Improvements in and connected with the Manufacture of Seamless or Weldless Tubes and Tubular or Hollow Bodies.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Nov., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 29th Aug., 1899-Accepted, 29th Jan., 1900
Improvements in and connected with the Manufacture of Seamless or
Weldless Tubes and Tubular or Hollow Bodies.
We, BALFOUR FRASER MC.TEAR, of Brook Cottage, Rainhill, in the County of
Lancaster, and WILLIAM LINDSAY, of 251, Marshall's Cross Road, St. Helens, in
the County of Lancaster, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
:-
This invention has reference, mainly, to the manufacture of seamless or weld-
less tubes, and hollow cylinders or cylindrical bodies of steel, such as Siemens
Martins open hearth steel, Bessemer, or crucible steel--used in making this kind
of tube or hollow cylindrical bodies, and similar or equivalent qualities of steel;
and, at the same time, it has also reference to the production of tubes of other
metals, which, by the operations performed upon them, in the manufacture of
tubes, are liable or subject to the same or similar behaviour and defective results
(hereafter referred to) as those made of steel; or the incidents of the manufacture
of which are similar in character.
In the maufacture of weldless or seamless tubes, and hollow cylinders of
steel, of the character herein referred to, a billet of steel-i.c. a solid body of
steel of comparatively short length, is first heated to redness or whiteness, and
then pierced axially by the passage through it, or by moving it over, a conical
or bulbous mandril or tool: this action being conveniently produced by direct
hydraulic pressure applied to the billet in the direction of its axis-or, to the
mandril. By this first operation, the solid cylindrical billet is in effect converted
to a tube or tubular body, having relatively thick walls; that is, it is a tube in
its initial state of manufacture.
This tube or tubular body thus far made, may then be placed in a movable or
stationary die of a certain size. If it be a stationary die, its internal diameter
is increased by passing through the tubular body one or more mandrils of suc-
cessively large size; but if a movable die, the tubular body therein contained is
passed over the mandril or mandrills. In both cases these actions are continued
until the required thickness is produced, the displacement of metal in the die
causing elongation.
If the final diameter of the tube, and thickness of its walls, should be of the
larger size, the tube, as it leaves the last pass or draw, may constitute a finished
article, at any rate as regards the greater part of its body; but should small tubes,
such as are used for cycle frames, small water tube boiler tubes, and the like,
be required, then this tube would have to be reduced to the size and thickness
required, and this would be carried out by cold drawing in the well known way.
There are other methods, than those above referred to, for drawing out and
expanding seamless or weldless tubes or tubular bodies from solid billets while
in a heated condition (that is prior to cold drawing) to which this invention is
applicable, and in connection with which it may advantageously be used: namely.
the method of piercing drawing or expanding by a rotary movement, in conjunc-
tion with a longitudinal movement, in which the tube is under the operation of

page_text: rollers, or other tools, in contradistinction to the single axial movement; also
the common method of passing the grooved rollers over a stationary bulbous or
conical mandril or plug. Or, again, the method wherein a die is used composed of
one or a succession of draw rings of gradually decreasing diameter, through which
the tubular body is passed, the mandril passing with the heated metal through a
the gradually decreasing rings until the tubular body has acquired the requisite
thickness.
