. I also
cause the wire to be moistened with a lubricating liquid such as sour heer, by
causing each of the earthenware rollers to dip into a trough in which this liquid is
contained.
It is of great importance that the axes on which these earthenware rollers are
mounted should all be rotated by the proper relative speeds and this I effect in the
following manner-
On a horizontal main shaft I arrange a number of driving pulleys of various
diameters and from these pulleys I lead driving belts one to each of a series of
intermediate axes and around a pulley of suitable dimensions thereon.
There is one intermediate axis corresponding to each of the axes carrying the
earthenware rollers; the latter is driven from the former by means of a pair of
cone pulleys one to each axis and an endless band passing around these pulleys
which is capable of being set and held in position by a belt fork.
By this means a very accurate adjustment of the relative speed of the rollers
suitable to the relative sizes of the jewelled holes in the dies can be made.
The rollers may be of china or glass in place of carthenware or steel rollers may
be employed as in other wire drawing machines.
These arrangements are especially applicable to drawing fine wire of iron and
steel but may also be usefully employed in drawing wire of the lower numbers and
of other metals.
Dated this 5th day of January 1884
CARPMAEL & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: I, SAMUEL HENRY BYRNE of Brighouse in the County of York, Wire
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF WIRE" and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
This Invention has for its object improvements in the manufacture of wire.
I employ for this purpose a machine in which the wire is drawn successively
This has before been
but at one continuous operation through a series of dies.
done to some extent in drawing stout wire of the lower numbers, but my
Invention is directed especially to the production in this manner of fine wire
which has never heretofore been produced by drawing through a series of dies at
one operation.
My machine consists of a frame in which is mounted a series of horizontal and
These axes are
parallel axes which carry double flanged rollers of earthenware.
driven by means hereinafter described at progressively higher and higher speeds in
passing from one end of the machine to the other.
In front of each roller there is set a die with a jewelled hole, in preference I form
the hole in a hard mineral known as carbonate.
The die in each case is set in a holder upon which spur teeth are formed and
this holder is carried in a bearing on the frame in such a manner that it can be
caused to rotate. All the die holders are turned simultaneously by means of
pinions on a horizontal shaft to which a slow movement is imparted.
The wire which has to be drawn from a lower to a higher number is unwound
from a reel at one end of the machine whence it is led through the jewelled hole in
the first die of the series and this is of a size suitable to produce the first reduction
in the diameter of the wire.
Having passed through this die, the wire is wrapped say twice around the first
of the series of earthenware rollers and it is the rotation of this roller which draws
the wire forward through the die. The wire then passes similarly through the
jewelled hole in the second of the series of dies and this produces a further reduction
in the diameter of the wire.
Next the wire passes twice around the second of the earthenware rollers and
this revolves faster than the first, just in the proportion necessary to carry forward
the greater length resulting from the extension of the wire in the first die.
Similarly the wire passes on to the further end of the machine alternately
through a die and around a roller.
I can construct the machine to work in this manner with eight ten or more dies,
the number of dies being dependent on the extent to which the material will bear
extension without annealing.
After each passage of the wire through a die it is oiled by means of a cotton
I also
wick which rests against the wire and dips into a vessel containing oil.
cause the wire to be moistoned with a lubricating liquid such as sour beer by
causing each of the earthenware rollers to dip into a trough in which this liquid is
contained.
It is of great importance that the axes on which these earthenware rollers are
mounted should all be rotated by the proper relative speeds and this I effect in the
following manner.
On a horizontal main shaft I arrange a number of driving pulleys of various
diameters and from these pulleys I lead driving belts one to each of a series of
intermediate axes and around a pulley of suitable dimensions thereon.

page_text: There is one intermediate axis corresponding to each of the axes carrying the
earthenwaro rollers the latter is driven from the former by means of a pair of cone
pulleys on to each axis and an endless band passing around these pulleys which is
capable of being set and held in position by a belt fork.
By this means a very accurate adjustment of the relative speed of the rollers
suitable to the relative sizes of the jewelled holes in the dies can be inade.
The rollers may be of china or glass in place of earthenware or steel rollers may
be employed as in other wire drawing machines.
These arrangements are especially applicable to drawing fine wire of iron and
steel, but may also be usefully employed in drawing wire of the lower numbers and
of other metals.
In order that my said Invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.
accordance with my Invention.
Figure 2 is a plan of the same.
