Improvements in and relating to the Manufacture of Metal Tubes, Tubular or Hollow Articles, and in Means and Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Jan., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 28th Oct., 1890-Accepted, 24th Jan., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to the Manufacture of Metal Tubes,
Tubular or Hollow Articles, and in Means and Apparatus
therefor.
I, JAMES ROBERTSON, Engineer, of 95 Colmore Row, Birmingham, Warwickshire
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows
--
My invention relates mainly to the manufacture of seamless metal tube blanks
and tabes and like seamless tubular hollow articles, such as boiler flues, pipe coupling
rings, sockets, broad rims of pulleys or rolls, and parallel and tapering articles,
such as for cannon blanks and shot and shell, and in new and improved means and
apparatus, and new and improved applications of apparatus for manufacturing the
same, the present invention being mainly a further developement of my invention
for which Letters Patent of the United Kingdom were granted to me No. 5018 dated
the 4th day of April 1888 entitled "Improvements in and relating to the manu-
facture of metal tubes, tubular or hollow articles, and in shaping and finishing of
same, and in apparatus therefor" this invention consisting mainly in new and
improved means and apparatus for operating, piercing and drawing tube mandrils
and dies on billets or tube blanks made soft by heat placed in long tube dies having
forming hores or seats in conjunction with and after billet holding up head or stem
rod placed inside the die which forms an important part as set forth in the invention
hereinbefore referred to.
My new and improved combination of apparatus for effecting the conversion of
billets of metal or tube blanks into tubes or tubular articles, consists in one form of
impelling an ordinary tube making mandril into a billet of metal or tube blank held
in a long tube dic (or tube die of a greater length than the billet of metal or
tube blank placed in it to be operated upon) and the billet or tube blank placed in
the die held up against the piercing or drawing action of the mandril by a fixed
abutting head and stem rod, the die at same time being placed in a guide or guides
which leaves the die free to move endwise in the reverse direction to the notion of
the mandril impelled into it and into the mass of metal it contains, the metal thus
placed between the abutting head and mandril by exuding past the mandril into the
form of a tube by its frictional contact on the internal surface of the die by its
motion outwards impelling the die in a reverse direction to the mandril, thereby
relieving the mandril from being packed or stuck up in the metal and rendering it
easily practicable to form a solid billet of metal into a tube or to draw out a tube
blank in this way.
A new and improved modification of this mode of forming tubes out of metal
billets and for drawing out tubes consists also in placing the die in sliding or rolling
guide or guides also fitted to its external surface, and also for the purpose of allowing
it to be free to move on end by the contact and movement end wise of the tube being
formed or drawn by a mandril, but instead of the mandril being impelled by a motor,
into the metal to be operated upon, the mandril is held stationary and the after abutting
head and stem rod which in the modification described is held stationary is in this case
impelled by a motor and by it the billet of metal or tube blank is forced over the
mandril being a converse arrangement of operating on the metal to that just described
and possesses advantages in the simplicity of this new and improved tube making
apparatus, particularly for making short tubes and short tubular articles. Instead of
the die having a sliding or rolling guide (which guides may be of most ordinary
orms of these things) to allow the die free motion on end along with the end of the
ube being formed between the mandril and sides of the die which thus avoids loss
of power by the friction of the metal passing over the internal surface of the die a❤

page_text: also prevents injurious wearing action on the surface of the die. To allow the die this
free motion endwise the long die guide may be applied to its internal surface and the
stem rod head and stem rod for holding up the billet inside the die can be made to
serve this purpose and thereby further simplify the apparatus.
This arrangement is particularly suitable for making short tubes or short tubular
articles such as military shells and by placing the die and mandril in a vertical
position the mandril may be conveniently impelled for the manufacture of these short
articles by percussive force by hammers or otherwise. This method of providing
free motion on end to the die is particularly suitable for being used where the die is
formed into two or more longitudinal pieces for the purpose of allowing the tube or
tubular article formed inside it to be more freely withdrawn and which also allows
articles with bosses or other protuberance formed on them to be freely withdrawn, the
pieces making up the long dies being held together by hoops or otherwise in the many
well known modes long moulds are used for casting purposes. It is also part of my
invention to provide for these long ties formel in halves to obtain free means for
motion on end while the mass of metal they contain ir being operated upon held
together by hoops or by antifrictional rolls. With strong metal hoops put over their
external tapering form in the usual way, and by turning them the die with these
hoops may be placed in a long guiding cylinder, as a guide for their motion on end,
and with antifrictional rolls the halves of the die, may be placed in a strong containing
casting with planed rectilinear vertical opposite surfaces between which and the
corresponding planed surfaces on the die the antifrictional rolls are placed.
A new and improved and somewhat similar mode of giving motion on end to a
long tube making die while the abutting billet or tube abutting head and stem rod is
fixed consists in impelling both the mandril and die in certain relative proportions
of spec to each other synchronically by positive gearing, and my new and improved
mode of doing this which is also part of my said invention-consists in impelling
both the mandril and die in opposite directions to each other, and one new and
improved means of doing this is by a pinion and rack motion which effects this very
conveniently by a pinion keyed on to a horizontal shaft with a means of giving
reversing motion to it, which may be conveniently transmitted to it at pleasure by a
reversing steam engine.
The pinion being made to operate two toothed racks one placed above the toothed
pinion and the other below it. The one rack being made to impel the mandril and
the other the die, and which gives motion synchronically to both at equal speeds
and in reverse directions. This arrangement of impelling gear is very simple and
effective and the resistance of the one rack on the pinion bearings neutralizes the
resistance on the other so as to cause little or no pressure on the bearings. For
making tubes of certain proportions of diameter and thickness the mandril and die
thus driven at certain relative speeds involves the use of certain proportions of
diameter of the mandril used to the diamerer of the di...