These processes or methods of manufacture, no matter which be adopted, very
frequently produce tubes which have not a uniform thickness of metal, that is,
their section presents at their outer and inner surfaces, an eccentric figure or form,
which, obviously, is an extremely serious defect. The object of the present in-
vention is, primarily, to provide an improved method or process of manufacturing
tubes, or improvements, by which the thickness of metal all round, and at all
parts of a tube, shall be equal and present a truly concentric figure as regards
the interior and exterior surface lines And this is effected, according to this
invention, by a two stage process of manufacture, namely, by a mode of opera-
ting on a billet and tubular "blank," particularly as above described, and by a
second and subsequent operation or treatment, in which certain types of machines
or tools are employed, by which the reduction of thickness of the metal of seam-
less tubes, or the thickness of metal all round, of the tubes produced, is a positive
quantity, and invariable: (not a non positive one, as in the first operation, and
the methods hitherto adopted); and so that no matter what the section
of tube may be as it comes from the first set of operations or stage,
it will, in this second operation or stage, be reduced or operated upon
by a positive action, and be delivered from the machine after treatment, of
one uniform thickness or section throughout. In this second or supplemental
treatment, the tubes or tubular bodies are operated upon while in a red hot or
white hot condition, as in the first. By this positive action of reduction, and type
of machine, if the tube be thicker in one part than another, or eccentric as regards
its sectional surfaces after the first stage of manufacture, by the second stage and
treatment of the process, this want of uniformity or eccentricity of section, is
worked out, and uniformity or concentricity produced. The machine or appar-
atus which we employ for effecting the second or supplemental stage or treatment
in the process of manufacture of tubes or hollow cylindrical bodies of steel, are
of different types or forms, one or other of which may be advantageously used
and applied in connection with the manufacture of one size and kind of tube;
while another may be applied with advantage in connection with the manufacture
of another size and kind of tube or cylinder, and so on. However, these different
types of machines or apparatus are not necessarily restricted to any exact and
precise range of sizes or kinds of tubes or tubular bodies, as they may, in special
cases, or to meet special requirements, be adapted by suitable modifications to
make different sizes and kinds of tubes from that which they were chiefly designed
for.
Heretofore attempts have been made to obviate or overcome the want of uni-
formity of section of tube made in the manner herein first described; and more-
over this defect has been, in a sense, rectified by turning or boring the defective
tubes, and cutting away the parts which are thicker so as to make the section
uniform and concentric. But, obviously, if every tube has to be rectified by
lathe work or boring, the cost of manufacture of such tubes, will be slow, and
very expensive.
With regard to the machinery employed in the supplemental treatment, this
we will now describe; but this machinery, it is to be stated, in some respects,
beyond being of a special kind, applied for effecting the special end and thing
described, possesses features of novelty and the following description of the
machines, will comprise their novel characteristics and features.
According to one construction of machine for finishing or operating upon
partially made eccentric tubes or tubular bodies, there is employed a long grooved

page_text: lower half die, the groove or channel of which corresponds with a section of tube
to be made; and the tube or tubular body in a white hot or glowing state, and
having a mandrel throughout, is placed on this die with the thicker part upper-
most and outside the die. Above the tube is a grooved roller, the groove which
is a section substantially that of the half tube; and this roller, in action, is
pressed down on the upper thicker half or part of the tube. In operation,
relative movement between the grooved roller, and the tube, takes place, the half
die, carrying the tube and mandrel, being preferably moved to and fro under the
róller, the roller itself merely revolving on a stationary axis or journal, in a frame
or housing.
The half die may be moved upon a roller floor or support, and sprocket or link
chains which are driven, the die being guided by a flanged or grooved bottom roller
under the upper grooved roller; or other suitable means may be employed.
The grooved roller, in some cases, may be loose, and the lower roller or rollers,
over which the half die runs may be driven; or both top and bottom rollers may
be driven, or each or either of them.
t..t
The to and fro operation will be carried on until the uniform section required
is produced and the tube may be turned round more or less axially in the die
while in operation, if desired.
It will be seen, that By this machine the thicker part and the part which is
upperinošt is a
"is alone operated upon; whilst the bottom or thin side would be out
of action or operation, and will retain its thickness, 'owing to its support through
out its entire length..
1.1.
.. .hp
*34* (1) -
It will be seen, by the employment of a mandril of polygonal; rectangular, oval,
or other form, and of a half die of corresponding form, tubes of practically any
desired section can be operated upon by this machine, and mode of treatment,
and produced.
The frame or housing of the different parts, and the mode of operating them,
may be any of those used in rolling machinery which may be suitable.
3.19
1.4.
12.
+
:..
fi.
As a modification of this type of machinery, the tubing in a state of white
heat or glow, is supported solely upon a handril; the ends of which are supported
and carried in a 'frame in a bed; whilst the upper roller and mode of operation
may be similar to that just described; and the roller and slide rest may be both
driven, or either of them may be driven, as above described."
Oh t
Another type of machine for operating upon tubes in the manner; and for the
purposes specified is one in which a gap frame or housing (somewhat similar to
that of the hydraulic rivetting and similar machines) is employed, having at the
end of the arms of the frame skew rollers, arranged directly above one another,
the frame arms being carried out to such a distance, that the gap will allow of a
half tube's length being passed over one of the arms and its roller.
