Improvements in Strengthening, Hardening, Tempering, Shaping, Sizing, Straightening, and Bending Iron and Steel Bars and Plates, and in Means and Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION,
Improvements in Strengthening, Hardening, Tempering, Shaping,
Sizing, Straightening, and Bending Iron and Steel Bars and
Plates, and in Means and Apparatus therefor.
I, JAMES ROBERTSON, of 27, Westcliffe Road, Birkdale, Southport, Lancashire,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to and comprises improvements in strengthening
hardening, tempering, shaping sizing, straightening and bending iron and steel
bars and plates and in means and apparatus therefor and relates to the treatment
of iron and steel long bars and plates after they are cast, rolled, drawn or
otherwise formed to increase their strength and efficiency for the purposes they are
used for by longitudinal compression in a cold state by new and improved means
and apparatus and new and improved mode of using same. This has heretofore
been more or less efficiently effected by hammering and compressing these laterally
and by rolling bars and plates between rolls or drawing through dies, by which,
however carefully used, tight and slack parts are kept in the mass of the bars
or plates. In a new and improved way by this invention I apply force for this
purpose to the ends of such bars or plates by which a uniform compacting, solidify-
ing, strengthening, and hardening pressure is effected on the bar or plate through-
out its entire mass if of a parallel form or approximately so. If there are soft,
slack, tight, or weak parts throughout their length, as in cooling after being hot
rolled or from other causes this is always more or less the case, this process of
applying pressure or force to their ends in sufficient degree as to effect com-
pressure at the hardest or stronger parts, which for steel bars and plates used in
structional work of most kinds is readily obtained by the application of a pressure
of about 40 tons to the square inch of cross sectional area of these, and of about
30 tons to the square inch of cross sectional area of iron bars and plates,
secures uniform strength and hardness throughout these. The soft or weak parts
being slightly more compressed and increased in cross sectional area than the
larger and harder parts, tends also to produce a uniformity of cross sectional area.
By the use of force obtained from hydraulic cylinders for this purpose, the degree
of force which is easily regulated to any amount by the use of pressure gauges,
the strength hardness and temper of the metal within the limits of its nature can
be easily regulated to any degree. By this treatment of these bars or plates, the
tensile strength is greatly increased and elevates their elastic limit under torsional
and transverse stress to from about 80 to 100 per cent. and still further elevates
their strength against compression or end stress.
Iron and steel solid bars and plates are always more or less resiliant but if
constrained and held in either a straight, or bent form by a lateral die or guide in
the form of any of the dies or guides suited for this purpose and end pressure
applied to these, while so held, sufficient to crush and compact up these in a
uniform degree throughout their length, they afterwards retain very accurately

page_text: the form they are held in while the end pressure has been so applied to them.
In straightening bars or plates by lateral porcussive force or by steady pressure the
high parts of their surface are necessarily left in a tight state and the hollow
opposite sides left in a slack state, and if machined, such as say in turning round
bars, they more or less spring back to the crooked form they were in before being
so machined or turned. But when end, pressure is applied to them sufficient to
crush up all their mass to an equal compacting degree throughout their length;
they retain the form given to them when taken out of their constraining or form-
ing dies or guides although afterwards machined in part of their surface or all
over. Hence round bars so, treated for shafting may in this way be longitudinally
compressed and sized up in diameter to be turned all over or otherwise machined,
which may be done to the diameter they were originally rolled to, and when so
turned or otherwise machined remain quite straight for the required purpose, also
finished bars or plates may be straightened or bent to most forms required, in.
this way.
The apparatus in its most simple form and as part of my invention for treating
and straightening round iron or steel bars of the smaller diameters to render them
suitable for shafting or like purposes consists of a strong straight smooth bore
tube or die of slightly larger bore and a little longer than the diameter of the
bar to be so treated into which the same is forced, which if in a crooked state
straightens it. This tube is firmly secured on a suitable foundation and is pro-
vided at one end with means for applying force to the extent of about 40 tons
to the square inch of the cross area of the bar to be treated, and which is by
preference a hydraulic cylinder or cylinders secured on the foundation or to the
end of the die tube and fitted to push up a hardened steel ram, entered an easy
fit into the end of the die tube a short distance and caused to rest on the end
of the bar to be, treated and supported by a cross head carried by the rams or
other suitable means. At the other end of the die tube a similar short, steel
ram is entered and set to rest on the other end of the bar and secured to the die
tube foundation in a manner sufficient to withstand the necessary crushing up
pressure on the bar from the hydraulic cylinder or other means and which may
be effected by a cross head bolted to the end of the die tube. For the removal of
the bar when treated in this manner by longitudinal compression in the solid
tubular die the cross heads at each end of the die tube are formed with a central
opening large enough to allow the bar to be passed through, in at the one end
and out at the other, but while the bar is under its treating end pressure the steel
crushing up rams at both ends of the tubular die are held up on the bar by.plates
interposed between these rams and their cross heads which when the process is
completed and the motion of the hydraulic ram or other crushing device is reversed,
are removed and light bars treated in this manner are thus easily by help of a
hand ram pushed out by hand and the tubular die left ready for a fresh
operation. If the bar becomes over tight to be removed by 'hand the crushing up
apparatus can be readily used to push out the tube thus treated in a variety of
ways.
Instead of tubular die being fixed it may be mounted free to slide on a sole
plate or suitable foundation and receive longitudinal motion from rack and
pinion mechanism firmly secured on same. This mechanism being geared to give
the necessary amount of compressing power by the notion of the tubular die.