A new and improved modification of this mode of impelling both the mandril and
the die, and when a fixed abutting head and stem rod for the billet or tube blank
being operated upon is used, consists in giving assisted motion to the die by certain
relative degrees of force to the force used for impelling the mandril or vice versu
which when the main force is given to the mandril (which is the best arrangement of
this actuating modification of gear) about one third the force is found to be the best
proportion of power to assist the motion of the die in a reverse way to the motion
of the mandril and in the direction of the tube being formed. A new and improved
modification of this means for effecting this action consists in using two pistons
impelled by fluid pressure or in applying a hydraulic cylinder having two rams fitted
in it of the relative proportions required. The larger one (by preference) being used
for impelling the mandril-the smaller one connected to impel the die and by
preference fitted to work in the opposite end of the cylinder from that in which the
main ram is fitted and provided also with reversing action-by so proportioning the
area of the rams in this way any relative proportion of force can be given to
the mandril and die.

page_text: This new and improved disposition of die mandril and billet or blank holding up
head and new and improved driving gear or apparatus suits for making any
proportion of thickness of tube to any diameter and by this arrangement also,
any degree of packing or compression can be given to solidify the metal that may
be required.
It is also a modification and part of my invention to give assisted and synchronous
motion and impelling force endwise and in certain relative proportions and speeds
suited to the proportions of the tubes and metal of which they are to be formed to
the after stein rod and to the die when the mandril is held stationary by similar
proportioning means by pistons or rams by preference actuated by fluids as just
described when the mandril is impelled and the after billet holding up stem rod is
held stationary. but in this case the motions of both the after billet holding up
stem rod and the die are in the same direction. It is part of my invention also when
long dies in halves are used, to use antifrictional rolls to hold the halves of the die
together and to provide means to allow them to be opened out freely when required
for the removal of the tube when drawn, the antifrictional rolls being guided in self
acting returning channels.
It is also part of my invention to guide the endwise motion of these long dies
by rolls or pairs of rolls set in housings for the long die to roll in, which in one
form holds the halves of the die together by strong joggles and also by parallel rolls.
This arrangement of guiding the motions of the die on end being particularly
suitable and advantageous when the billet or tube blank is impelled in the die by
the after stem rod over a mandril held stationary.
30th January 1893.
JAMES ROBERTSON.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to the Manufacture of Metal Tubes,
Tubular or Hollow Articles, and in Means and Apparatus
therefor.
I, JAMES ROBERTSON, Engineer, of 95 Colmore Row, Birmingham, Warwickshire
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 in writing, reference being had to the accompanying three sheets of
drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
My invention relates mainly to the manufacture of seamless metal tube blanks and
tubes, and like seamless tubular hollow articles, such as boiler flues, pipe coupling
rings, sockets, broad rims of pulleys or rolls, and parallel and tapering articles, such
as for cannon blanks, and shot, and shell, and in new and improved means and
apparatus, and new and improved applications of apparatus, for manufacturing the
same, the present invention being mainly a further developement of my invention for
which Letters Patent of the United Kingdom were granted to me No. 5018 dated
the 4th day of April 1888, entitled "Improvements in and relating to the manufacture
of metal tubes, tubular or hollow articles, and in shaping and finishing of saine and
in apparatus therefor" this invention consisting mainly, in new and improved means
and apparatus for operating, piercing and drawing tube mandrels, and dies, on billets
or tube blanks made soft by heat placed in long tube dies, having forming bores or
seats in conjunction with an after billet holding up head or stem roi, placed inside the
die which forms an important part as set forth in the invention hereinbefore referred
to. It is no part of my invention to use any of these new and improved modes and
means or apparatus for making tubes or other hollow articles out of what is usually
designated soft metals," such as lead and tin, which have the distinguishing features
from other metals of not hardening by compression or by being hammered in a cold
state.
My new and improved apparatus, and new and improved combinations of apparatus,

page_text: for effecting the conversion of billets of metal or tube blanks into tubes or tubular
articles, consists in one form of impelling an ordinary tube making mandrel into a
hillet of metal or tube blank, held in a long tube die (or tube die of a greater length
than the billet of metal or tube blank placed in it to be operated upon) and the hillet
or tube blank placed in the die, held up against the piercing or drawing action of the
mandrel by a fixed abutting head and stem rod, the die at same time being placed in
a guide or guides, which leaves the die free to move end wise in the reverse direction
to the motion of the mandrel impelled into it and into the mass of metal it contains, the
metal thus placed between the abutting head and mandrel by exuding past the mandrel
into the form of a tube. by its frictional contact on the internal surface of the die by
its motion outwards impelling the die in a reverse direction to the mandrel, thereby
relieving the mandrel from being packed or stuck up in the metal and rendering it
easily practicable to form a solid billet of metal into a tube, or to draw out a tube
blank in this way.
For the purpose of explaining the manner in which I carry out into effect, or
practice my said invention, append three sheets of drawings or diagrams, illustrating
my improved forms of tube dies and mandrels, new and improved means of working
tube mandrels, and dies, and improved apparatus, and new and improved applications
of apparatus for making or producing tubes and other articles as aforesaid. I use
throughout the following description the same letters and numerals of reference to
indicate like parts in all the figures where shown in order as far as possible to avoid
needless repetition in describing the various modifications shown.
Throughout my explanation I designate a solid piece of metal or one with a small
central hole in it to be operated upon, as also a thick cast or hammered ring of metal
to be operated upon, a "billet" and a piece of metal partially formed into a tube and
open at both ends, a "tube blank." A finished hollow article of a length double that
of its diameter or longer and open at both ends I designate a "tube" a hollow article
open at both ends and of a length more than once and less than twice its diameter a
"tubular article "; and a hollow article of a length more than twice its diameter with
a closed end, a "shell." The arrows indicate the directions of the motions of the
mandrels, and of the tubes, as also the dies where moved. Arrows are also used to
indicate the motions of moving parts where new and improved apparatus and new
applications of apparatus are explained to actuate these tube dies and mandrels.
