Year: 1886

page_text: I JOHN GEORGE SIBBALD of 3 Clement's Lane in the City of London, Gentleman
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:―
The dressing, planing, turning, smoothing, or removing, for any purpose, of the
surfaces of metal bodies, has usually been accomplished, either by a tool which cut
away the surface, or by an abrading tool, such, for example, as an emery wheel,
which rubbed against the surface to be dressed or removed, and thus ground or
wore it away. When the surface to be dressed is of a comparatively soft nature,
as common iron or soft steel, so that it can be readily acted on by a cutting tool,
the dressing or removing of the surface can usually be accomplished by the cutting
process without great difficulty or expense. This process does not however impart
any additional hardness to the dressed surface, and there are many cases where it
is exceedingly desirable that the surface, or some part of the surface, of a body,
should be much harder than the main part of the metal of which the body is com-
posed, and this it is in many cases impossible to accomplish by the common
processes, owing to the character of the metal of which the body is composed.
When the surface to be dressed or removed is of a very hard nature, as chilled iron,
or highly hardened steel, so that a cutting tool cannot be made to act upon it with
practical success, the dressing has heretofore been accomplished only by the
grinding or abrading process, and this process is not only slow and troublesome,
but so expensive as in many cases to be wholly impracticable.
Now according to this invention, it is proposed not only to surface up articles
composed of common iron or soft steel, but also the hardest metals, in a manner
that will remove all the disadvantages hitherto experienced, and produce a better
result than has heretofore been obtained.
This invention is based on the well known, but as yet undeveloped, principle,
that the fusion of a metallic surface will take place on its presentation to a rapidly
revolving dien

page_text: By a long series of experiments, it has been discovered that the dressing,
planing, turning or reducing, of the surfaces of metal bodies, even when said
surfaces are of the hardest character, as chilled iron or highly hardened steel, can
be accomplished by passing the surface to be acted upon in close proximity to the
edge or periphery of a rapidly revolving smooth metal wheel or disc. By this
means, when the disc is revolved with great rapidity, the body acted upon can be
burned and melted away to any desired depth, leaving a perfectly smooth and even
surface of high finish. This will be accomplished without perceptible wear upon
the revolving disc, and without its becoming heated to any considerable extent, and
also without heating the body which is being dressed, to any considerable extent,
except at the immediate point acted upon. The dressed surfaces of bodies, whether
made of soft or comparatively soft steel, or of ordinary cast or wrought iron, may
be, by this treatment, rendered exceedingly hard; and chilled iron, when thus
treated, will gain in surface hardness, while the temper of highly hardened steel
will remain unimpaired. This is a matter of considerable importance, and particu-
larly in relation to the manufacture of car and locomotive wheels, the dressing, or
dressing and hardening, of the treads, or treads and flanges, of which, I will
proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying drawings, as a practical
illustration of the uses to which the invention can be applied.
In constructing wheels for use upon railway cars and locomotives, it is highly
desirable that the tread of the wheel, or that portion which comes into contact
with the track rails, should be provided with a hard surface so as to be capable of
resisting wear, while at the same time it is also important that the main part or
body of the wheel should remain in a soft, or comparatively soft, condition, so as
to be capable of withstanding the strain to which it is subjected, and not be liable
to cruck by reason of cold. It is also very desirable that the tread of the wheel
should be dressed or turned, so as to present a perfectly smooth and even surface,
and be in the form of a perfect circle.
The car and locomotive wheels in common use are principally of two classes;
viz., those made of cast iron, and those made of steel or having a steel rim or tyre.
The wheels of the former class are provided with hard surfaces upon their treads
and flanges by the process of chilling in the act of casting, but by this means, their
surfaces are rendered so hard, that it has been found impracticable, by any means
heretofore known, to dress them, so as to make their treads and flanges smoothi
and uniform before they are put into use, or to redress them to restore them to the
proper form after they have once been worn out of shape. From this it has
resulted, that these cast iron wheels have heretofore been put into use in the com-
paratively rough condition in which they came from the moulds, which is not
desirable, and furthermore, whenever they became worn out of shape, they could
not be restored to proper form, and were consequently worthless, except for old
iron. In the wheels of the latter class, viz; those made of steel, or having steel
rims or tyres, low carbon steel is used, and the surfaces of the treads and flanges
have not been hardened, because no means has heretofore been known by which
such a result could be practically and successfully accomplished. From this it bas
resulted, that these steel wheels have been put into use in a soft or comparatively
soft condition, and were consequently much less durable than they would have
been, had their treads, or treads and flanges, been provided with hardened surfaces.
