Improvements in or connected with Machinery for the Manufacture of Seamless or Weldless Tubes or Tubular or Hollow Bodies.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Sept., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 22nd June, 1900-Accepted, 4th Aug., 1900
Improvements in or connected with Machinery for the Manufacture
of Seamless or Weldless Tubes or Tubular or Hollow Bodies.
I, BALFOUR FRASER MCTEAR, of Brook Cottage, Rainhill, in the County of Lan-
caster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
---
This invention has reference, mainly, to the manufacture of seamless or weld-
less tubes, and hollow cylinders or cylindrical bodies of steel, such as Siemens
Martin's open hearth steel, Bessemer or crucible steel-used in making this kind
of tube or hollow cylindrical bodies, and similar or equivalent qualities of steel;
and, at the same time, it has also reference to the production of tubes of other
metals which, by the operations performed upon them, in the manufacture of
tubes, are liable or subject to the same or similar behaviour as those made of
steel; or the incidents of the manufacture of which are similar in character.
In the manufacture of weldless or seamless tubes, and hollow cylinders of steel,
of the character herein referred to, a billet of steel-i.e, a solid body of steel-
of comparatively short length, is first heated to redness or whiteness, and then
pierced axially by the passage through it, or by moving it over, a conical or bul-
bous mandril or tool; this action being conveniently produced by direct hydraulic
pressure applied to the billet in the direction of its axis-or, to the mandril. By
this first operation, the solid cylindrical billet is in effect converted to a tube or
tubular body, having relatively thick walls; that is, it is a tube in its initial state
f manufacture.
This tube or tubular body thus far made, may then be placed in a movable or
stationary die of a certain size. If it be a stationary die, its internal diameter
is increased by passing through the tubular body one or more mandrils of suc-
cessively large size but if a movable die, the tubular body therein contained is
passed over the mandril or mandrils. In both cases these actions are continued
until the required thickness is produced, the displacement of metal in the die
causing-elongation.
If the final diameter of the tube, and thickness of its walls, should be of the
larger size, the tube, as it leaves the last pass or draw, may constitute a finished
article, at any rate as regards the greater part of its body; but should small tubes,
such as are used for cycle frames, small water tube boiler tubes, and the like, be
required, then this tube would have to be reduced to the size and thickness
required, and this would be carried out by cold drawing in the well known way.
There are other methods, than those above referred to, for drawing out and
expanding seamless or weldless tubes or tubular bodies from solid billets while
in a heated condition (that is prior to cold drawing) to which this invention is
applicable, and in connection with which it may advantageously be used; namely,
the method of piercing drawing or expanding by a rotary movement, in conjunc-
tion, with a longitudinal movement, in which the tube is under the operation of
rollers, or other tools, in contradistinction to the single axial movement; also the

page_text: common method of passing the grooved rollers over a stationary bulbous or coni-
cal mandril or plug. Or, again, the method wherein a die is used composed of
one or a succession of draw rings of gradually increasing diameter, through which
the tubular body is passed, the mandril passing with the heated metal through
the gradually decreasing rings until the tubular body has acquired the requisite
thickness.
These processes or methods of manufacture, no matter which be adopted,
very frequently produce tubes which have not a uniform thickness of metal, that is,
their section presents at their outer and inner surfaces, an eccentric figure or form:
and according to this invention, machines are provided by which the thickness
of metal all round and at all parts of a tube shall be equal, and present a truly
concentric figure, as regards the interior and exterior surface lines.
In machinery according to this invention, there is employed a long grooved
lower half die, the groove or channel of which corresponds with a section of tube
to he made; and the tube or tubular body in a white hot or glowing state, and
having a mandril throughout is placed on this side with the thicker part upper-
most and outside the die. Above the tube is a grooved roller, the groove of which
is a section substantially that of the half tube; and this roller, in action, is
prèssed down on the upper thicker half or part of the tube. In operation, rela-
tive movement between the grooved roller, and the tube, takes place, the half die,
carrying the tube and mandrils, being preferably moved to and fro under the
roller, the roller itself merely revolving on a stationary axis or journal, in a
frame or housing.
