An Improved Tool and Machine for Working Metal Surfaces.
Year: 1889

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Tool and Machine for Working Metal Surfaces.
I, FRIEDRICH WANNIECK, of Brünn, Austria, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The mechanical working of metal surfaces such as it is actually effected by the
several kinds of planing machines, turning lathes, and shaping machines, offers
considerable inconveniences which are entirely remedied by the hereinafter described
invention.
The planing machines and lathes take off chips only by strips, which renders
necessary a repeated relative notion of work-piece and tool, the number of which
motions is dependent upon the width of the work-piece. It results therefrom that
not only a considerable amount of time and of driving power is required on account
of the motion of large masses, but that also the produced work will become
irregular owing to the gradual alteration caused by wear and tear of the cutting
edge of the tool.
This defect is felt to an increased degree in shaping machines, as owing to the
scraping action on the work-piece a rapid wear of the tool is produced, and at the
same time the working speed of such machines has to be limited in consequence
of the rapid heating of the working parts resulting from the unfavourable attack of
the cutting teeth.
These defects are felt still more when the operation of the tool is composed of a
preparatory work (rough planing) and a finishing work (smoothing). It is
unnecessary to point out here particularly the disadvantages resulting from the
proportionately rapid deterioration of the cutting edges and from the frequent
adjustment of the same, such as irregularity of the worked surface, loss of time, and
inaccuracy in mounting a fresh tool in substitution of another one, and, as regards
the tool itself, rapid use of the very valuable material the tool is made of.
Already the fact that the manufacturer of machine tools directs bis attention more
to the production of tools with cutting edges of the greatest possible durability
than to the economizing of driving power, shows the great importance of a tool for
working metal surfaces such as hereinafter described, the cutting edge of which in
comparison with those of tools hitherto used, is of an almost unlimited durability.
Starting from the principle derived from experience in machine tools for working
metal that the thinner the chip, the finer is the work done, the greater the sparing
of the tool and the less the consumption of driving power, I have invented a new
method of working metal surfaces by means of a novel tool, which I will proceed to
describe with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 shows a work-piece W, upon which my new tool has just been operating.
a b is the surface just worked by the tool, c d is the surface which has not yet been
subjected to the action of the tool, e f is a chip which is still firmly connected with
the work-piece.
Figs. 2 and 3 show by way of example one of the forms in which the tool J may
be constructed; the latter has a helically extending cutting edge i, the body of
which consists of a strong steel piece fastened by means of screws in a groove
extending also in a helical direction, and held in such a position that the sloping
front side of the cutting edge is placed nearly in the radial direction.
The cutting angle of the tool is that which has been found as being the most
suitable in planing and turning tools, that is to say, according to the metal to be
worked, this angle is from 55° to 65°.
While this tool revolves on its axis g h with a speed of about 10 or 12 revolutions
a minute, a rectilinear or revolving advance (dependent in extent upon the chip to be

page_text: taken off) of the work piece towards the tool, or inversely of the tool towards the
work piece, takes place. This advance is also dependent upon the nature (hardness)
of the metal; on an average it is about 25 m./m. (1 in.) a minute.
The first point of application of the tool being exactly underneath the axis of
revolution of the same, the chip which begins immediately at the finished surface
with a thickness equal to zero, then gradually increases in thickness, terminating
with the greatest thickness which is dependent upon the advancing motion. The
relative motion between tool and chip is a sawing dragging one, or a shearing one,
that is to say, the most favourable motion for effecting a cut as smooth as possible,
and requiring the smallest amount of power.
This mode of working compared with that of the known machine-tools proves
already alone the superiority of the novel tool and shows clearly the characteristic
differences between the latter and the hitherto employed means for working metal,
particularly the shaping machines, which are always provided with several edges and
operate like files.
Fig. 4 illustrates a chip taken off by means of the tool perpendicularly with respect
to the direction of the advancing motion, it shows that the mean thickness of the
chip remains entirely independent of the thickness s of the layer to be taken off.
It results furthermore from this that the tool effects a rough cut and a finishing
cut at the same time, that is to say, that during the operation the work passes
continuously from finishing or smoothing to rough planing, in such a manner that
one border of the chip resembles a chip produced by a finishing cut and the other
border of the same chip to a chip produced by rough planing.
Upon this peculiarity and also upon the insignificant degree of heating that takes
place during the operation is based the fact, which has been proved by numerous
experiments carried out on a large scale, that the tool appears to be almost
indestructible. Experience shows that the slightest passage of the grind stone over
the cutting edge after long use of the tool, is sufficient to put the latter into working
condition again.
This circumstance and the peculiar cutting effect of the tool resulting from the
combined sawing and dragging movement of the cutting edge, explains the pro-
portionately small amount of power which is required. The saving in time and
wages effected are very important.
It has been found that the time required for performing work by means of
machine tools of known construction is from seven to twelve times that which is
expended with my improved tool and that notwithstanding this the quality of work
and the uniformity of the whole surface worked by my tool was considerably
superior.
The tool, the construction of which may be varied according to the purpose of
the machine, is always provided with a helical and, in consequence thereof,
gradually seizing cutting edge, arranged on the axis of revolution and extending
without any interruption from one end to the other.
Figs. 2 and 3 shew a steel body provided with a helical cutting edge i and
fastened to a main body of less expensive material by the aid of suitably shaped
abutments.
This tool may be, for instance, advantageously used for working plane surfaces
having a considerable area.
The length may be increased at will as there is no impediment to the increase
of the main diameter which, in the case of considerable length must be increased in
order to avoid vibrating motion.
In small tools the cutting edges may be applied directly to the main body.
When the profile of the surface to be worked is slightly curved, but is otherwise
continuous, as for instance in pulleys with curved surfaces, armour plates and the
like, the corresponding curve is provided on the cutting edge of the tool.
For working surfaces, the profiles of which are interrupted, such as step-pulleys,
grooved pulleys for hemp or wire rope gearing, rolls for producing merchant iron,
plane surfaces or surfaces of revolution having broken profiles, I make use of tools