Figuro 3, 4, 5 and 6 are detail views of some of the parts of the machine to a
larger scale.
A A is the frame of the machine.
BBB are parallel horizontal axes mounted in bearings thereon.
CCC are double flanged rollers, by preference of hard earthenware, which are
mounted upon the axis B.
D D D are other horizontal axes carried in bearings on the frame A. They aro
driven from a main shaft E by means of a series of endless belts F F which pass
around pulleys upon the axes D D, and also around pulleys E' E' E' of various
sizes upon the axis E.
Each axis B has upon it a cone pulley B₁ and each axis D also has upon it a
similar cone pulley D¹ and an endless belt embraces the two cone pulleys, and so
the axes B and D are coupled in pairs. The cone pulleys B₁ and D' are except in
one instance omitted from the Drawing as to shew them in every case would tend
to complicate the Drawings.
Also in the case of each pair of pulleys B¹ and D¹ there is a belt fork which the
Drawing does not show, and it is capable of being set and locked in any desired
position to retain the endless driving belt in any desired position upon the conc
pulleys.
G is a horizontal axis running lengthwise of the frame A, it is caused slowly to
rotate in any convenient manner, as is represented in the Drawing it has upon it
a worm wheel at G¹ with which a worm on the vertical shaft H gears. The shaft H
is driven from the main shaft E by means of pulleys and belts and an intermediate
shaft which also carries the drum on which the finished wire is wound as the
Drawing indicates.
The horizontal axis G also has upon it a series of pinions G2 and these gear
with spur wheels H upon hollow stud axes carried by brackets bolted to the frame.
The opening in the centre of the spur wheel H in each case receives a thimble
or die in the centre of which is set a perforated jewel or mineral (preferably
carbonate) which forms the eye through which the wire is drawn.
These holes or eyes in the series of thimbles are progressively smaller and
smaller in passing from the right to the left of the machine."
I is a reel on which is placed the comparatively coarse wire, which is to be
drawn to a finer number. From this reel the wire is unwound and as the work
progresses the wire passes towards the left, through the first jewel in the revolving
holder at H on the right of the Drawing. Then the wire is passed around the

page_text: first of the earthenware rollers C, afterwards through the next jewelled hole, and
so on, in the manner already stated, until the wire reaches the further end of the
machine, and is reduced in diameter to the extent desired.
An exact adjustment of the relative speeds of the rollers C C C is necessary,
and this is roughly attained by the proportions given to the pulleys of the main
shaft E, and those upon the intermediate axes D, but the exact speeding is
effected by setting the belt forks, which control the endless belts upon the cone
pulleys B D.
This is done by trial, and the forks are then locked to keep the
band in its place.
In some cases in place of rigidly fixing the rollers CC upon the axes B B
I connect them therewith by means of friction clutches which are capable of
yielding under a heavy strain a little short of that at which the wire will break,
so as to permit of some movement of the roller independently of the axis.
however is not required if care be taken in the adjustment of the belt forks.
This
I lubricate the wire as it comes up to each of the jewelled holes by means of a
wick lying against it, and dipping down into a small oilcup beneath. I also provido
a trough in connection with each of the rollers C, and the roller may dip into the
trough. Figure 7 shews one of the rollers C around which the wire in process of
being drawn passes, and also the lubricating appliances to apply acid liquor and
oil to the wire. K is a vessel containing sour beer or other like liquid commonly
employed in wire drawing. The roller C dips down into this vessel and so the
wire around the roller gets thoroughly wetted with it. L is a lamp like vessel
containing oil L' is a cotton or fibrous wick; the wire passes in contact with the
wick in such manner as to become well coated with the oil.
Figures 8 show an arrangement which I find convenient for the application of
oil to the wire; it consists of a trough N containing the oil and a double wick
distended on a frame O dipping into the trough. The frame is freely suspended at
the top by hooks P P. The wick near its lower end at Q bears lightly against the
wire by the weight of the frame on which the wick is held; the frame as will be
seen is somewhat inclined.
The roller of earthenware, or it may be of china or glass will be found much
more durable than a metallic roller, but nevertheless metallic rollers may be
employed.
Where the axes of the rollers C are horizontal, as the Drawing indicates (and
this is the more convenient arrangement) it is necessary that the rollers should
have two flanges, one on either side, to retain the wire upon them.
