Improvements in Mechanism for Piercing Solid Metallic Ingots or Blanks.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Dec., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 25th June, 1896-Accepted, 11th July, 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mechanism for Piercing Solid Metallic Ingots
or Blanks.
I, RALPH CHARLES STIEFEL, of Ellwood City, Lawrence County, in the
State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, Inventor, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in mechanism for piercing solid metallic
ingots or blanks. Its object is to pierce metallic blanks or billets in a heated state
without subjecting them to torsional strain or materially disturbing the longitudinal
arrangement of the fibres of the metal, and the mechanism for accomplishing this
object consists of a pair of specially constructed and arranged parallel discs and a
piercing mandrel by means of which the heated blanks or billets may be drawn and
pierced at one operation. In this operation a blank is passed between the adjacent
faces of the two parallel discs which impart to it a rotary motion, and at the same
time a longitudinal motion which forces it against a conical, piercing mandrel lying
in the path of the axis of the blank; the arrangement of the working surfaces of
these discs being such that a practically uniform speed of rotation is imparted to
each and every portion of the blank lying between and being acted upon by them,
thus producing a drawing action upon the blank that does not materially alter the
longitudinal arrangement or relation of the fibres in the blank or in the final
product thereof during any changes wrought in its diameter. The grip of the
dises on the blank gives sufficient power in its forward and rotary movements to
force it onto and over the mandrel, which thus pierces its centre. The mandrel
may be fixed or it may be rotated at a speed different from the speed of the blank
in order to impart to it a more or less energetic boring effect in penetrating into
the blank.
The accompanying drawings show approximately the shapes and relative positions
of the disks and mandrel of the mechanism which I employ in the practice of my
invention, no attempt being made, however, to represent the framework or housings,
the gearing for imparting motion to the parts or other portions of a fully organized
machine; such general features forming no part of the invention herein claimed,
and their application being well understood by those familiar with the art to which
my invention pertains. I do not mean, however, to confine myself to the exact
proportions and shapes shown, as these may be varied to a considerable extent to
suit different conditions, without departing from the spirit of my invention.
Figure 1, is a pian view partially in section of a pair of my disks, with a
piercing-mandrel the point of which lies between their working surfaces, and a
blank or billet embraced by the disks and undergoing the process of being pierced
by the mandrel.
Figure 2, is a side view of the same, some of the parts being broken away to
more clearly illustrate the construction of those behind them.
Figure 3, shows a modification of the shapes and arrangements of the disks.
Figure 4, represents still another modification of the disks in which their
diverging surfaces are arranged to act upon that part of the blank which is being
opened and enlarged by the conical part of the mandrel lying between them.
The disks A, B, lie in parallel planes and are mounted on the ends of shafts a, b,
the axial lines of which are also parallel and lie in the same horizontal plane.
These shafts may be mounted in any suitable housings and motion is imparted to

page_text: them by any suitable gearing or driving mechanism. The working portion of the
face of each disk is near its periphery and as the shafts are not in the same axial
line, the right hand side of one disk is opposed to the left hand side of the other.
The discs revolve in the same direction as indicated by the arrows thereon, so that
a blank or billet passed between them in contact with their opposing surfaces has
imparted to it a rotary movement, and, if a blank is passed between the disks either
slightly above or below the plane of their axes it has imparted to it a longitudinal
movement also.
"
In Figure 1, the working faces of the disks are formed by a part of the plane
surface c, of the disk A, and a part of the outer bevelled surface c', of the disk B,
the outer diameter of the surface c, being the same as the inner diameter of the
bevelled surface c¹. The edges formed by these two surface diameters lie opposite
to each other at the pass for the blanks so that the " pass is narrowest at this
point as indicated at the line X, X. The axial line of the "pass" I prefer to
focate below the centre of the rolls as shown in Figure 2, and guide blocks G, of
suitable construction are employed to hold the blanks in proper position. The
blank enters the "pass" at its widest point near the line Y, Y, where it is gripped
by the rolls, revolved and gradually forced forward into and through the narrowest
part of the "pass at X, X, upon the point of the conical mandrei M, and from
thence over the remainder of the mandrel but out of the grip of the disks.
