A NEW OR IMPROVED PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR RAPIDLY DRAWING METALS INTO WIRE
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Macaulay Cruikshank, of 135, Buchanan Street,
Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Consulting Engineer and
Patent Agent, for an Invention of "A NEW OR IMPROVED PROCESS AND
APPARATUS FOR RAPIDLY DRAWING METALS INTO WIRE." A communication
from Constant Roy, of St. Dizier, Haute Marne, in the Republic of France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Macaulay Cruikshank
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th June 1880.
GEORGE MACAULAY CRUIKSHANK, of 135, Buchanan Street, Glasgow, in the
County of Lanark, North Britain, Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent.
"A NEW OR IMPROVED PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR RAPIDLY DRAWING METALS
INTO WIRE." A communication from Constant Roy, of St. Dizier, Haute Marne,
in the Republic of France.
This Invention, which relates to improvements in rapidly drawing metals into
wire, and to machinery or apparatus employed therefor, has for its object to obtain
long and fine wires from metals difficult to draw or elongate, with an economy of
power and labour, and with fewer passages of the metal through the machine than
hitherto, whilst at the same time a better product is obtained.
The process constituting the Invention consists in passing through a special
construction of rolling machine a bar of metal, which is first rolled flat, being
prevented from widening or enlarging sideways, after which it is again rolled
between a series of channelled or fluted rollers until finally the metal is divided
into a series of isolated strands of wire.
An important part of the process consists in effecting the rolling of the bar in
channels or flutes which are confined or limited between raised or projecting edges
or flanches made round them on the rolling cylinders. These channels or flutes are
in the form of an arc of a circle in section, and give the round form to the strands
of wire, at the same time preparing then for separation.
The apparatus consists of five pairs of rolling cylinders, the first pair of which
are plain and employed to flatten the bar, as before set forth. The second, third,

page_text: and fourth pairs of cylinders have their circumferences fluted, as described, the
width of the channels or flutes being regulated by the gauge of the wire it is
desired to produce, and in such a way that the wires, unlimited in number, may
only be held between them at the weakest parts of their diameter.
The working of the metal in these set in channels or flutes, that is to say,
between flanches by which the width of the bar is confined, gives to the molecules
of which the bar is composed a very regular elongation.
In the last pair of rolling cylinders the channels or flutes are semi-circular in
section, and they are so constructed as to detach the strands of wire from each other
in rolling them.
The last pair of cylinders are not indispensable, as the strands of wire may be
detached from each other on the bar. by a transverse pulling action operated by
drums on which the wires on leaving the rolling machine are in any case wound.
When the separating cylinders are dispensed with a pair of rolling cylinders
similar to the preceeding pair in the train are substituted, and these have for their
object to give the round form to the wires while yet undetached and to suitably
polish their surfaces.
.
The drums on which the strands of wire are wound are mounted on axes which
are turned in opposite directions by means of spur or other equivalent gearing, and
the ends of the wires are attached to these drums alternately, so that when the drums
are put in motion one wire is drawn in the opposite direction from its neighbour
and the detachment is thus easily effected.
The wires so detached have. a certain stiffness which facilitates the winding of
them cold, and besides has the effect of detaching the oxide from the wires.
The attaching and detaching of the strands to the drums is effected by a
movable bar or spindle, the ends of which rest in brackets, and which is fixed in
position by pins or keys passed through the brackets into holes or notches made in
the ends of the drums.
The commencement of the operation of detaching the wires from the bar may be
effected for a length of several inches or feet by means of two channeled or fluted
matrices, the edges of which meet or cross each other, the matrices acting by
pressure on the several strands.
When a pair of fluted or channelled cylinders are used to effect the separation of
the strands of wire I employ a. flier or winding apparatus in connection with the
rolling machine, on the drum of which the strands are caught and wound
immediately on leaving the separating rolling cylinders. On leaving the said flier
the strands ar attached to and wound in separate rolls on the periphery of
another flier or winding drum. For this purpose the first flier is capable of being
rotated around its axis, and it is provided with a bar or rod for clipping or attaching
the strands to its drum, which bar or rod is rotated through an are by means of
spur gearing, by which partial rotation the strands are caught between the said
rod and another stationery rod secured to'or constituting part of the drum of the
flier, after which the drum commences to rotate and wind on the wire. The second
flier or winder is constructed in the same manner as the preceeding, but its drum
is longer in order to separately wind each strand of wire which passes to it through
separating guides placed between the two winders.'
A special regulator for the tension and to prevent the wires from entangling is
situated between the rolling machine and winding apparatus, which regulator
consists of a lever centred towards one extremity on which a counter weight is
fixed, whilst eyes are made in the other extremity, through which the strands of
wire pass from the rolling to the winding apparatus.