The tube or hollow cylinder is passed over one of the rolls, preferably the lower
one, and the top roller, which is adjustable, is adjusted to bear on the outside
wall of the tubes to the extent required. Thus the tube will be acted upon by a
roller internally and externally; and these rollers being driven at a fast rate
of speed, and being skewed in relation to each other, the tube receives rotary and
longitudinal movement; and at the same time is drawn or reduced, and the
reduction is necessarily equal all round. If the tube, as it comes from the first
part of the process or treatment, be not of uniform section, the tube, after the
supplementary treatment by this machine, is turned out or rendered uniform.
In this type of machine, the tube will be operated upon first at one end, and then
at the other.
In the machine according to one arrangement, the rollers are supported by
shafts extending through a vertical body or standard, and the laterally extended
arms of the machine; and the adjustable roller shaft is supported in a movable,
say a spherical bearing in one end, i.e. the driven end, and by a movable bearing
at the other end. This latter bearing slides up and down on or in, guides on
the end of the arm; and is adjusted up or down by a screwed shaft supported in

page_text: the end of the frame arm. In this case also, the tube, while under operation, is
moved to and fro over the lower arm, the to and fro movement being effected by
reversing belt gear, or in other suitable way.
A further type of machine, and one that is applicable for operating upon metal
tubes or hollow cylinders of larger size, as, for instance, water and other pipes,
boiler flues, gun liners cylinders, steam pipes, and boiler shells, consists as
follows: We use a housing or frame supporting a shaft carrying several rollers,
over which the tube to be operated upon is placed, and a strong rigid ledge or
girder supported by and connecting the two end frames, and carrying frames or
mountings, adjustable in relation to the first named shaft, and carrying rollers
in a skew position to the other rollers and over them.
The frames or mounting of these upper rollers are adjustable in and out of the
bridge girder, or sockets in them, and this movement is effected by screws, sup-
ported by the bridge or girder, and working in the upper ends of the mountings
or frames, the screws being driven by worm wheels thereon, and worms engaging
with them, the said worms being mounted on a common shaft, by which they are
operated. Thus all the skew rollers are moved up and down simultaneously.
One end of the driving shaft supporting the rollers first referred to, is mounted
eccentrically in a block, fitted in the frame or housing; this block being so
adapted that by giving it quarter of a revolution it may be slid out and so leave
a gap round the shaft, through which the tube may be introduced or taken out;
and then by placing it back and giving the block a reverse quarter turn,
quickly placed, and locked in position.
may be
In action, the tubular article or hollow cylinder, in a white-hot or glowing
state, is placed in position in the machine; and when the upper skew rollers are
brought on to it, and the machine set in motion, by the rotation of the inside
rollers, it will be operated upon in several places at once; the effect being that
it receives a revolving, and also a longitudinal movement, and a tube having an
equal thickness of metal all round is produced.
By this machine, besides reducing the thickness of the walls of the tube or
cylinder, the diameter and length may be simultaneously increased.
This tube in this machine may be adapted to move to and fro by reversing the
revolutions of the shaft supporting the rollers in any suitable way; and these
roller may be revolved at a high rate of speed as in the former case, in order that
only a small pressure need be exerted on the rollers, and the size and weight of
the roller shaft and other parts kept relatively small.
This machine can be adapted to work in a horizontal or vertical posture, and
it affords advantageous means for reducing, breaking down, or collapsing long
or short tubes or tubular articles, by adapting the peripheries of the rollers to
the various requirements or forms.
As a modification of this last described machine, a parallel roller, mounted at
both ends in the frame or housing, for operating upon the tube or article in-
ternally, is employed; and a skew roller externally. In action, by the frictional
contact of the internal and external rolls, the tube is revolved and operated upon:
at the same time, it is caused to be carried forward to and fro axially; this
reverse traversing motion being effected by suitable reversing motion. By this
machine, a uniform thickness of shell is secured.
In another type of machine, suitable for carrying out the second stage of opera-
ting upon tubes, in which the section is variable or eccentric, two rolls are em-
ployed, a small one over which the tube to be operated upon is passed; and an
external or larger one.