page_text: which are composed of a corresponding number of main bodies arranged on a
common shaft one close to the other, each of these bodies being of a corresponding
diameter and suited for receiving cutting tools, the effective edges of which corre-
spond to the profiles to be formed, but extend otherwise in a helical line. (See
Figures 5 and 6).
The tool acts always in the above described manner; each of the cutting edges
always attacks the work gradually in such manner, that the chip, starting from the
already finished surface, begins with a thickness equal to zero and increases
gradually in thickness up to the maximum and that the intended shape is given to
a work piece having a rough and irregular surface already by one single passage
of the latter through the machine tool.
The manner in which these tools operate is illustrated in Figures 7-9 of the
accompanying drawings, the said figures showing a plane shearing machine especially
constructed for applying my improved tool.
The machine illustrated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 of the accompanying drawings, which
show respectively a longitudinal section, a cross section and a plan view of the
apparatus, serves to receive the above described tool; it carries a shearing tool
having 170 (64 in.) in diameter and 310 m/m (12 in.) in length; by adding a
second half-turn of the blades, the length of the tool can be doubled.
The herein described general arrangement of the machine remains the same when
the apparatus is constructed on a larger scale.
To the bed-plate 1 are secured the vertical box-shaped standards 2-2 carrying
both the driving spindle and the spindle of the tool. The upper ends of the standards 2
are connected together by means of a bridge 3 so as to form a rigid system perfectly
assured against any vibration which may be produced by the working of the machine.
The standards are finished on their front sides with dove tail guides on which slides
the lowest table 4 carrying two other tables 5 and 6, capable of being adjusted on
table 4. Table 6 is provided with longitudinal and cross grooves for receiving the
work-piece.
For regulating the motion of the work-piece in relation to the shearing tool, I
make use of the hereinafter described mechanism.
DEVICE FOR ADVANCING THE WORK PIECE IN A HORIZONTAL DIRECTION.
The driving spindle 7 actuates by means of toothed gearing 8, 9, 10 (supported in
part by adjustable iron bars,) a double universal joint 11 (see plan view) and by the
fatter by means of worm and wheel 12 and 13, the advancing screw spindle 14. The
nut 15 of this screw is firmly fixed to the table 6, which is by this means put in
motion by screw 14 in such a manner, that if required, its speed can be regulated by
varying the toothed gearing 8, 9 and 10. The speed of the table can therefore be
regulated independently of the variable number of revolutions of the tool. The worm-
wheel 13 is moveable on the spindle 14 and can therefore be thrown in and out of
gear with the worm, by which means the table 6 can easily be displaced by hand (by
turning the spindle at its one end).
.
The second (middle) table 5 can be adjusted on the lowest table and it can be dis-
placed by hand in the direction of the axis of the cutter while carrying the upper table
along with it. This motion is produced by the advancing screw 16 and the nut 17-
fixed to the table 5, the said screw 16 being supported in the lowest table 4, and
rotated by a crank handle, not shewn.
By this means it is possible to work the work-piece on two or three sides without
being obliged to alter its position, provided the shearing tool be combined with face
cutters.
The vertical motion of the work-piece in relation to the shearing tool (in the case
where there are also vertical surfaces to be worked), is obtained by the lowest table 4.
The latter has in its centre, cast in one piece with it, a guide box 18, enclosing a
nut 19. This nut screws on a spindle 20 carried, as shewn in Fig. 7, in a rotatable
manner by the bed-plate 1.
The spindle 20 is rotated by means of the worm and worm wheel 21 and 22 driven

