IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU- FACTURE OF METAL TUBING, AND HOLLOW SHAFTING AND AXLES
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Vincent Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical
Draughtsman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU-
FACTURE OF METAL TUBING, AND HOLLOW SHAFTING AND AXLES."-A com-
munication from abroad by George Jones Brooks, of Brattleborough,
in the State of Vermont United States of America.
Sealed the 4th June 1875, and dated the 9th December 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Vincent
Newton at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 9th December 1874.
I, ALFRED VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery
Lanc, in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF METAL TUBING, AND HOLLOW SHAFTING AND AXLES," to be
as follows:-
The one part of this Invention relates to the manufacture of seamless
tubes or tubular articles of different description, including boiler. flues,

page_text: The block in either of these cases may, if desired, be made from a
billet which is produced from an ingot of larger sectional area than the
billet required, so that there will be sufficient metal to consolidate the
latter by hammering or rolling or both in bringing it to the desired
form. The length and size generally of the ingot will vary with the
dimensions of the billet to be produced.
The rolls through which the block is first passed arc duplicated or
arranged in pairs, one stand or pair being in front of the other. When
the metal block is passed on or by its mandril and attached rod through
the first stand of rolls it is with its mandril turned at right angles to
present the edges instead of the sides of the block to the nip of the after
pair of rolls. This reduces the metal of the block and loosens it on the
mandril. The grooves in the last of these rolls must be made wider than
the block to allow of the block sufficiently spreading to loosen on the
mandril.
After the shell of the block has been brought down on the core the
starting point for the subsequent rolling of the block into a slab is
attained. When the block (with core in it) has thus been rolled to the
shape in cross section of an elongated loop it is before the last one or
two passes run through cutting rolls to remove the bosses or projections.
This brings the block with its core to the form of a perfect slab. . Prior
to this cutting operation it is necessary that the bosses should be rolled
pro rata with the rest of the block.
The finished slab having the core in it is opened by a hand tool and
passed through grooved rolls which loosen the core or broken portions
thereof. Said slab is further opened by repeating its passage through
grooved rolls. In some cases, while thus opening the slab, it may be
necessary to insert a thrust rod and lance to prevent buckling of the
slab.
The opened slab or tube, as it now may be termed, after being heated
is then passed between rolls over a ball connected with a thrust rod and
on to the same. After this the tube being fully and finally opened is
"sized" by running it through an ordinary or any suitable "sizing
machine."

page_text: In adapting the Invention to hollow shafts or axles the block or
casting is made without bosses on its edges.
The finished tube produced from the block as above explained is fitted
at its opposite ends with studs or plugs of iron which are swaged in place
and serve to form journals. The tube is made of diminishing taper
externally and internally from the wheel seats to the centre of the axle,
and so that the metal forming the shell or tubular portion of the axle is
also of diminishing taper or thickness from the wheel seats to the centre
of the axle. In the production of said axle after the journals are swaged
the tubular axle is put into a furnace so constructed as to beat all but
the ends embracing the wheel seats, and when properly heated it is put
in a machine and secured by clamps applied to the journals where it is
submitted to a tensile strain, while or at the same time two pairs of
wheels are moved towards and from each other over the axlo from
end to centre, and vice versa, while or as the tubular axle is kept
rotating.
In working yellow metal and copper the slab from which the tube is
to be made should be passed cold once or twice before opening it in
order to give stiffness and elasticity, and to facilitate its opening; the
final opening, however, should be made with the metal in a hot
state.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Alfred Vincent Newton in the Great Scal Patent
Office on the 9th June 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALFRED
VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Ninth day of December, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the thirty-
eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, Her special
licence that I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alfred

page_text: Vincent Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF METAL TUBING, AND
HOLLOW SHAFTING AND AXLES," being a communication to me from abroad
by George Jones Brooks, of Brattleboro', 'in the State of Vermont,
United States of America, upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said Alfred Vincent Newton, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement, reference being had to the Drawing
hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that
is to say):-
The one part of this Invention relates to the manufacture of seamless
tubes or tubular articles of different description, including boiler flues,
columns for building purposes and bridges, hollow shafts, tubes for the
lining or construction of ordnance, and hollow railroad car axles, irre-
spective of size, gauge, and length, from "homogeneous" iron, steel,
yellow metal, and other metals, without resort to welding or brazing,
by a process in which the seamless tube is produced from a block,
having a passage formed through it, and which is afterwards shaped
and reduced or drawn by external and internal pressure, due in part
to the action of rolls, a metal core being inserted within the block, and
the latter being exposed to side and edge rolling preparatory to final
opening and finishing or shaping the tubular article.
The one part of this Invention having reference to said process.
consists in a block and core of such constructions as that after the
same shall have been passed between rolls to bring down the shell
of the block on the core, or the shell otherwise be made to form a
'

