Improvements in Duplex and Multiplex Turning Lathes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Oct., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 20th July, 1891-Accepted, 26th Sept., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Duplex and Multiplex Turning Lathes.
I, JAMES YATE JOHNSON of 47 Lincolns Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex
Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this invention which has been communi-
cated to me from abroad by Jean Baptiste Aldigier and Jean Etienne Aldigier of
Paris in the Republic of France, Screw Makers to be as follows:-
This invention relates to duplex and multiplex lathes that is to say lathes which
are capable of turning two or more articles of the same form simultaneously the
work being rotated on different centres and the operation not requiring any longer
time than would be required for making one article in an ordinary single acting
lathe.
A duplex lathe constructed according to this invention that is to say a lathe
capable of turning two articles of the same shape simultaneously as hereinafter
described in detail in order to explain the improvements but the invention is not
limited to the details of construction or arrangement hereinafter specified and is
applicable to triplex quadruplex or other multiplex lathes employed for turning
any desired number of separate articles at a time or simultaneously. The articles
are cut from two long rods which are pushed up through the hollow spindles as the
work proceeds.
The said duplex lathe is composed of two single acting bar lathes with parallel
spindles and the cutter or tool holders slide upon two parallel horizontal beams or
bars. The front and back bearings of the two hollow spindles are fixed on these
bars and the work is passed longitudinally through the said hollow spindles.
Each spindle is driven by a fixed pulley placed between two loose pulleys. One
of these loose pulleys carries a plain or straight belt and the other carries a crossed
belt so that by means of suitable forks or belt shifting devices either the straight
belt or the crossed belt can be put over onto the fixed pulley in order to cause the
two hollow spindles to be rotated in either direction as required so as to work with
different or reversed tools as hereinafter explained. Each rod is acted on alternately
by two sets of tools one set acting on one side and the other on the opposite side.
The metal rods which are to be turned being passed through the hollow spindles
are centered and fixed in small vices or jaws with pinching screws provided in
chucks carried by the said spindles.
Any suitable arrangement for chucking or fixing and centering the articles to be
turned may be employed. Upon the two parallel bars or beams there slides a metal
block which forms a support for a double slide rest carriage or tool holder and can
be caused to slide in either direction upon parallel beams by means of a link con-
nected to a lever pivotted on the extremity of an adjustable support fixed on the
two beams. Then by causing the hand lever to move upon its fulcrum the block
together with the tool holders and two sets of tools can be moved parallel with the
lathe centres.
This block carries two poppet heads or bearings perforated in the direction of
the lathe centre or axis with holes fitted with steel sockets or bushes secured in
position by set screws and presenting cylindrical central openings of the same
diameter as the metal rod to be turned and which they steady or support. These
poppet heads are formed with dovetail ways or. guides on which. the carriage of
the tool holders slides transversely to the lathe centres in the ordinary way. This
double carriage comprises four tool holders carrying four turning tools fixed by
set screws and its transverse movement is obtained by means of a differential, or
other screw which is rotated by means of a crank handle. Small screws with lock
nuts form stops which bear against the poppet heads and enable the maximum

page_text: stroke or traverse of the carriage and tool holders to be limited in both
directions.
The tool holders carry horizontal pillars serving as centres of oscillation to
transverse supports or holders in which tools or cutters for shaping or guiding the
ends of the work are secured by means of set screws. To one of the poppet heads
is attached an angle iron or ✓ shaped bracket carrying the centre of oscillation of
a transverse hand lever. This centre can be adjusted laterally and longi-
tudinally by means of screws. This lever carries two milling or other tools
attached to the lever by set screws and by turning the lever on its centre so as
to bring it down into a horizontal position these tools can be brought into action.
By adjusting the lever by means of the combination of screws hereinbefore
described the tools can be brought exactly opposite to the place where they are to
be applied.
In order to turn or shape two pieces of work simultaneously by means of this
apparatus the two rods to be turned are passed through the hollow spindles and
centered in the chucks with their extremities in the bushes or supports and the
lathe is put in gear or started. By turning the handle of the traversing screw in
the required direction the tools are advanced so as to act equally on both rods care
being taken to cause the hollow spindles to rotate in the proper direction by means
of the arrangement of straight and crossed driving belts in accordance with the
relative position of the tools. When the work has thus been turned down to the
proper form the tools carried by the transverse supports are brought into action if
required by displacing the carriage by means of the horizontal lever and if the
work is to be milled the lever carrying the milling tools is depressed. The turning
of the articles is now finished and they are cut off by the action of tools provided
for this purpose. The block carrying the carriage and tool holders is then shifted
towards the stationary poppet heads of the lathes to the extent necessary to enable
another pair of articles to be turned as hereinbefore described without shifting the
rods. When the block carrying the carriage has thus reached the end of its travel
it is moved back to the further end of the lathe all the belts are thrown onto the
loose pulleys the rods are drawn forward until their extremities re-enter the bushes
or supports in readiness for recommencing the turning operations. It is evident
that three four or any other suitable number of beams carrying the lathe mechanisms
may be arranged parallel to one another in one machine or the machine may be
constructed with a bed and guides arranged to carry three four or other number of
fixed poppet heads with a corresponding number of carriages with slide rests or tool
holders all worked by one crank handle so as to enable three four or any number
of articles to be turned at once.
