Improvements relating to the Forging of Metal Cylinders, Armour- plates, Projectiles, and other Objects, and to Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 14th July, 1888
Complete Specification Left, 14th May, 1889-Accepted, 22nd June, 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Forging of Metal Cylinders, Armour-
plates, Projectiles, and other Objects, and to Apparatus therefor.
I, MANASSAH GLEDHILL, Director of Sir Joseph Whitworth & Co. Limited, of
Openshaw, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to the forging of hollow cylinders, tubes or hoops to be used
in the manufacture of ordnance or for other purposes, and also to the forging of
armour-plates, armour-piercing projectiles, and other large or heavy objects. And
it comprises apparatus for use in connection with forging-presses, and designed to
facilitate the placing and moving or adjusting of the work in or under the press.
My improved apparatus is very advantageous for use with forging-presses such
as those described in the specification of former letters patent granted to Sir Joseph
Whitworth and dated 7th September A.D. 1874, No. 3064.
One feature of my present invention is the provision I make for the moving or
adjustment of the lower forging-block, that is to say, the block holding the V-shaped or
other shaping pieces or dies upon which the ingot or mass of metal is supported
beneath the press during the operation of forging or during a part of such operation.
For this purpose I arrange the said lower block on suitable slides and combine
therewith hydraulic or other apparatus whereby it can be moved into and away from
the press through one side thereof. This apparatus is preferably sunk beneath the
floor upon which the press is supported.
In some instances I use a lower block constructed to hold two or more sets of
shaping dies or pieces and arranged to be moved, on slides as above set forth, by
means of the said hydraulic or other apparatus, so that, in order to change the shaping
blocks or dies in use at any time, instead of having to remove the lower block and
replace it by another, I simply shift the said lower block through the required distance
upon the aforesaid slides. The different sets of shaping dies or pieces in the said
lower block may be of different shapes.
In forging a hollow cylinder or tube, the hollow ingot is first placed upon a mandrel
and subjected to the action of the press, being partially rotated after each movement
of the press substantially as described in the said former specification No. 3064.
After the ingot has been forged in or between the blocks, suitable stands or supports
are brought under the ends of the mandrel; the lower block is removed through the
side of the press as above described, and the cylinder or tube is further enlarged by
forging it on the mandrel. After this operation, the cylinder or tube can be readily
removed from the mandrel to be reheated or for other purposes.
Ingots can be worked into a parallel or taper form as desired by varying the
position of the mandrel on its supports.
When the press is to be used for the manufacture of armour-plates, I provide, at
one or both sides of the press, a hydraulic cylinder with a horizontally acting ram or
other suitable pressing apparatus for working or finishing the edges of the said plates
whilst they are being squeezed and reduced in thickness by the press.
In some instances the hydraulic apparatus which moves the lower forging block is
provided with two rams arranged telescopically or one within the other, so that one
ram will effect the removal and replacement of the lower block and the other ram
will serve for working or finishing the edges of the armour-plates as above described.
In making armour piercing or other projectiles according to my present invention
I take a metal bar of suitable diameter and of such length that two projectiles can be
made therefrom as hereinafter described. I use upper and lower forging-blocks each
formed with two dies or matrices arranged end to end and properly shaped to produce

page_text: between them two pointed or ogival ended or other shaped projectiles simultaneously from
the said bar, that is to say, by repeatedly pressing or squeezing the said bar between the said
blocks and partially rotating it after each pressing or squeezing operation, I can work
the metal so as to reduce and point or otherwise shape the portions thereof in the
contiguous ends of the two dies and cause it to flow therefrom towards the outer ends
of the dies. I thus form the two conical or conoidal ended or other shaped projectiles
simultaneously. I apply end wise pressure at one or both ends of the bar by means of
hydraulic or other apparatus working either directly in line with, or transversely to the
axis of the bar. For this purpose I sometimes employ screws working in projections
or bosses formed on the lower forging-block and rotated through the medium of a
ratchet or other device by hydraulic or other pressure.
Sufficient space is left between these screws and the ends of the bar, at the
commencement of the operation, to permit such end wise movement of the two parts
of the bar as is necessitated by the displacement of the metal in shaping the ends of
the projectiles as above described.
In some instances the end pressure can be applied so that the metal bar will be
upset or increased in diameter to avoid lengthening of the projectiles by the action of
the press.