page_text: more or less close fit with the core, the exterior of the core and the
interior and exterior of the block will be parallel or nearly so on
all sides, so that the block and core will subsequently roll uniformly
and keep their form irrespective of any particular amount of rolling
draught.
The Invention also consists in a seamless hollow railroad car axle
which may be mainly produced as above described, and which is made
of diminishing taper externally and internally from the wheel seats
to the centre of the axle, and so that the metal forming the shell
of the axle is of diminishing taper from the wheel seats to the centre
of the axle.
Having thus specified the object or objects and nature of the In-
vention, its description will be proceeded with in reference to the
accompanying Drawings.
Fig. 1 represents an end view of a block or casting A with a coro B
in it of the same metal as the casting, said core being placed in the
mould and the metal to form the casting poured around it. Or a
temporary,core of different material may be used to form the casting,
a metal core corresponding to B being afterwards inserted within
the casting or block A. As thus fitted together the exterior of the
core and interior or exterior of the block, irrespective of the manner
in which the latter is produced, will be parallel or nearly so on all
sides, so that the block and core will subsequently roll uniformly
and keep their proportionate form independently of any particular.
amount of rolling draught. The core B (Fig. 1) which is inserted
cold is of the same length as the casting or block to be produced,
and may be coated with graphite prior to entering it within the
block to prevent the welding of the core with the block, and to ensure
a smooth interior surface of the latter in the after treatment or rolling
of the block with the core in it.
The block A in the example represented in Fig. 1 is formed with
bosses b, b, on its opposite edges, and is of diminishing taper towards
its centre on its opposite sides, and the core B is of similar tapering or
reverse wedge-shape construction.
Fig. 2 represents an end view on a smaller scale of a casting or block
of metal designed as represented in Fig. 5, to be afterwards brought
to the condition or stage in the work represented by Fig. 1 with the

page_text: core in it. This block, Fig. 2, is formed with a rectangular passage c
through it, and with convex exterior opposite sides d, d; also bosses b, b,
on its other sides or edges. Such block, if a casting, receives within it
a spud or mandril S, see Fig. 7, of convex form on its sides and edges,
as shown in Fig. 8, and it is passed between cogging and smoothing
rolls. C, C, D, D, Fig. 6. A core B, Fig. 4, is afterwards inserted in the
block, as shewn in Fig. 3, and the block with its core is then passed
between the rolls E, E, Fig. 6, to bring down the shell of the block
on to the core, as shewn in Fig. 5, which corresponds with Fig. 1 of tho
Drawing, and in which the block and core correspond in general con-
figuration, and have the same parallel relation of their sides and edges
as herein-before described. The core in this last example, as in the
former onc, is introduced cold within the heated block, and may be
previously coated with graphite, as and for the purposes hercin-before
described.
The block A in either of these cases may, if desired, be made from a
billet which is produced from an ingot of larger sectional area than the
billet required, so that there will be sufficient metal to consolidate the
latter by hammering or rolling, or both, in bringing it to the desired
form. The length and size generally of the ingot will vary with the
dimensions of the billet to be produced.
The rolls in Fig. 6, through which the block is first passed, are
duplicated or arranged in pairs, one stand or pair in front of the other,
as shewn in Fig. 9, the first grooved rolls C, C, Fig. 6, of each stand
being cogging rolls, and the adjacent stands D, D, being smoothing rolls.
After the metal block is passed on or by its mandril and attached 'rod
through the first stand of rolls the block A with its mandril is turned,
as shewn in Fig. 9, to present the edges instead of the sides of the block
to the after pair of rolls, as at A'. This reduces the metal of the block
and loosens it on the mandril. The grooves in the last of these rolls
must be made wider than the block-to allow of the block sufficiently
spreading to loosen on the mandril. The block passes the first pair of
rolls with the mandril or spud in it, and from thence to the second pair
of rolls, where it enters with the mandril until nearly through, when the
mandril is held by a stop f, Fig. 9, and the metal block passes off, as in
ordinary spudding operations. The same results may be obtained by
introducing a mandril, as in Fig. 7, into the block, when a moderate
blow or pressure on the mandril will disengage the latter from the block

