IMPROVEMENTS IN MANUFACTURING AXLES, AXLE BOXES, CAPS, WASHERS, AND THEIR ACCESSORY PARTS AND TOOLS AND DIES THEREFOR
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Mackay of Liverpool in the County of Lancaster
for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MANUFACTURING AXLES, AXLE
BOXES, CAPS, WASHERS, AND THEIR ACCESSORY PARTS AND TOOLS AND DIES
THEREFOR
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Mackay at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th August 1882.
JAMES MACKAY, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MANUFACTURING AXLES, AXLE BOXES, CAPS, WASHERS AND THEIR ACCESSORY
PARTS AND TOOLS AND DIES THEREFOR
My Invention relates to the manufacture of axles, axle boxes, caps, washers and
their accessary parts for which Letters Patent were granted to me N° 1147 A.D.
1882. The object of my Invention is to manufacture such axles, axle boxes, caps,
washers and their accessary parts by stamping and forging them with dies and
tools designed to meet the forms and configurations of the different parts.
In manufacturing axles according to my Invention, I form a groove in the end
thereof, by the use of dies corresponding in form to the shape and size of groove
required. By preference I form the die in two parts, the lower part being fixed in,
or on a bed and the upper part placed above and under the action of a steam
hammer, or equivalent tool. The working surface of the dies are semi-circular
corresponding in inside radius to that of the axle to be stamped. A raised, or
semi-circular ring is formed in the interior of each die, corresponding in depth,
breadth and form to that of the groove required in the axle. The bar of steel, or
malleable iron of which the axle is to be formed, is heated sufficiently and then
placed between the dies, and upon pressure being applied, the groove is formed.
In manufacturing axle boxes according to my Invention, I take a malleable tube
of say Low Moor iron of suitable length. I sufficiently heat it at one end and it is
then placed in a matrix and the end is then "set up" into a groove of the matrix
by a tool and die applied under pressure, thus giving the required form to the end
of the axle box.

page_text: Another method consists in taking a plate of suitable metal say, Low Moor iron,
and stamping, or forging and welding it into a tube provided with a flange and an
internal recess in the centre. The dies used under this part of my invention
consist of an upper and under die of dimensions and form corresponding with those
of the axle box under manufacture namely each die will have a semi cylindrical
interior provided with a groove to form the "set up," or flange of the axle box.
A core is also placed in the interior of the die provided with a projection for the
proper formation of the interior of the axle box.
In manufacturing caps according to my Invention, I take a piece of sufficiently
heated malleable metal, say Low Moor iron, of hollow cylindrical form and about
equal in outside diameter to that of the cap to be formed. This piece of metal is
placed in a hollow matrix with a centre core, corresponding to the form of the cap
to be produced. A part of the metal cylinder projects above the matrix. This
part is then set inwards by pressure and an upper tool and die is then placed over
the projecting part of the cylinder and upon pressure being applied the metal is
completely closed and welded and the cap is thús manufactured in the rough.
In manufacturing washers according to my Invention, such washers are stamped
out of flat pieces of malleable metal, say Low Moor iron and divided or cut, either
in, or after stamping The tool used for stamping the washer consists of a die of
internal and external form and size corresponding to the shape of the washer. In
stamping, the metal is laid on a matrix with a centre core. The upper die, or
stamp consists of a hollow punch, the internal diameter of which about corresponds
with the diameter of the centre core of the matrix. The upper die is then brought
down upon the metal by pressure and cuts, or stamps out the washer
The tools and dies are arranged to be operated upon by a steam, or a sledge
hammer, or by hydraulic pressure, and the parts are all stamped from malleable
metal ready for turning and finishing and the advantages I attain by thus manu-
facturing the axles, axle boxes, caps and washers described in the Specification of
my Patent No 1147 A.D. 1882 are that I can cheaply produce the parts from
wrought metal, say Low Moor iron and thus have great strength with lightness of
parts at an inexpensive rate