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
-
First. The process in wire drawing consisting in passing the wire successively
through series of dies of progressively smaller dimensions, such dies being rotated
during the drawing operation substantially as herein described.
Second. The process in drawing wire of rotating the die whilst the drawing is
proceeding substantially as described.
Third. The means of adjusting the speed of the rollers C by which the wire is
carried forward through the series of dies consisting in the use of intermediate
shafts D, driven from the main shaft by endless belts, and of cone pulleys B¹ D'
and an endless belt coupling the intermediate shaft with the roller shaft substan-
tially as described.
Fourth. The means for lubricating the wire in between the dies of a series of
dies by causing it to pass in contact with a wiek dipping into a vessel containing
lubricant substantially as described.
Fifth. The double lubrication of the wire in between the dies of a series of dies,
through which it is drawn, with oil and with an aqueous-lubriennt, substantially as
described.

page_text: Sixth. Fourth. The combination of machinery consisting in the series of horizontal
axes B B, carrying rollers C, and between these rollers the rotating die holders H*
substantially as described.
Seventh. The use in wire drawing of dies having eyes formed in the mineral
known as carbonate perforated to the dimensions to which the wire is to be drawn.
Dated this Nineteenth day of September 1884.
SAMUEL HENRY BYRNE.
Carpmael & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: "
I SAMUEL HENRY BYRNE of Brighouse in the County of York, Wire
Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF WIRE" to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in the manufacture of wire.
I employ for this purpose a machine in which the wire is drawn successively but
at one continuous operation through a series of dies. This has before been done to
some extent in drawing stout wire of the lower numbers but my Invention is
directed especially to the production in this manner of fine wire which has never
heretofore been produced by drawing through a series of dies at one operation.
My machine consists of a frame in which is mounted a series of horizontal and
parallel axes which carry double flanged rollers of earthenware. These axes are
driven by means hereinafter described at progressively higher and higher speeds in
passing from one end of the machine to the other.
In front of each roller there is set a die with a jewelled hole; in preference I form
the hole in a hard mineral known as carbonate.
The die in each case is set in a holder upon which spur teeth are formed and
this holder is carried in a bearing on the frame in such a manner that it can be
caused to rotate, all the die holders are turned simultaneously by means of pinious
on a horizontal shaft, to which a slow movement is imparted.
The wire which has to be drawn from a lower to a higher number is unwound
from a reel at one end of the machine whence it is led through the jewelled hole
in the first die of the series and this is of a size suitable to produce the first
reduction in the diameter of the wire.
Having passed through this die the wire is wrapped say twice around the first
of the series of earthenware rollers and it is the rotation of this roller which draws
the wire forward through the die. The wire then passes similarly through the
jewelled hole in the second of the series of dies and this produces a further reduction
in the diameter of the wire.
Next the wire passes twice around the second of the earthenware rollers and
this revolves faster than the first, just in the proportion necessary to carry forward
the greater length resulting from the extension of the wire in the first die.
Similarly the wire passes on to the further end of the machine alternately
through a die and around a roller.
I can construct the machine to work in this manner with eight ten or more dies
the number of dies being dependent on the extent to which the material will bear
extension without annealing.

page_text: After each passage of the wire through a die it is oiled by means of a cotton
wick which rests against the wire and dips into a vessel containing oil. I also
cause the wire to be moistened with a lubricating liquid such as sour beer, by
causing each of the earthenware rollers to dip into a trough in which this liquid is
contained.
It is of great importance that the axes on which these earthenware rollers are
mounted should all be rotated by the proper relative speeds and this I effect in the
following manner-
On a horizontal main shaft I arrange a number of driving pulleys of various
diameters and from these pulleys I lead driving belts one to each of a series of
intermediate axes and around a pulley of suitable dimensions thereon.
There is one intermediate axis corresponding to each of the axes carrying the
earthenware rollers; the latter is driven from the former by means of a pair of
cone pulleys one to each axis and an endless band passing around these pulleys
which is capable of being set and held in position by a belt fork.
By this means a very accurate adjustinent of the relative speed of the rollers
suitable to the relative sizes of the jewelled holes in the dies can be made.
The rollers may be of china or glass in place of earthenware or steel rollers may
be employed as in other wire drawing machines.
These arrangements are especially applicable to drawing fine wire of iron and
steel but may also be usefully employed in drawing wire of the lower numbers and
of other metals.