The half die may be moved upon a roller floor or support, and sprocket or link
chains, which are driven, the dies being guided by a flange or grooved bottom
roller under the upper grooved roller or other suitable means may be employed.
The grooved roller, in some cases, may be loose, and the lower roller or rollers,
over which the half die runs may be driven; or both top and bottom rollers may
be driven, or each or either of them.
The to and fro operation will be carried on until the uniform section required
is produced and the tube may be turned round more or less axially in the
while in operation, as desired.
:
¡die
It will be seen, that by this machine the thicker part and the part which is upper-
most, is alone operated upon whilst the bottom or thin side will be out of action
or operation, and will retain its thickness, owing to its support throughout its
entire length.
It will be seen, by the employment of a mandril of polygonal, rectangular, oval,
or other form, and of a half die of corresponding form, tubes of practically any
desired section can be operated upon by this machine, and mode of treatment,
and produced.
The frame or housing of the different parts, and the mode of operating them,
may be any of those used in rolling machinery which may be suitable.
As a modification of this type of machinery, the tubing, in a state of white heat
or glow, is supported solely upon a mandril, the ends of which are supported and
carried in a frame in a bed; whilst the upper roller and mode of operation may
be similar to that just described and the roller and slide rest may be both driven,
or either of them may be driven, as above described.
A modified type of machine, and one that is applicable for operating upon metal
tubes or hollow cylinders of larger size, as, for instance, water and other pipes,
boiler flues, gun liners, cylinders, steam pipes, and boiler shells, consists as
follows: I use a housing or frame supporting a shaft carrying several rollers,
over which the tube to be operated upon is placed, and a strong rigid ledge or
girder supported by and connecting the two end frames, and carrying frames or
mountings, adjustable in relation to the first named shaft, and carrying rollers
in a skew position to the other rollers and over them.
The frames or mountings of these upper rollers are adjustable in and out of the
bridge girder, or sockets in them; and this movement is effected by screws, sup-

page_text: ported by the bridge or girder, and working in the upper ends of the mountings
or frames, the screws being driven by worm wheels thereon, and worms engaging
with them, the said worms being mounted on a common shaft, by which they are
operated. Thus all the skew rollers are moved up and down simultaneously.
One end of the driving shaft supporting the rollers first referred to, is mounted
eccentrically in a block fitted in the frame or housing; this block being so adapted
that by giving it quarter of a revolution it may be slid out and so leave a gap
round the shaft, through which the tube may be introduced or taken out; and
then by placing it back and giving the block a reverse quarter turn, it may be
quickly placed, and locked in position.
In action, the tubular article or hollow cylinder, in a white-hot or glowing
state, is placed in position in the machine; and when the upper skew rollers are
brought on to it, and the machine set in motion, by the rotation of the inside
rollers, it will be operated upon in several places at once; the effect being that
it receives a revolving, and also a longitudinal movement, and a tube having an
equal thickness of metal all round is produced.
By this machine, besides reducing the thickness of the walls of the tube or
cylinder, the diameter and length may be simultaneously increased.
This tube in this machine may be adapted to move to and fro by reversing the
revolutions of the shaft supporting the rollers in any suitable way; and these
rollers may be revolved at a high rate of speed as in the former case, in order that
only a small pressure need be exerted on the rollers, and the size and weight of
the roller shaft and other parts kept relatively small.
This machine can be adapted to work in a horizontal or vertical posture, and it
affords advantageous means for reducing, breaking down, or collapsing long or
short tubes or tubular articles, by adapting the peripheries of the rollers to the
various requirements or forms.
As a modification of this last described machine, a parallel roller, mounted at
both ends in the frame or housing, for operating upon the tube or article inter-
nally, is employed; and a skew roller externally. In action, by the frictional
contact of the internal and external rolls, the tube is revolved and operated upon :
at the same time, it is caused to be carried forward to and fro axially, this reverse
traversing motion being effected by suitable reversing motion. By this machine,
a uniform thickness of shell is secured.