Fig. 1 is a front end elevation, Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of a die and working gear
or the guiding operating apparatus which I use in carrying out my invention. Fig.
represents a sectional side elevation of same, showing the position of the parts at the
commencement of the tube forming operation, the die A being shown formed in one
piece having its billet or tube seat bored out parallel. in this example, having also its
external surface turned up smooth and parallel; the billet B of heated soft metal being
shown in its place in it, with a mandrel guide (, placed in front of it, and a steel
mandrel D formed with its stem rod D' in one piece shown placed in proper position
for being impelled forward into the metal billet B in the direction indicated by the
arrow a placed on the mandrel. A guide E into which the die A is shown placed is
bored out a working sliding fit for it, and is shown bolted to the strong bed plate F,
which has formed on it a strong abutting snug F1, and seated into it an intermediate
stem rod steel piece F2, interchangeable for various sizes of abutting stem rods, into
which a fixed stem rod G and stein rod head G' formed in one piece and a hardened
steel stepped ended abutting ferrule piece G2 is shown placed in it, and all set before
this steel abutting piece F2, and shown placed in the die seat A extending up to the
billet B placed in it to be operated upon, thereby completing this new and improved
long die working apparatus, and showing all placed ready for the mandrel D, being
impelled through the steel billet B, which on its being impelled through it by a
suitable motor as shown by the side sectional elevation Fig. 4, the direction of the
motions of the mandrel D, and its stem rod D¹, is as shown by the arrow a placed on
it, and when impelled to the full distance required. The billet B formed has become
thereafter the tube B', shown, and the position of the mandrel D as shown, has become
placed in the end abutting ferrule of the stem rod G2. The conical stepped mouthed

page_text: abutting ferrule G, preventing the hot metal, such as hot soft steel or hɔt soft copper,
from entering further into it than the conical stepped part as shown, and the extension
of the metal due to its being formed into the tube BI from the solid billet B causing
the metal of the front end of the billet B and nearly all of it, to flow past the wandrel
throughout the length of the tube B₁ formed, and the great degree of pressure and
of frictional contact of the exterior surface of the tube B' on the walls of the die
opposite, the mandrel by its frictional contact with the same impeis forward the die A,
in its guide E, as indicated by the arrows placed on it, and to the forward position
shown as compared with its position in Fig. 3 at the commencement of the tube
forming operation, and thus relieves the mandrel from packing the metal overmuch,
and from sticking up and injuring the mandrel itself on the metal. The die thereafter
is drawn out and the tabe B₁ removed from it for a fresh operation. Solid
eylindrical dies in one piece as is shown by having a slight taper and widening out
toward the mouth are chiefly suitable for making short tubes as shown.
By placing the die in a guide with free movement endwise as just described in
connection with Figs. 1 to 4 and impelling in the stem rod G, stem rod head G¹, and
stepped hollow ferrule G, placed against the metal billet to be operated upon instead
of the mandrel in a converse way, with a similar die and mandrel to that just
described, the same movement on the die and nearly the same degree of relieving
action to the passage of the mandrel takes place, but the die is by this action
impelled forward in the same direction as the stem rod G is impelled.
A new and improved arrangement and modification of this mode of forming tubes
out of metal billets, and for drawing out tubes-consist also in placing the die in
sliding or rolling guide or guides also fitted to its external surface, and also for the
purpose of allowing it to be free to move on end by the contact and movement.
endwise of the tube being formed, or drawn by a mandrel in the die, but instead of the
mandrel being impelled by a motor into the metal to be operated upon, the mandrel
is held stationary, and the after abutting head, and stem rod which in the modification
described is held stationary, is in this modification impelled by a motor and by it the
billet of metal or tube blank is forced over the mandrel, being thus a converse
arrangement of operating on the metal to that just described, and possesses advantages
in the simplicity of the parts of this new and improved tube making apparatus,
particularly for making short tubes, and short tubular articles.
Fig. 5 is a front elevation, Fig. 6 a side sectional elevation of a die A, and
mandrel D, sliding die guide E, soleplate F, and connections all similar severally to
that just described, but disposed in a way to show this converse action taking
place, Fig. 6 showing in sectional elevation the position of the die A with its
contained heated soft billet of metal B, and the several working parts at the com-
mencement of the tube forming operation. The mandrel D, and its stem rod D',
being in this modification shown placed where the stem rod G, and its head G', is
placed in the modification just described. The stem rod G, being shown ready to
be propelled forward as indicated by the arrow a placed upon it, and to propel
forward its head G¹, ferrule piece G2, against the billet B, and propels the billet B
over the mandrel D forming it into a tube B'. The metal squirting over the mandrel
propelling the die A forward also by its elongation and contact with the internal
surface of the die A. The altered positions of the moving parts, and the altered form
of the metal into a tube, after the tube making operation is completed being shown
in sectional side elevation by Fig. 7, the arrow a on the stem rod, and arrow on the
die showing the direction these are moved, providing thereby the same relieving
action to the mandrel in its passage through the metal of the billet, and the laying
up of it to the walls of the die in the tube B', in a similar way as described in
connection with Figs. 1 to 4.
Instead of the die having a sliding or rolling guide (which guides may be of most
ordinary forms of these things) to allow the die free motion on end along with the
end of the tube being formed between the mandrel and sides of the die (which thus
avoids loss of power by the friction of the metal passing over the internal surface of
the die, as also prevents injurious wearing action on the surface of the die) to allow

page_text: the die this free motion endwise, the long die guide may be applied to its internal
surface and the stem rod head and stem rod for holding up the billet inside the die
can be made to serve this purpose and thereby further simplify the apparatus. This
arrangement is particularly suitable for making short tubes, or short tubular articles,
such as military shells, and by placing the die and mandrel in a vertical position the
mandrel may be conveniently impelled for the manufacture of these short articles by
percussive force by hammers or otherwis. This method of providing free motion on
end to the die is particularly suitable for being used where the die is formed into two
or more Ingitudinal pieces for the purpose of allowing the tube or tubular article
formed inside it to be more freely withdrawn, and which also allows articles with
bosses or other protuberance formed on them to be freely withdrawn, the pieces
making up the long dies being held together by hoops or otherwise in the many well
known modes long moulds are used for casting purposes.