page_text: operation.
After the shell of the block A has been brought down on the core B,
as for instance by passage of the block with the core in it between
the rolls E, E, Fig. 6, it is reduced to the form shown in Fig. 5, and
which is the starting point for the subsequent rolling of the block into a
slab.
Fig. 10 shows an end view, upon a larger scale than in the previous
Figures, of the block with its contained core after being heated and
prepared to roll into a slab, the successive changes as produced by
repeated passes or rollings being indicated by dotted lines. In the
example represented in the Drawing the block shown in Fig. 10 and
having the core in it has its edges one-half thicker than its centrò,
which latter as compared with the edges is as two to three, so that
taking twenty per cent. or any other proportion as the rolling draught
the reduction of the block with its core would be two parts at the centre
for three parts at the edges, thereby maintaining the same proportionato
form throughout the operation. After the block with core in it has thus
been rolled, as shewn by dotted lines in Fig. 10, or before the last one or
two passes the block, is run through cutting rolls F, F, (Fig. 11), that
remove the bosses or projections b, b, after the latter have been rolled
into a fin shape. This brings the block with its core to the form of a
perfect slab G, as shewn by full lines in Figures 11 and 12, and by
dotted lines in Fig. 10. Prior to this cutting operation it is necessary
that the bosses b, b, should be rolled pro rata with the rest of the block.
To avoid too thick a fin-like reduction of the bosses after the second
pass of the block in bringing the latter down to a slab, and while cach
boss is one-half the thickness of the block, the third pass should reduce
the bosses to about forty per cent. of the thickness of the block at that
pass, so that when the block with its coro is reduced to a slab each fin
will be but forty per cent. or thereabouts of the thickest part of the slab.
The reason for thus proportioning the reduction of the bosses is that if
said reduction is materially greater in the first instance the core looses
its support of the block, and if at a later period in rolling it should be
increased such will produce wire drawing, which is to be avoided.
The finished slab G (Fig. 12) having the core B in it is then
cut off at its one end, and its severed end opened by a hand tool,

page_text: and the slab passed through grooved rolls, which loosen the core B
or broken portions thereof, as shewn in Fig. 13. Said slab is further
opened by repeating its passage through grooved rolls, Fig. 14,
representing the form it assumes after the second pass, with the core
removed; Fig. 15 represents an end view of the same further opened
and ready for the heating furnace, the previous opening operations being
performed cold. In some cases, while thus opening the slab, it may be
necessary to insert a thrust rod and lance to prevent buckling of the
slab.
The opened slab or tube, as it now may be termed, after being heated
is then passed (see Fig. 16) between rolls H, H, over a bulb I connected
with a thrust rod J and on to the same; Fig. 17 represents on a larger
scale than in Fig. 16 an end view of the tube in relation with the bulb at.
the close of the preceding operation. After this the tube being fully
and finally opened is "sized," as represented in Fig. 18, by running it
through an ordinary or any suitable "sizing machine," such for instance
as is used in the manufacture of welded iron tubes, and it may bo
afterwards annealed or finished as desired.
Referring again or more minutely to the reduction of the block with
core in it to a slab, and before cutting off the bosses, and to provide for
making various sized tubes from the same block, which is a feature
incidental to the Invention, Fig. 19 represents a three high stand of
rolls K, L, M, constructed and proportioned so that a block adapted to
producing a four-inch tube for instance can be reduced by side and edge
rolling to make one of eight or more smaller tubes, each of less diameter
than the other. These rolls are called sizers or sizing rolls, and instead
of being in one stand, as shewn in Fig. 19, they may be in two or more
stands, say, for instance two stands, the one of which may size from four
to three inches, and the other from three to two inches. Of course
these sizes may vary, but supposing such to be the sizes most in demand
the rolls to produce them may be permanently housed. Unusually large
tubes will necessarily require castings or blocks and rolls for working
the blocks into tubes of correspondingly increased dimensions.
Fig. 20 represents a three high stand of rolls N, O, P, with grooves for
four side rolling passes, eleven edge and side passes for instance having
been made in the sizing rolls K, L, M, when it is required to reduce the
block to a slab for forming a two-inch tube; but it may here be observed