According to another type of machine for operating upon one wall of a tube
or hollow body at a time, for equalizing the thickness of the walls, a hollow die of
cast iron or steel, carried by a stool at each end, and fixed upon a bed plate is
employed; and this die is provided with a thrust collar or collars at each end:
Slides
whilst the stools are stayed by tension rods connecting them with a motor.
are provided at each end of the die, and move at right angles to its axis; and on
each side a pedestal is mounted, these being all arranged to traverse simul-
taneously or independently. The die is caused to revolve at a high speed, pre-
ferably, by tooth gearing, or any suitable mechanism. Through the tube or
tubular article--which is already hot or specially heated-to be operated upon,
and through the pedestals, a rigid shaft is passed, the tube being held at its end,
in some cases, by tapered bushes or half bushes, or cod pieces, or the like, which
grip the tube; or other gripping pieces operated by screws or wedges, or the like,
may be used. One end of this shaft is coupled up with a suitable motor, such as
a rack and pinion, nut and screw, hydraulic or other ram, or the like. Upon the
shaft and inside the pedestals, there is a cam-shaped projection or projections, or
anti-friction rolls, and this shaft is traversed through the tube or tubular article,
the cam shaped projections or rolls, being kept in contact with one side only of
the tube, by means of the adjustable transverse slides. The shaft will be passed
through a tube or hollow article at a certain speed. The motor is adapted to
operate the shaft to and fro, and this is carried on until the thicknesses of the
walls of the tubes or articles are equalized.
A modification of this machine consists of the converse arrangement or opera-

page_text: tion of it; viz., the shaft may be stationary, and the hollow die made to revolve
and travel longitudinally as well.
Dated this 21st day of September 1899
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
Applicant's Patent Agents, 15, Water Street, Liverpool.
Improvements in or connected with Machinery for the Manufacture
of Seamless or Weldless Tubes or Tubular or Hollow Bodies.
I, BALFOUR FRASER MCTEAR, of Brook Cottage, Rainhill, in the County of Lan-
caster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what man-
ner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement:-
--
This invention has reference, mainly, to the manufacture of seamless or weld-
less tubes, and hollow cylinders or cylindrical bodies of steel, such as Siemens
Martin's open hearth steel, Bessemer or crucible steel-used in making this kind
of tube or hollow cylindrical bodies, and similar or equivalent qualities of steel;
and, at the same time, it has also reference to the production of tubes of other
metals which, by the operations performed upon them, in the manufacture of
tubes, are liable or subject to the same or similar behaviour as those made of
steel; or the incidents of the manufacture of which are similar in character.
In the manufacture of weldless or seamless tubes, and hollow cylinders of steel,
of the character herein referred to, a billet of steel--i.e, a solid body of steel-
of comparatively short length, is first heated to redness or whiteness, and then
pierced axially by the passage through it, or by moving it over, a conical or bul-
bous mandril or tool; this action being conveniently produced by direct hydraulic
pressure applied to the billet in the direction of its axis-or, to the mandril. By
this first operation, the solid cylindrical billet is in effect converted to a tube or
tubular body, having relatively thick walls; that is, it is a tube in its initial state
of manufacture.
This tube or tubular body thus far made, may then be placed in a movable or
stationary die of a certain size. If it be a stationary die, its internal diameter
is increased by passing through the tubular body one or more mandrils of suc-
cessively large size; but if a movable die, the tubular body therein contained is
passed over the mandril or mandrils. In both cases these actions are continued
until the required thickness is produced, the displacement of metal in the die
causing elongation.
If the final diameter of the tube, and thickness of its walls, should be of the
larger size, the tube, as it leaves the last pass or draw, may constitute a finished
article, at any rate as regards the greater part of its body; but should small tubes,
such as are used for cycle frames, small water tube boiler tubes, and the like, be
required, then this tube would have to be reduced to the size and thickness
required, and this would be carried out by cold drawing in the well known way.