The crossheads at each end are of a similar construction to those just described
one being secured to the tubular die and one to the foundation, but the shape.
of the tubular die can be made as long as the bar being treated by this arrange-
ment and can be made to serve by its motion as the power for pushing in the bar
to be treated into the die and after treatment ejecting it. Round solid dies of this
form for treating bars of small diameter are made to suit bars of any size smaller
in diameter than the die by incasing the bar in an open jointed tube of the
same external diameter as the bore of the die or nearly so and placing same

page_text: within the die. In treating bars of great length the lateral friction of the bar
on the walls of the die causes the crushing up action to be slightly greater at the
moving impact end of the bar than at the stationary end but this mode of moving
the die longitudinally and so causing the impact crushing action to be alternately
the impact and the holding up rod this defect is corrected.
Another method of correcting this defect of having the bars more crushed up or
compressed at one end than at the other in long 'solid dies or it might be dies
in two or more parts and suitable for still larger diameters of bars and with force
applied to them at one end only consists in a new or improved method of mounting
the tubular dies in buslies or slides to allow of a slight degree of longitudinal
travel, so that when the die binds on the bar it is free to move in the bushes over
the bar and the fixed resisting steel rod or ram and so equalize the pressure at
both ends.
The crushing up or compression action to impart the additional strength to the
bars is generally only about inch to the foot of lineal length on the bar so that
a very short longitudinal travel of the die when it may bind on the bar suffices
to maintain the pressure exerted by the crushing up rams equal on both ends of
the bar. In dies so arranged an effective and new or improved means of expelling
the bars so treated is supplied by placing a small leather packed steel piston at the
after end of the bar between it and the steel ram and expelling both this piston
and the bar, after it is treated, by water at a high pressure from hydraulic pumps
admitted through the steel ram, bored for this purpose, to the front of the piston.
For treating bars and plates of large cross sectional area which if in a bent or
crooked form cannot be constrained to a straight form by slight lateral force or,
if straight, cannot be easily bent to any form required, these treating dies for most
cross sectional forms of bars are preferably formed in two parts somewhat longer
than the bar or plate to be treated, and of sufficient strength to constrain by
application of lateral force the bar or plate placed in same into a straight or bent
form, as may be desired. For round and oval shaped straight bars a convenient
shape of the under half of the die always preferably made of cast steel or cast iron,
is to form in its top surface a long shaped groove and plane same out to an
angle of about 60 degrees which within a certain range suits for different diameters
of bars. When a round bar is placed in same it is grasped by it at two points
at about an angle of 120 degrees apart of the circle of the bar, and when the
top half of the die is closed on it, if of a flat straight form and which may be
the top sill of a compressing machine, it also meets the bar at a point of about
120 degrees apart from the other two points grasped which are in the groove of
the under half. In this way a round bar when the two halves of the die are closed
on it and with sufficient force which can be supplied in various ways is effectually
straightened and after being crushed up by longitudinal pressure as explained
will remain straight. The under or moveable part of the die is preferably moved
to close upon the upper part by one or more hydraulic cylinders, as by the use
of these it is easy to ascertain the degree of lateral force put upon the bar, as
well as facilitating the gradual closure and lateral forming action on it while it
is being compressed or crushed up longitudinally at the same time, while there is
a molecular How in the metal during which bars or plates are more easily bent,
straightened, twisted, or otherwise formed, than when its mass is in a quiescent
state.
Instead of the upper and lower parts of the dies being closed together by one or
more direct acting hydraulic cylinders the moveable half or part of same may be
closed and operated by a wedge piece or a series of these operated by one hydraulic
cylinder or otherwise.
It is preferred to use as far as possible dies for these bars of such a form that
the top sill of the press can be used as the top part of the die and meet the bar at
one or more line points of its surface. The under part of die would be generally
shaped so as to meet the bar at two or more line points of its surface and may
be shaped and planed on all its four sides to make it reversible on its raising

page_text: mechanism and so fit different diameters and different shapes of bars in cross
section.
Where the bars are to be treated to impart greater strength only and no altera-
tion in shape desired on them, laterally, by reason of their being short or of a
strong form in cross section such as bars or beams of an H form or composed of
bars rivetted together in the form of a girder no die is required to impart shape to
them or to protect them against deflection.
Both top and bottom dies can be shaped to suit any form of bar in cross section
and a convenient form to suit round or square bars of a variety of diameters con-
sists in having a groove planed on same on their meeting surfaces at an angle of
45 degrees. Where solid dies are used the channels should be formed an easy
fit to allow the bar to be pushed into and out of same freely after it is treated.
A convenient method and apparatus for straightening long thin plates consists
in having a strong straightening planed under frame or bottom plate to which a
compressing hydraulic cylinder is firmly secured and which has at its other end
an abutting transverse rib formed for the purpose of sustaining the back end of the
plate when forced' against it by longitudinal pressure applied to its other end.
A heavy top plate having its bottom surface planed is suspended above this
bottom plate in a manner to enable it to be lowered on the top of a thin metal
plate laid thereon for treatment so as to guide it and prevent it deflecting when
being subjected to the longitudinal comprising action, and this top plate has an
abutting transverse rib formed on its lower surface at its front end to press on
the front end of the plate being treated, which is effected by the ram moving back
the top plate, and rocking plates or pieces may be interposed between the ribs
and plate. These upper and lower plates may be shaped to any form longitudinally
to give corresponding shape to the plates being treated! Plate dies of this kind
can be used with the same shaping and compressing apparatus to treat plates
and bend or twist them at the same time to almost any shape transversely or
longitudinally.
.
Light bars and plates, may be strengthened and shaped and generally treated
in this new and improved manner advantageously in very long lengths by a step
by step process by grasping the bar or plate anywhere throughout in its length
with sufficient frictional grip to compress the bar or plate and hold it while being
compressed against the forward treating ram either in a solid or opening die.