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said James Mackay in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 15th February
1883.
"
JAMES MACKAY, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster IMPROVEMENTS IN
MANUFACTURING AXLES, AXLE BOXES, CAPS, WASHERS, AND THEIR ACCESSORY
PARTS, AND TOOLS AND DIES THEREFOR
"
My Invention relates to the manufacture of axles, axle boxes, caps, washers, and
their accessory parts for which Letters Patent were granted to me N° 1147
A.D. 1882. The object of my Invention is to manufacture such axles, axle boxes,
caps, washers and their accessory parts by stamping and forging them with
dies and tools designed to meet the forms and configurations of the different parts.
In manufacturing axles according to my Invention, I form a groove, in the end
thereof by the use of dies corresponding in form to the shape and size of groove
required By preference I form the die in two parts, the lower part being fixed
in, or on a bed and the upper part placed above and under the action of a steam
hammer, or equivalent tool.-The working surface of the dies are semi circular
corresponding in inside radius to that of the axle to be stamped. A raised, or
semi circular ring is formed in the interior of each die corresponding in depth,
breadth and form to that of the groove required in the axle. The bar of steel, or
malleable iron of which the axle is to be formed is heated sufficiently and
then placed between the dies and upon pressure being applied the groove is
formed.
In manufacturing axle boxes according to my Invention, I take a malleable tube
say of Low Moor iron of suitable length.-I sufficiently heat it at one end and it
is then placed in a matrix and the end is then "set up" into a groove of the matrix
by a tool and die applied under pressure, thus giving the required form to the
axle box.
Another method consists in taking a plate of suitable metal, say Low Moor iron
and stamping, or forging and welding it into a tube provided with a flange. The
dies used under this part of my Invention consist of an upper and under die of
dimensions and form corresponding.with those of the axle box under manufacture,
namely each die will have a semi cylindrical interior provided with a groove to
form the set up, or flange of the axle box. A core is also placed in the interior of
the die for the proper formation of the interior of the axle box.
In manufacturing caps according to my Invention, I take a piece of sufficiently
heated malleable metal, say Low Moor iron of hollow cylindrical form and about
equal in outside diameter to that of the cap to be formed. This piece of metal is
placed in a hollow matrix with a centre core corresponding to the form of the cap
to be produced. A part of the metal cylinder projects above the matrix.
part is then set inwards by pressure and an upper tool and die is then placed over
the projecting part of the cylinder and upon pressure being applied, the metal is
completely closed and welded and the cap is thus manufactured in the rough.
This
In manufacturing washers according to my Invention such washers are stamped
out of flat pieces of malleable metal say Low Moor iron and divided, or cut either
in, or after stamping. The tool used for stamping the washer consists of a die of
internal and external form and size corresponding to the shape of the washer.-In
stamping the metal is laid on a matrix with a centre core. The upper die, or
stamp consists of a hollow punch, the internal diameter of which about
corresponds with the diameter of the centre core of the matrix The upper die
is then brought down upon the metal by pressure and cuts or stamps out the
washer,
.

page_text: axies with the groove in the end thereof.
Figure 2 is a sectional end view of part of. Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of a matrix and die, such as I employ for
stamping axle boxes, shown with the metal for forming the axle box before
stamping.
Figure 4 is a sectional elevation of a matrix die and axle box in position after
stamping.
Figure 5 is a section of the top of the axle box viewed from the underside.
Figure 6 is a sectional elevation of a pair of dies showing another method of
stamping axle boxes according to my Invention.
Figure 7 is a sectional end view of Figure 6.
Figure 8 is a perspective view of a bar of metal, such as I employ when stamping
axle boxes with the die shown at Figure 6
Figure 9 is a sectional elevation of a pair of dies such as I employ for stamping
caps according to my Invention, shown in position before stamping. Figure 10
shows the position after stamping.
Figure 11 is a sectional elevation of a pair of dies which may be used as an
alternative for the dies shown at Figure 9.
Figure 12 is a sectional elevation of a pair of dies such as I employ for stamping
washers according to my Invention.
Figure 13 is a plan of the under die, or matrix
Figure 14 is a plan of the upper die viewed from the underside.
In manufacturing axles with the dies shown at Figures 1 and 2, I form the
groove a in the axle A by the use of the dies BC the pressing surfaces of which
are formed to correspond with the shape and size of the groove required, namely
the working surface of the dies B and C are semicircular corresponding in inside
radius to the radius of the axle A. A raised, or circular ring b, with its edges cut
away as shown is formed in the interior of each of the dies B C. the ring b
corresponds in depth, breadth, and form to the groove a required to be formed in
the axle. The die C is fixed, or set on a bed and the die B is placed above and
when in action is subjected to the blows of a steam hammer, or equivalent tool, or
hydraulic pressure. The bar of steel, or malleable iron of which the axle A is to
be formed is brought to a sufficient heat placed between the dies B and C
and upon pressure being applied and the bar A being turned round the axle is
stamped.
In manufacturing axle boxes by means of the dies shown at Figures 3 and 4, I
take a malleable tube D say of Low Moor iron sufficiently long to allow for the
setting up of the flange in addition to the length of the axle box. The upper
portion of the tube D is sufficiently heated and the tube placed in the matrix E
with its end projecting as shown at Figure 3. The matrix E is formed with its