There are other methods, than those above referred to, for drawing out and
expanding seamless or weldless tubes or tubular bodies from solid billets while
in a heated condition (that is prior to cold drawing) to which this invention is
applicable, and in connection with which it may advantageously be used; namely,
the method of piercing drawing or expanding by a rotary movement, in conjunc-
tion with a longitudinal movement, in which the tube is under the operation of

page_text: rollers, or other tools, in contradistinction to the single axial movement; also the
common method of passing the grooved rollers over a stationary bulbous or coni-
cal mandril or plug. Or, again, the method wherein a die is used composed of
one or a succession of draw rings of gradually increasing diameter, through which
the tubular body is passed, the mandril passing with the heated metal through
the gradually decreasing rings until the tubular body has acquired the requisite
thickness.
These processes or.
methods of manufacture, no matter which be adopted,
very frequently produce tubes which have not a uniform thickness of metal, that is,
their section presents at their outer and inner surfaces, an eccentric figure or form;
and according to this invention, machines are provided by which the thickness
of metal all round and at all parts of a tube shall be equal, and present a truly
concentric figure, as regards the interior and exterior surface lines.
The machinery according to this invention for carrying out the operation of
producing truly concentric tubes, will now be described by the aid of the accom-
panying drawings.
Some different forms of machines for carrying out or effecting the purposes of
this invention are given in the annexed drawings, and these machines I will now
describe.
In the drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation; Figure 2 an end view in
section; and Figure 3 a cross section at A A Figure 1, of one form of machine.
Figure 4 is a sectional elevation; and Figures 5 and 6 are cross sections, taken
at the lines B B and C C, respectively, in Figure 4.
Figures 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, are cross sections illustrating various forms of
tubes, and certain modifications hereafter particularized.
In the different figures of the drawings, the same letters and figures of reference
are used to denote the same or equivalent parts wherever they occur; and conse-
quently when no specific description of certain parts of various modifications is
given, in setting forth the special characteristics of these modifications, the con-
struction and purpose of these herein described parts must be taken to be the same
as those bearing the same reference letters or figures which are specifically described
in other parts of the specification.
C
Referring now to the drawings above specified, and more particularly to
Figures 1, 2, and 3, in this machine, is the tube or tubular body-which will be
in a red hot or white glowing state-to be operated upon, and is a mandril on
which the tube is placed, and filling practically the bore of the tube. c is the long
half lower die; in which the tube a is placed, and by which it is supported; and
ddare grooved rollers mounted in the frame d', by which the half die is sup-
ported, and on which it is run to and fro. e is the upper grooved roller which
operates upon the part of the tube, and rolls off the other parts of the tube, and
reduces it to a uniform thickness all round, and throughout. This roller e, and
also the lower and main supporting roller d directly under which would take
the bulk of the weight or pressure applied to the upper roller-are mounted and
revolve in the frame or bearing f. This main lower roller d, and the upper
roller e, are geared together by toothed wheels f; the lower one of which is
driven in any known suitable way; and the vertical adjustment of the upper
roller e is effected by worm screw gear 2 of the well known kind for adjusting
rollers or roller presses.
The rollers for supporting the half die c, on either side of the main supporting
roller *, in its travel to and fro, are all geared together by sprocket chains d² on
either side, meshing with sprocket teeth on each side of the rollers d d³.
In action, the tube a, in a red hot or glowing state, is put on the mandril d;
and then placed in the longitudinal lower half die c, with the thicker part of the
tube to be reduced, uppermost, whilst the thinner part rests in the die. The upper
rollere is then adjusted down onto the tube to the required degree to reduce the
thickness of metal of the tube; and the machine is then set in motion. The effect
is that the lower half die, with the tube, is moved under the roller e forwards;

page_text: and when the end of the tube is reached, the machine is reversed. By repeating
this operating and adjusting down the roller e by the gear f², onto the tube as
it becomes reduced, the thicker parts of the tube a will be reduced and rolled off
to that required. During this rolling operation, the tube may be turned round
more or less axially to equalize the reduction by turning the mandril b.
In this action, the thin part of the tube being supported throughout its length
in the long half die, will be unaffected by the action, that is, retains its form and
thickness.
As a modification of this, the upper roller o need not be the driven one, the
lower roller d* and d being only driven.