The first division or stepped part is compressed against the treating resisting ram
but in the after steps the first part or step treated is afterwards to be grasped
and held frictionally against the force required to crush up the after steps. Both
the resisting and forcing apparatus for this purpose to be alternately opened and
closed until all of the bar is so treated and being treated in short lengths can
be done. in close dies and without risk of deflection. The devices may all be con-
veniently operated by hydraulic cylinders and rams and the dies may be suited
for straightening curving and bending-purposes and may be used for short parts
at each end of the bar and circular bending and treating.
For straightening and longitudinally compressing long bars the apparatus may
consist of a tubular die, secured on a suitable foundation and a hydraulic ram
carrying a gripping device fitted with a hydraulic ram to press down the upper
part of the gripping device to grip and hold the bar while it is forced backward
by the compressing ram. The end of the bar while the first part is being treated
abuts or rests against a wedge shaped stop pin or plate inserted transversely
through the tubular die at its back end. After compression of the first part or
step the stop pin is removed and the bar advanced a step when its end is gripped
by a hydraulic gripping device while the next division or step is being longi-
tudinally compressed and so on step by step till all the long bars has been treated.
For forming a curve on the end of a T shaped or angle bar it would be gripped
by a hydraulic gripping device carried by a hydraulic ram which would force
its end through a Tor otherwise shaped opening formed by grooves in the meeting
faces of two blocks held together by hydraulic power,

page_text: In order to give plates a circular form such as is required for boiler shells the
plate carried by a hydraulic gripping device mounted in the actuating hydraulio
ram is moved step by step and forced within and around the interior surface of a
circular die or mould, made in two parts and containing a plate guide or an
antifriction guiding roller. The interior surface of the circular die would be
formed with an abutting step to act as a stop for the end of the plate to abut
against. For strengthening, straightening, curving and hardening railway rails
or like bars or plates in a new and improved manner the rail is preferably pro
pelled up through a long closed die for either straightening or curving it and for
taking them out of twist and forced and crushed up against a wedge shaped block
resting on the inclined top surface of the plunger of a self acting resisting hydraulic
ram. The rail travelled by geared rolls is carried to advance up against the end of
the wedge and to force down the ram until the wedge falls out clear before the
rail in a self acting manner. The hydraulic cylinder of this ram is fitted with an
escape valve weiglited to the requisite degree of pressure or amount of compressing
action on the rail or other like bars or plates for its due treating effect, but other
selfacting devices may be used for this purpose. The rail plate or other article
after it is compressed is pushed out of the die by the succeeding rail or other bar
or plate entered in between the rolls. This self acting resisting device is applicable
to most forms of this bar and plate treating apparatus.
Armour plates may be treated strengthened and hardened by this apparatus
after they are compressed hammered or rolled in a hot state as now done. But
this process is suitable for finishing these from the cast steel castings only or at least
without rolls, which is a most costly part of the plant now used for their fabrica-
tion. Although a press of enormous strength and force of many thousand tons
is required to give to the plate the hardening compression to cause it to acquire
its highest shot resisting power. The stroke of the hydraulic ram required
is short and although the expense of the press is great. in this respect it is quite
a trifle for making the same size of armour plate in comparison with the plant
as now used for manufacturing armour plates. The plant for planing jointing
and finishing. these plates would be generally the same as now used for this part
of the process. The armour plate could be twisted if desired by securing one end
of it in the ram head and the other end in the cross head and rotating the main
ram in the cylinder by lateral presses or rams placed against it or by gearing
while the end molecular compressing action is proceeding. A small hydraulic
ram is preferably used to effect the return of the main rum.
W. R. M. THOMSON & Co.,
90, Buchanan Street, Glasgow, Agents.
Improvements in Strengthening, Hardening, Tempering, Shaping,
Sizing, Straightening, and, Bending Iron and Steel Bars and
Plates, and in Means and Apparatus therefor.
I, JAMES OSMONDE DALE, of 12, Bennetts Hill; Birmingham, Solicitor, sole
executor of the estate of James Robertson, of 27, Westcliffe Road, Birkdale,
Southport, Lancashire, Engineer, deceased, 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 in writing, that is
to say:
'
This invention has reference to and comprises improvements in strengthening

page_text: hardening, tempering, shaping, sizing, straightening and bending iron and steel
bars and plates and in means and apparatus therefor and relates to the treatment
of iron and steel long bars and plates after they are cast, rolled, drawn, or
otherwise formed to increase their strength and efficiency for the purposes they are
used for by longitudinal compression in a cold state by new and improved means
and apparatus and new and improved mode of using same. This has heretofore
been more or less efficiently effected by hammering and compressing these laterally
and by rolling bars and plates between rolls or by drawing these through dies,
by which, however though carefully used, tight and slack parts are kept in the
mass of the bars or plates. In a new and improved way by this invention 1
apply force for this purpose to the ends of such bars or plates by which a uniform
compacting solidifying strengthening and hardening pressure is effected on the
bar or plate throughout its entire mass if of a parallel form or very approximately.
If these are soft, slack, tight, or weak throughout their length as in cooling after
being rolled or from other causes this is always more or less the case. This
process of applying pressure or force to their ends in sufficient degree as to effect
compression at the hardest or strongest parts in same, which for steel bars and
plates used in structural work of most kinds is readily obtained by the application
of a pressure of about 40 tons to the square inch of cross sectional area of these
and of about 30 tons to the square inch of cross sectional area of iron bars; and
plates secures uniform strength and hardness throughout these. The soft or
weak parts being slightly more compressed and increased in cross sectional area
than the larger and harder parts tends also to produce a uniformity of cross
sectional area. By the use of force obtained from hydraulic cylinder rams for this
purpose the degree of force by which is easily regulated to any amount by the
use of pressure gauges the strength, hardness, and temper of the metal within the
limits of its nature can be easily regulated to any degree.
By this treatment of these bars or plates the tensile strength is greatly increased
and elevates their elastic limit under torsional and transverse stress to form about
80 to 100 per cent, and still further elevates their strength against compression
or end' stress.