Fig. 8 is a plan, and Fig. 9 a sectional elevation of a form of long die of this
modification suited for making military shells. The die A A being shown of a
round tapering form externally, formed into halves and bored out in a cylin irical
form to receive the billet B of soft heated metal shown placed in it, and to give the
same cylindrical size and form to the object to be formed in it. The die A A',
billet supporting head G₁, and the mandrel D are shown in this modification placed
vertically, the stem rod G and its billet supporting head G₁ being fixed in the bed
plate F, and the die and mandrel movable in opposite directions, as oxplained in
connection with Figs. 1. 2. 3 and 4.
In this construction the movable die, instead of being guided by an external guide
or holder, as in the preceding figures is guided by the stem rod head G' which
supports the billet B, the rod G of same being rigidly fixed in the base plate frame F
in a vertical position.
The die is in this case made in two sections A A', which are held together by the
metal hoops or bands A2 A³. The construction shown in these figures is particularly
adapted for forming military shell blanks. The supporting-head G' shows on the top
of it a conical recessed piece G³, to form the closed conical end of a military shell.
The mandrel is forced downwardly in the forming operation, and the die is raised by
the frictional contact of the exuding metal therewith, as shown by Fig. 10.
After the article has been formed, the die A may he thereafter lifted off from the
guiding stem rod head G, and its parts separated by the removal of the hoops A² A³
to permit the removal of the shell blank. When this new and improved apparatus
is constructed in this form described, a hammer or other means for applying percussive
force may be used for moving the mandrel.
It is also part of my invention to provide for these long dies formed in halves to
obtain free means for motion on end while the mass of metal they contain is being
operated upon (held together by hoops or by antifrictional rolls) with strong metal
hoops put over their external tapering form in the usual way and by turning them the
die with these hoops may be placed in a long guiding cylinder as a guide for their
motion on end, and with antifrictional rolls the halves of the die may be placed in a
strong containing casting with planed rectilinear vertical opposite surfaces between
which and the corresponding planed surfaces on the die, the antifrictional rolls are
placed.
Fig. 11 is an end elevation, and Fig. 12 a sectional side elevation showing a
horizontally arranged die of this first described kind, the die being shown formed in
two halves A A and connected by the hoops A2 A3 and made to move in the
cylindrical slide E as shown in Figs. S. 9. and 10.
In this case the peripheries of the boops are formed of the same size, and are fitted
in the cylindrical horizontal sliding guide or holder E, the construction shown in these
figures differing from that shown in Figs. 1. 2. 3. and 4 only in the construction of
the die, the latter being made in separable sections and guided by the contact of its
boops A2 A3 with the holder E, instead of being solid and in direct contact with said
holder, as shown in Figs. 1. 2. 3. and 4.
A new and improve I and somewhat similar mode of giving motion on end to a long.

page_text: tube making die while the abutting billet or tube abutting head and stem rod is fixed-
consists in impelling both the mandrel and die in certain relative proportions of speed
to each other synchronously by positive gearing and my new and improved mode of
doing this which is also part of my said invention, consists in impelling both the
mandrel and die in opposite directions to each other, and one new and improved
means of doing this is by a pinion and rack motion which effects this very conveniently
by a pinion keyed on to a horizontal shaft with a means of giving reversing motion to
it, which may be conveniently transmitted to it at pleasure by a reversing stemm
engine. The pinion is made to operate two toothed racks one placed above the
toothed pinion and the other below it. The one rack being made to impel the mandrel
and the other the die, and which gives motion synchronously to both at equal speeds
and in reverse directions.
This arrangement of impelling gear is very simple and effective and the resistance
of the one rack on the pinion bearings neutralizes the resistance on the other, so as to
cause little or no pressure on the bearings. For making tubes of certain proportions
of diameter and thickness the mandrel and die thus driven at certain relative speeds
involves the use of certain proportions of diameter of the mandrel used to the diameter
of the die. In this modification also antifrictional rolls instead of sliding guide
surfaces come in as an improvement to carry out more fully this new and improved
tube making action.
au
Fig. 13. is a forward end elevation, Fig. 14 an after end elevation, Fig. 15 a side
elevation, and Fig. 16 a plan showing the long die in halves A A' in section, showing
this new and improved means of impelling both the die A as well as the mandrel D.
The die A A' being also positively impelled, instead of being impelled only as in the
foregoing example by the frictional contact of the exuding metal of the billet passing
over the mandrel in the form of a tube. In this example the die is formed in
halves A A and is of rectangular form in cross section, and the guide or holder E is
correspondingly formed, as shown in Fig. 14. K represents a driving shaft journaled
in bearings near one end of the frame of the machine, and provided with pinions K' K₁,
which mesh with the racks H and I, which are fitted to move horizontally in guides
formed in the supporting frame F. the rack H being above, and the rack I below said
shaft K, and pinions K' K', so that when the shaft K is rotated the rack H will be
moved in one direction and the rack I in the opposite direction. The rack H has
offset or shoulder H³, which is engaged with the mandrel rod D³, so that said rack
gives to the mandrel its operative or billet piercing movement. The rack I is con-
nected by rods 1' 12 with the die A, so that said rack gives the die a movement in the
direction opposite to that of the mandrel, as will be readily understood. To facilitate
the movements of the die, antifrictional rollers E E E E' which are journaled or
retained and guided in their rolling action in the vertical plates or holders E (which
are somewhat less in thickness than the diameter of the rolls) and along with these
rolls these plates E are interposed between the opposite sides or edges of the die, and
the corresponding sides of the guides E, (which in this example are cast in one piece
with the bottom frame F and planed out smoothly for these antifrictional rolls rolling
upon) as shown in Figs. 14. 15. and 16, said rollers bearing against both the guides
and the sides of the die. The plates Es are movable freely endwise. The die is made
in two halves or sections to facilitate the removal of the tube, and said sections are
enabled to spring apart enough to loosen the tube, at the end of the forming operation
by means of recesses A* A* A6 A7 in the die, said recesses coinciding with the
rollers E E E E when the die is returned to its starting position after the tube
forming operation. and permitting the sections of the die to spring slightly apart,
so that the completed tube may be easily removed and another billet inserted. The
shaft K, that impels the pinions K' K', has a large gear L affixed to it, which meshes
with a pinion M on a driving shaft N. Fig. 17 is a plan also showing the die in
section, and showing the tube forming operation completed.