page_text: by a pulley 23. As shewn in Fig. 8 the gearing is put in motion by means of a
driving cord, having a loop in which is suspended a weighted pulley 23*, so as to be
extensible, and which is actuated by the gearing of the advancing screw 14.
The speed of the vertical motion of the table 4 is therefore also independent of
speed of rotation of the shearing tool. For heavier machines a special gearing
mechanism is provided for the vertical motion.
The shearing tool itself is carried on the spindle 24 between moveable adjusting
sleeves, and it is assured against any displacement in the longitudinal direction by
means of a screw adjustment 25 arranged at the front bearing (see Fig. 7) this is
essential on account of the lateral thrust produced by the action of the helical cutting
edge.
The tool spindle 24 is coupled together with the driving spindle 7 by means of a
coupling 26 secured by screw bolts (see Fig. 7 at the right hand) so that the tool may
be replaced if required, by another one. In order to work with shorter tools and to
assure the spindles against deflection, the bridge 3 is provided on its under side with
a dovetail guide on which slide two supports with semi bearings 27, which can be
adjusted as desired and which support the spindle 24 closely on each side of the tool
by means of bushes that are adjustable by means of wedges.
Motion is imparted to the spindle by means of step-pulleys 28, as different speeds
of revolutions are required for the cutting or shearing tool. The transmission of
motion to the spindle is effected by means of worm 29 and worm wheel 30, as by this
means the smoothest and most.regular working of the cutting tool is attained.
By this arrangement of the tool and the work piece to be advanced towards the
tool I obtain the following advantages.
Work-pieces of considerable dimensions can be worked in horizontal direction as
well as in vertical direction, without being obliged to alter the position of the same.
In the first case the work-piece can be at the same time also worked laterally. The
speed of each advancing motion can by this means easily be regulated independently
of the tool, although both speeds remain in an intimate geometrical relation to each other.
The adjustment of the tables can also easily be modified and rapidly effected, so that
the machine can advantageously work in any direction.
The above described apparatus is very effective, easily manipulated and capable of
working with considerable power without material wear.
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. A tool for working metal surfaces consisting of a helical cutting edge such as i
the body of which is firmly fixed upon a revolving tool bearer, or in a groove thereon,
the working face of the tool lying in a more or less radial direction and having its
cutting edge formed with an angle depending upon the nature of the metal to be
acted upon, which tool operates in such manner that, as it revolves, while it or the
work-piece at the same time advances, each point of the cutting edge successively
attacks the metal, forming a continuous cut across the metal surface, the resulting
chip having a thin edge at the commencement of the cut and increasing gradually in
thickness towards the other end substantially as herein described.
2. In a helical cutting tool such as is referred to in the preceding claim, adapted
for cutting figured or curved surfaces, forming the cutting edge of several helically
arranged elements corresponding in form to the curved or figured surface to be pro-
duced, substantially as herein described.
3. In a planing or cutting machine operating with rotary cutting or shearing tools,
the combination of three adjustable tables 4, 5, and 6, of which the uppermost one
effects the horizontal advancing motion of the work piece, while the lowest effects the
vertical advance towards the tool, the upper table being actuated by toothed gearing
and a transmission with universal joints operating an advancing screw spindie by
worm and worm wheel gear, while the lower table is actuated by a screw spindle
driven by a worm and worm wheel and by driving pulley with extensible driving cord

page_text: or strap, the middle table being actuated by hand by means of an advancing screw
spindle and fixed nut, for effecting the lateral motion of the work substantially as
herein described.
4. In a cutting machine operating with a cutting tool such as is referred to in the
first claim, connecting the cutter spindle directly to the driving shaft by a detachable
coupling with a view to the ready exchange of the tool the tool being preventing from
longitudinal displacement by means of a screw adjustment at the front bearing, with
or without adjustable supports such as 27, with semi-bearing having bushes adjustable
by means of wedges, substantially as herein described.
Dated thin 21st
of May 1880
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.