These parallel rollers are supported at both ends, the lower one having an
adjustable bearing at one end for getting the tube on and off; and they are set
positively in relation to each other by adjusting bearing screws or the like.
When these tubes are adjusted, they will only act upon the thicker portion of the
tube in each revolution, and will operate on it until the section is uniform,
when the process or operation is stopped and the tube finished.

page_text: The tube lengths and lengths of the rollers, are preferably comparatively short,
and run at a high rate of speed, and with little pressure, enabling thereby, a
comparatively small diameter of roller (i.e. internal roller) to be used, and hence
a small internal bore tube or tubular article to be treated or operated on by this
type of machine.
Improvements in and connected with the Manufacture of Seamless or
Weldless Tubes, and Tubular or Hollow Bodies.
We, BALFOUR FRASER MC.TEAR, of Brook Cottage, Rainhill, in the County of
Lancaster, and WILLIAM LINDSAY, of 251, Marshall's Cross Road, St. Helens, in
the County of Lancaster, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention has reference, mainly, to the manufacture of seamless or weld-
less tubes, and hollow cylinders or cylindrical bodies of steel, such as Siemens
Martins open hearth steel Bessemer, or crucible steel-used in making this kind
of tube or hollow cylindrical bodies, and similar or equivalent qualities of steel;
and, at the same time, it has also reference to the production of tubes of other
metals, which, by the operations performed upon them, in the manufacture of
tubes, are liable or subject to the same or similar behaviour and defective results
(hereafter referred to) as those made of steel; or the incidents of the manufacture
of which are similar in character.
In the manufacture of weldless or seamless tubes, and hollow cylinders of
steel, of the character herein referred to, a billet of steel-i.e. a solid body of
steel of comparatively short length, is first heated to redness or whiteness, and
then pierced axially by the passage through it, or by moving it over, a conical
or bulbous mandril or tool this action being conveniently produced by direct
hydraulic pressure applied to the billet in the direction of its axis-or, to the
mandril. By this first operation, the solid cylindrical billet is in effect converted
to a tube or tubular body, having relatively thick walls; that is, it is a tube in
its initial stage of manufacture.
This tube or tubular body thus far made, may then be placed in a movable or
stationary die of a certain size. If it be a stationary die, its internal diameter
is increased by passing through the tubular body one or more mandrils of suc-
cessively larger size but if a movable die, the tubular body therein contained is
passed over the mandril or mandrils. In both cases these actions are continued
until the required thickness is produced, the displacement of metal in the die
causing elongation.
If the final diameter of the tube, and thickness of its walls, should be of the
larger size, the tube, as it leaves the last pass or draw, may constitute a finished
article, at any rate as regards the greater part of its body; but should small tubes,
such as are used for cycle frames, small water tube boiler tubes, and the like,
be required, then this tube would have to be reduced to the size and thickness
required, and this would be carried out by cold drawing in the well known way.
There are other methods, than those above referred to, for drawing out and
expanding seamless or weldless tubes from solid billets while in a heated con-

page_text: dition (that is prior to cold drawing) to which this invention is applicable, and in
connection with which it may, advantageously be used; namely, the method of
piercing, drawing, or expanding by a rotary movement, in conjunction with a
longitudinal movement; in which the tube is under the operation of rollers, or
other tools, in contradistinction to the single axial movement; also the common
method of passing the billet through grooved rollers over a stationary bulbous
or conical mandril or plug. Or, again, the method wherein a die is used com-
posed of one, or a succession of draw rings of gradually decreasing diameter,
through which the tubular body is passed, the mandril passing with the heated
metal through the gradually decreasing rings until the tubular body has acquired
the requisite thickness.