By means of the present invention, I am enabled to produce car and locomotive
wheels with their treads and flanges perfectly dressed and exceedingly. hard, while
the main part or body of the metal of which the wheel is composed remains in its
original condition.
In the accompanying drawings:-
Figure 1. is a plan view of a mechanism for dressing the treads and flanges of
car wheels according to this invention and discovery.
TV-

page_text: Figure 4 is a partial side elevation of the same, looking from the right of
figure 2.
Figure 5 is an enlarged section taken on the line Z Z of figure 1.
Figure 6 is a similar view, upon a like scale, taken upon the line XX of figures 2
and 5.
Figure 7 is an enlarged section taken upon the line X X of figure 1.
Figure 8 is a cross section, upon a like scale, taken upon the line X, X of figures
3 and 7.
Figure 9 is an enlarged section taken upon the line y y of figure 1.
Figure 10 is an inside view of one of the chucks or bearings which support the
axle upon which the wheels are fixed.
Figure 11 is a horizontal section of the chuck, taken on the line X, X of the
figure 10.
Figure 12 is a partial side elevation of one of the wheels and discs illustrating
the dressing operation.
Figure 13 is a plan view of a modified form of mechanism for dressing only the
treads of car wheels.
Figure 14 is an end elevation of the same, looking from the right of figure 13.
Figure 15 is a side elevation of the same, looking from the left of figure 14; and,
Figures 16, 17, 18, are enlarged details illustrating the dressing operation.
Referring now particularly to the mechanism illustrated in figures 1 to 11, it is to
be understood that A is a base of suitable size and weight to properly support the
various parts of the machine. This base is provided at its ends with upright
portions B, which are provided at one side of the machine with bearings 77, in
which is mounted a shaft 90, which is provided with two smooth steel discs or
wheels 99.-The discs or wheels 99 are made of a fine quality of steel, so as to
possess great strength, and be capable of being revolved at a very great speed,
without danger of breaking by reason of their centrifugal force, and are so shaped,
as shown, that their edges or peripheries form the counterparts of the treads and
flanges of a pair of car wheels. The shaft 90 is provided just outside the discs
99 with small pulleys or enlargements 91, around which pass belts for transmitting
motion to the shaft from any suitable source of power.-In order that the discs 99
may be driven at a sufficiently high speed, it is desirable that the shaft 90 and
pulleys 91 should be of a comparatively small size, and consequently, to prevent
the shaft from springing, there are provided two upright portions a, which rise from
the base A, and afford bearings 78 for the shaft between the discs, thus preventing
the shaft from springing and the discs from wabbling.
The upright portions B also support a movable framework or carriage C,
composed of end pieces o, which rest upon flat bearings 88-89 formed on the
portions B, and are rigidly connected to each other by tic-bars or beams b, d.—
The end pieces c of the frame C are provided with bearings 95, into which fit
spindles 96 (see figures 5 and 9), which project inward through the frame pieces,
and are provided at their inner ends with chucks D, which are adapted to receive
and support the ends 15 of the axle 98 of a pair of car wheels 97. The spindles 96
are koyed to the bearings 95 (sec figure 5), so as to be prevented from turning
therein, and are provided with adjusting screws 70 by which the chucks can be
adjusted to and from each other, so as to receive the ends of axles which vary
somewhat in length.
The chucks D consist of metal blocks 49, which are provided upon their inner
faces with horizontal recesses 48, which are of proper form at one end (see figures
4, 10, and 11) to receive the ends 15 of the axle 98, and at the other end to receive
sliding jaws 47 (see figures 3, 9, 10 and 11), which are held and guided in the
recesses by ribs 8, which enter grooves in the upper and lower sides of the jaws.