In some instances, I provide the said screws. with a disc or flange having teeth
adapted to engage with the end of the bar or base of the projectile, for the purpose of
rotating the said bar after each movement of the press. I sometimes form on each
end of the bar a projection or tail for the said toothed disc or flange to engage
with for the purpose above specified. Or I can provide other suitable means for this
purpose.
By making two projectiles from a single bar in one operation as above described,
I am enabled to hold the bar in place in a convenient and effectual manner while the
pressure is applied for forging the same.
It is evident that the improvements herein set forth, although chiefly designed for
use in connection with forging presses, are also applicable to forge-hammers.
Dated this 14th day of July 1888.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Forging of Metal Cylinders, Armour-
plates, Projectiles, and other Objects, and to Apparatus therefor.
I, MANASSAH GLEDHILL,, Director of Sir Joseph Whitworth & Co., Limited, of
Openshaw, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers, 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 forging of hollow cylinders, tubes or hoops to be used
in the manufacture of ordnance or for other purposes, and also to the forging of
armour-plates, armour-piercing projectiles, and other large or heavy objects. And it
comprises apparatus for use in connection with a forging-press, to facilitate the moving
or adjusting of the work in or under the said press.
My improved apparatus is very advantageous for use with forging-presses such as
those described in the Specification of former Letters Patent granted to Sir Joseph
Whitworth and dated 7th September A.D. 1874, No. 3064.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is an elevation of a forging-press provided with my improved apparatus
for facilitating the placing and adjustment of the work in or under the press.
Figure 2 is a similar view showing a modified arrangement of the said press.
Figure 3 is a side elevation.
Figure an end elevation, and
Kigure 5 nlan partly in horizontal section on the line
Figure 3. showing

page_text: perated upon by the forg
Figure 6 is a sido elevation, partly in vertical central section, illustrating one form
of my apparatus for simultaneously forging two armour-piercing projectiles.
Figure 6 is a side elevation, and
Figure 6 an underside view showing the upper forging-block or hammer of the said.
apparatus.
Figure 7 is an end elevation of the said apparatus.
Figure 8 is a plan, and
Figure 9 a front elevation showing another form or modification of the said
apparatus.
Figure 10 is a plan.
Figure 11 a front elevation partly in vertical longitudinal central section, and
Figure 12 an end elevation, partly in transverse section on the line a¹, a¹, Figure 11,
showing a further modification of the said apparatus.
Figure 13 is a transverse section on the line 3, 2, Figure 11, and
Figure 14 a transverse section on the line 3,³, Figure 11, illustrating details of
construction.
Figure 15 is a longitudinal central section illustrating the simultaneous forging of
two tubular projectiles in the manner hereinafter described.
Figure 16 is an end elevation, and
Figure 17 is a plan partly in horizontal section on the line,, Figure 16,
showing mechanism hereinafter described for intermittently rotating the work.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A, A are strong pillars which are firmly secured in a suitable base-plate or
foundation, and which are screw-threaded throughout a part of their length. B is a
movable head, which is fitted upon the pillars A so that it can slide freely up and
down thereon. The head B is supported by the rams of hydraulic cylinders or by
other suitable means, and is held down or retained in any desired position by nuts Č
on the screw-threaded parts of the said pillars, as described in the said former speci-
D is the forging or pressing cylinder, which is carried by the movable
fication.
head B.
E is a lower forging-block or anvil-block which is formed or provided with one or
more suitably shaped dies or swages. E¹ is the upper forging-block which is
attached in any convenient manner to the ram D' of the bydraulic cylinder D.
The presses heretofore used for the forging of steel cylinders or hoops such as are
herein referred to, have not been provided with means for conveniently adjusting
or removing the lower forging-block or anvil. When such adjustment or removal
becomes necessary, it has to be effected by means of lifting-tackle or other make-
shift appliances that may be available. Consequently time and labour are wasted
over the adjustment or removal of the said block or anvil. But according to my
present invention I provide the press with special means for this purpose, that is to
say, the block E is supported on rails or slides F and has combined with it a hydraulic
cylinder G, the ram or piston G' of which is suitably connected with the block E;
the said block can, by this hydraulic apparatus, be readily moved on the rails or
slides into and away from the press through either of the two sides thereof.
This hydraulic apparatus is preferably sunk beneath the surface of the ground or
beneath the floor of the building in which the forging-press is situated. If desired,
I substitute for the hydraulic apparatus, other suitable apparatus for moving or
adjusting the said anvil-block.