page_text: I, SAMUEL HENRY BYRNE of Brighouse in the County of York, Wire
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF WIRES "and in what manner the same is to bo
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in the manufacture of wire.
1 employ for this purpose a machine in which the wire is drawn successively
but at one continuous operation through a series of dies. This has before been
done to some extent in drawing stout wire of the lower numbers, but my
Invention is directed especially to the production in this manner of fine wire
which has never heretofore been produced by drawing through a series of dies at
one operation.
My machine consists of a frame in which is mounted a series of horizontal and
These axes are
parallel axes which carry double flanged rollers of earthenware.
driven by means hereinafter described at progressively higher and higher speeds in
passing from one end of the machine to the other.
In front of each roller there is set a die with a jewelled hole, in preference I form
the hole in a hard mineral known as carbonate.
The die in each case is set in a holder upon which spur teeth are formed and
this holder is carried in a bearing on the frame in such a manner that it can be
caused to rotate. All the die holders are turned simultaneously by means of
pinions on a horizontal shaft to which a slow movement is imparted.
The wire which has to be drawn from a lower to a higher number is unwound
from a reel at one end of the machine whence it is led through the jewelled hole in
the first die of the series and this is of a size suitable to produce the first reduction
in the diameter of the wire.
Having passed through this die, the wire is wrapped say twice around the first
of the series of earthenware rollers and it is the rotation of this roller which draws
the wire forward through the die. The wire then passes similarly through the
jewelled hole in the second of the series of dies and this produces a further reduction
in the diameter of the wire.
Next the wire passes twice around the second of the earthenware rollers and
this revolves faster than the first, just in the proportion necessary to carry forward
the greater length resulting from the extension of the wire in the first die.
Similarly the wire passes on to the further end of the machine alternately
through a die and around a roller.
I can construct the machine to work in this manner with eight ten or more dies,
the number of dies being dependent on the extent to which the material will bear
extension without annealing.
After each passage of the wire through a die it is oiled by means of a cotton
wick which rests against the wire and dips into a vessel containing oil. I also
cause the wire to be moistened with a lubricating liquid such as sour beer by
causing each of the earthenware rollers to dip into a trough in which this liquid is
contained.
Is is of great importance that the axes on which these earthenware rollers are
mounted should all be rotated by the proper relative speeds and this I effect in the
following manner.
On a horizontal main shaft I arrange a number of driving pulleys of various
diameters and from these pulleys I lead driving belts one to each of a series of
intermediate axes and around a pulley of suitable dimensions thereon.

page_text: There is one intermediate axis corresponding to each of the axes carrying the
earthenware rollers the latter is driven from the former by means of a pair of cone
pulleys on to each axis and an endless band passing around these pulleys which is
capable of being set and held in position by a belt fork.
By this means a very accurate adjustment of the relative speed of the rollers
suitable to the relative sizes of the jewelled holes in the dies can be made.
The rollers may be of china or glass in place of earthenware or steel rollers may
be employed as in other wire drawing machines.
These arrangements are especially applicable to drawing fine wire of iron and
steel, but may also be usefully employed in drawing wire of the lower numbers and
of other metals.
In order that my said Invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.
UL
таспте for drawing wire constructed in
accordance with my Invention.
Figure 2 is a plan of the same.
Figure 3, 4, 5 and 6 are detail views of some of the parts of the machine to a
larger scale.
A. A is the frame of the machine.
BBB are parallel horizontal axes mounted in bearings thereon.
CCC are double flanged rollers, by preference of hard earthenware, which are
mounted upon the axis B.
D D D are other horizontal axes carried in bearings on the frame A. They are
driven from a main shaft E by means of a series of endless belts F F which pass
around pulleys upon the axes D D, and also around pulleys E¹ E' E' of various
sizes upon the axis E.
Each axis B has upon it a cone pulley B¹ and each axis D also has upon it a
similar cone pulley Di and an endless belt embraces the two cone pulleys, and so
the axes B and D are coupled in pairs. The cone pulleys B¹ and D' are except in
one instance omitted from the Drawing as to shew them in every case would tend
to complicate the Drawings.
Also in the case of each pair of pulleys B¹ and D¹ there is a belt fork which the
Drawing does not show, and it is capable of being set and locked in any desired
position to retain the endless driving belt in any desired position upon the cone
pulleys.