In
Iron and steel solid bars and plates are always more or less resilient but if
constrained and held in either a straight or bent form by a lateral die or guide in
the form of any of the dies or guides suited for this purpose and end pressure
applied to these while so held sufficient to crush and compact these in a uniform
degree throughout their length, they afterwards retain very accurately the form
they were held in while the end pressure has been so applied to them.
straightening iron or steel bars and plates by lateral percussive force or by steady
pressure the high parts of their surface are necessary left in a tight state and
the hollow on opposite side left in a slack state and if machined such as say in
turning round bars they usually more or less spring back to the curved form they
were in before being so machined or turned. But when end pressure is applied
to them sufficient to crush up all their mass to an equal compacting degree through-
out their length they retain the form given to them when taken out of their
constraining or forming dies or guides although afterwards machined in part of
their surface or all over it. Hence round bars so treated for shafting may in
this way be sized up in diameter and turned all over or otherwise machined to
the diameter they were originally rolled to and when turned or otherwise
machined remain suitably straight for the required purpose. Bars of other forms
of cross section or plates may be bent or straightened in this way and if machined
in part or all even retain very accurately the general form they are made to assume
in this way.
The apparatus required for this new and improved process of treating iron and
steel bars and plates as aforesaid requires a means of ascertaining approximately
the degree of force being applied to compress the bars and plates and for this
purpose hydraulic cylinders and rams with reversing action are preferentially
used for most purposes, the degree of force used by these on the rams being

page_text: always readily ascertained by the use of a pressure gauge. There are new and
improved modifications and applications of these shown used with reversing
action, but there are no new forms of pistons and rams in these used and I do
not show these details generally in section.
When the force is applied through cog wheel or other gear for this compressing
action on these. bars and plates which in all forms used requires to be approxi
mately shown both for ascertaining that the requisite compressing force be used
on the bar or plate and for avoiding having too great a force used for the safety
of the apparatus I preferentially used a pair of coupled reversing steam engines
with ready command of steam at various degrees of pressure from about 40
to 200 lbs. to the square inch of pressure but I do not show the engines coupled
to the gear, beyond a coupling, there being nothing new required in these for
properly carrying out my said invention.
And in order that my said invention and the manner of carrying same into
practice may be properly understood, I have hereunto appended four sheets of
explanatory drawings, in which the same reference letters are used to indicate
corresponding parts in all the figures where shown.
1
Figure 1 is a side external elevation, and Figure 2 a sectional plan view of my
apparatus in its most simple form for treating and straightening round bars of
iron and steel suitable for shafting and like purposes. Figure 3 is a transverse
section as taken on this line 3-3 of Figure 2 and Figures 4 and 5 are transverse
sections as taken on the line 44 of Figure 1, Figure 5 showing a tube or liner
as placed within the die. Figures 6 and 7 are a side elevation and plan view
respectively, partly in section, of the apparatus in which the compressing action
for treating and straightening the bar is effected by toothed rack operating
mechanism and gearing. Figure 8 is a transverse section as taken on the
line 88 of Figure 7 showing the rod being compressed as made in the form
of a steel rail. Figure 9 is a similar view showing the rod under compression as
of channel section, Figure 10 similarly as of I section, and Figure 11 as of
inverted T section. Figures 12 and 13 are views similar to Figures 1 and 2
but showing an arrangement in which the die slightly recedes while the bar is
under compression, and in which the bar is ejected from the die by hydraulic
pressure. Figures 14 and 16 are an external elevation and corresponding plan
view. respectively of the apparatus as suitable for treating girder work.
Figures 16 and 17 are transverse sections as taken on the lines 16 and 17 respec-
tively of Figure 14. Figure 18 is a sectional elevation, and Figure 19 a transverse
section as taken on the line 19 of Figure 18, of an arrangement analogous to
that shown in Figure 1, but having a formation of die suitable for treating
various sizes of bars, and in which a vertical adjustable movement is given by
hydraulic rams. Figure 20 is a sectional side elevation and Figure 21 a plan
view, partly in section, and Figure 22. an end elevation, illustrating an arrange-
ment of my apparatus somewhat similar to Figure 18, but in which the vertical
adjustable movement is given to the die by horizontal wedge action operated by
an hydraulic ram. Figures 23 to 32 show transverse sections of various shapes
or sections of bars or articles being treated within the dies and which themselves
illustrate the particular shapes in each case. Figures 33 and 34 are an external
clevation and plan view respectively of my apparatus as adapted for treating
metal plates. Figure 35 is a transverse section as taken on the line 35 of
Figure 33 showing the apparatus as treating a series of thin plates superimposed
over each other. Figure 36 is a similar view showing the die as adapted to treat
curved plates.
Figure 37 is a view corresponding to Figure 33 showing the die as loaded with
pig iron, and as treating a single plate, and Figure 38 is a transverse section as
taken on the line 38 of Figure 37.
Figure 39 is a sectional side elevation and Figure 40 a plan view of an arrange-
ment of my apparatus by which a step by step treating movement is given to
the har

page_text: Figure 41 is a transverse section as taken on the line 41 on Figure 39 and
Figure 42 a similar view as taken on the line 42 on Figure 40.
Figure 48 is a sectional side elevation and Figure 44 a plan view of an
arrangement of my apparatus for bending, shaping, and treating bars. Figure 45
is a transverse section as taken on the irregular line 45 of Figure 43, and
Figure 46 is an end elevation showing the method of connecting and discon-
necting the die. Figure 47 is a sectional side elevation, and Figure 48 a trans-
verse section as taken on the line 48 of Figure 47 showing an arrangement
of my apparatus for bending, shaping and treating boiler and other plates.