The jaws 47 are forked at their inner ends, as shown, so as to partially embrace
the ends 15 of the axle, and are provided upon their outer faces with oblique
converging dove-tailed grooves 6, into which fit correspondingly shaped ribs 5
formed on overlapping projections 16 extending from a pair of jaws 46, which lię

page_text: in the recesses 48, and are arranged to move toward each other along the inclined
forks of the jaws 47.-The jaws 46 are so formed, as will be observed, that as
they approach each other, they act to partially embrace the ends 15 of the axle
on the sides opposite to the jaws 47.-The blocks 49 are provided with screw
rods 45, which pass through openings in the jaws 46, and enter the jaws 47.-The
operation of these chucks is as follows:-The ends 15 of the axle 90, having been
entered into the recesses 48, the screw rods 45 will be operated so as to draw the
jaws 47 inward, and cause their forked ends partially to embrace one side of the
ends 15 of the axle; as this is done, the jaws 46 will be forced towards each other
along the inclines of the forks of the jaws 47, so as to partially embrace the ends
15 of the axle on the opposite side, and thus the jaws 47—46 will, together, grasp,
and centre, and hold the ends of the axle firmly in the chucks, so as to prevent it
from being moved in any direction. They will not, however, grasp it so firmly as
to prevent it and the wheels 97 from being revolved freely, so as to bring all
portions of the circumference of the wheels into position to be acted on by the
discs 99.-The recesses 6 are provided with springs 7, which act upon the ribs 5
of the jaws 46, so as to move the jaws from each other when the rods 45 are
operated in the reverse direction and thus allow the ends of the axle to be readily
removed from the chucks.
The proper rotation of the wheels 97 and axle 98 is effected as follows;-The
shaft 90 is provided with a small pulley 60, which is connected by a belt 61 with a
pulley 62 upon a small shaft 63, which is supported in bearings in the ends of cross
pieces 92, secured to one of the tie beams b of the frame C.-The shaft 63 is also
provided with a number of pulleys 59 of varying sizes; one of which is connected, it
may be any one of the number (depending upon the speed at which it is desired that
the wheels 97 shall be revolved), by a belt 24, with the corresponding one of a
series of different sized pulleys 58 upon a shaft 64, which is mounted in the opposito
ends of the cross pieces 92.-The shaft 64 is also provided with two pulleys 57
which are connected by belts 56 with pulleys 55 upon the ends of a pair of shafts 65,
which turn in sleeves 66, and are provided at their ends with worms 54, which
engage with worm wheels 53 upon short shafts 67, which are also provided with
friction wheels 52, which bear upon the treads of the car wheels 97.-The shafts 67
are each supported in the ends of arms 68, which extend from a rock-shaft 69,
which in turn is supported in bearings on the tie beam d.-The sleeves 66 through
which the shafts 65 pass are supported, at their outer ends, by bearings 51, which
surround the shafts 67, and at their inner ends by rods 71 extending from the
tie beam d.-The arms 68 are rocked so as to hold the wheels 52 in constant
engagement with the treads of the car wheels 97, by means of springs 72, which
are interposed between ears 50, projecting from the arms 68, and a plate 73, which
is provided with an adjusting screw 74, by which it can be raised and lowered to
vary the tension of the springs, and cause them to hold the wheels 52 against the
car wheels with any desired amount of pressure,
The tie beam b, above the wheels 97, is provided with a number of pivotted
dogs or stops 25, which rest upon one or both of the wheels in such position, as
shown, as to prevent the wheels from being turned except in the proper direction.
The movable frame or carriage C which supports the wheels 97 and the apparatus
for revolving them, to present all portions of their treads and flanges to the discs 99,
is provided with means by which it can be adjusted to and from the discs 99, so
that the wheels 97 may be moved up to the discs as the dressing progresses,
and also with means by which it can be adjusted longitudinally, so that after the
wheels 97 and axle 98 have been suspended in the chucks D, the whole can be
adjusted so as to bring the wheels exactly opposite the discs.
For this purpose the bearings 88 are provided with movable blocks h, which
are interposed between the bearings and the pieces c, and are provided, upon
their under sides, with dove-tailed grooves which receive correspondingly shaped
ribs 75 formed on the tops of the bearings, and upon their upper sides with similar

page_text: grooves, arranged at right angles to those upon their under. sides, which receive
correspondingly shaped ribs 76 secured to studs 93, which enter the pieces c.
The adjustment of the frame C to and from the discs 99 is effected by means of
screw rods 40, which are held in the ribs 75, and work in nuts 39 formed on the
under sides of the blocks h.