Dated this 18th day of October 1890
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Duplex and Multiplex Turning Lathes.
I JAMES YATE JOHNSON of 47 Lincolns Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex
Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this invention which has been
communicated to me from abroad by Jean Baptiste Aldigier and Jean Etienne
Aldigier of Paris in the Republic of France Screw Makers and in what manner
the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
This invention relates to duplex and multiplex turning lathes that is to say lathes
which are capable of turning two or more articles of the same form simultaneously
the work being rotated on different centres and the operation not requiring any
longer time than would be required for. making one article in an ordinary single
acting lathe.

page_text: A duplex lathe constructed according to this invention that is to say a lathe
capable of turning two articles of the same shape simultaneously is hereinafter
described in detail in order to explain the improvements but the invention is
evidently not limited to the precise details of construction or arrangement herein-
after specified and is applicable to triplex, quadruplex or other multiplex lathes
employed for turning any desired number of articles simultaneously.
And in order that this invention may be well understood I shall now proceed to
describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings and for that
purpose shall refer to the several figures on the annexed sheet of drawings the
same numerals of reference indicating corresponding parts in all the figures.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents in elevation a duplex lathe
constructed according to this invention.
Figures 2 and 3 represent the lathe in plan and transverse section respectively
the section being taken on the line X-X Fig. 1 and
Figure 4 is an end elevation of the lathe.
The said duplex lathe is composed of two single acting bar lathes with tools or
cutters carried by supports sliding upon parallel horizontal beams or bars 1. and 11
also carrying the front bearings 2, 2' and the back bearings 3, 3' in which work
two hollow spindles 4 and 4'. Each spindle is driven by a fixed pulley 5, 51 placed
between loose pulleys 6, 6 and 7, 71. The pulleys 6, 6¹ carry a straight belt and
pulleys 7, carry a crossed belt so that by means of suitable forks or belt shifting
devices not shown in the drawing either the straight belt or the crossed belt can
be put over onto the fixed or driving pulleys 5, 5. As both belts are driven by
driving pulleys or drums turning in the same direction this arrangement enables
the hollow spindles 4, 4' to be rotated in either direction as required. The articles
turned in this latter are cut from metal rods or blanks 42, 42' which are passed
through the hollow spindles 4, 4' as shown in the drawing and are centred and fixed
between small jaws worked by pinching screws provided in chucks 8 and 8¹. This
arrangement for chucking or fixing and centering the blanks is what is preferably
employed but any other suitable construction capable of producing the same effect
may be substituted if desired. By means of the pulleys 5, 51 and hollow
spindles 4 4' a rapid rotary motion is imparted to the two rods 42, 42¹ to be
turned which are rotated at the same rates of speed in either direction the direction
of rotation being capable of being changed by means of the combination of straight
and crossed belts.
The construction and action of the double tool holder or carriage employed for
turning the said rods is as follows:- -Upon the two bars 1, 1' previously mentioned
there slides a metal block 9 (shown in section in Fig. 3). This block which forms
a support for a double slide rest carriage or tool holder and can be caused to slide
to a certain distance in either direction upon the bars 1, 1' by means of a link 14
connected to a horizontal hand lever 10 pivotted at 11 on the extremity of an
adjustable support 12 fixed on the two bars or beams 1, 1¹.
This support 12 is capable of sliding upon the beams and when adjusted in the
required position is secured by a screw 12' acting on the beams 1.
This block 9 carries two supports or bearings 15 and 15¹ facing the chucks 8
being perforated in the direction of the lathe centre or axis of the article being
turned. The openings or holes in the supports 15 are lined or fitted with steel
sockets or bushes 17 and 17' secured in position by set screws 16 and 16' and
presenting cylindrical central openings of the same diameter as the metal rod or
blank 42 and which they serve to steady or support during the operation. These
supports are planed and formed with dovetailed ways or guides on which works a
carriage or slide rest 18 carrying four tool holders 19, 20, 19¹, 20¹ moving
transversely to the axis of the lathe in the ordinary way.. The said tool holders
carry four turning tools 21 and 22, 21¹ and 22¹ fixed by set screws 24 and. 25, 24¹
and 25'.