page_text: opper end grooved, or recessed to correspond with the form of the flange and lugs
o be formed on the end of the axle box. The upper die F is provided with a
mandril which takes into the end of the tube D, which projects over the matrix E.
Under the action of a steam hammer, or hydraulic pressure, the projecting end of
the tube D is set up into the groove, or recess of the matrix E and the flange c
and the lugs d are formed on the end of the axle box D as shown in Figures 4 and 5.
After the operation the stamped axle box is jumped from the matrix by an upward
When it is required to form
movement being given to the plunger G Figure 4.
axle boxes to receive a collar, which is on the axle according to my Invention, the
upper die F is formed with a projection f which stamps the groove, or recess f¹ in
the end of the axle box as shown at Figure 44 and when these axle boxes are made
with their ends closed, the tube D out of which the axle box is to be made is
placed as shown at Figure 4B in a matrix E¹ and on a mandril, with one of its
ends (which has first been sufficiently heated) projecting as shown in dotted lines
which projecting end is set up by a hand hammer and the upper die F closes in and
welds the end of the axle box as shown by the full lines.
Another method of forming axle boxes according to my Invention, consists in
taking a plate, or bar of suitable metal D of which a number are shown at
Figure 8. The plate, or bar is formed with a flange c and after being sufficiently
heated is placed on the matrix, or die E Figures 6 and 7. Over the plate Da
mandril is placed and the plate D is set by pressure on the mandril into the form
shown in full lines Figure 7 The sides of the plate D are brought together, as
shown in dotted lines Figure 7 and then upon pressure being applied by the
upper die F the axle box is welded together into form, the flange c forming the
flange at the end of the axle box. To provide an internal recess in the centre of
the axle box such recess is turned out by a suitable cutting tool after the axle box
has been formed.
In manufacturing caps for axle boxes according to my Invention by means
of the dies shown at Figures 9 and 10 I take a piece of sufficiently heated
malleable metal J of hollow cylindrical form and about equal in outside diameter
to that of the cap to be formed. The piece of metal J is placed in the matrix K,
which has a centre core K³ and corresponds with the form of the cap to be
This projecting
produced. A part of the metal J projects above the matrix K.
part is set inwards and welded by pressure such as the blows of a hand hammer
and the metal J is pressed by such upper tool, or die L into the shape of the axle
box cap J as shown at Figure 10. After formation the cap J is jumped out of the
matrix K by the upward movement of the jumper blocks K".
In manufacturing caps by means of the dies shown at Figure 11, the under
die K corresponds in form with the exterior of the cap and the upper die L
In use a block of metal in a highly
corresponds with the interior of the cap.
heated state is placed between the dies and upon pressure being applied to the
dies, the cap is stamped out of the block of metal.
In manufacturing washers according to my Invention by the use of dies
shown at Figures 12. 13 and 14 such washers are stamped out of a piece of
5 sufficiently heated metal, which is placed between the matrix M and the upper
die, or punch N, the matrix M and upper die N being formed to correspond with
the shape of the washer, which is punched out of the metal by the action of the
punch N of the matrix M.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention and the manner of
O performing the same, I would have it understood that I claim
5
First Forming the groove in the axle (shown at Figure 7 of the Drawings
annexed to the Specification of Patent No 1147 A.D. 1882) by stamping with dies
having a projection b and constructed substantially as herein described and shown
at Figures 1 and 2 of the Drawings hereto annexed:
Second Forming the axle box D with its flange and lugs (as shown at Figure 1
of the Drawings annexed to the Specification of Patent No 1147 A.D. 1882) by

page_text: stamping with dies substantially as herein described and shown at Figures 3. 4
and 5 of the Drawings hereto annexed.
Third Forming the axle box D with its flange (as shown at Figure 1 of the
Drawings annexed to the Specification of Patent N° 1147 A.D. 1882) by setting
up and stamping by means of dies substantially as herein described and shown at
Figures 6. 7 and 8 of the Drawings hereto annexed.
Fourth Forming the axle box D with its flange (as shown at Figure 19 of the
Drawings annexed to the Specification of Patent N° 1147 A.D. 1882) by stamping
with dies substantially as herein described and shown at Figure 4 of the Drawings
hereto annexed.
Fifth Forming the axle box D with its flange and closed end (as shown at
Figure 15 of the Drawings annexed to the Specification of Patent N° 1147
A.D. 1882) by setting up and stamping with dies substantially as herein described
and shown at Figures 44 and 4B of the Drawings hereto annexed.
Sixth Forming the cap C (as shown at Figure 1 of the Drawings annexed to
the Specification of Patent,N° 1147 A.D. 1882) by stamping with dies substantially
as herein described and shown at Figures 9. 10 and 11 of the Drawings hereto
annexed.
Seventh Forming the washer (as shown at Figure 3 of the Drawings annexed
to the Specification of Patent N° 1147 A.D. 1882) by stamping with dies
substantially as herein described and shown at Figures 12. 13 and 14 of the
Drawings hereto annexed.
In Witness whereof, I, the said James Mackay have hereunto set my hand and
seal this thirteenth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and eighty three.