"
"
The disposition and shape of the disks is such that their action upon the blank
elongates or draws it out without imparting any spiral twist to the fibre, resulting
in a finished pierced blank, the fibres of which are parallel to each other and
substantially straight or without twist, and this feature constitutes the main aim
and object of my invention. This result is accomplished by imparting to the blank
a substantially uniform speed of rotation throughout all those portions of it in the
grip of the working surfaces of the disks. At the point X, X, where the "
pass
is most contracted, and the grip of the disks on the blank the greatest, the radii, ¹,
of the two disks is the same and consequently the speed of rotation imparted to the
blank at this point is the same. At the line Y, Y, in the pass, while the radius y,
of one disk is smaller than the common radii x, x¹, of both disks, the opposing
radius y', of the other disk is proportionately greater than the common radii x, x¹,
so that the mean effective rotative action imparted to the blank by the two disks at
the line Y, Y, is the same as that imparted to it at the line X, X. Or, to express
it in another way, the circumferential speed of the disk A, is slower at its radius y,
than at its radius a, and consequently its rotative action on the blank is slower at Y,
than it is at X, but the circumferential speed of the other disk B, at its opposing
radius y¹, is as much greater than at ', as y is slower than x, so that the mean
effective rotative action upou the blank of the smaller and larger radii y, y', of the
two disks respectively is the same as that of the common radii x, x¹, consequently
that portion of the blank lying within the grip of the disks at the line Y, Y, is
rotated at substantially the same speed as that portion at the line X, X.
As this condition prevails in every point in the grip of the disks between the
lines X, X, and Y, Y, a larger radius and greater circumferential speed of one disk
being opposed by a smaller radius and slower circumferential speed of the other,
there is practically no twisting of the blank within the grip of the disks by reason
of one portion of the blank being rotated faster than another portion. There
might, if there was no slippage, be a slight difference of speed of rotation of
portions of the blank within the grip of the rolls, due to the fact that the diameter
of the blank is slightly smaller at X, X, than it is at Y, Y, but owing to the
slippage this does not occur, and the blanks when they leave the pass between the
disks, have their fibres substantially straight throughout.
This reduction of the diameter of the blank between the lines Y, Y, and X, X,
is not intended particularly for its effect in compacting, working or drawing out of
the metal, but is the result or consequence of the contraction in the width of the
pass necessary to give the disks sufficient grip or hold upon the blank to force it
forward upon, and overcome the resistance of the piercing mandrel.

page_text: For such purposes as merely straightening, finishing and burnishing bars or tube
either cold or at a low temperature, there is practically no resistance to the end wise
movement of the blank, and the sides of the pass may be parallel, only a slight
grip of the disks on the blank being necessary to urge endwise through the pass,
and at the same time rotate it between the opposing moving surfaces of the disk.
But where, as in the practice of my invention, it is necessary to impart to a soft or
plastic mass of metal end wise movement with sufficient force to overcome the
resistance of a piercing mandrel, it is necessary to so dispose the sides of the pass
that they shall have a firm, and through a certain length of the blank a continuing
pressure or grip upon it. This effect by the contraction of the width of the
pass from its entrance at the line Y, Y, to the point X, X, the amount of such
contraction and the length of the converging surfaces varying with circumstances
and conditions such as the ductility of the metal, the resistance of the piercing
mandrel, etc. etc. The drawings are more or less diagrammatic in character, and it
is not intended that they shall represent the exact proportions and relations of the
disks and their working surfaces, to be followed under all circumstances; for these
proportions may vary widely with the conditions of work to be performed.
The outer bevelled surface d, of the disc A, and the inner bevelled surface d', of
the disk B, are formed at such divergent angles as not to be brought in contact
with or operate on the tubular structure of the blank, being produced by the
penetration of the mandrel. The angles of these divergent surfaces depend upon
the form of the mandrel and the amount of expansion it effects in the blank.
With a small mandrel producing but little expansion of the blank the surfaces may
be less divergent than they are shown, to an extent that will dispense entirely with
the inner bevelled surface d', of the disk B-the plane surface of which would be
sufficiently divergent from the axis of the blank as not to come in contact
therewith.
Figure 3 is a modification of my disks showing the diverging surfaces d, and d',
omitted. Figure 4, shows another modification of the disks in which the diverging
surfaces of the disks at the exit side of the pass are formed at such angles as to
produce between them and the portion of the blank embracing the conical mandrel,
contact, which may be such as to exert compacting pressure or merely a rolling or
polishing effect on the outer surface of the blank.
Dated this 10th dow of Dec 1005
Improvements in Mechanism for Piercing Solid Metallic Ingots
or Blanks.