The adjustment of the frame C longitudinally is effected by means of screw
rods 38, which are held in the ribs 76, and work in nuts 37 formed on the upper
sides of the blocks: h.-The ends of the rods 38-40 are formed to receive a ratchet
or other suitable form of wrench, as 97, by which the rods can be conveniently
operated.
The operation of the mechanism, thus organized, is as follows:-The axle 98
carrying the wheels 97, having had its ends centred and secured in the chucks D,
the frame C will, if necessary, be adjusted longitudinally by the screw rods 38,
until the wheels 97 are in exactly the proper position opposite the discs 99.-The
screw rod 74 will also be operated, if necessary, so as to compress the springs 72,
and cause the friction wheels 52 to bear against the treads of the wheels 97 with
considerable pressure.-The shaft 90, carrying the discs 99, will then be set in
motion in the direction indicated by the arrow, thereby, through the belt 61 and
other connections described, setting in motion the friction wheels 52, and causing
the wheels 97 to be revolved slowly in the same direction, as also indicated by the
arrow. As soon as the discs 99 have attained a sufficient speed, say from 2500 to
3000 revolution's per minute, assuming the discs to be from 35 to 42 inches in
diameter, the screw rods 40 will be operated so as to move the frame C toward the
discs, until the treads and flanges of the wheels are brought into contact with, or
into exceedingly close proximity to, the peripheries of the discs.-As soon as this
takes place, that portion of the surface of each wheel which is in contact with, or
in closest proximity to its disc, will be burned or melted away, as indicated in
figure 12, and as the wheels are slowly revolved by the friction wheels 52, so as to
successively present all parts of their peripheries to the discs, the entire surface of
the tread and flange of each wheel will be burned and melted away to a uniform
depth, thus removing the old or uneven surface, and producing a new surface,
which is perfectly smooth and uniform and of high finish. This will be accomplished,
no matter how hard or how soft the metal of which the wheels are composed, or
whether it is of iron or steel, without any perceptible wear upon the discs, and
without imparting any objectionable amount of heat to the discs, and also without
heating the wheels to any considerable extent, except at the immediate point
which is being acted upon. By continuing the operation, and properly operating
the screw rods 40, so as to move the wheels up to the discs as the dressing
progresses, the wheels may be dressed down to any desired extent for the purpose
of removing irregularities or of reducing them to the proper diameter.-The
frames B will preferably be provided with graduated scales, as (see figure 2),
which will serve as guides to the operator in adjusting the frame C, and enable
him to keep both ends of the frame in the same position with relation to the discs
so that the two wheels will be dressed exactly alike.
It has been found difficult, owing to the great speed at which the discs 99 are
revolved, to keep the bearings of the shaft 90 properly lubricated by ordinary
means. To overcome this, the machine is provided with a small force-pump 94, by
which a flow of oil is maintained through the bearings 77-78 of the.shaft, so as to
keep the bearings constantly lubricated. This pump is operated from a crank
shaft 41, having a pulley 42, which is connected by a belt 43 with a pulley 44
upon the shaft 63.-The suction pipe 80 of the pump communicates with a supply
of oil contained in a trough or tank E, located at the base of the machine, and the
discharge pipe 81 of the pump is provided with branches 79, which communicate
with oil openings at or near the centres of the bearings 78, and with small closed
chambers formed by caps 36, which screw onto the outer ends of the bearings 77,
and enclose the ends of the shaft 90.-The inner ends of the bearings 77, and the
outer ends of the bearings 78, are provided with recesses 35, into which extend

page_text: discs 34 secured to the shaft 90, and the inner ends of the bearings are provided
with caps 33, which fit around the shaft 90, and are held against the ends of the
bearings by rods 32, and which form small closed chambers within which the
shaft 90 is provided with circumferential ribs or projections 9, the purpose of
which, as well as of the discs 34, will be presently explained. The recesses 35, and
the chambers formed by the caps 33, are provided with waste pipes 82, which
discharge into the trough E.