G is a horizontal axis running lengthwise of the frame A, it is caused slowly to
rotate in any convenient manner, as is represented in the Drawing it has upon it
a worm wheel at G₁ with which a worm on the vertical shaft H gears. The shaft H
is driven from the main shaft E by means of pulleys and belts and an intermediate
shaft which also carries the drum on which the finished wire is wound as the
Drawing indicates.
The horizontal axis G also has upon it a series of pinions G2 and these gear
with spur wheels H¹ upon hollow stud axes carried by brackets bolted to the frame.
The opening in the centre of the spur wheel H¹ in each case receives a thimble
or die in the centre of which is set a perforated jewel or mineral (preferably
carbonate) which forms the eye through which the wire is drawn.
These holes or eyes in the series of thimbles are progressively smaller and
smaller in passing from the right to the left of the machine.
I is a reel on which is placed the comparatively coarse wire, which is to be
drawn to a finer number. From this reel the wire is unwound and as the work
progresses the wire passes towards the left, through the first jewel in the revolving
holder at H on the right of the Drawing. Then the wire is passed around the

page_text: first of the earthenware rollers C, afterwards through the next jewelled hole, and
Bo on, in the manner already stated, until the wire reaches the further end of the
machine, and is reduced in diameter to the extent desired.
An exact adjustment of the relative speeds of the rollers C C C is necessary,
and this is roughly attained by the proportions given to the pulleys of the main
shaft E, and those upon the intermediate axes D, but the exact speeding is
effected by setting the belt forks, which control the endless belts upon the cone
pulleys B D. This is done by trial, and the forks are then locked to keep the
band in its place.
In some cases in place of rigidly fixing the rollers C C upon the axes B B
I connect them therewith by means of friction clutches which are capable of
yielding under a heavy strain a little short of that at which the wire will break,
so as to permit of some movement of the roller independently of the axis. This
however is not required if care be taken in the adjustment of the belt forks.
I lubricate the wire as it comes up to each of the jewelled holes by means of a
wick lying against it, and dipping down into a small oilcup beneath. I also provide
a trough in connection with each of the rollers C, and the roller may dip into the
trough. Figure 7 shews one of the rollers C around which the wire in process of
being drawn passes, and also the lubricating appliances to apply acid liquor and
oil to the wire. K is a vessel containing sour beer or other like liquid commonly
employed in wire drawing. The roller C dips down into this vessel and so the
wire around the roller gets thoroughly wetted with it. L is a lamp like vessel
containing oil L' is a cotton or fibrous wick; the wire passes in contact with the
wick in such manner as to become well coated with the oil.
Figures 8 shew an arrangement which I find convenient for the application of
oil to the wire; it consists of a trough N containing the oil and a double wick
distended on a fraine O dipping into the trough. The frame is freely suspended at
the top by hooks P P. The wick near its lower end at Q bears lightly against the
wire by the weight of the frame on which the wick is held; the frame as will be
scen is somewhat inclined.
The roller C of earthenware, or it may be of china or glass will be found much
nore durable than a metallic roller, but nevertheless metallic rollers may be
employed.
Where the axes of the rollers C are horizontal, as the Drawing indicates (and
this is the more convenient arrangement) it is necessary that the rollers should
have two flanges, one on either side, to retain the wire upon them.
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 :-
First. The process in wire drawing consisting in passing the wire successively
through series of dies of progressively smaller dimensions, such dies being rotated
during the drawing operation substantially as herein described.
Second. The process in drawing wire of rotating the die whilst the drawing is
proceeding substantially as described.
Third. The means of adjusting the speed of the rollers C by which the wire is
carried forward through the series of dies consisting in the use of intermediate
shafts D, driven from the main shaft by endless belts, and of cone pulleys B¹ D'
and an endless belt coupling the intermediate shaft with the roller shaft substan-
tially as described.
Fourth. The means for lubricating the wire in between the dies of a series of
dies by causing it to pass in contact with a wick dipping into a vessel containing
lubricant substantially as described.
Fifth. The double lubrication of the wire in between the dies of a series of dies,
through which it is drawn, with oil and with an aqueous lubricant, substantially as
described.

page_text: Sixth. The combination of machinery consisting in the series of horizontal
axes B B, carrying rollers C, and between these rollers the rotating die holders H×
substantially as described.
Seventh. The use in wire drawing of dies having eyes formed in the mineral
known as carbonate perforated to the dimensions to which the wire is to be drawn.
Dated this Nineteenth day of September 1884.