In conjunction with the apparatus two heating stoves, furnaces, or ovens are
preferably provided to maintain the rough metal in process of rolling at the proper
temperature. These stoves, furnaces, or ovens, through which the bars are'
conducted in a bent or curved form, are so situated that the metal passes through
one of them after leaving the second and before entering between the third pair of

page_text: rolling cylinders, and through the other after leaving the third and before entering
between the fourth pair, or they may be otherwise arranged, or, if desired,
dispensed with.
Towards the end of rolling each bar two rods of iron are lowered by a lever, or
otherwise, into the oven, furnace, or stove, around which the bar must pass so that
its entire length is subjected to the heat of the stove, furnace, or oven.
In practising the Invention the rectangular bar is only passed through the
rolling machine four times after leaving the first or flattening pair of cylinders in
order to transform it into round strands of wire, whilst in the ordinary machine
fourteen passages at least are required to obtain single strands of 3 millemetres.
The process adaptes itself to the manufacture of all kinds of metal wire, and
notably to those destined to be made into pins, tacks, nails, and the like, and which
require a certain roundness.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, and
of an Order of the Lord Chancellor, filed by the said George Macaulay-
Cruikshank in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 31st December 1880.
GEORGE MACAULAY-CRUIKSHANK, of 135, Buchanan Street, Glasgow, in the
County of Lanark, North Britain, Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent.
"A NEW OR IMPROVED PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR RAPIDLY DRAWING METALS
INTO WIRE."
A communication from Constant Roy, of St. Dizier, Haute Marne,
in the Republic of France.
The said Invention, which relates to improvements in rapidly drawing metals
into wire, and to machinery or apparatus employed therefor, has for its object to
produce long and fine threads or strands of wire from metals which are difficult to
draw or elongate with an economy of power and labor, and with fewer passages of
the metal through the drawing apparatus than hitherto, a better product being at
the same time obtained.
The process constituting the said Invention consists in first passing the bar of
metal between the rolls of a special arrangement of rolling apparatus, by which it
is first flattened, and then prepared for separation into a series of threads or strands
of wire. It is an important part of the process to prepare the bar for separation, as
well as to effect the separation itself, by passing it through between rolls which are
constructed with channels or flutes around their circumferences, the said channels
or flutes being in the form of arcs of circles with edges or ridges between, by which
the bar is channelled or cut into to a greater deptli by each succeeding pair of rolls,
it being at the same time confined and prevented from extending sideways. The
round shape to be taken by the threads of wire is delineated by the said channels
or flutes.
And in order that the said Invention, as communicated to me, may be properly
understood, I have hereunto appended an explanatory Sheet of Drawings, on which
the general arrangement of the various parts of the apparatus is indicated.
The construction and arrangement of the rolling cylinders is illustrated at
Figures 1 and 3, and, as shown thereby, the apparatus consists of five pairs of rolls;
the first pair B, which are plain or flat circumferentially, being employed to flatten
and straighten the bar, as before set forth, the bar being prevented from widening
or extending horizontally by the collars or flanches formed round the rolls B. The
second, third, and fourth pair of rolls C, D, and E, have their circumferences fluted,
the width and depth of each pair of channels or flutes being regulated by the gauge
or diameter of wire it is desired to produce, and in such a way that the strands
into which the bar is being divided, and which are unlimited as regards number,
are only held between the flutes at the weakest part of their diameter.
The drawing of the metal in this manner, that is to say, between rollers fluted in
arcs of a circle and formed with edges or projecting ridges to confine the bar, gives
to the molecules of which the bar is composed a much more equal elongation than
is obtained by square, oval, and other forms of channels or flutes which only
regulate the height..
In the last pair the rolls are formed with semi-circular channels or flutes which
alternately project and retreat relatively with each other on the periphery of each
roll, as seen at F, Figure 3, and which in rounding the threads or strand partially
formed by the preceeding pairs of rolls C, D, and E, at the same time separates them
into isolated strands.
Although it is preferred to employ the rollers F, as and for the purposes set
forth, the said rolls may be dispensed with, and the separation or isolation of the
threads attained by a transverse pull on the separate strands, which strain is
effected by the drums on which the strands are rolled or wound.

page_text: Figure 4 illustrates in plan, and Figure 5 in end elevation the arrangement of
drums employed to attain this result, and when drums are so used the rolls F are
replaced in the train by a pair of rolls similar to the preceeding pair E, and whose
object is to finish the rounding of the still undetached strands and to suitably polish
their surfaces.
The speeds of the different rolling cylinders should be augmented successively so
as to prevent recoil of the metal between the different cylinders, and in that case
the oven may be dispensed with or placed close to the delineating cylinders or rolls
which have the least speed.
Figure 6 shows clearly the form taken by the metallic bar after passing through
the rolling cylinders and before.being submitted to the action of the drums which
separate the threads and wind them in a coil
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a bar rolled or laminated under
this Invention, and showing the manner in which the threads are separated.