The tool carrier or slide rest 18 can be moved bodily in a lateral or transverse
direction thereby displacing the tools to a corresponding extent relatively to the

page_text: axes of the two lathes. This movement is obtained by means of a crank handle 27
connected to a screw 26 connected to one of the supports 15. Small screws 28
and 28' with lock nuts form adjustable stops which bear against the supports 15
and 15 and enable the stroke or traverse of the slide rest and tool holders to be
limited in both directions.
→
The tool holders 19, 20, 19¹, 20' are provided with four horizontal
pillars 29, 30, 29, 30' forming centres of oscillation for tool holders or
guides 31, 32, 33, 31, 32, 331 (Figs. 1 and 2) carrying tools or cutters (one of
which is represented at 50 Fig. 2) shaping or guiding the ends of the work.
These tools are secured by means of set screws (the square heads of the latter
being clearly shown in Fig. 2). The tools thus fixed pass through the three
guides or tool holders as represented in the case of the tool holders 31, 32, 33¹.
The cutting ends overhang and project to a sufficient distance to enable them to
act upon the blank. The tool holders 32, 33 and 32', 33' are capable of being
swung upon the pillars as represented in the case of the tool holder 33 Fig. 2.
To the support 1 is attached an angle iron or L shaped bracket 34 and the
horizontal part of this bracket carries centres 35 forming the centre of oscillation
of a hand lever 36. This centre 35 can be moved towards or away from the two
lathe centres by means of an adjusting screw 37 being secured in position by a
locking nut 38 (Fig. 3). The lever 36 can be adjusted in a direction parallel to
the lathes and secured in different positions by means of the screwed centres with
lock nuts 39 and 40 upon which it oscillates. This lever is provided with two
milling or other tools 41 and 41' attached to the lever by set screws. By turning
the lever on its centre as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 3 so as to bring it down
into a horizontal position over the work the milling tools can be brought into
action and by adjusting the lever 36 by means of the combination of screws
herein before described the milling tools 41 and 41' can be brought exactly opposite
to the place where they are to be applied.
In order to turn or shape two pieces of work simultaneously by means of this
apparatus the two rods 42, 42¹ to be turned are centred in the chucks with their
extremities in the bushes or supports 17 and 17' and the lathe is put in gear or
started. By turning the handle 27 of the traversing screw in the required direction
the tools are advanced so as to act equally on both rods care being taken to cause
the two hollow spindles and chucks to rotate in the same direction. When the
work has thus been turned down to the proper form throughout its length the
tools carried by the transverse supports 31, 32, 33, 311, 32, 33¹ are brought into
action if required by displacing the carriage by means of the horizontal lever 10
and if the work is to be milled the lever 36 carrying the milling tools is brought
into action and these tools are applied with suitable pressure. The turning of the
articles is now finished and they are cut off by the action of tools provided for
this purpose. The block 9 carrying the carriage and tool holders is then shifted
towards the stationary poppet heads of the lathes to the extent necessary to enable
another pair of articles to be turned as herein before described. When the block
carrying the carriage has reached the end of its travel it is moved back to the
farther end of the lathe the belts are thrown onto the loose pulleys in order to
loosen the rods in the chucks and draw them forward until their extremities enter
the bushes 17 and 17' whereupon the lathe is ready to recommence the turning
operations.
By these means two rods of any length are enabled to be rapidly turned down
and cut up into pieces in about the same time that would be required for turning
and cutting one rod in a single acting lathe. It is evident that three four or any
other suitable number of beams carrying the lathe mechanisms may be arranged
parallel to one another in one machine or the machine may be constructed with a
bed and guides arranged to carry three four or other number of fixed poppet heads
with a corresponding number of carriages with slide rests or tool holders all worked
by one crank handle so as to enable three four or any number of articles to be
* turned simultaneously:

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. The arrangement upon a lathe bed or support of corresponding form of a
number of turning lathes rotating in the same direction and arranged and operating
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
2nd. The arrangement in combination with a lathe of the class hereinbefore
described and claimed of a movable support worked by a lever and upon which the
tool carrier is capable of sliding being displaced by the action of a crank handle
substantially as hereinbefore described and represented in the accompanying
drawings.
3rd. In lathes of the class hereinbefore described and claimed a lever (36)
carrying as many tools as there are lathe spindles and capable of being lowered
50 as to bring the said tools into action simultaneously substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
4th. The combination in one machine of all or any number of the devices
hereinbefore described and claimed in order to constitute a double triple quadruple
or multiple turning lathe operating on a number of articles of similar form
simultaneously substantially as hereinbefore set forth and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
5th. The arrangements and combinations of parts constituting the improvements
in duplex and multiplex turning lathes substantially as hereinbefore described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents