Improvements relating to the Manufacture of Rolled Forgings and to Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd May, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 27th Jan., 1891-Accepted, 7th Mar., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Manufacture of Rolled Forgings and
to Apparatus therefor.
1, ROBERT Low, of Eildon House, Macaulay Road, Clapham, in the County of
Surrey, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
My invention relates to the manufacture of forgings by rolling metal bars or
blanks between dies subjected to pressure and moving in opposite directions. And
iny said invention comprises an improved method of rolling metal articles by taking
a bar or blank of smaller diameter than the article to be produced, and commencing
to act upon the said blank at points the distance between which is greater than the
length of the said article, and then gradually forcing the metal inward and
enlarging the diameter of the bar or blank until the desired shape or configuration
is imparted thereto.
My said invention moreover comprises improved apparatus for use in the manu-
facture of the said rolled forgings.
The dies which 1 employ in carrying into effect my improved method of rolling
are constructed as follows, ri. :-That portion of the die which first begins to act
on the biank is provided with ridges between which the die is hollowed out or
recessed to a depth varying according to the diameter of the article to be rolled.
These ridges extend backward along the die and gradually increase in height from
the forward to the rear end of the die. The said ridges moreover converge from
the forward or leading end of the die to the rear end thereof.
In the case of dies for producing balls or spheres such as are used in ball bearings
and for other purposes two ridges are required on the die, one at each edge thereof.
The die is but slightly hollowed out between the ridges at the point where the
action on the blank commences while the ridges rise higher and higher from the
forward to the rear end of the die until the space between them becomes semi-
circular in transverse section and the ridges of the co-operating dies are in contact
with or in close proximity to each other.
The dies are either adapted to work with a reciprocating to-and-fro or up-and-
down motion, or they are made of circular or segmental shape for use in the
improved machine hereinafter described.
In making a rolled forging according to my said invention, the dies are first
caused to indent the metal at two or more points more or less widely separated from
one another according to the size and shape of the object to be produced, and then
by the continued operation of the said dies, the indentations are gradually deepened
while the metal is forced from both sides towards the centre of the space between
each of the pairs of ridges, the blank at the same time being expanded and
gradually increased in diameter until the desired shape or configuration is imparted
to it.
By this method of rolling, the metal of the blank is effectually compressed or
consolidated instead of having its fibres loosened or more or less detached from
each other as in some of the methods of rolling heretofore adopted.
1 sometimes construct in the manner above mentioned, dies for rolling two
or more balls or other articles simultaneously. These dies can be used with
advantage, as no longitudinal movement is imparted to the bar in the operation of
rolling.
The dies are in some instances, constructed with working surfaces such as
those above mentioned and also with surfaces for otherwise working parts of the
blank

page_text: In my improved machine, the dies are arranged to rotate continuously in opposite
directions thus obviating the loss of time and inconvenience occasioned in reversing
the motion of reciprocating dies.
construct my improved machine with two dises or heads which are arranged to
rotate in opposite directions about the same axis, and the adjacent sides of which
are provided with circular or segmental dies, which co-operate upon the metal bar
or blank to bring the same into the desired shape in transverse section,
My said invention moreover comprises suitable means for automatically feeding
the far or blank to the dies as required, and for heating the said bar or blank as it
is thus fod to the dies.
My improved machine is conveniently and advantageously constructed as follows,
that is to say-Upon a suitable base-plate or foundation are secured two uprights
or standards in which is supported a non-rotating shaft having mounted thereon the
rotary dises or heads carrying the dies. This shaft is preferably provided at one
end with a suitable collar and at the other end with a screw-threadel portion having
fitted thereon two muts one on each side of the corresponding standard so that by
turning the said nuts in one or the other direction the dises or hends may be adjusteil
to vary the position of the dies relatively to each other.
The rotary dises or heads are provided with elongated hubs which fit the afore-
said non-rotating shaft, or are secured to sleeves fitted to rot ite upon the said shaft.
On the bare fixed level wheels which are gared with opposite sides of
another bevel wheel provided with suitable means for connecting it with a steami
engine or other source of motive power. Each of the said dises or heads is
preferably provided with an annular grouse or chrammed into which the dies are
fitted in sections or segments of suitable dimensions, the said groove or channel
being underent or dovetailed to ensure the retention of the die section therein. A
portion or segment of this channel is made of rectangular form in transverse section,
and of the same or slightly greater width than the widest part of the dovetailed
portion of the channel so as to permit the insertion of the die sertions into the
latter. each of the said sections being laid in the rectangular portion of the channel
and pushed or slid into the dovetailed portion thereof,
When all the sections have thus been inserted, they are held or locked in position
by suitable stop pieces bolted or otherwise secured to the disc or head.
The feeling of the metal bar or blank to the dies is effected automatically by a
finger motion comprising a pair of claws or grippers operated by a cam secured to
one of the rotary dises or heads; and the parts are so constructed that the grippers
will be closed by the cam in the first part of the operation thereof and thus caused
to grip the rod or bar and will be subsequently pushed forward carrying the rod
or bar with them over a distance equal or about equal to the diameter of the ball
or length of the other article to be formed by the dies, and the said grippers will
then be released by the cam and moved backward ready to operate again in the
manner above described.
The rod or bar is heated, before it enters the dies by means of one or more blow-
pipe or other flames enclosed in a small furnace through which the said rod or bar
passes and which is lined with suitable refractory material and is provided with a
chimney or flue for the escape of the products of combustion. The discs or heads
may be kept cool by one or more jets of cold water or air acting thereon at any
suitable part, preferably as far as practicable from the heating apparatus.
It is obvious that the construction of the machine may be somewhat modified
without departing from the nature of my said invention.
For instance I may employ other convenient mechanism for rotating the dios
continuously in opposite directions, and other suitable devices for heating the rod
or bar prior to the entrance of the same into the dies. Moreover I can make the
rotary discs or heads of such diameter that two or more sets of dies may be carried
thereby, suitable spaces being left between the said sets of dies to permit the feeding
in of the bar or blank and the cam being arranged to operate the feed mechanism
as often as required in each revolution of the discs or heads.

page_text: The aforesaid dies may however be otherwise suitably arranged so that they can
be moved in opposite directions for the purpose herein specified.
Dated this 3rd day of Mar 1890.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
Improvements relating to the Manufacture of Rolled Forgings and
to Apparatus therefor.
1, ROBERT Low, of Eildon House, Macaulay Road, Clapham, in the County of
Surrey, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :—
My invention relates to the manufacture of rolled forgings, that is to say,
forgings produced by rolling metal bars or blanks between suitably shaped dies
moving in opposite directions. And my said invention also relates to improved
apparatus for use in such manufacture.
My said invention is chiefly designed to improve the manufacture of spherical
rollers or balls such as are used for ball-bearings. My improvements are, however,
applicable to the manufacture of other rolled forgings.
An important feature of my said invention is the manufacture of rolled forgings
from a bar or blank the diameter of which is less than that of the larger part or
parts of the article to be produced. I accomplish this result by gradually com-
pressing or forcing the metal of the said bar or blank longitudinally inwards, and
thereby reducing the diameter of the blank at one or more parts thereof, and
increasing or enlarging its diameter where necessary, so that, by the time the rolling
operation is completed, the desired form or configuration is imparted to the said bar
or blank and the metal is condensed or consolidated.
For this purpose I make each of the dies with one or more pairs of projecting
working surfaces or ridges which commence to act upon the bar or blank at points
further apart than the ends of the forging to be produced thereby, and which
gradually increase in height from the starting to the finishing end of the die, and
gradually converge, that is to say, the distance between them gradually diminishes
from the part thereof which first acts upon the bar or blank, until, at the finishing
end of the die, the said working surfaces or ridges are only separated by a space
equal to the diameter of the ball or to the length of the forging to be produced by
the said working surfaces or ridges.
My said invention, moreover, comprises improved apparatus for use in the manu-
facture of the said rolled forgings, in which apparatus the dies are made of circular
or segmental shape and are arranged to move in opposite directions in circular paths
in planes parallel to each other.
My said invention also comprises other improvements hereinafter set forth.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure is a side elevation, and
Figure 2 a plan, partly in horizontal central section, of an apparatus constructed
according to my said invention, for the manufacture of rolled forgings.
Figure 3 is a face view, drawn to an enlarged srale, of one of the discs or heads
hereinafter described on which the dies are formed or fixed.
Figures to 7 are transverse sections, drawn to a still further enlarged scale,
showing the shape of the dies at different parts throughout their length.
A represents a suitable base or foundation on which the bed-plate B of the
machine is secured by bolts B. C, C are standards or uprights which support
parts of the mechanism hereinafter described. D is the driving-shaft which is
supported in suitable bearings C. E, E are the dies which are firmly secured to

page_text: circular heads or dises El. Each of these dises is formed with or attached to a hub
or sleeve and is fitted to rotate upon a shaft or nale F fixed in suitabl
supports G. A bevel-wheel II is keyed or otherwisy firmly sectired upon each of
the sleeves These bevel-wheels are geared with opposite sides of a bevel-
pinion fixed upon the driving-shinft D.
The dies E which I prefer to employ in carrying into effect my improved
method of rolling, and which are shown more clearly in Figures 3 to 7, are
constructed as follows, ri:.:-The operative portion of the die, that is to say.
the portion thereof which acts upon the bar or blank, is provided with ridges
or projections ‹ between which the body of the die is hollowed out or recessed
to form a shaping surface. These ridges extend from end to end of the die
nul gradually increase in height from the starting end of the die, or that end
of which first act upon the bar or blank, to the finishing end of the die.
The said ridges, moreover, converge from the starting or leading end of the die to
The finishing and thereof.
In the case of dies for producing ball, such as are used in ball-bearings, two
ridgese are required on ench die, one at each edge thereof, as shown in Figures 3 to 7.
The die is 'ghtly hollowed out between the ridges, at the forward or starting
eml E7 of the die where the action upon the hd out commences; the height of th
-aid ridges, however, increases froin the fewerd ond 12 towares me finishite
end. E' of the die, the hollow or cavity between th· ridges la conningg con respondingl›
deeper, mutil, at or near the point where the die tenint 1 t'em upon th·
blank, the space between the ridges is ‚emi-circular in tranverse sertion as shown
Figure 7. These sumi-circular space- or grooves between the ridges of the day,
when directly opposite each other, enclo e qes which is circular in transver
sertion, and the dies conserpiently import a frody spherical form to the forging.
The rotary head, or dises Bare arranged at stel's distane, apart, that the ridge
of the engerning dies E are in cont, et aith or in very close proximity to ere's
other at or near the ends E¼ 1 thus g wide very efficiently for the cutt'me
off or severamter of the ball or other bring from the rot or far from which it
has been formed.
[
i
1metime construct the d'es with two or more sets of projections 407 vidges such
as those above described, for the purpo o e rolling two or more halls or other
urtieles simukaneously, or for the purpose of producing rolled forgings, enlarged in
diameter a more than one part of their sigth, the bar or think, in this ene
being reduced in diameter at one or more pert, nd correspon:hingly enlargedl
in diameter at other parts. Dies contrer d'in this mammer con le 'nsed with
advantage in the apparatus herein described, no longitudinal movement being
imparted to the bar by the dies during the operation of rolling, as in some of
the methods heretofore adopted. It is absus that the projecting working
surfaces or ridges may be arranged either to ever the article from the bar, or
to reduce the diameter of the bar or blank as may be required.
The dies are moreover, in some instaners, constructed both with working
surfaces such as those above described, that is to say, surfaces which compress
or force the metal longitudinally inwards while permitting it to expand diametrically,
and also with surfaces for otherwise working parts of the blank, such as ridges för
knurling the same.
By these means I am enabled very advantageously to prodnee articles of a more
or less varied form in longitudinal central section.
In my improved machine shown in the accompanying drawings, the heads or
discs E which carry the dies E. are arranged to be rotated continuously in opposite
directions through the medium of the aforesaid gearing. The dies, therefore.
rotate in parallel planes, that is to say, they move in circular paths in planes
parallel to each other. The non-rotating shaft F, upon which are mounted the
rotary heads or discs E is preferably provided at one end with a fixed collar F
and at the other end with a screw-threaded portion Fª having fitted thereon two
nuts G³, G³, one on each side of the corresponding support G, so that, by turning

page_text: the said nuts in one or the other direction, the shaft may be moved endwise, and
the heads or discs thus adjusted to vary the position of the dies E relatively to
each. A washer or annular disc G is provided between the nut G and the
adjacent rotary sleeve E²; and an elongated slot or recess F³ is formed in the
shaft F, into which projects a bolt or set-screw F fitted in a tapped hole in
the support G this bolt or set-screw effectually prevents rotation of the said shaft
whilst permitting the longitudinal adjustment of the same. The shaft F is,
moreover, provided internally with suitable channels or perforations, as indicated by
dotted lines in Figure 2, for the supply of oil to the rotating surfaces, and, if
necessary, for the circulation of water or other cooling meditun through the said
shaft.
of
Each of the said heads or discs E' is provided with an annular groove or channel
into which the dies are fitted in sections or segments of suitable dimensions, the
portion E of the said groove or channel being undercut or dove-tailed to ensure
the retention of the die-sections therein. The remaining portion or segment
the channel, which preferably extends about one fourth of the distance around the
same, is made of rectangular form in transverse section and of the same or slightly
greater width than the widest part of the dove-tailed portion of the channel, so as to
permit the insertion of the die-sections into the latter, each of the said sections
being laid in the rectangular portion of the channel and pushed or slid into the
dove-tailed portion thereof.
When all the sections have thus been inserted, they are held or locked in position
by suitable stop-pieces E', or by bolts or otherwise.
I combine, with the rotary dies, an automatic device whereby the rod or bar P
from which the forgings are to be produced, is fed intermittently to the said dies,
being pushed forward at the proper moment so as to allow the dies to act upon
the forward extremity thereof. This feeding device preferably comprises a pair
of feeding jaws 1, pivoted near their forward or operative extremities to a sliding
piece J, their rear extremities being connected by links 'with a subsidiary or
auxiliary sliding piece K. The said feed-mechanism is operated by an arm or
lever L which is fixed upon a rock-shaft L supported in a standard C, and which
is actuated by a cam or cam-groove M through the medium of a lever L' coupled
by a link to an arm L³ also fixed on the said rock-shaft L. The sliding
pieces and K of the said feed-mechanism are connected by a screw-threaded
rod K' rigidly secured to a projection on one of the said sliding pieces and working
freely in a hole in a corresponding projection on the underside of the other sliding
piece. Two pairs of lock-nuts K are arranged, as shown, on the said rod K' to act
as stops, so that there is a certain amount of lost motion between the two sliding
pieces, that is to say, one of them can move relatively to the other through a
certain space regulated by the distance between the lock-nuts or stops on the
stem K. In the rotation of the cam M, to-and-fro motion is imparted to the
lever L, and the sliding pieces J and K are thus moved alternately forward and
backward, and the feeding of the work is effected in the following manner, that is
to say, the forward motion of piece K first effects the closing of the jaws 1 through
the medium of the links 1', the other sliding piece J, by reason of the aforesaid
lost motion, remaining meanwhile stationary. The continued movement of the
piece K brings the rearmost stop on the rod K' into contact with the projection on
the sliding piece J, and effects the forward movement of the said sliding piece and
the feeding of the bar or blank into the space between the dies. In the return move-
ment of the sliding pieces, these operations are reversed, the jaws I being first
opened by the rearward motion of the piece K relatively to the piece) and the
tvo sliding pieces afterwards moving back together to their rearmost position under
the action of the lever L.
To provide for heating the rod or bar P to the desired temperature immediately
before its introduction into the space between the dies, after it has left the feeding
jaws 1, I find it advantageous to employ a furnace N wherein the said bar is heated

page_text: by the flames from two or more blow-pipes O. The furnace N is provided with a
fire-brick lining N¹ and with a chimney Nº for the escape of the products of com-
bustion, suitable holes or apertures being left in the lining of the said furnaces at
the forward and rear ends thereof to permit of the passage of the rod or bar P
through the same. The blow-pipes are provided with suitable regulating
cocks whereby the supply of air and of coal-gas, water-gas or other suitable fuel
may be regulated or controlled.
The machine is driven either directly by a steam engine or other suitable motor,
or through the medium of belting, gearing or the like from any convenient source
of motive power.
As shown in the drawings, the fast and loose pulleys D1, D2
upon the shaft D are adapted to be driven by a belt, and are provided with a
•hifting fork D³ to transfer the said belt from the first pulley to the loose pulley,
and eine erst, as may be required.