In some instances, 1 construct the adjustable forging-block or anvil-block E with
two or more shaping dies or swages, as shown for instance in Figure 1, so that the
shaping dies or swages in use at any time can be readily changed, that is to say,
can effect
instead of having to remove the lower block and replace it by another, I
the desired change by simply shifting the said lower block through the required
distance upon the aforesaid slides. The different dies or swages in the said lower
block may be of any required shape.

page_text: In forging a hollow cylinder or tube, I proceed as, follows, viz. :-I first place the
hollow ingot a (Figure 2) upon a mandre! H and subject it to the action of the press,
partially rotating it after each movement of the press substantially as described in
the said former specification. After the ingot has been forged in or between the
blocks, the lower block E is removed through the side of the press as above described,
the mandrel is placed in the bearings in its stands or supports and the cylinder or
tube is further enlarged by forging it on the mandrel, without the aid of the lower
forging-block.
The ingots can be worked into a parallel or taper form as desired by varying the
position of the mandrel in its supports or the position of the said supports.
When the press is to be used for the manufacture of armour-plates, I provide at
one side or at each side of the press, a hydraulic cylinder with a horizontally acting
ram or other suitable pressing apparatus for working or finishing the edges. of the
said plates whilst they are being squeezed and reduced in thickness by the press. I
also, in some instances, combine a horizontal pressing apparatus with a vertical press
for the manufacture of projectiles.
In the press shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, there is at one side a hydraulic cylinder J
having a horizontally acting ram J', to which is attached a hammer or forging-
block K; a stationary forging-block K¹ is arranged at the other side of the press.
The said forging-block K should be secured in the base-plate L of the press, prefer-
ably in such a manner that it can be readily removed and replaced. The cylinder J
is firmly secured in the base-plate L and has combined therewith a low pressure
hydraulic cylinder J2 for drawing back the forging-ram J' when the latter is relieved
from the high pressure in the cylinder J. The armour-plate is provided with
trunnions whereby it is suspended by chains in any convenient manner.
In some instances, the hydraulic apparatus which moves the lower forging-
block E as hereinbefore described, is provided with two rams arranged telescopically
or one within the other, so that one ram will effect the removal and replacement of
the said lower block and the other ram will serve for working or finishing the edges
of the armour-plates as above described.
In making armour-piercing or other projectiles according to my present invention,
I take a metal bar of suitable diameter and of such length that two or more
projectiles can be made therefrom as hereinafter described.
1 use upper and lower
forging-blocks each formed with two dies or matrices arranged end to end, and
properly shaped to produce between the upper and lower dies two pointed or ogival-
ended or other shaped portions simultaneously. By repeatedly pressing or squeezing
a bar of the required diameter between the said blocks and pariially rotating it after
each pressing or squeezing operation, I work the metal so as to reduce and point or
otherwise shape the portions thereof in the contiguous ends of the two dies and
cause the metal to flow therefrom towards the outer ends of the dies. I thus form
simultaneously from the same bar two projectiles with conical, ogival or other shaped
ends. I apply pressure to one or both ends of the bar, by means of hydraulic or
other apparatus working either directly in line with, or transversely to the axis of the
said bar. In this manner I provide for resisting the elongation of the bar by the
displacement of the metal under the action of the forging-blocks, and thereby ensure
the more effectual working of the metal at the pointed end or nose of the projectiles.
In Figures 6 and 7, I have shown a hydraulic press, such as that hereinbefore
described, adapted for the simultaneous forging of two projectiles from a single bar
in the manner above specified. c is the metal bar from which the projectiles are to
be forged.
The lower forging-block E and the upper forging-block E¹ are each
formed with two dies or matrices E, as more clearly shown in Figures 6 and 6º,
for the purpose above specified. M, M are hydraulic cylinders connected with
pumps or with an accumulator for applying endwise pressure to the bar c. The
ram M of each of these cylinders is provided with a flanged disc or chuck N
adapted to engage with the end of the bar or projectile c as shown. Relief-valves O
are provided whereby the end wise pressure applied to the bar may be regulated.
The bar is first placed centrally upon the lower forging-block E, and, before the

page_text: forging operation is commenced, the rams M¹ are forcibly pressed against the ends
of the said bar and the discs or chucks N caused to engage therewith, and
communication between the cylinders M and the pumps or accumulator is cut off.