These processes or methods of manufacture, no matter which be adopted, very
frequently produce tubes which have not a uniform thickness of metal, that is,
their section presents at their outer and inner surfaces, an eccentric figure or
form, which, obviously, is an extremely serious defect. The object of the present
invention is, primarily, to provide an improved method or process of manufactur-
ing tubes, or improvements, by which the thickness of metal all round, and at all
parts of a tube, shall be equal and present a truly concentric figure as regards the
interior and exterior surface lines. And this is effected, according to this in-
vention, by a multi stage process of manufacture, namely, by a mode of operating
on a billet or tubular "blank," particularly as above described, and by a second
and subsequent operation or treatment, in which certain types of machines or
tools are employed, by which the reduction of thickness of the metal of seamless
tubes, or the thickness of metal all round, of the tubes produced, is a positive
quantity, and invariable: (not a non-positive one, as in the first operation, and
the methods hitherto adopted); and so that no matter what the section of tube
may be as it comes from the first set of operations or stage, it will, in this second
operation or stage, be reduced and operated upon by a positive action, and be
delivered from the machine after treatment of one uniform thickness of section
throughout. In this second or supplemental treatment, the tubes or tubular
bodies are operated upon while in a red hot or white hot condition, as in the first.
By this positive action of reduction, and type of inachine, if the tube be thicker
in one part than another, or eccentric as regards its sectional surfaces after the
first stage of manufacture, by the second stage and treatment of the process, this
want of uniformity or eccentricity of section, is worked out, and uniformity or
concentricity produced.
In this second treatment and machinery by which the imperfect eccentric
tubular article is transformed from an eccentric to a concentric form and section
and rendered perfect (i.e. of equal thickness in section, throughout), the action
is one of rolling, while at a red heat, or in a glowing state, by rolling machines
having positive action and adjustments, as hereafter described, whereby the
thicker portion only of the tube is operated upon-i.e. rolled-and positively re-
duced, until the thickness above that of the thinnest part is rolled off and
rendered concentric. After this, in most cases, the tube is then again operated
upon, i.e. drawn or rolled longitudinally and formed into a tube of the required
diameter and thickness; and hence, in this case, there are three stages in the
manufacture of the complete tube.
Thus in the manufacture of tubes or hollow articles according to this invention,
the defect of eccentricity of the articles, which is practically an inherent defect
in articles produced by the piercing or breaking down, is by a subsequent opera-
tion of a positive character (viz., by positively acting machinery, as herein de-
scribed) rectified, and the article transformed into a concentric article rapidly and
inexpensively.
The machine or apparatus which we employ for effecting the second or supple-
mental and differential stage or treatment in the process of manufacture of tubes
of steel, are of different types or forms, one or other of which may be advantage-

page_text: ously used and applied in connection with the manufacture of one size and kind
of tube; while another may be applied with advantage in connection with the
manufacture of another size and kind of tube or cylinder, and so on. However,
these different types of machines or apparatus are not necessarily restricted to
any exact and precise range of sizes or kinds of tubes, as they may, in special
cases, or to meet special requirements, be adapted by suitable modifications to
make different sizes and kinds of tubes from that which they were chiefly de-
signed for.
Heretofore, attempts have been made to obviate or overcome the want of uni-
formity of section of tube made in the manner herein first described; and more-
over this defect has been, in a sense, rectified by turning or boring the defective
tubes, and cutting away the parts which are thicker, so as to make the section
uniform and concentric. But, obviously, if every tube has to be rectified by
lathe work or boring, the manufacture of such tubes, will be slow, and very
expensive.
Some different forms of machines for carrying out or effecting the purposes of
this invention, are given in the annexed drawings, the novel features of which-
irrespective of the method or process under the invention are specified or pointed
out in the claiming clauses concluding the specification; and these machines we
will now describe.
In these drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation; Figure 2 an end view in
section; and Figure 3 a cross section at A A Figure 1 of one form of machine.
. Figure 4 is a sectional elevation; and Figures 5 and 6 are cross sections taken
at the lines B B and C C, respectively, in Figure 4.
Figures 7, 8, 9, 10 11, and 12, are cross sections illustrating various forms of
tubes, and certain modifications hereafter particularized.
In the different figures of the Drawings, the same letters and figures of refer-
ence are used to denote the same or equivalent parts wherever they occur; and
consequently when no specific description of certain parts of various modifications
is given, in setting forth the special characteristics of these modifications, the con-
struction and purpose of these herein described parts must be taken to be the
same as those bearing the same reference letters or figures which are specifically
described in other parts of the specification, similarly.