Figures 7, 8 and 9 shew cross sections of the rolling parts of the machine of
the type above described, adapted for the manufacture of tubes of sections other
than circular form, viz., rectangular, elliptical, and hexagonal, the only modifi-
cation necessary being the employment of a lower half longitudinal die c, and
upper grooved roller e, formed to correspond with such sections, and to produce
them, as indicated.
In the modification shewn in Figures 4, 5, and 6, the tube a, instead of being
supported by a lower half die, the mandril 6 is, supported at each end by brackets b',
on a slide rest, which works in the frame d', this frame being so made as to
guide and support the slide rest. The slide rest is moved to and fro by the
driving gear, and a toothed wheel f, on a shaft 3, gearing in a rack on the
underside of the slide rest b².
.
In this case, the top grooved roller is the driven roller; and this roller acts
upon the thicker part of the tube «, which is uppermost, as in the former case.
The roller e being, of course, adjusted to the point required, the roller and slide
rest are set in action, and reversed, and so move to and fro until the thicker
part of the tube is rolled out and concentricity of section produced.
Figures 10, 11 and 12 are views in section, indicating that by this modification
tubes of sections, other than circular, similarly as in the former case or machine
can be produced; the sections indicated by these figures being rectangular, oval,
or elliptical, or hexagonal, respectively.
Another modified machine for carrying out the second stage of treatment of
tubes is shewn in Figure 13 in sectional elevation, and Figure 14 in cross section.
In this modification there are employed lower short rollers e¹ on the shaft c**
mounted in the housings or frames fat each end, and skew rollers e supported
and mounted, and adjustable vertically in a strong bridge housing or frame f.
This bridge is supported from and couples together the two frames f, and forms
practically a rigid bridge.
The upper rollers e are supported and adjustable in the bridge f* by the necks i
of the forks which support them, they being adapted to move in sockets in such
bridge, the movement vertically being effected by screws j mounted in the upper
part of the bridge f, and screwing into the neck, these screws being operated
by worm wheels operated by worms on a shaft, which is rotated by a hand
actuated wheel. By turning this wheel one way or the other, the rollers e will
be moved towards or away from the rollers of, as required.
Each end of the shaft ex is mounted in a bearing in an eccentrically arranged
bush or block with part flanges, and so arranged that, by turning it a quarter
of a revolution, the flanges come opposite recesses in the housing f, so that one
of said blocks or eccentrics can be moved bodily forward off the shaft and out of
the housing. When this is done, the tube in a white hot state is passed over the
shaft ex and rollers c¹, and the eccentric block is again introduced into position,
as shewn. When this is done, the rollers o are adjusted down to the position
required, and operated upon the tube, as in the cases above described. The effect
of the skew wheels e is that the tube will be moved longitudinally, as well as
rotated, and so operated upon in the longitudinal direction, that is, throughout
its length. When the tube has reached the limit of movement in one direction,
the direction of revolution of the shaft is reversed by its driving mechanism,

page_text: and the longitudinal direction of movement of the tube reversed, the rollers e
being adjusted up to the amount required.
In each revolution of the tube, the thicker portion only of it is operated upon
or rolled out, and as the thicker parts of the tube are reduced and approach in
thickness the thinnest part; the proportion of the revolution in which the rollers
touch the tube, will be greater.
In this case, also, it is preferred to run the rollers e at a high velocity, so that.
while the reduction due to each revolution is small, the rapidity of reduction in
effect is high, and this enables light parts and small tubes to be operated upon
with precision.
In lieu of the employment of the several short rollers e¹ used in this machine,
a single parallel roller may be employed.
Another modification of machine for operating upon tubes or tubular bodies
of eccentric section, and for converting the eccentricity to concentricity is illus-
trated in Figure 15, which is a plan in section. In this case, the eccentric tube a
is supported in the interior of a hollow cast steel or iron die c, carried or mounted
in a stool or pedestal f at each end, fixed upon a bed plate, the die having thrust
collars at each end. The die is caused to revolve at a high rate of speed
through toothed wheel thereon, and suitable tooth gear which drives this wheel.