As seen at Figures 4 and 5, two drums R, S, are disposed in the train of the
rolling cylinders and mounted on axis T, U, which are turned in opposite directions
by the spur gearing V, X. The ends of the wires are attached to these drums
alternately, so that when the drums are put in motion one wire is drawn in the:
opposite direction from its neighbour, and the detachment of the wires from the bar
is thus easily effected.
The wires so detached have a certain degree of stiffness which facilitates the
winding of them cold, which has also the effect of detaching the oxide scale from
the metal.
:
The attaching and detaching of the strands to the drums R, S, is effected by.
means of a movable bar Y fixed in position by pins or keys Z passed into holes or
notches W made in the ends of the drums. The bar. is situated in a recess in the
drum to enable the wire to be wound on in circular.coils. The commencement of
the operation of detaching the strands from the bar may be effected for a.length of
some inches by means of two matrices made with channels or flutes, the edges of
which meet and act by pressure on the strands.
When a pair of channelled or fluted rolls, similar to that shown at F, is used to
effect the separation of the strands of wire I employ a winding apparatus G in
connection with them, on which the strands are caught and wound immediately on
leaving the separating rolls. The flier or drun H of the winder G is capable of
rotating round its axis J, and only commences to rotate when the spur wheels j, j',
have made the bar L, rivetted to the wheel j¹, describe an arc of a circle. Then by
the same mechanisin the strands of wire are caught between the bar L and the
bar M constituting part of the flier or drum which then begins to turn.
The winder N, Figures 1 and 3, is constructed in the same manner as the
winder G, but its flier or drum H¹ is longer so as to be able to separate each
thread from proximity to its neighbour by means of guides 01, 0, 0³, 04, 0³, 0º, 07,
on leaving the winder G, on which they are preferably wound close together.
The winders G, N, should be mounted on wheels, as seen at Figure S, so as to
enable them to be removed and introduced with their charge into a reheating or
annealing oven.
A special regulator P, Figures 1 and 3, is placed between the rolling cylinders F
and the winder G. This regulator P lifts the strands a certain height under the
action of the counter weight T placed upon the shorter arm of the lever or beam P,
and which is calculated so as to maintain the tension of the threads or strands and
prevent them from entangling, the said threads being passed through eyes at the
extremity of the longer arm of the lever or beam.
Two reheating ovens A, A¹, Figure 1, are also preferably provided in conjunction
with the apparatus to maintain the bars being made into wire at a heat to enable
them to be drawn with facility, and through which the bar is passed in the
direction indicated by the dotted lines and the arrows.
Towards the end of the drawing or laminating of the bar two iron rods K, K', are
lowered into the oven by means of a lever, or otherwise, and by the employment of ⚫
.

page_text: which the bar is caused to follow the desired course or path through the oven
before re-entering between the channels of the rolling or laininating cylinders. The
said ovens may however be dispensed with.
In practising the said Invention the bar is only rolled four times after leaving
the preparing, roughing, or flattening cylinders B, in order to transform it into
round strands or threads of wire, whilst under the old mode fourteen passages at
least are requisite to obtain a single strand of 3 millimetres..
The process is also adapted to the manufacture of all kinds of threads or strands
of metal, and especially to those used in the manufacture of pins, tacks, nails, &c.,
and which require metal threads of a certain roundness.
One great advantage of the system is that it enables very fine threads or strands
of excellent quality to be obtained from inferior qualities of metals, and from those.
which are difficult to draw or elongate.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and the system
mode, or manner, in or under which the said Invention is or may be used or carried
out in practice, I would observe in conclusion that what is considered to be novel
and original, and therefore claimed as the Invention secured by the herein before in.
part recited Letters Patent is,-
First. The direct rolling of a bar of metal between channels or flutes in the form
of an arc of a circle, and the method of preparing the bar by successive stages of
such rolling, for division into the threads or strands it is desired to obtain, the bar
being prevented from enlarging during the operation, and the speed of the
successive rolling cylinders being augmented as the drawing progresses, substantially
as hereinbefore set forth.
Second. The employment to effect the separation of the threads or strands of
drums turning in contrary directions, and to which the threads or strands are
attached alternately, substantially as herein before set forth.
Third. The employment for the same object of channels or flutes in the form of
arcs of circles alternately projecting and retreating relatively with each other on
the circumference of the finishing cylinders, substantially as herein before set forth.
Fourth. The system of winding apparatus fixed or mounted on wheels to roll the
different strands of wire simultaneously in separate rolls, in combination with a
counter weighted regulator to prevent entangling. of the wires, substantially as
herein before described.
Fifth. The optional employment of two reheating ovens furnished with apparatus
to insure the passage of the metal bar through them in the required manner,
substantially as herein before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Macaulay Cruikshank, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty fourth day of December, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and cighty.
GEO. MACAULAY-CRUIKSHANK. (L.S.)