Prior to describing this, the first modification or type of machine for carrying
out the invention, it will, of course, be understood that it is assumed that the
first treatment or operation according to this method or process of manufacture,
on the metal body from which a tube is to be made, viz., the piercing or passing
through of a body or billet of metal, say steel-by a mandril or mandrils, while
in a red hot state, has been performed, and that a tubular body or tube, in the
early stage of the process, having the eccentric and defective form of section, has
been produced. Consequently, in the following description of these machines,
the second or intermediate stage only of the manufacture and treatment of the
defective tube or tubular body will be dealt with.
Referring now to the drawings above specified, and more particularly to
Figures 1, 2, and 3, in this machine, a is the tube or tubular body-which will
be in a red hot or white glowing state-to be operated upon, and b is a mandril
on which the tube is placed, and filling practically the bore of the tube. c is
the long half lower die, in which the tube a is placed, and by which it is supported:
and are grooved rollers mounted in the frame , by which the half
die c is supported, and on which it is run to and fro. e is the upper grooved
roller which operates upon the part of the tube, and rolls off the other parts of
the tube, and reduces it to a uniform thickness all round, and throughout. This
roller e, and also the lower and main supporting roller directly under e-which
would take the bulk of the weight or pressure applied to the upper roller-are
mounted and revolve in the frame or bearing f. This main lower roller, and
the upper roller e, are geared together by toothed wheels f; the lower one of

page_text: which is driven in any known suitable way; and the vertical adjustment of the
upper roller e is effected by worm screws gear f² of the well known kind for ad-
justing rollers or roller presses.
These rollers d for supporting the half die c, on either side of the main sup-
porting roller d, in its travel to and fro, are all geared together by sprocket
chains on either side, meshing with sprocket teeth on each side of the
rollers d .
In action, the tube a, in a red hot or glowing state, is put on the mandril d;
and then placed in the longitudinal lower half die c, with the thicker part of the
tube to be reduced, uppermost, whilst the thinner part rests in the die. The
upper roller e is then adjusted down onto the tube to the required degree to re-
duce the thickness of metal of the tube; and the machine is then set in motion.
The effect is that the lower half die, with the tube, is moved under the roller e
forwards; and when the end of the tube is reached, the machine is reversed.
By repeating this operating and adjusting down the roller e by the gear 2, onto
the tube as it becomes reduced, the thicker parts of the tube a will be reduced
and rolled off to that required. During this rolling operation, the tube may be
turned round more or less axially to equalize the reduction by turning the
mandril b.
In this action, the thin part of the tube being supported throughout its length
in the long half die, will be unaffected by the action, that is, retains its form and
thickness.
As a modification of this, the upper roller e need not be the driven one, the
lower roller d and being only driven.
Figures 7, 8, and 9 shew cross section of the rolling parts of the machine of
the type above described, adapted for the manufacture of tubes of sections other
than circular form, viz., rectangular, elliptical, and hexagonal; the only modifi-
cation necessary being the employment of a lower half longitudinal die c, and
upper grooved roller c, formed to correspond with such sections, and to produce
them, as indicated.
In the modification shewn in Figures 4, 5 and 6, the tube a, instead of being
supported by a lower half die, the mandril b is supported at each end by
brackets 61, on a slide rest 62, which works in the frame d', this frame being so
made as to guide and support the slide rest 62. The slide rest is moved to and
fro by the driving gear fi, and a toothed wheel f, on a shaft f³, gearing in a
rack on the underside of the slide rest b².
In this case, the top grooved roller e is the driven roller; and this roller acts
upon the thicker part of the tube a, which is uppermost, as in the former case.
The roller e being, of course, adjusted to the point required, the roller and slide
rest 62, are set in action, and reversed, and so move to and fro until the thicker
part of the tube is rolled out and concentricity of section produced.
Figures 10, 11 and 12 are views in section, indicating that by this modification,
tubes of sections other than circular, similarly as in the former case or machine
can be produced; the sections indicated by these figures being rectangular, oval,
or elliptical, or hexagonal, respectively.