Figure 49 is a side elevation and Figure 50 a plan view partly in section of a
modified arrangement of my apparatus specially suitable for treating steel rails
and girders. Figure 51 is a transverse section as taken on the line 51 of
Figure 49, and Figure 52 is an end view looking at the hydraulic press.
Figures 53 and 54 are transverse sections as taken on the line 53, of Figure 49,
showing an I shaped girder and steel rail respectively as moving in the guides.
Figure 55 is a sectional side elevation and Figure 56 a sectional plan view of
my apparatus as arranged for treating plates. Figure 57 is a transverse section
as taken on the line 57 in Figure 55 and Figure 58 a similar view as taken on
the line 58 in Figure 56.
>
.
Figure 59 is a side elevation partly in section, and Figure 60 is a transverse
section as taken on the line 60 Figure 59, illustrative of another arrangement of
my improved apparatus for treating armour or like plates. Figure 61 is a side
elevation, partly in section, and Figure 62 a transverse section as taken on the
line 62 of Figure 61, illustrative of an arrangement similar to Figure 59, but
showing in addition means whereby the plates are given a twisting action.
Referring to these drawings:
The apparatus in'its most simple form and as part of my invention for treating
and straightening round bars of iron and steel of the smaller diameter to render
them suitable for shafting and like purposes as shown in Figures 1 to 5 consists
of a strong straight smooth bore tube or die A. This die A in this example is
formed of cast iron provided with four feet A' for fixing to a foundation bored
out smoothly to about the of an inch larger diameter than the largest diameter
of round bar B it is intended to compress and straighten in it, and has flanges A³
A³ formed on it to which are shown bolted two stroke reversing hydraulic
cylinders C and D). On the other end of the die A are shown the snugs A 4³
for securing the abutting cross head E, by the strong bolts A6 A7. This cross-
head has formed in it a central liole E' which on the removal of the loose bar
abutting plate leaves clear the way for the rod B to be pushed into the
die Aus also the hand steel abutting piece B' which is turned slightly smaller
than the bar B and is pushed by hand into the die A after the bar to he
straightened is placed in it. This much so far done the abutting plate 3 is
interposed between the cross-head E and thereafter the bar B is in its position
ready for being compressed. The compressing apparatus in this example are
two ordinary piston reversing hydraulic cylinders C and D of equal diameter
fitted with their respective piston rods C and D and are shown coupled to a
compressing crosshead which has shown formed in its centre the hole or open-
ing F through which opening the hard steel compressing piece 19, which is
turned an easy fit for bore of the die A, is pushed into same up to the end of
the bar B to be compressed as shown, and the abutting plate F³ being put in its
The coni-
position as shown is thereafter ready for the compressing action.
pressing liquid may be provided by ordinary pumps or otherwise and to effect
the compressing action the water is admitted by the pipes G simultaneously.
The compressing stroke traverse generally varies from about ½ inch to ½ inch
to the foot length of the bar operated upon which may be suited to any length of
compressed bar required. When the compreɛsing of the bar B ia completed,
the action of the hydraulic pistons is reversed by admitting water by the pipe H
and the abutting plate E at the far end of the die A taken out. Thereafter the

page_text: motion of the hydraulic pistons is, moved inwards sufficiently far to push out the
far end of the bar B past the cross lead E, and thereafter is drawn out of the
die A by tongs or otherwise and made ready for a fresh operation. A pressure
gauge I is shown connected by the pipe I.
For compressing and straightening round rods of a much smaller diameter in
the same die, one mode of doing this is by the insertion of a piece of tube AB
into the die A as shown in Figure 5 of diameter to fill up the die and with a
bore in this tube of the diameter of the bar to be compressed.
In the arrangement shown in Figures 6 to 8, side girders J rest on stools A³
and the top die plate A which is made of a section corresponding to the shape
of rail or bar desired to be treated, is bolted by flanges A¹ to the outer ends
of the top flanges of the girders J. A slide plate K is carried on the inner part
of the flanges J1 of girders J, and is formed with a back K3 on which rests the
rail or bar 1 to be treated; and the under surface of this slide plate K is formed
with rack teeth K for being operated and traversed by a pinion L actuated
through gearing from any adjacent prime moving shaft. An hydraulic press M
is placed near one end of the apparatus, and a cross-head M¹ is located above it.
and attached to the hydraulic cylinder by bolts M while a stay rod M connects
this crosshead to the housing M5 carrying the gearing. A space is formed
between the top of hydraulic ram M and the crosshead M' in which is fitted a
portable wedge M³.
In mutting this apparatus to work, the rod B to be treated is first inserted under
the die plate A, and the portable stem rod B is inserted between end of rod B
and a headstock or crosshead E formed on the end of the rack slide plate K.
The rack slide plate K is moved forward by means of the toothed gearing until
the end of rod B comes in contact and abuts against the wedge M³, and after
exerting a predetermined pressure on the bar B, and on top of ram M the latter
is forced down until a weighted or relief valve N automatically opens and
permits of the escape of the hydraulic pressure from cylinder of ram.
wedge M³ is then ejected out and the bar B is travelled outwards by the rack
plate K and delivered through the opening thus formed. Figure 9 shows a
transverse section of the same arrangement as just described only substituting
a channel section of bar, and Figures 10 and 11 are similar views with I and
inverted T sections of bars respectively.
The
The arrangement shown in Figures 12 and 13 is analogous to that shown in
Figures 1 and 2 except that the die A is mounted in bushes or slides 0 to
allow of a alight degree of longitudinal travel, so that when the bar B binds
on the die A it is free to move in said bushes over the bar and the fixed resisting
steel rod B, and so equalize the pressure at both ends. In this arrangement the
stem rod B is made hollow and after the compressing action has been effected
on the rod B, hydraulic pressure is admitted through the pipe B to pass through
the hollow rod B and act within the die A to expel the rod 1 from same..