It is obvious that I may employ any other convenient feed-mechanism for the
purpose above specified, and other suitable means for heating the bar or blank
before it enters the space between the dies. The honds or dises and the dies E
may, if desired, be kept cool by one or more jets of cold water or by a current
of air acting thereon at any suitable part, preferably as far as practicabile from the
heating apparatus.
The spherical rollers or balls as they are formed fill from th· machine upon
an incline Q. whence they pass into a trolley or other suitable receptacle,
11 is obvious that the construction of the machine may be somewhat mortified in
various respects without departing from the nature of my said invention. For
instance, may employ other convenient mechanism for rotating the dies con-
tinuously in opposite directions. The rotary heads or dises may, if desired, he made
of such diameter that two or more sets of dies may be carried thereby, suitable
spares being left between the said sets of dies to permit the feeding-in of the bar or
blank, and the cam being arranged to operate the feed-mechanism as often as
required in each revolution of the discs or herds.
The dies for producing the rolled forgings according to my present invention may
be either straight dies having a rectilinear to-rd-fro movement and arranged to
move in opposite directions or they may be of any other convenient form. I
prefer, however, to employ dies of circular or segmental shape as above described.
It is evident, moreover, that I can provide my improved machine with other
suitable circular or segmental dies for the production of rolled forgings.
By my present improvements, the quality of the metal is considerably improved,
as the metal is very effectually compressed or consolidated in the process of rolling
or forging, instead of having its fibres loosened or more or less separated from
one another as in some of the methods of rolling heretofore adopted: the articles
produced by my process are, therefore, very strong and of a uniform and close grain
throughout.
In one of the methods hitherto adopted for the manufacture of rolled forgings,
the metal bar or blank from which the article is produced must be of the same
or of slightly larger diameter than the said article at the largest part thereof,
and the said bar or blank is reduced in diameter by spreading or foreing the
In another metlio of
surplus metal longitudinally or endwise along the same."
rolling, the metal of the bar or blank has been increased or enlarged in diameter;
but this operation has been effected by depressing the metal at one part and thereby
causing it to flow radially outward at another part of the said bar or blank. Now,
in ny improved method of manufacturing rolled forgings, the diameter of the
metal bar or blank is, as above stated, less than that of the larger part or parts of
the article to be produced, and the metal removed by the dies from such parts of
the bar or blank as require to be reduced in diameter, is forced longitudinally or
endwise along the said bar or blank in such a manner as to enlarge the diameter
of the same where necessary, and to compress and consolidate the metal as above
stated.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it understood
that I claim:
First. The manufacture of a rolled forging by a method such as I have herein-
above described, wherein the metal bar or blank is enlarged in diameter at one or
more parts thereof by forcing the metal longitudinally or endwise from other parts
thereof which are correspondingly reduced in diameter.
Second. The improved method of forging metal articles, by rolling a bar or
blank between dies each having one or more pairs of converging ridges or projections
which force the metal longitudinally inwards and thus enlarge the diameter of the
said bar or blank and impart the desired shape thereto, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
Third. A die having working surfaces which gradually converge and increase in
height from the point at which they commence to act upon the bar or blauk towards
the finishing end of the die, substantially as, and for the purposes, above specified.
Fourth. An apparatus for the manufacture of rolled forgings, wherein the dies
are of circular or segmental shape and are arranged to rotate in parallel planes, for
the purpose above specified.
Fifth. The combination of two circular heads or discs arranged to rotate in
opposite directions upon a fixed shaft or axle, and having on their adjacent surfaces
circular or segmental dies, substantially as hereinbefore described and for the
purposes specified.
Sixth. The combination, with the rotary dies, of an automatic apparatus whereby
the bar or blank is fed intermittently into the space between the said dies, for the
purpose above specified.
Seventh. The combination, with the rotary dies, of suitable means for heating
the bar or blank to be rolled, prior to its introduction into the space between the
dies, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Eighth. The improved apparatus constructed substantially as described with
reference to the accompanying drawings and operating as, and for the purposes,
above specified.
។
T
1001
Dated this 20th day of January 1991.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
ROBERT LOW.
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.