A second type or modification of machine for effecting the purposes, or carrying
out of the second stage of our double, differential treatment or process is illus-
trated in Figure 13 in sectional elevation. In this case, the housing or frame f
is of the type, say, similar to that of a hydraulic rivetting machine, namely, it
has upper and lower projecting arms f³, f6; and through these arms, shafts 9 g¹
extend, and are mounted and revolve in them, having at their outer extremities
short rollers e e¹, in skew arrangement in relation to each other, and driven
from the back ends by gearing tooth wheels f¹ meshing together, the said wheels
being driven through a toothed wheel f. The arm fe is limited in thickness and
strength to the internal diameter of the tube to be operated upon, whilst the upper
one can be practically any strength. The upper roller e, which acts on the outside
of the tube, is adjustable vertically in relation to the lower roller e¹ which is

page_text: fixed; and practically serves as a holder up for the tube (although it also partici-
pates in the rolling out action). The adjustment is effected by a bearing h,
through which the shaft g works, and which is guided and held in a recess h¹
in the end of arm fo, the said bearing being moved up and down by a vertical
spindle ², supported in the head of the arm f³, and worked up and down by a
wheel h³, through the boss of which the threaded end of the shaft h² works.
Thus, by turning the wheel h³ one way or the other, the bearing h, and roller e,
are moved up to and away from the roller e¹. The bearing at the other end of
the shaft g, namely, h, is of the spherical type to allow of this movement.
In action, the eccentric or imperfect tube a as it comes from the mandril or
breaking down machine, and in a red hot state, is placed in between e and e¹ over
the arm f, and the roller e is adjusted down on to the red hot tube; and the
rollers e e¹, being arranged in skew disposition, they will cause the tube a to move
longitudinally as well as revolve; and by reversing the rollers, the tube is moved
alternately, inwards over the arm f, and outwards off it, one end of the tube at a
time being operated upon, and the thicker part, and only the thicker part through-
out, will be operated upon, and rolled out until the section all over be equal, that
is equivalent to the thinnest part prior to the operation..
To carry this treatment and operation out in a practical way, it will be necessary
to run the rollers e e¹ at a high rate of speed, and make the amount of reduction
for each revolution of the tube small, but the number of them in a given time
high, say a thousand revolutions per minute. Thus a light machine, such as that
shewn, is adapted to serve the purpose, viz., reduce the thickness of the metal,
and equally.
The tube being operated upon may have first one end, and then the other
worked upon, alternately, as often as required; and thus a long tube, of eccentric
or faulty section in its initial stage of manufacture can have the thicker parts
positively reduced, until, at last, it is equal to only the thinnest part, and the
transformation of the eccentric section to the concentric section of tube completed.
In the manufacture of tubes under this invention, the billet will be of the
size and weight to correspond with the weight of the tube or tubular article to
be produced, which, of course, is equivalent to, or corresponds with the given
size of article having a given section of metal.
Another type or modification of machine for effecting and carrying out the
second stage or treatment according to this invention, viz., the rolling off action
of the thicker part of an imperfect or eccentric tube, as delivered from the machine
by which its first-i.e. previous-stage is effected, is illustrated in Figures 14,
15, and 16; and this type of machine is that which we prefer to employ in all
cases, as its use is advantageous in all respects. The machine shewn in this case
is one comprising upper and lower parallel longitudinal rollers of sufficient length
to receive and roll a tube as produced from the first stage. These rollers are
designated e and e¹, the lower one being comparatively small, so as to receive the
tube a which is passed over it while in a glowing or red hot state. The housing
or frames support these rollers at either end, and one, preferably the outer one,
as indicated in Figure 15, is in two parts, the upper part being mounted on a
hinge f, which half, when it is moved about its hinge upwards, enables the tube
to be slipped over the lower roller e¹.
The imperfect or eccentric tube a, in a red hot state, being placed over the
shaft e¹ the upper roller e is set or adjusted, so as to act upon and roll the thicker
part only of the tube, when it is revolved by the lower roller e¹. In this machine,
say, the lower roller e only is rotated; (but of course both may be rotated if
desired). The thicker part by degrees is rolled off or operated upon positively
each revolution of the tube, the rate of rotation being high, such as above stated,
and as this thicker part is reduced the upper roller e is adjusted until all the
excess portion of the metal, viz. of that above the thinnest part, has been rolled
off. and a concentric tube produced.
In connection with these rollers e and e¹, and the tube a, these are employed

page_text: other external rollers r, supported in hanging levers mounted on the frame f,
these arms and rollers being adjusted up to the surfaces of a by nuts s in the end
of r, and a right and left hand screw rod t mounted at the centre in a bearing t¹.