The liquid can then only escape from the said cylinders through the relief-valves 0 ;
therefore during the forging, equal and constant pressure at the two ends of the bar
is maintained, and offers considerable resistance to end wise flow or displacement of
the metal. By these means, the metal at the conoidal or ogival ends of the
projectiles may be worked, between the forging-blocks E, E' as effectually as a flat
bar between flat-faced forging-blocks. Suitable devices, for example such as are
hereinafter described, are provided for partially rotating the work after each
operation of the press. I can combine, with the apparatus shown in Figures 6 and 7
for forging projectiles, side presses or hammers as described with reference to
Figures 3, 4 and 5.
In the arrangement shown in Figures 8 and 9, the forging or pressing
cylinders D are arranged horizontally, the said cylinders being secured in a strong
bed or frame L. The forging-blocks E, E are properly attached to the rains D₁ of
the said cylinders, and work in guides L' firmly secured to the bed or frame L.
The rams D' are provided with extensions D2 on which are placed involute springs P.
These springs are held in place by nuts or collars D fixed on the extensions D³,
and are arranged to effect the return movement of the rams D' when the cylinders D
are opened to the exhaust. The chucks N have fixed upon them toothed wheels N',
with which are geared pinions N³ fixed on a shaft N³. This shaft is provided with
a hand-wheel N whereby it may be rotated to impart intermittent rotary motion
to the bar or projectiles c. The pinions N are made of sufficient length to ensure
their remaining in gear with the toothed wheels N¹, notwithstanding the longitudinal
movement of the latter with the chucks N. Other means may, if desired, be
provided for rotating the work; for instance the device shown in Figures 16 and 17
and hereinafter described. Suitable passages are formed in the bed or frame L for
the discharge of the scale from the machine. The general construction of this
machine is somewhat similar to that of the machine described in the specification
of former Letters Patent granted to me and dated 19th! January A.D. 1888,
No. 875 and shown in Figures 10 and 11 of the drawings accompanying the said
specification.
In Figures 10 to 14, I have shown a machine wherein the hammers or forging-.
blocks are operated by excentrics substantially as described in my said former
specification No 875 with reference to Figures 12 to 15 of the drawings accom-
panying the said specification.
Each of the hammers or forging-blocks E, E is connected by a rod Q with an
excentric R formed or fixed on a shaft R' carried in suitable bearings L mounted
on a saddle hereinafter described. The shafts R' are connected by the gear-
wheels S, the pinions S¹, the shafts S2 and bevel-wheels T, T" with the driving
shaft T. The shafts S³ may be provided with fly-wheels S³.
As the hammers or forging-blocks in this machine are operated by means of
excentrics, the length of their stroke or movement will be invariable; therefore, in
order to keep the said hammers or forging-blocks in their proper position relatively
to the metal bar, while the latter is continually being reduced in diameter, the
bearings L for the shafts R' must be adjustable on the bed or frame L so that they
can be moved towards each other as the forging proceeds. This result is accomplished
by mounting the bearings L2 on sliding saddles L³ actuated by a screw-shaft U
provided with right and left hand screw-threads and held midway between its ends
by a thrust-block or bearing U which prevents end wise motion of the said shaft.
Nuts fitted to the said screw-shaft are carried by the saddles L³ between the
forked projections L' through which the screw-shaft U extends. The said screw-
shaft U is actuated by means of the worm-wheel W fixed thereon and having geared
with it a worm. W' fixed on a shaft W2 arranged to be driven by band or otherwise.
The bearings or guides L³ (Figures 11, 13 and 14) for the hammers E, E' are cast
with the bed or frame L and provided with removable caps L*. A slot or opening L'

page_text: L
is formed in the bottom of each of the said guides or bearings to permit the
lowering of the screw-shaft U into its place in the machine when the said caps are
removed. Covers L' are placed above the said slots or openings before the
hammers E, E are inserted in the said guides or bearings.
If desired the nuts V may be formed in one piece with the saddles L³. When
the said nuts are formed separately from the said saddles, the latter are lowered upon
the shaft U after the nuts have been adjusted to their proper position upon the said
shaft. If the nuts are solid with the saddles, the latter, may be inserted in their
places by sliding them on the bed or frame from either end thereof and causing them
to engage simultaneously with the screw-shaft and then rotating the said shaft. To
permit the adjustment of the hammers or forging-blocks so as to ensure their meeting
exactly on the centre-line of the bar, the nuts V may be circular in transverse section
so that they will fit the sides in any position, a key or other device being provided
for securing them; or the screw-shaft may be formed in two parts united by suitable
couplings. The means employed for subjecting the bar e to endwise pressure and
for intermittently rotating the said bar are substantially similar to those above described
with reference to Figures 8 and 9.