A new and improved modification of this mode of impelling both the mandrel and
the die, and when a fixed abutting head and stein rod for the billet or tube blank
being operated upon is used, consists in giving assisted motion by a separate cylinder

page_text: A new and
and piston or ram to the die by certain smaller relative degrees of force to the force
by a cylinder piston or ram for impelling the mandrel, or vice-versa, which when the
main force is given to the mandrel (which is the best arrangement of this actuating
modification of gear) about one third the force is found to be the best proportion of
power to assist the motion of the tie in a reverse way to the motion of the manirel,
and reverse way of the direction of the motion of the tube being formed.
improved modification of this improved means for effecting this action, consists in
using two pistons impelled by fluid pressure or in applying a hydraulic cylinder
having two rams fitted in it of the relative proportions required, the larger one (by
preference) to be used for impelling the mandrel, the smaller one connected to impel
the die and by preference fitted to work in the opposite end of the cylinder from that
in which the main ram is fitted, and provided also with reversing action by so pro-
portioning the area of the rams, in this way any relative proportion of force can be
given to the mandrel and the die from the same accumulator or pumps. This new
and improved disposition of die, manirel, and billet or bank holding up head, and
new and improved driving gear or apparatus, suits for making any proportion of
thickness of tube to any diameter, and by this arrangement also any degree of packing
or compression can be given to solidify the metal that may be required."
Fig. 18 is a side external elevation, Fig. 19 a plan showing the actuating hydraulic
cylinder in section, and showing a billet B, and the parts that operate in forming the
tube in the position they occupy before the commencement of the tube forming
operation. Fig. 20 is also a plan showing the actuating hydraulic cylinders in
position, and shows the positions assumed of the several operating parts after the
billet is converted into a tube B'. Fig. 21 is an external front elevation of the
main cylinder P, and its ram Q, and Fig. 22 is a cross section of the die A A¹ in
halves which are also rectangular in form externally, its container A showing also
the die slide bars E, and its sliding base plates F, showing thus a machine in which
the propelling force is applied to the mandrel and die in different relative proportions,
and with a balancing arrangement, whereby this relative degree or proportion of
propelling force is given with any degree of cumulative force that may be required
for both operations. As already indicated, the contact of the exuding annular mass
of metal with the walls of the die is sufficient to move the die forward and relieve the
action of the mandrel, and prevent it from sticking in the metal; but for other and
larger articles such as calico printers' rolls and cannon blanks, I find it an advantage
to assist by a certain degree of force the end wise forward motion of the die, and
apply to the die a degree of force directly proportioned to that applied to the mandrel,
the force applied to the die being preferably about one third of that applied to the
mandrel. To accomplish this result I prefer the means shown in the figures just
referred to. In said figures I show two hydraulic rams Q and R, connected
respectively with the mandrel and with the die A. The ram Q is fitted in a fixed
cylinder P, and is provided with a step Q', which supports the rear end of the
mandrel rod or stem D¹. The ram Q is moved in the direction indicated by the
arrow marked thereon in Fig. 19 when fluid-pressure is admitted into the cylinder P.
The ram R is of smaller area than the ram Q, and projects into the latter, said ram Q
being of annular form, as shown in Fig. 19. The ram R is arranged to be moved by
but
the same fluid-pressure as impels the ram Q, and placed in the same cylinder P,
in a direction opposite to that of the latter, and has secured to its outer end a cross-
head R', which is connected by rods R R* with ears A8 A, formed in slide carrier A2,
which contains the die A. Said carrier A2 and the die A contained therein are
movable in the guides E E, the carrier having ears or flanges A8 A entering said
guides as shown in Fig. 22. It will be seen that the different sizes of the two rams Q
and R cause the fluid pressure in the cylinder P, to exert different degrees of force
on the mandrel and die, the relative forces being the same whatever the cumulative
force or pressure employed may be. Fig. 19 shows the positions of the mandrel,
die, and actuating rams before the tube forming operation. Fig. 20 shows the
position of the said parts after the forming operation. To effect the return move-
ment of the raws, mandrel, and die, from the position shown in Fig. 20 to that shown

page_text: in Fig. 19, prior to every fresh operation in making a tube, a small hydraulic
cylinder S is employed, which is formed like the cylinder P, and has a similar ram U
passing through one end, and bearing against the crosshead R', which is connected
with the rods R R with the die carrier and a larger ram T passing through its
opposite end, said ram T being provided with a crosshead T, which is connected by
rods TT with a crosshead Q, attached to the ram Q. When fluid pressure is
almitted to the cylinder S while the die and mandrel are in the position shown in
Fig. 20, the ram U is moved in the direction required to move the die carrier and
die back to their starting position, and the larger ram T is moved in the opposite
direction to carry the rain Q and mandrel D back to their starting position. In
Figs. 18, 19, and 20 1 show a stem rod G of the billet supporting head G¹ attached
to the ram O which is fitted to move in a fixed cylinder O. This cylinder and its
ram serve to hold the abutting billet holding up stem rod G and its head G¹,
steadily in its position during the tube forming operation, and for the purpose of
adjusting said rod and head to suit the length of the billet B. The cylinder O has
ears O¹ Ö², which are connected by rods 0³ O*, with ears P¹ P² on the cylinder P.
In addition to this means by different diameters of rams for actuating the mandrels
and dies, by the use of separate cylinders to each ram, the force applied may also be
varied by actuating fluids used at different pressures in each cylinder.
It is part of my invention also when long dies in halves are used, to use anti-
frictional rolls to hold the halves of the die together and to provide means to allow
them to be opened out freely when required for the removal of the tube when drawn,
the antifrictional rolls being guided in self acting returning channels of a die and
mandrel operated in this way.
Fig. 23 is a front external elevation, Fig. 24 an after end elevation, Fig. 25 an
external side elevation, and Fig. 26 a sectional plan showing a die formed in halves,
and showing the positions of all the working parts at the commencement of the tube
forming operation. Fig. 27 is also a plan partly in section and showing the positions
that all the moving parts assume at the termination of the tube forming operation.