In the arrangement shown in Figures 14 to 17 a girder B is shown as being
compressed or treated. A fixed upper beam P is secured by a longitudinal stay.
rod P and the side stays P between the crosshead E and the cylinder Cof
hydraulic rams; and a moveable plate Pa is made to slide in recessed guides at.
these parts, and is suspended by rods P³ from the cross-head P of an hydraulic
ram 15 carried on the top of girder P. In using this apparatus the girder B
is placed on the top of plate 1, and the latter is then raised by hydraulic
ram 15 until girder is compressed to the requisite degree of lateral force against
the fixed beam P, and the ram C then exerts the requisite longitudinal.com-
pressing force on girder B against the abutting plate on crosshead E. The
girder is then removed by reversing the ram C by admitting hydraulic pressure
to the return cylinder C; and removing the abulting plate E2, and taking the.
girder out endways through an opening in crosshead É.
Referring to the arrangement shown in Figures 18 and 19:
For treating bars and plates B of large cross sectional area which if in a bent.

page_text: or,
or crooked form cannot be constrained to a straight form by slight lateral force
if straight, cannot be easily bent to any form required, these treating dies for
most cross sectional forms of bars are preferably formed in two parts somewhat
longer than the bar or plate to be treated, and of sufficient strength to constrain
by application of lateral force the bar or plate placed in same into a straight
or bent form as may be desired. For round and oval shaped straight bars a
convenient shape of the under half of the die a always preferably made of cast
steel or cast iron, is to form in its top surface a long V shaped groove a¹ and
plane same out to an angle of about 60 degrees which within a certain range
suits for different diameters of bars. When a round bar B is placed in same
it is grasped by it at two points at about an angle of 120 degrees apart of the
circle of the bar, and when the top half A of the die is closed on it, if of a flat
straight form and which may if desired be the top sill of a compressing machine
it also meets the bar at a point of about 120 degrees apart from the other two
points grasped which are in the groove a¹ of the under half a.
In this way a
round bar when the two halves of the diameter are closed on it and with sufficient
force which can be supplied in various ways is effectually straightened and after
being crushed up by longitudinal pressure as explained will remain straight.
The under or moveable part a of the die is preferably moved to close upon the
upper part by one or more hydraulic cylinders preferably two, Q, the die a
being carried by a girder Q2 resting on the top of the rams Q. By the use of
these hydraulic cylinders Q it is easy to ascertain the degree of lateral force
put upon the bar B, as well as facilitating the gradual closure and lateral form-
ing action on it, while it is being compressed or crushed up longitudinally at
the same time, by the hydraulic ram in an analogous manner to that already
described while there is a molecular flow in the metal during which bars or
plates are more easily bent, straightened, twisted, or otherwise formed, than when
its mass is in a quiescent state.
The arrangement shown in Figures 20 to 22 is analogous to that described in
Figures 18 and 19, but instead of raising the lower part a of the die by hydraulic
cylinders, the lateral movement is given by the wedge R which is operated by
the horizontal hydraulic ram R',, links R2 being coupled between end of wedge
and ram R¹ for the return stroke.
Figures 23 to 28 and 30 to 32 show forms of dies suitable for various shapes of
bars or object B to be treated, the top part of the dies being represented
by the letter A and the lower part by a or K according as they correspond to
the parts previously mentioned.
I
In Figure 29 the die a is shown as made of square or rectangular shape, and
formed with a series of grooves a¹ on each of its faces to receive a number of
bars B of various sizes, to be treated, the lateral compressing action being exerted
by die parts A on each of the faces, the bars B to be treated being placed against
an abutting plate at their one end, and acted on by an hydraulic ram at their other
end to give them the necessary treating effect as in the previously described
arrangements.
Figures 33 to 38 illustrate a convenient method and apparatus for straightening
long thin plates B which consists in having a strong straightening planed under
frame or bottom plate S to which a compressing hydraulic cylinder C with ram C
is firmly secured and which has at its other end an abutting transverse rib or
crosshead S¹ formed for the purpose of sustaining the back end of the plate
when forced against it by longitudinal pressure applied to its other end.
A heavy top plate A having its bottom surface planed is suspended above this
bottom plate S in a manner to enable it to be lowered on the top of thin metal
plates B as shown in Figures 33 and 35 or single plate as shown in Figures 37
and 38 laid thereon for treatment so as to guide and prevent same deflecting
when being subjected to thic longitudinal compressing action, and this top plate A 5
has an abutting transverse-rib A⁰ formed on its lower surface at its front end
to press on the front end of the plate B being treated, which is effected by the

page_text: ram C¹ moving back the top plate and rocking plates or pieces S are interposed
between the ribs S and A, the plates S to provide means for the pressure of
ram to act uniformly on the plates. These upper and lower plates A and S
may be shaped to any form longitudinally to give corresponding shape to the
plates being treated. Plate dies of this kind can be used with the same-shaping
and compressing apparatus to treat plates and bend or twist them at the same
time to almost any shape transversely or longitudinally.
The heavy top plates A would be raised and lowered by one of my pendulous
accumulators T which would be suspended and operated in the manner originally
invented by me and described in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to
me Number, 699 of 1854.
Light bars and plates may be strengthened and shaped and generally treated
in this new and improved manner advantageously in yery long lengths by a step
by step process by grasping the bar or plate anywhere throughout in its length
with sufficient frictional grip to compress the bar or plate and hold it while being
compressed against the forward treating ram either in a solid or opening dic.
The first division or stepped part is compressed against the treating resisting ram
but in the after steps the first part or step treated is afterwards to be grasped
and held frictionally against the force required to crush up the after steps. Both
the resisting and forcing apparatus for this purpose to be alternately opened and
closed until all of the bar is so treated and being treated in short lengths can
be done in close dies and without risk of deflection. The devices may all be con-
veniently operated by hydraulic cylinders and rams and the dies may be suited
for straightening curving and bending purposes and may be used for short parts
at each end of the bar and circular bending and treating.