The operation of this lubricating apparatus is as follows:-Whenever it is
desired to put the lubricating apparatus into operation, the belt 43 will be shifted
from the loose pulley 31 to the pulley 42, so as to set the pump 94 in operation ;
the oil will then be drawn from the trough E through the pipe 80 into the pump,
and then forced by the pump through the pipe 81 and its branches 79 to the
bearings 77-78.-The pump will force the oil into the bearings with such a degree
of pressure, that it will be caused to find its way through the bearings around the
shaft, and escape into the recesses 95 and the chambers formed by the caps 33,
from which recesses and chambers it will flow back to the trough through the
pipes 82. By this means, a constant circulation of oil can be maintained through
the bearings 77-78.-Any leakage of the oil from the bearings is prevented by the
disca 34 and ribs 9, which throw the oil away from the shaft by centrifugal force,
so that it will all flow into the pipes 82.-The discharge pipe 81 of the pump 94
is provided with a branch 83, which opens over the trough E, and is provided with
an escape valve 11, which operates when the pump forces the oil into the pipe 81
faster than it can circulate through the bearings 77-78, to allow a portion of it to
escape and flow directly back into the trough.
It will be observed that the pulleys 62 and 44 are of sufficient width to permit
the frame C to have the necessary amount of longitudinal movement without
interfering with the proper running of the belts 61 and 43.
In the organization shown in figures 13 to 18, only one of the discs 99 is employed,
and this disc, instead of being formed so that its periphery is a counterpart of the
tread and flange of the car wheel, is made quite thin at the edge, as shewn.-The
shaft 90 upon which the disc is mounted, is supported in bearings 77 in the upright
portions B of the frame, and is provided with pulleys or enlargements 91 for the
driving belts 100.-In order to prevent the shaft from springing, thereby causing
the disc to wabble, there are three of the driving belts used, two of which pass in
one direction, and the third in the opposite or nearly opposite direction, thereby
preventing such a strain upon the shaft as would tend to spring it.
The upright portions B are provided with flat bearings 88-89, upon which rest
a movable frame C, which supports the car wheel and axle during the dressing
operation. This frame consists of end pieces c, which rest upon the bearings 88–89,
and are rigidly connected by a web d.-The end pieces c of the frame C are provided,
upon their upper sides, with bearings 29, in which are mounted ordinary centres 84.
The bearings 39 are made adjustable upon the pieces c, as shewn, so as to capaci-
tate the machine to operate upon wheels of different sizes.-The pieces c, at the left
hand end of the machine, are provided with an upwardly extending bracket 85, in
which is mounted a vertical shaft 86, the upper end of which is provided with a
belt pulley 28, while its lower end is provided with a worm 17, which engages
with a worm gear 27, having ordinary gripping jaws 26, by which it is fastened,
during the dressing operation, to the end of the axle 98, upon which the wheel 97
which is being dressed is fixed.-The gear 27 is also provided with three or more
steadying bolts 18, which impinge against the outer face of the wheel, so as to hold
the gear steady.-The frame C is made adjustable, both longitudinally, and to and
from the disc 99.-This is effected as follows;-The bearings 88 are provided with
recesses 12, in which are located movable blocks h, which are connected together by
a rod 30, and are provided upon their upper faces with obliquely arranged ribs or
guides 75, and upon their under sides with straight ribs or guides 76.-The ribs
76 lie in grooves formed in the bottoms of the recesses 12, while the guides 75 lie
in oblique grooves formed in the pieces c,

page_text: The block h, at one end of the machine (the right hand end, as shown) is
provided with a projection or lug, in which is mounted a screw rod 38, which
works in a nut formed in the piece c, and the same block is also provided with a
projection or lug, in which is mounted a screw rod 40, which works in a nut
formed in the upright portion B.
From this construction it will readily be seen, that by operating the screw
rod 40, the blocks h, and with them the frame C, can be moved longitudinally in a
right line, and that by operating the screw rod 38, the frame can be moved
obliquely along the ribs 75 of the blocks, and that by operating both of the screw
rods, but in opposite directions, the frame can be moved to and from the disc 99
in a right line.