I, RALPH CHARLES STIEFEL, of Ellwood City, Lawrence County, in the
State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to improvements in mechanism for piercing solid metallic
ingots or blanks. Its object is to pierce metallic blanks or billets in a heated
state without subjecting them to torsional strain or materially disturbing the
longitudinal arrangement of the fibres of the metal, and the mechanism for
accomplishing this object consists of a pair of specially constructed and arranged
parallel discs and a piercing mandrel by means of which the heated blanks or
billets may be drawn and pierced at one operation. In this operation a blank is
passed between the adjacent faces of the two parallel discs which impart to it a

page_text: rotary motion, and at the same time a longitudinal motion which forces it against
a conical, piercing mandrel lying in the path of the axis of the blank; the
arrangement of the working surfaces of these discs being such that a practically
uniform speed of rotation is imparted to each and every portion of the blank lying
between and being acted upon by them, thus producing a drawing action upon
the blank that does not materially alter the longitudinal arrangement or relation
of the fibre in the blank or in the final product thereof during any changes wrought
in its diameter. The grip of the discs on the blank give sufficient power in its
forward and rotary movements to force it onto and over the mandrel, which thus
pierces its centre. The mandrel may be fixed or it may be rotated at a speed
different from the speed of the blank in order to impart to it. a more or less
energetic boring effect in penetrating into the blank.
The drawings filed with the Provisional Specification show approximately the
shapes and relative positions of the discs and mandrel of the mechanism which I
employ in the practice of my invention, no attempt being made, however, to
represent the framework or housings, the gearing for imparting motion to the
parts or other portions of a fully organised machine; such general features forming
no part of the invention herein claimed, and their application being well understood
by those familiar with the art to which my invention pertains. I do not mean,
however, to confine myself to the exact proportions and shapes shown, as these
may be varied to a considerable extent to suit different conditions, without
departing from the spirit of my invention.
Figure 1, is a plan view partially in section of a pair of my discs, with a
piercing-mandrel the point of which lies between their working surfaces, and a
blank or billet embraced by the discs and undergoing the process of being pierced
by the mandrel.
Figure 2, is a side view of the same, some of the parts being broken away to
more clearly illustrate the construction of those behind them.
Figure 3, shows a modification of the shapes and arrangements of the discs.
Figure 4, represents still another modification of the discs in which their
diverging surfaces are arranged to act upon that part of the blank which is
being opened and enlarged by the conical part of the mandrel lying between
them.
The discs A, B, lie in parallel planes and are mounted on the ends of the
shafts a, b, the axial lines of which are also parallel and lie in the same horizontal
plane. These shafts may be mounted in any suitable housings and motion is
imparted to them by any suitable gearing or driving mechanism. The working
portion of the face of each disc is near its periphery and as the shafts are not in
the same axial line, the right hand side of one disc is opposed to the left hand
side of the other. The discs revolve in the same direction as indicated by the
arrows thereon, so that a blank or billet passed between them in contact with their
opposing surfaces has imparted to it a rotary movement, and, if a blank is passed
between the discs either slightly above or below the plane of their axes it has
imparted to it a longitudinal movement.also.
"
"
In Figure 1, the working faces of the discs are formed by a part of the plane
surface c, of the disc A, and a part of the outer bevelled surface c', of the disc B,
the outer diameter of the surface c, being the same as the inner diameter of the
bevelled surface c¹. The edges formed by these two surface diameters lie opposite
to each other at the pass for the blanks so that the " pass is narrowest at this
point as indicated at the line X, X. The axial line of the "
pass I prefer to
locate below the centre of the rolls as shown in Figure 2, and guide blocks G,
of suitable construction are employed to hold the blanks in proper position. The
blank enters the " pass at its widest point near the line Y, Y, where it is gripped
by the rolls, revolved and gradually forced forward into and through the narrowest
part of the "
pass
at X, X, upon the point of the conical mandrel M, and from
tbence over the remainder of the mandrel but out of the grip of the discs.
The disposition and shape of the discs is such that their action upon the blank
"
"

page_text: "
elongates or draws it out without imparting any spiral twist to the fibre, resulting
in a finished pierced blank, the fibres of which are parallel to each other aud
substantially straight and without twist, and this feature constitutes the main aim
and object of my invention. This result is accomplished by imparting to the
blank a substantially uniform speed of rotation throughout all those portions of it
in the grip of the grip of the working surfaces of the discs. At the point X, X,
where the " pass is most contracted, and the grip of the discs on the blank the
greatest, the radii a, x, of the two discs are the same and consequently the speed
of rotation imparted to the blank at this point is the same. At the line Y, Y, in
the pass, while the radius y, of one disc is smaller than the common radii x, ¹, of
both discs the opposing radius y¹ of the other disc is proportionately greater than
the common radii a, a, so that the mean effective rotation action imparted to the
blank by the two discs at the line Y, Y, is the same as that imparted to it at the
line X, X. Or, to express it in another way, the circumferential speed of
the disc A, is slower at its radius y, than at its radius x, and consequently its
rotative action on the blank is slower at Y, than it is at X, but the circumferential
speed of the other disc B, at its opposing radius y', is as much greater than at z',
as y is slower than x, so that the mean effective rotative action upon the blank of
the smaller and larger radii y, y', of the two discs respectively is the same as that
of the common radii x, xl, consequently that portion of the blank lying within the
grip of the discs at the line Y, Y, is rotated at substantially the same speed as
that portion at the line X, X.