As shown in end elevation in Fig. 24 the die A A' is in halves and of a rectilinear
external form, the billet B being shown in Fig. 26 having formed in it a small
initiatory hole, and also a hole formed in the centre of the abutting stem rod G, and
the abutting snug F¹, through which a pulling mandrel D, stem rod D, is shown
inserted, having shown on it a notched end D2, at its pulling end of the form used
for the pulling tongs of an ordinary tube drawing drawbench for taking hold of, and
which can be used for operating this form of die and mandrel in this way, which
drawing arrangement is inainly an advantage for making small diameters of tubes
and in very long lengths, and has advantages over the pushed mandrels of which
form of mandrels these new and improved modes and means of operating long tube
dies and mandrels with which in the preceding figs. described they are only shown
bereinbefore connected with; but it is part of my invention to use pulling mandrel
stem rods, in connection with all of my improvements hereinbefore shown and
described. The form of die in halves, and as shown held together by antifrictional
rolls by these Figs. 23, 24, 25, and 26 are also suited with slight modification for
being used with a pushed mandrel. Instead of the antifrictional rolls E2 E3 E E'
and E to E being of a parallel form as described in connection with Figs. 13 to 17,
they are in this example shown of a spherical form, and the soleplate casting F, and
rolling abutting sides E (and the sides of the die A A¹ between which these anti-
frictional rolls are shown interpose i) are cast in one piece with the soleplate F, and
these rolling and guiding surfaces are bored out and planed out to suit the spherical
contour of the rolls which is shown in Fig. 24. The channel E" by which these
antifrictional rolls, roll and return in between the sides of the die A A¹ is bored out
an easy fit for the rolls, which are pushed round by the portion of the rolls under
pressure as indicated by the arrows e back in between the side of the die A A', an
he main abutting roll surface E, and to guide these antifrictional rolls round the end
of the main abutting surface parts of the guiding frame E, into the returning
channel E, four semicircular cap pieces E2, are cast to suit the contour of the rolls
B

page_text: an easy rolling or sliding fit, and are shown bolted on to the end of the base plate
casting F, and guides E, and thus makes the action of these antifrictional die closing
and opening rolls self-acting and continuous. The numerals on the rolls E2 to E
and E to E2 show the places they are severally in at the commencement of the tube
forming operation, and by Fig. 26 and the positions they assume after the tube
forming operation is completed by Fig. 27, their rolling motion being as indicated by
the arrowe on same and their motion through the returning channel E by the
arrow e placed on same. In this example the motion of the die endwise is produced
solely by the motion and frictional contact of the metal exuding past the mandrel D
as described in connection with Figs. 1 to 4.
It is also part of my invention to guide and impel or to give motion or force
endwise to these long tube dies, and mandrels, for same, by rolls or pairs of rolls
set in ordinary tube drawing roll housings or ordinary bar rolling mill housings.
Fig. 28 is an end elevation of a long tube die A A¹ of a round form externally
and shown placed between a pair of rolls V V₁ of the ordinary form of tube
drawing rolls, Fig. 29 is an external plan of same, and Fig. 30 a side elevation
showing the die A A¹ in section, as also portion of the soleplate F, abutting
snug F1 for the mandrel D, and abutting piece F2 for the stem rod D' of the
mandrel D, which are held stationary and are similar to that described in connection
with Figs. 5 to 6.
I do not show an after billet holding stem rod as it is part of my invention
to use rolls of the form shown to impel and guide long dies on to mandrels to
operate on billets of metal or tube blanks placed in these long dies without or
with an after billet holding up stem rod or stem rod head. The motion of the
die A A¹, and tube blank B', and finished tube B2, are as indicated by the arrow b
placed on same, and the motion of the rolls as indicated by the arrows e e placed on
same.
Fig. 31 shows an end cross sectional elevation of a long die A A' in halves of a
rectilinear form externally, shown held stationary in its place, and with portion of
its fixing and resting plate F also shown in same, in cross section. Fig. 32 is a side
sectional elevation of this die showing placed in it a tube blank B' to be drawn by an end-
wise moving mandrel D, and its stem rod D¹, and portion of this tube blank B₁ drawn
into a finished tube B2. The after end of the stem rod D¹ of the mandrel D, is
shown placed in a socket seat D³ formed in the driving bar D4, which is of a recti-
linear square form and shown placed between a pair of rolls V V₁ which are square
seated to suit this driving bar D, but otherwise these rolls are of a like form to the
rolls described in connection with Figs 28, 29 and 30 and suited to be driven in the
same way, and for similar housings, Fig. 33 showing a front end elevation of them,
and of the mandrel impelling and guiding bar D', and the seat in same D³, for the end
of the mandrel stem rod D, Fig. 34 showing an external plan of same. The whole
showing the converse arrangement of guiding and impelling a mandrel D, through a
long die and a contained billet or tube blank similar to that described in connection
with Figs. 28 to 30. The motions of the mandrel D and stem rod D, and driving
bar D, being as indicated by the arrows, a a, and the motions of the rolls as indicated
by the arrows e e placed on same.
This rolling frictional mode of guiding and impelling long tube dies and guiding
and impelling mandrels through billets of metal and tube blanks placed in same is
particularly suitable for making light sizes of tubes as it affords a handy means of
proportioning the impelling force to the mandrel and die by pressure easily adjusted
by the housing screws of the roll necks to the strengths of the mandrels and dies
with great delicacy, giving thereby a good means of avoiding breakages in same.
In one form of these die and mandrel guiding and impelling rolls, it is part of my
invention to use strong joggles on these rolls to hold dies formed in halves together,
suitable for dies in halves divided vertically. This arrangement of guiding and
imparting motion of the die on end, and giving ready facilities of opening out same
for taking out the finished tube blank or tube, being particularly suitable and advan-
tageous when the billet or tube blank is impelled in the die by the after stem rod

page_text: over a mandrel held stationary, I show to carry out the action of rolls of this kind
having strong side joggles for holding the halves of an opening out tube forming long
die together, and in conjunction with the tube forming action in which the metal
billet or tube blank placed in the die is impelled over a stationary mandrel as described
in connection with figs. 5, 6 and 7 show this action by a fully organized machine
and in which the die is propelled independently of or more or less conjointly with
the die propelling action of the metal exuding in the form of a tube over the
mandrel.