For straightening and longitudinally compressing long bars the apparatus as
shown in Figures 39 to 42 may consist of a tubular die A secured on a suitable
foundation and an hydraulic ram C carrying a gripping device T2, T3, and
fitted with an hydraulic ram T to press down the upper part 13 of the gripping
device to grip and hold the bar B while it is forced forward by the compressing
ram. The end of the bar while the first part is being treated abuts or rests
against a wedge shaped stop pin or plate U inserted transversely through the
tubular die at its back end. After compression of the first part or step the
stop pin is removed and the bar B advanced a step when its end is gripped
by an hydraulic gripping device U while the next division or step is being
longitudinally compressed and so on step by step till all the long bars have been
treated. This latter gripping device would consist of a front and back die
piece U, U, operated by a ram U³, and cylinder U. For forming a curve
on the end of a T shaped or angle bar it would as shown in Figures 43 to 46
be gripped by an hydraulic gripping device T2, T, 14, similar to that described
in Figures 39 to 42, carried by an hydraulic ram C which would force its end
through a T or otherwise shaped opening formed by grooves in the meeting
faces of two blocks Us Us held together by hydraulic power and a stop block U7
is fitted as an abutment for the end of bar B. The cylinder C or ram C¹ and
the framework Us carrying the shaping blocks are stayed together by strong
girders Uº.
In order to give plates a circular form such as is required for boiler shells the
arrangement shown in Figures 47 and 48 would be employed. In this arrange-
ment the plate B is carried by an hydraulic gripping device T2, T3, mounted in
the actuating hydraulic ram T and is moved step by step and forced within and
around the interior surface of a circular die or mould made in two parts V, VI,
and containing a plate guide or an antifriction guiding roller V2. The interior
surface of the circular die would be formed with an abutting step V3 to act as
a stop for the end of the plate B to abut against. The compressing, shaping
and bending action is obtained from the hydraulic ram C in the same manner as
that described in reference to Figures 43 to 46.
In the arrangement shown in Figures 49 to 54 a railway rail is shown as

page_text: being operated on. In this arrangement the rail. B is propelled between the
rolls W, W; the top rolls W₁ being fitted with screw adjustments to give any
desired regulated pressure on the rail passing between the rolls.
Guide plates or dies A are mounted on the top of the steel plate
binding
the housings M to the hydraulic press M along with the top stay Mt, and the
rail B is travelled along between these die guides A. The hydraulic ram M
is mounted and fitted with an escape valve weighted to the requisite degree
of pressure or amount of compressing action to be exerted on rail for its due
treating effect, in an analogous manner to that described in reference to Figures 6
and 7, the rail passing between a fixed convex curved head carried on the cross-
head M', and a correspondingly formed head on the top of the ram M.
In the arrangement shown in Figures 55 to 58, the plate B is first fed between
the rolls W, WI, and then passes through a guide die plate A, and emerges
between another set of rolls W, W Hydraulic rams W, W5, are fitted over
the top rolls W, W, respectively, to give any desired regulated pressure over
these rolls. The top and bottom rolls W, WI, are driven at the same speed which
is somewhat quicker than that given to the succeeding rolls W, W³, due to the
difference of the diameters of the large geared wheels X, X', the number of teeth
in the wheel X' being say three more than that in the wheel X, so that a resisting
action is thus exerted by the rolls WW, against the traverse of the plate B.
Armour plates may be treated strengthened and hardened by this apparatus
after they are compressed hammered or rolled in a hot state as now done. But
this process is suitable for finishing these from the cast steel castings-only, or at least
without rolls, which is a most costly part of the plant now used for their fabrica-
tion; although a press of enormous strength and force of many thousand tons
is required to give to the plate the hardening compression to cause it to acquire
its highest short resisting power. The stroke of the hydraulic ram required
is short and although the expense of the press is great in this respect it is quite
a trifle for making the same size of armour plate in comparison with the plant
as now used for manufacturing armour plates. The plant for planing jointing
and finishing these plates would be generally the same as now used for this part
of the process. The armour plate could be twisted if desired by securing one end
of it in the ram head and the other end in the cross head by rotating the main
ram in the cylinder by lateral pressure or raus placed against it or by gearing
while the end molecular compressing action is proceeding and a small hydraulic
ram is preferably used to effect the return of the main ram.
Figures 59 and 60 show an arrangement for treating armour and the like
plates. In this arrangement the plate B to be treated is carried on girders Y,
and the ram C, gives the compressing action to the plate B which would abut up
against the crosshead E, which would be bound to the ram-cylinder by the
stays P¹. The return action is given to the ram C by an hydraulic ram C³ carried
on one of the stays P¹.
Figures 61 and 62 is a similar arrangement to that described in reference to
Figures 59 and 60, but in addition it is fitted with an arrangement of strong
gearing for effecting the twisting operation on the plate B being treated. The
plate B is gripped between abutting jaws E, I, and the twisting action is effected
by mounting wheel Con the ram C', and actuating said wheel by a pinion C
mounted on, the shaft C³.
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 method. of. treating iron and steel bars and plates in a cold state
by longitudinal compression so as to effect a uniform compacting, solidifying,
strengthening and hardening action, substantially as herein described in reference
to and by way of application illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
r
Second. In treating iron and steel bars and plates in a cold state, apparatus

page_text: comprising the combination of a die, end abutting crossheads, and hydraulic ram,
to effect longitudinal compression substantially as herein described in reference
to and shown in the accompanying drawings.
Third. In treating iron and steel bars rails, angles, and the like, in a cold
state apparatus comprising the combination of a die, end abutting crossheads,
portable abutting stem rod- and plate, and hydraulic ram to effect longitudinal
compression, substantially as herein described in reference to and shown in the
accompanying drawings.