The operation of the organization just described is as follows;-The worm
gear 27, having been placed upon the end of the axle 98 of the pair of wheels,
which it is desired to dress, and centred and secured thereon, by means of the
jaws 26, and the bolts 18 having been set up against the face of the wheel, so as to
steady the gear, the axle 98 will be centred between the centres 84, so as to be
held suspended in the frame C, with the worm gear 27 in engagement with the
worm 17.-The screw rods 38-40 will then be operated so as to bring the frame
carrying the axle 98 and wheels 97, so that the edge of the disc 99 will extend
past the edge of the tread of the wheel, as indicated in figure 16, to a point near
the line which it is desired shall be the circumference of the wheel after it is
dressed. The disc 99 will then be set in motion, and when it has attained the
proper speed, herein before stated, the shaft 86 will be set in motion so as to turn
the wheel slowly in the direction indicated by the arrow, and the screw rods .38
will be operated so as to gradually move the frame C obliquely to the right, and
this being continued, the entire surface of the tread of the wheel will be presented
to the disc, and will be burned and melted away, as indicated in figures 17 and 18,
and with the same results as already stated.
One of the pair of wheels 97 baving had its tread dressed in this manner, it is
only necessary, in order to dress the tread of the other wheel, to remove the
axle 98 from between the centres 84, turn it end for end, place the worm gear 27
upon the opposite end, and again centre it, and repeat the operation upon the other
wheel.
The frame B will preferably be provided with a pointer, as 3, which will be so
arranged that, as the frame C is moved, it will move over a pattern, as 4, carried
by the frame C, and thus serve as a guide, which will enable the operator to give
the proper movement to the frame C.
It will readily be seen that the mechanisms shewn in the present case may be
modified considerably without departing from their essential features. In the
mechanism shown in figures 1 to 12, one of the disca 99 may be omitted, but in
such as case it will, of course, be necessary, after one of the pair of wheels has been
dressed, to turn the axle end for end, to dress the other wheel.-If it should be
desired to dress only the treads of the wheels, the edge or edges of the disc or
discs 99 will be made to form only the counterpart of the tread; or, if it should be
desired to dress only the flanges of the wheels, the disc or discs will be made to
form only the counterpart of the flange. It will also be seen, that other means
than that shown may be provided for revolving the wheels during the dressing
operation.
It will of course be readily seen, that the screw rods 40, and also the screw
rods 38, may be connected by suitable mechanisms, so that both rods of each pair
can be operated simultaneously from one side of the machine; and it will also be
seen that one of the screw rods 38 may be omitted. If it should be desired to
give a greater range of longitudinal movement to the frame or carriage C, the
bearings 88, 89, can of course be extended to any desired extent to permit of this.
It is also to be understood, that in the mechanism shown in figures 13 to 18, the
edge of the disc 99 may be of a greater or less thickness than shown.-The adjust-
ment afforded by the oblique ribs 75 of the pieces h is sufficient to permit.the

page_text: machine to operate upon wheels of sizes which vary considerably, but if it should
be desired to give the machine a still greater range, it may be done by shifting the
position of the bearings 29, and using a worm gear 27 of a larger or smaller size,
the machine being of course provided with several of these gears, of sizes to
correspond with the different positions of the bearings 29.
By the process which has been described, car wheels and other bodies made of
the hardest chilled iron, or highly hardened steel, which cannot be successfully
acted on by a cutting tool, as well as car wheels and other bodies made of softer
material, such as common cast or wrought iron or soft steel, can be perfectly
dressed in a very short time, and at a comparatively small expense.
The speed at which the disc or discs 99 must be revolved, to produce satisfactory
results, will of course depend to some extent upon the character of the metal
being dressed.-With a disc 42 inches in diameter, and revolved at the rate of
3000 revolutions per minute, wheels and other bodies made of the hardest chilled
iron can be readily dressed. If the size of the disc is increased, the same result
can of course be accomplished with a proportionally less number of revolutions per
minute, and vice versa.
Whether or not, during the dressing, any actual contact takes place between the
disc and the surface being dressed, I am unable to say, as, owing to the very great
velocity of the disc, and the intense heat and burning that exists at the point
where the metal is being removed, it is impossible to make accurate observation,
but if any contact does take place between the disc and the surface being dressed,
or the metal being removed, such contact must be very slight, as it has been found
that after long use, the disc shows no perceptible evidence of wear, which would
certainly be the case if there was any considerable amount of friction between the
disc and the metal being acted upon. It has also been found that if the speed of the
disc (the disc being 42 inches in diameter) is reduced to 1,000 or 1,500 revolutions
per minute, and the wheel moved up to the disc in the manner already described,
the disc and also the wheel will become very highly heated; the disc will wear
rapidly away, and no metal, or practically none, will be removed from the wheel;
while, on the other hand, if the speed of the disc is increased to from 2,500 to
3,000 revolutions per minute, and the wheel moved up to it in the same manner,
the disc will neither be worn, nor heated to any considerable extent, while the
surplus metal will be rapidly burned and melted off from the surface of the wheel,
and the dressing will be accomplished in a rapid and perfect manner, as stated.