page_text: that when the metal block is reduced in the sizing rolls for any par-
ticular sized tube it is then transferred to special rolls suited to the tube
required. If desired two or more narrow slabs can be rolled in one stand
of rolls. This describes in all essential particulars the general features
of the one or first part of the Invention, and the manner of working it;
but it will here be remarked in addition that in grooving the rolls
through which the block is passed the grooves should be slightly tapered
from the inside to the exterior, so that the block will be delivered free
from the rolls, and that the metal of the block must be rolled close with
the least possible spread, particularly when working small tubes.
The metal cores for making tubes of ordinary marketable sizes may be
rolled into a bar, and be afterwards cut into the required lengths, so that
they never exceed at their thickest parts one-third of the thickest portion
of the block, as shewn in Figures 1, 5, and 6. The core should always
be inserted cold within the heated block, and the block and core should
be uniformly heated before being rolled into a slab. A cast core may be
used for large tubes, or a sand core may first be used; and after the
same is removed a metal core may be substituted for it within the block.
Again, the core may be of the same kind of metal as the block, and after
placing such core in the mould the metal to form the block may be run
around the core. Furthermore, the edges of the slab which is reduced
from the block when having the core in it, or in other words the margin
of thickness between the exterior of the slab and the core as compared
with the diameter of the finished tube, must be sufficient to ensure
(when operating upon the latter, as in Fig. 16) such a pinch between the
rolls and bulb shewn in said Figure as will carry the tube through the
rolls and leave the metal uniform in thickness.
When and to follow out the operation shewn in Fig. 16 an extra long
tube is required to be produced, and a thrust rod is impracticable, an
oval or suitably shaped bar of iron or stud may be inserted within the
tube, and the whole be rolled in grooved rolls, and the tube be sized, as
herein-before described.
I will now explain the adaptation of the Invention to the manufacture
of hollow shafts or axles. Figures 21 and 22 represent end and side
views of a block or casting A suitable by proper division for making two
or more axles, and having a core B in it, as herein-before described, the
block having in this case no bosses on its sides or edges; Figures 23

page_text: and 24 represent slabs as produced from said block and core, sub-
stantially in the manner herein-before described.
Fig. 25 is an end view of a finished tube produced from the block;
Fig. 26 is a longitudinal or side and end view of said tube; and Fig. 27
a side and end view of one of a pair of studs or plugs P of iron which
are inserted into opposito ends of the tube, and are swaged to the form
of journals, as shewn in Fig. 28.
Figures 29 and 30 represent an exterior longitudinal and longitudinal
sectional view of a railroad car axle constructed substantially as above
described, but of diminishing taper externally and internally from the
wheel seats g, g, to the centre of the axle, and so that the metal forming
the shell or tubular portion of the axle is also of diminishing taper or
thickness from the wheel seats to the centre of the axle. In the pro-
duction of said axle after the journals are swaged, as seen in Fig. 28,
the tubular axle is put into a furnace, so constructed as to heat all but
the ends embracing the wheel scats. When properly heated it is put in
a machine, shown in part at Fig. 31, and secured by clamps R, R,
applied to the journals, and the whole submitted to a tensile strain while
or at the same time two pairs of wheels T, T, are moved towards and
from each other over the axle from end to centre, and vice versa, while
or as the tubular axle is kept rotating. A hollow axle, constructed as
described, has a true taper externally, also the metal of which its tubular
portion is composed is of tapering thickness (see Fig. 30), thereby
making the axle clastic where it is most desirable that such should be
its condition, and avoiding or reducing the liability of the axle to break
near the wheel seats, so common to railroad car axles of different con-
struction. Such improved axle may also be made very much lighter
without impairing its strength.
In the manufacture, as herein-before described, of tubes or tubular
bodies, including hollow axles, an important part of the operation is the
opening of the tube by its passage over a bulb. To facilitate or improve
this action a machine, substantially as represented in Fig. 32, may be
employed, and in which rolls U, U, operate to draw the tube over the
bulb, a forcing bar assisting by pressing on the back end of the tube.
Said tube is delivered on to a roller swinging carriage V, which is
pivotted at k to provide for removal of the tube, the bar which carries
the bulb and which may be locked by a fork 7 being also capable of
swinging to one side,

page_text: In working yellow metal and copper the slab from which the tube is
to be made should be passed cold once or twice before opening it in
order to give stiffness and elasticity and to facilitate its opening; the
final opening however should be made with the metal in a hot state.
Having now set forth the nature of the Invention of "Improvements
in the Manufacture of Metal Tubing and Hollow Shafting and Axles,"
as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and explained
the manner of carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be understood
that under the above in part recited Letters Patent I claim,—
First. In the manufacture of seamless metal tubing or tubular
articles, including hollow shafts and axles, the production of the tube or
tubular portion of the article from a slab drawn from a metal block
fitted with a core, the exterior of which and interior and exterior of the
block are parallel or nearly parallel with one another on their several
sides or edges to produce uniform rolling of the block and core pre-
paratory to forming the slab into a tube, substantially as specified.
Second. A hollow railroad car axle made of diminishing taper
externally from its wheel seats towards its centre, and having the metal
of such portion of diminishing thickness in the same direction, essentially
as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, the Eighth day of June, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
five.