By turning the levers and rollers r, will be moved up to and away from the
tube a, as desired. By these means the tube is prevented from rocking about
and becoming distorted in shape.
These external holding rollers may be used in connection with any machines
used for the carrying out of the invention where possible.
Another modified machine for carrying out the second stage of treatment of
tubes is shewn in Figure 17 in sectional elevation and Figure 18 in cross section.
In this modification there are employed lower short rollers e' on the shaft. e¹*
mounted in the housings or frames at each end, and skew rollers e supported
and mounted, and adjustable vertically in a strong bridge housing or frame f*
This bridge is supported from and couples together the two frames f; and forms
practically a rigid bridge.
The upper rollers e are supported and adjustable in the bridge f* by the necks i
of the forks which support them, they being adapted to move in sockets in such
bridge, the movement vertically being effected by screws ; mounted in the upper
part of the bridge f³, and screwing into the neck, these screws being operated
by worm wheels operated by worms on a shaft, which is rotated by a hand
actuated wheel ³. By turning this wheel one way or the other, the rollers e will
be moved towards or away from the rollers el, as required.
Each end of the shaft e¹ is mounted in a bearing in an eccentrically arranged
bush or block k with part flanges k, and so arranged that by turning it a quarter
of a revolution the flanges come opposite recesses in the housing f, so that one of
said blocks or eccentrics can be moved bodily forward off the shaft and out of the
housing. When this is done, the tube in a white hot state is passed over the
shaft ex and rollers e¹, and the eccentric block is again introduced into position,
as shewn, When this is done, the rollers e are adjusted down to the position re-
quired and operated upon the tube as in the cases above described. The effect of
the skew wheels e is that the tube will be moved longitudinally, as well as rotated,
and so operated upon in the longitudinal direction, that is, throughout its length.
When the tube has reached the limit of movement in one direction, the direction
of revolution of the shaft ex is reversed by its driving mechanism, and the longi-
tudinal direction of movement of the tube reversed, the rollers e being adjusted
up to the amount required..
11,
I
+
In each revolution of the tube; the thicker portion only of it is operated upon
or rolled out, and as the thicker parts of the tube are reduced and approach in
thickness the thinnest part, the proportion of the revolution in which the rollers
touch the tube; will be greater.
In this case, also, it is preferred to run the rollers e at a high velocity, so that
while the reduction due to each revolution is small, the rapidity of reduction in
effect is high, and this enables light parts and small fubes to be operated upon
with precision.
In lieu of the employment of the several short rollers e¹ used in this machine,
a single, parallel roller, as in the modifications in Figures 4 to 16 may be employed.
With regard, generally, to the tubes operated upon and produced as above le-
scribed, after they leave the machinery herein specified, they are, in most cases;
operated upon in a hot or glowing state, or cold, for producing tubes of smaller
sizes, or drawing in the usual way, depending largely upon the purpose for which
the tube is made. Or, in some cases, the tubular articles as turned out from
machines herein described may be of that is, the size and shape required may
be of the finished form, and serviceable for direct use without further operations
upon them, or treatment.,
We are well aware that rollers have been employed for rolling cylindrical
bodies, such as hollow flues, plain and corrugated, and the like; and under this

page_text: invention no claim is made to the use of rollers, per se, for these purposes, and
therefore they are treated herein as old and well known.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we claim is:
1. The herein described improved manufacture of seamless tubes from metal
bodies or billets, namely, the manufacture by the herein described treatment or
process, consisting in first piercing, or passing through a body or billet of metal,
while in a red hot or glowing state, a plug or mandril, by suitable machinery;
and then rolling off the thicker part of the imperfect tube or article so produced,
while in a red hot or glowing state, by a rolling machine adapted to act only on
said thicker part, until the thickness of the walls of the tules throughout is
uniform; substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
2. The manufacture of seamless tubes of equal thickness of walls throughout
by rolling off the thicker parts of the eccentric and imperfect tube produced in
an earlier stage of manufacture, while in a hot and glowing state, and by a rolling
machine adapted to act only on the said thicker part until the thickness of the
walls of the tube throughout is uniform; substantially as set forth.
Dated this 28th day of August 1899.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
Applicant's Patent Agents, 15, Water Street, Liverpool.