Fig. 35 is a side external elevation, Fig. 36 mainly an external front end elevation,
Fig. 37 an after end elevation from its inside face, and cross section of the frame F
through the line a b in Fig. 35 showing the seat of the socket piece F' for the
abutting end of the mandrel, Fig. 38 a cross section of the frame F through the
line a in Fig. 40 showing in end elevation the form of the tube forming die A A',
Fig. 39 showing a cross section of the frame F through the line cd showing the
forms of the frame F. and forms and positions of the die and after billet holding up
stem rod G', the inside of the die and billet moving toothed racks H and I, as also
the die grasping and holding rolls V and V, and Fig. 40 shows the position of the
die A A lengthwise, and its contained billet D as grasped by the rolls V VI, these
figs. all showing the positions of the moving parts of the machine at the commence-
ment of the tube forming operation. Also showing the positions of the die A A',
and stem rod G abutting against the ends of their pushing racks H and I ready to be
impelled by same. The top actuating rack II being shown placed to push the stem
rod G and the bottom rack I placed to push forward the die A A¹ and by the gear M
and L at double the speed at which the top rack H and stem rod G is moved.
The stem rod G may be fixed in its seat H in the end of its impelling rack H by
a cross pin so as to in the return stroke pull back the stem rod G, but being light and
portable can be easily pushed back by hand.
For pulling back the die A A' in the return motion a bar I is in Fig. 40 shown
riveted to the underside of the rack I, and placed a working fit in the longitudinal
slot F, formed in the central base plate F, which passes through the square
groove Vs in the under roll and is shown with a hooked snug I' on same, which in
the return stroke abuts against and pulls back the die A A. Figs. 41, 42 and 43
show the positions of the die A A', after billet holding up stem rod G, and their
pushing racks H and I, and all the moving parts of the machine assume after the
tube forming operation has been completed, as also the tube mandrel D passed
through the billet B, and as shown formed into the tube B¹. Fig. 41 is a vertical
longitudinal section through the line hg in Fig. 42 and Fig. 42 a sectional plan
through the lengthwise centre of the die A A', and through the line kin
Fig. 41.
The top roll V being removed to show the position of the die and mandrel at the
end of the stroke. The form of these new and improved long die holding, impelling,
or guiding rolls V V4, with their strong side joggles V V V* V*, and die in halves
contained in same and held closely together against the spreading tendency of the
metal by the piercing action in it of the mandrel D being shown by the vertical cross
section of these rolls through the line ef in Fig. 41, showing also their necks V
journaled in housings in the frame F. In this example as hereinbefore explained the
under rack I propels the die A A' by its head 1³, abutting against and pushing
forward the die, and the die by its frictional contact with the rolls propels these rolls
round in their axis as indicated by the arrows on same, when the tube is being formed,
but these rolls may also be propelled by their axis by couplings coupled to driving
shafts having suitable driving square bosses, and the square bosses V3 are shown
formed on these roll axis which may be used as described in connection with
Figs. 28 to 33.
Reversing action is required to operate the main driving shaft N of this machine
and as described in connection with Figs. 13 to 17 a pair of driving and reversing
steam engines answers also for this machine as a suitable motor. The main driving

page_text: axis steel shaft N and its bottom rack pinion N1 is cast in one piece and as shown is
of the same diameter and pitch of teeth as the top rack pinion K'. The axis of this
top pinion K has shown keyed on it a toothed wheel L of double the diameter of the
toothed wheel M with which it gears, which is keyed on the main shaft N, and thereby
propels the top rack H, and the stem rod G, at half the speed at which the lower
pinion N propels the die, which is the suitable proportion of the moving speeds end-
wise of the die A A', and stem rod G by this mode of working for drawing out a
billet into a tube of double the length of the billet but by the use of change wheels of
other proportions, this proportion of drawing out action may in this way be readily
had of any required proportion. When the die A A¹ is passed through and beyond
the rolls VV and on upon its flat planed resting plate F, the halves of the die are
easily sundered and the tube B' taken out of it which after its parts are placed
together again, and on the motion of the main propelling shaft N being reversed
draws back the die A A' in between these rolls V V₁ to their position for a fresh
operation. My invention consisting of improved modes and means for making metal
tubes, tubular or hollow articles, improved modes and means for actuating and
arranging the dies, mandrels, and billet and tube blank holding means for same, and
in apparatus therefor.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
First. The method of, and appliances and apparatus for making and drawing out
tube blanks, tubes, tubular articles, and hollow articles or shells from billets of metal
and metal tube blanks substantially as herein described in reference to and shown in
the accompanying drawings.
Second. The mode of and means for forming tube blanks and tubes, tubular and
bollow articles or shells from solid billets of metal or from tube blanks placed in a
long tube forming die and held up in same against the piercing or drawing action of
a piercing or drawing mandrel by an abutting fixed billet holding up stem rod head
and having at the same time the long die placed in a slide and left free to be propelled
forward in the opposite direction of the motion of the mandrel by the motion and
frictional contact of the metal on the surface of the die exuding past the mandrel as
described in connection with Figs. 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.
Third. The mode of and means for forming tube blanks, and tubes, tabular and
hollow articles or shells from solid billets of metal or from tube blanks placed in a
long tube forming die, and the billet propelled end wise in the die by an after forcing
piston, or stem rod head caused to push the billet or blank over a stationary mandrel
having the die at same time placed in a slide or slides and left free to be moved in the
same direction as the motion of the after pushing up stem rod head and at a greater
speed than the after billet pushing up stem rod head by the motion and frictional
contact of the metal on the sides of the die exuding past the mandrel in the form of a
tube as described in reference to and shown in connection with Figs. 5 to 7 of the
accompanying drawings.