In Figure 15, I have shown a pair of armour-piercing shells forged from a single
hollow bar or tube in the manner herein before described. These shells are similar
to those described in the specification of former Letters Patent No. 10,637 granted
to me and dated 2nd August A.D. 1887. In forging such shells, I insert a mandrel
into the hollow bar or tube from which they are to be made and then proceed as herein-
before described.
Figures 16 and 17 show a device for intermittently rotating the work in either of
the machines above described for the simultaneous forging of two projectiles. In
these Figures, d is a hydraulic cylinder, the ram d¹ of which is formed with rack-
teeth geared by means of a pinion N2 with a toothed-wheel N arranged to rotate
upon the chuck N which holds the bar, and provided with a pawl N adapted to
engage with ratchet-teeth N on the said chuck. A guide-roller e may be provided
for keeping the rack in gear with the said pinion N. By admitting liquid under
pressure into the hydraulic cylinder d as required, the bar from which the projectiles
are to be made may be intermittently rotated about its axis between the operations of
the forging-hammers.
In some cases, instead of employing the hydraulic cylinders M above described, I
provide screws (Figure 17) for regulating or controlling the endwise flow of the
metal of the bar c. These screws work in the chucks N which are bored out to
receive them, and the said screws may be rotated through the medium of a ratchet or
other device by hydraulic or other power.
Sufficient space is left between these screws and the ends of the bar at the commence-
ment of the forging operation, to permit endwise flow or movement of the metal
commensurate to the displacement of the same in shaping the ends of the projectiles
as above described. Or the said screws are slackened as the forging proceeds.
In some instances, the end pressure can be applied so that the metal bar will be
upset or increased in diameter to avoid lengthening of the projectiles by the action of
the press.
I sometimes form on each end of the bar ca projection or tail for the flanged dise
or chuck to engage with, for rotating the said bar. Or I can provide other suitable
means for this purpose..
By making two projectiles from a single bar in one operation as above described,
I am enabled to hold the bar in place in a convenient and effectual manner while the
pressure is applied for forging the same.
It is evident that the improvements herein set forth, although chiefly designed for
use in connection with forging-presses, are also applicable to forge-bammers.
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 do not
now claim the method of forging hollow cylinders or the like by first working them
11 7

page_text: between forging-blocks and then upon a mandrel; nor do I claim generally or
irrespectively of my improvements herein set forth the forging of two articles from
one bar in a single operation; neither do I claim the forging of a single projectile
between dies in the upper and lower forging blocks of a press or the use of hydraulic
or other apparatus for applying pressure thereto, but I claim :-
First. The combination, with a forging-press, of means for moving the anvil-block
or lower forging-block relatively to the upper forging-block or hammer, substantially
as, and for the purpose, above specified.
Second. In a forging-press, a series of shaping dies or swages and means for
moving or adjusting the same relatively to the upper forging-block or hammer,
substantially as, and for the purpose, above specified.
Third. The herein described method of finishing the edges of an armour-plate
during its manufacture in a forging-press.
Fourth. A forging-press wherein one or more horizontally moving hammers or
forging-blocks are combined with a vertically moving hammer or forging-block, for
the purposes above specified.
Fifth. The method of manufacturing projectiles by working a metal bar between
dies or swages in such a manner as to simultaneously forge the ends of two projectiles
while the longitudinal flow or displacement of the metal is prevented or resisted as
above set forth.
Sixth. The forging-blocks formed with the dies or matrices and arranged in combina-
tion with hydraulic or other apparatus for operating one or both of the said blocks
and for applying and controlling the end wise pressure, and with means for inter-
mittently rotating the work, for the purpose above specified.
Seventh. In a forging-press wherein the hammers or forging-blocks are operated
by means of excentrics, the combination, with the said hammers or forging-blocks and
their eccentrics, of means such as are herein described or other suitable means for
adjusting the same relatively to the work.
Eighth. The improved device for intermittently rotating the work, comprising the
flanged disc or chuck and the toothed wheel and pinion, substantially as described
with reference to Figures 8 and 9, or with reference to Figures 16 and 17 of the
drawings and operating as above specified.
Ninth. The improved forging-press constructed substantially as described with
reference to Figures 3 to 5, or with reference to Figures 6 and 7, or to Figures 8
and 9, or to Figures 10 to 14 of the drawings and operating as, and for the purposes,
above specified.
Dated this 14th day of May 1880
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.