Fourth. In treating iron and steel bars in a cold state under longitudinal com- .
pression the combination comprising a die, end abutting crossheads, and tube or
finer within die for enabling various sizes of bars to be treated in die, substantially
as herein described in reference to and shown in the accompanying drawings.
Fifth. In treating iron and steel bars and plates in a cold state under longi-
tudinal compression the method of using a predetermined resisting pressure
against the forward travel,of these, consisting in the use of an hydraulic ram with
loaded or equivalent relief valve, acting against the passage of the bar or plate
substantially as herein described in reference to Figures 6 and 7 and 49 to 52
of the accompanying drawings.
Sixth. In treating iron and steel bars and plates, in a cold state under longi-
tudinal compression apparatus comprising an hydraulic ram with loaded or
equivalent relief valve acting against the passage of the bar or plate, in com-
bination with means for traversing the latter, comprising a travelling rack slide,
rotating rolls or equivalent mechanism or appliances, substantially as herein
described in reference to and shown in the accompanying drawings.
Seventh. In treating iron and steel bars, in a cold state under longitudinal
compression the method of giving a longitudinal receding movement to the
die by the treatment on the bar, substantially as herein described in reference
to Figures 12 and 13 of the accompanying drawings.
Eighth. In treating iron and steel bars, in a cold state under longitudinal com-
pression, the method of expelling the treated bar by direct hydraulic pressure
through a hollow stem rod acting on the end of the bar within die, substantially
as herein! described in reference to Figures 12 and 13 of the accompanying drawings.
Ninth. In treating iron and steel bars, girders, rails, and the like, in a cold
state under longitudinal compression, the horizontal acting hydraulic ram for
giving the longitudinal compression in combination with the vertical acting
hydraulic ram for giving the lateral or constraining pressure, substantially as
herein described in reference to and shown in the accompanying drawings.
Tenth. In treating iron and steel bars, girders, rails, and the like, in a cold
state under longitudinal compression, the horizontal acting hydraulic ram for
giving the longitudinal compression in combination with a wedge for giving the
lateral or constraining pressure, substantially as herein described in reference to
and shown in the accompanying drawings.
-
Eleventh. In treating iron and steel bars, and plates, in a cold state under
longitudinal comprèssion, dies made in two parts and formed with a groove, sub-
stantially as herein described in reference to and shown in the accompanying
drawings.
1!
Twelfth. In treating iron and steel plates, in a cold state under longitudinal
compression, apparatus comprising recessed lower plate with abutting transverse
rib in combination with a moveable top plate, with abutting transverse rib
operated by an hydraulic ram, substantially as herein described in reference to
Figures 33 to 38 of the accompanying drawings.
Thirteenth. In treating iron and steel plates, in a cold state under longitudinal
compression, the combination comprising recessed lower die plate, moveable upper
die plate, operated by hydraulic ram, and self-setting rocking plates interposed
between ribs on die plates, substantially as herein described in reference to
Figure 34 of the accompanying drawings.
Fourteenth. In treating iron and steel bars and plates, in a cold state under

page_text: longitudinal compression, the method of operating on same by a step-by-step
movement, consisting of a close die, a frictional gripping device, and an inter-
mittent forward movement of bar against a frictional resisting medium, sub-
stantially as herein described in reference to 39 to 48 of the accompanying
drawings.
Fifteenth. In treating iron and steel bars, in a cold state under longitudinal
compression, apparatus for operating on sanie by a step-by-step movement,
consisting of the combination of a close die, an upper die plate carrying an
hydraulic cylinder to form a gripping device, and a lower die-plate which receives
intermittent movements from an hydraulic ram to carry forward the bar, and a
wedge or hydraulic gripper to frictionally resist the. forward movement of bar,
substantially as herein described in reference to Figures 39 to 42 of the accom-
panying drawings.
Sixteenth. In treating iron and steel bars, in a cold state under longitudinal
compression, apparatus for operating on same by a step-by-step movement
consisting of the combination of hydraulic frictional gripping device, an hydraulic
ram for giving the forward movement to bar, and a bending die consisting of
adjustable grooved blocks held together by hydraulic power substantially as
herein described in reference to Figures 43 to 46 of the accompanying drawings.
Seventeenth. In treating iron and steel plates, in a cold state under longitu-
dinal compression, apparatus for operating on same by a step-by-step movement,
consisting of the combination of an hydraulic frictional gripping device, an hydraulic
ram for giving the forward movement to plate, and a closed-in die with roller
or other guide, substantially as herein described in reference to Figures 47 and 48
of the accompanying drawings.
Eighteenth. In treating iron and steel bars and plates, in a cold state under
longitudinal compression, a self-acting device consisting of the combination of
a close die plate, and a rear set of driven rolls with hydraulic ram on top roll
for giving forward traverse to object, and a forward set of driven rolls, with
hydraulic ram on top roll for acting as a frictional resisting medium, substantially
as herein described in reference to Figures 55 to 58 of the accompanying drawings.
Nineteenth. In treating iron and steel armour plates and the like, in a cold
state under longitudinal compression, apparatus consisting of the combination
of an hydraulic ram, a resting table carried in framework and an abutting
crosshead substantially as herein described in reference to Figures 59 and 60
of the accompanying drawings.
Twentieth. In treating iron and steel armour plates and the like, in a cold
state under longitudinal compression, apparatus consisting of the combination
of an hydraulic ram, gripping and abutting crosshead jaws, and wheel gearing for
effecting the turning and twisting action, substantially as herein described in
reference to Figures 61 and 62 of the accompanying drawings.
Hatad I
1000
Hated
1000
235
W. R. M. THOMSON & Co.,
96, Buchanan Street, Glasgow, Agents.