Fourth. The mode and means for forming tube blanks and tubes, tubular and hollow
articles or shells from solid billets of metal or from tube blanks placed in a long tube
forming die and the billet or tube blank held up against the inward force or motion of
a mandrel into same, by a fixed after abutting and guiding stem rod head or other
internal slide on which the die is placed an endwise sliding fit, leaving the die free
to be propelled end wise in the opposite direction of the mandrel by the motion and
frictional contact of the metal on the sides of the die exuding past the mandrel in the
form of a tube as described in reference to, and shown in connection with Figs. 8 to 10
of the accompanying drawings.
Fifth. The mode of and means for operating long tube dies formed in sections for
forming tubes from solid billets of metal or tube blanks into tubes, tubular or hollow
articles or shells, and for opening out the sections of the die when used in conjunc-

page_text: tion with an after billet or tube blank holding up stem rod head. The die arranged
to slide end wise on the containing hoops of sanie as described in reference to and
shown in connection with Figs. 11 and 12 of the accompanying drawings.
Sixth. The mode of and means for propelling a long tube die, and tube mandrel
in opposite directions to each other synchronously so as to cause both to contribute
to the length of the tube forming stroke of same, and in conjunction with an after
holding up billet or tube blank holding up stem rod head for forming from billets
of metal or tube blanks, tubes, tubular articles or hollow articles or shells, as
described in reference to and shown in connection with Figs. 13 to 17 of the
accompanying drawings.
Seventh. Mode and means of transmitting motion and force in opposite directions
to tube forming dies and mandrels for forming tubes, tube blanks, tubular or hollow
articles or shells by toothed racks made to mesh or gear into one toothed pinion and
in such a way as to greatly relieve the pressure and friction from the necks of the
driving pinion as described in reference to and in connection with Figs. 13 to 17 of
the accompanying drawings.
Eighth. The mode and means of holding long tube forming dies made in halves
together against the sundering tendency and pressure of the metal in same by the
action of a mandrel and to allow the die to move on end freely by interposing anti-
frictional parallel rolls between the walls of a die containing casting and the abutting
sides of the die for forming from billets of metal or tubo blanks, tubes, tubular
articles, or hollow articles or shells as described in reference to and in connection
with Figs. 13 to 17 of the accompanying drawings.
Ninth. The general arrangement of the machine for operating long tube dies and
mandrels, and making tube blanks tubular and hollow articles or shells as described
in reference to and in connection with Figs. 13 to 17 of the accompanying
drawings.
Tenth. The mode of and means for impelling tube making mandrels an dies for
forming from billets of metal or tube blanks, cannon blanks, tubes, tubular or hollow
articles or shells, in which is provided means for propelling the mandrel and long die
in opposite directions to each other and with a like or different degree of motion or
of force imparted to the one from the other substantially as herein described in
reference to, and shown in connection with Figs. 18 to 22 of the accompanying
drawings.
Eleventh. The mode of and means for regulating and proportioning the motions
and force of long tube dies and of tube mandrels with a smaller degree of force to
the die than to the mandrel in combination with a fixed or movable after billet
holding up stem rod head for the manufacture from billets of metal or tube blanks,
cannon blanks, tubes, tubular or hollow articles or shells, substantially as herein
described in reference to and shown in connection with Figs. 18 to 22 of the
accompanying drawings.
Twelfth. The mode of and means for actuating and regulating the motions of tube
making mandrels and dies by the disposition of hydraulic cylinders for forming from
billets of metal or tube blanks, cannon blanks, tubes, tubular articles or shells sub-
stantially as herein described in reference to and shown in connection with Figs. 18
to 22 of the accompanying drawings.
Thirteenth. The mode of and means for traversing in a closed state long tube
forming dies in longitudinal sections with contained inetal billets or tube blanks to be
formed into tubes, tubular or hollow articles or shells, between their containing
casting and antifri tional rolls in circling or endless trains operated over an endwise
fixed or traversed mandrel and with or without an after billet holding up stem rod
head, as berein mainly described in reference to and shown in connection with
Figs. 23 to 27 of the accompanying drawings.
Fourteenth. The mode of and means for forming or drawing out tubo blanks into
tubes, and tubular articles in long tube dies by mandrels with pulling steun rods sub-
stantially as herein described in reference to and shown in connection with Figs. 23
to 27 of the accompanying drawings.

page_text: Fifteenth. The mode and means for operating guiding and propelling long tube
dies with contained billets of metal or tube blanks for forming tubes, tubular or
hollow articles or shells by the driving frictional surface action of pairs of rolls sub-
stantially as described in reference to and shown in connection with Figs. 28 to 30 of
the accompanying drawings.
Sixteenth. The mode of and means for propelling and guiding mandrels for forming
tube blanks, tubes, tubular articles or shells in long tube forming dies by frictional
driving and guiding surface of pairs of rolls substantially as described in reference
to, and shown mainly in connection with Figs. 31 to 34 of the accompanying
drawings.
Seventeenth. The mode of and means for imparting motion to billets or tube
blanks of metal placed in long tubo forming dies by an after pushing stem rod and
of imparting motion to long tube die containing the billet or tube blank at a higher
longitudinal degree of speed and thereby pushing the billet or inbe blank over an
end wise stationary inan irel by toothed racks driven by toothed pinions for forming
tubes, tubular articles or shells substantially as herein described in reference to and
shown in connection with Figs. 35 to 43 of the accompanying drawings.
Eighteenth. The mode of and means for guiding and propelling long tube dies
formed in halves and mode of opening out same quickly for the removal of the tube,
or tubular article formed in same, by rolls having strong side containing joggles for
forming billets of metal or tube blanks into tubes, tubular articles or shells by
passing same over a mandrel substantially as described in reference to and in connec-
tion with Figs. 35 to 43 of the accompanying drawings.
Nineteenth. The mode of and means for actuating long tube forming dies over
tube forming mandrels without longitudinal motion in the mandrels and general
combination of parts of a machine for same, described in reference to, and in connection
with Figs. 35 to 43 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 28th day of October 1890.