The speed at which the wheel or other body should be moved to prosent its
surface to the disc, will of course depend upon the speed of the disc, the character
of the metal of which the body being dressed is composed, and the depth to which
it is desired to dress away the metal. If it is not desired to harden the dressed
surface at all, or to any considerable extent, the wheel or other body will be moved
comparatively slowly, in the case of a car wheel about 3 or 4 revolutions per
minute; but if it is desired to harden the dressed surface, as in the case of a steel
car wheel, or to dress a body made of highly hardened steel without lowering the
temper, the wheel or other body will be turned comparatively fast, in the case of a
car wheel, say about 10 or 12 revolutions per minute, and will be moved up to the
disc slowly, so that only a very thin dressing will be removed at each turn.
The hardening effect can be increased by applying water to the dressed surface
of the wheel as it leaves the disc.
This feature of hardening the dressed surface is one of very great importance, as
by this means car wheels, and other bodies which are made of low carbon steel,
which cannot be hardened by any of the common processes, can be provided with
exceedingly hard wearing surfaces.
I have particularly described the application of this invention to the dressing
and hardening of the treads and flanges of car wheels, because, as before stated,
this is one of the most important and valuable of the uses to which it can be
applied, not only for the purpose of dressing new chilled iron wheels before they
are put into use, thus making them more uniform and durable, but more particularly

page_text: for the purpose of dressing and hardening the tread or treads and flanges of steel
wheels which are made of low carbon steel that cannot be hardened by any of the
cominon processes, and also for the purpose of re-dressing wheels which have been
in use for some time, and have become so worn out of shape as to be worthless,
except for old iron, without re-dressing. This latter use is one of particular
importance, because heretofore no means has been known of re-dressing worn
chilled wheels with economy,-which rendered such re-dressing impracticable.
The wheels treated in the manner described are readily distinguishable from
ordinary wheels, both by the smooth and perfect finish of their treads, or treads
and flanges, and by the exceeding hardness of the dressed surface.
From the foregoing it will be understood that the invention can be applied to
the dressing, or dressing and hardening, of other metal bodies than car wheels, such,
for example, as chilled rolls, and cylindrical bodies generally.
This improved process of dressing or finishing, applies not only to peripherical
articles, but also to flat metal bodies, the only difference being that in the case of
a flat surface, it will be presented to the edge of the revolving disc, by being moved
in a right line, instead of being rotated, and this can be done by a mechanism
similar, or analogous to that of an ordinary metal planer.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The herein described method of dressing or shaping the surfaces of metal
bodies; which consists in passing the surface to be dressed in close proximity
to, and bringing it under the fusing action of, a rapidly rotating smooth disc,
substantially as described.
2. The heroin described method of dressing and hardening the surfaces of metal
bodies, which consists in subjecting the surface to be dressed and hardened to the
action of a rapidly rotating smooth disc, substantially as described.
3. The arrangement of mechanism above described with reference to figures 1
to 12, for presenting car wheels, or other peripherical bodies, to the action of a
rapidly rotating smooth disc having a periphery the counterpart of the surface to
be dressed, in the manner and for the purpose above set forth.
4. The means above described for lubricating the bearings of the shaft carrying
the dressing or shaping disc or discs.
5. The arrangement of mechanism above described with reference to figures 13
to 18 inclusive, for enabling rapidly rotating smooth edged discs to dress or shape
up car wheels, or other peripherical bodies, in the manner above set forth.
6. A car or locomotive wheel having its tread or tread and flange dressed by
burning and melting away the original surface by means of a rapidly revolving
disc or wheel, substantially as described.
7. A car or locomotive wheel having its tread, or tread and flange, dressed and
hardened by burning and melting away the original surface by means of a rapidly
rotating disc or wheel, substantially as described.
8. A car or locomotive wheel made of steel, or having a steel rim or tyre, and
having its tread, or tread and flange, dressed and hardened, substantially as
described.
•
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.