Through the tube a, a rigid shaft ex is passed, having upon it enlarged por-
tions e, which constitute the rollers which act on the interior surface of the tube.
The shaft e will be suitably supported in laterally sliding bearings at either end,
and moved longitudinally through the tube, to and fro, by any suitable known
means for imparting such motion; the bearings being such that it can be adjusted
as required up to and away from the walls of the tube.
n
One end of the tube a is gripped by clamps which are carried in a chuck o'
carried and revolving on the end of the die e. These clamps o are adjusted by
screws o², on the outer ends of which tooth wheels o³ are fitted, and these wheels of
being revolved by toothed wheels of mounted on a shaft of which extends across
the chuck.
When the red hot defective tube is introduced into the die e, and the clamps o
fastened up onto the end of the same, the die is revolved through the tooth_
wheel, and the tube revolves with the die. The shaft is then moved by
sliding its bearings so as to bring the rollers on to the interior surfaces on the
tube; and then the shaft is moved to and fro longitudinally, slowly. The result
of the revolution of the tube at a high speed, together with the longitudinal move-
ment of the shaft is that the excess of thickness at parts of the tube over the
thinnest part, and the unevenness of thickness at different parts of its length is
quickly rolled off the rollers el being moved up to the surface of the tube gradu-
ally as the metal is rolled off; and this operation is carried on until the thickness
of the walls of the tube are equal all round.
.
The converse mode of applying this type of machine for the purposes in ques-
tion would be by making the shaft e stationary: while the whole of the hollow
die and its bearings would be made to slide longitudinally.
With regard, generally, to the tubes operated upon and produced as above
described, after they leave the machinery herein specified, they are, in most cases,
operated upon in a hot or glowing state, or cold, for producing tubes of smaller
sizes, or drawing in the usual way, depending largely upon the purpose for which
the tube is made. Or. in some cases, the tubular articles as turned out from
machines herein described may be of-that is, the size and shape required may
be of--the finished form, and serviceable for direct use without further operations
upon them, or treatment.
We are well aware that rollers have been employed for rolling cylindrical
bodies, such as hollow flues, plain and corrugated, and the like: and under this
invention no claim is made to the use of rollers, per se, for these purposes, and
therefore they are treated herein as old and well known.
While the machinery set forth with reference to the drawings is especially con-

page_text: structed and designed for use in the manufacture of seamless or weldless tubes
or tubular articles, which prior to the treatment by such machinery are imper-
fect, as to evenness of section, or unevenness of section in different parts of their
length, yet it is also serviceable for reducing the thickness of or breaking down,
tubes or tubular bodies, generally, which are not imperfect, or have very little
imperfection.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. The employment and construction of rolling machinery for rolling off the
thicker part of imperfect tubes or tubular articles while in a red hot or glowing
state, adapted to act only on the thicker part until the thickness of the wall of the
tube throughout is uniform; substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
2. Machinery employed in the manufacture of seamless or weldless tubes or
tubular bodies, wherein the tube is held and moved longitudinally under a
grooved roller or rollers; substantially as herein set forth.
3. Machinery employed in the manufacture of seamless or weldless tubes or
tubular bodies, wherein the tube is operated upon by multiple rollers, the tube
and rollers being adjustable in relation to each other; substantially as herein
set forth.
4. The machine for the manufacture of weldless tubes or tubular bodies having
its main parts arranged and adapted to operate, as set forth with reference to, and
shewn in Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings.
5. The machine for the manufacture of seamless or weldless tubes or tubular
hodies, having its main parts arranged and adapted to operate as set forth with
reference to and shewn in Figures 4 to 6 the drawings.
6. The machine for the manufacture of seamless tubes or tubular bodies, having
its main parts arranged and adapted to operate as set forth with reference to and
shewn in Figures 13 and 14 of the drawings.
7. The machine for the manufacture of seamless or weldless tubes or tubular
bodies having its main parts arranged and adapted to operate as set forth with
reference to and shewn in the drawings.
Dated this 21st day of June 1900.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
Applicant's Patent Agents,
15, Water Street, Liverpool.