As this condition prevails in every point in the grip of the discs between the
lines X, X, and Y, Y, a larger radius and greater circumferential speed of one
disc being opposed by a smaller radius and slower circumferential speed of the
other, there is practically no twisting of the blank within the grip of the discs by
reason of one portion of the blank being rotated faster than another portiou.
There might, if there was no slippage, be a slight difference of speed of rotation
of portions of the blank within the grip of the rolls, due to the fact that the
diameter of the blank is slightly smaller at X, X, than it is at Y, Y, but owing
to the slippage this does not occur, and the blanks when they leave the pass
between the discs, have their fibres substantially straight throughout.
This reduction of the diameter of the blank between the lines Y, Y, and X, X,
is not intended particularly for its effect in compacting, working or drawing out of
the metal, but is the result or consequence of the contraction in the width of the
pass necessary to give the discs sufficient grip or hold upon the blank to force it
forward upon, and overcome the resistance of the piercing mandrel.
For such purposes as merely straightening, finishing and burnishing bars or tube
either cold or at a low temperature, there is practically no resistance to the end wise
movement of the blank, and the sides of the pass may be parallel, only a slight
grip of the discs on the blank being necessary to urge it endwise through the
pass, and at the same time rotate it between the opposing moving surfaces of the
disc. But where, as in the practice of my invention, it is necessary to impart to
a soft or plastic mass of metal end wise movement with sufficient force to overcome
the resistance of a piercing mandrel, it is necessary to so dispose the sides of the
pass that they shall have a firm, and through a certain length of the blank a
continuing pressure or grip upon it. This I effect by the contraction of the width
of the pass from its entrance at the line Y, Y, to the point X, X, the amount of
such contraction and the length of the converging surfaces varying with
circumstances and conditions such as the ductility of the metal, the resistance of
the piercing mandrel, etc. etc. The drawings are more or less diagrammatic in
character, and it is not intended that they shall represent the exact proportions and
relations of the discs and their working surfaces, to be followed under all
circumstances; for these proportions may vary widely with the conditions of work
to be performed.
The outer bevelled surface d, of the disc A, and the inner bevelled surface d³,
of the disc B, are formed at such divergent angles as not to be brought in contact

page_text: with or operate on the tubular structure of the blank, being produced by the
penetration of the mandrel. The angles of these divergent surfaces depend upon
the form of the mandrel and the amount of expansion it effects in the blank.
With a small mandrel producing but little expansion of the blank the surfaces may
be less divergent than they are shown, to an extent that will dispense entirely with
the inner bevelled surface d', of the disc B-the plane surface of which would be
sufficiently divergent from the axis of the blank as not to come in contact
therewith.
Figure 3 is a modification of my discs showing the diverging surfaces d, and d',
omitted. Figure 4, shows another modification of the discs in which the diverging
surfaces of the discs at the exit side of the pass are formed at such angles as to
produce between them and the portion of the blank embracing the conical mandrel,
contact, which may be such as to exert compacting pressure or merely a rolling or
polishing effect on the outer surface of the blank."
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :―
1. In combination in apparatus for piercing ingots, billets, or blanks, without
spiral or torsional twist of the fibre, the two rotary bodies presenting inclined
faces to each other and forming a converging pass between them, and a piercing
imandrel, arranged in the axial line of the said pass, the direction and rotation of
the said bodies being such that the sum of the two rotary effects upon the billet
may be substantially equal throughout the pass, whereby the pressure upon the
ingot, billet, or blank may be kept up throughout the converging portion of the
said pass without distortion of the arrangement of fibre, substantially as set
:forth.
2. In combination in apparatus for piercing ingots, billets, or blanks, without
spiral or torsional twist of the fibre, the two rotary bodies presenting inclined
faces to each other and forming a pass having at first convergent and then
divergent sides, and a piercing mandrel. arranged in the axial line of the said
pass and extending into the divergent portion approximately to the end of the
-convergent portion of the said pass, substantially as set forth.
3. In combination in apparatus for working ingots, billets, or blanks, without
spiral or torsional twist of the fibre, the two rotary discs or other bodies, rotating
about substantially parallel axes and in the same direction, and presenting opposed
and inclined faces forming a converging pass, whereby the ingot, billet, or blank,
in being put through the said convergent pass will be subjected to pressure
throughout the length of the said convergent pass and the sum of the rotary effects
of the two faces of the pass be equal at all points of the pass, substantially as set
..forth.
D
1 L
السيد
1
1000
Dated this 24th day
June 1890.
For the Applicant,
J. G. LORRAIN, M.I.E.E., M.I. Mech. E.,
Norfolk House, Norfolk Street, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.