IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY, FOR PRODUCING SEAMLESS TUBES
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Chalmers, of the City of Glasgow, now
residing in the City of New York; in the United States of America, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY, FOR PRODUCING SEAMLESS
TUBES," A communication from abroad by Wam Forman Brooks,
residing at New York City, in the United States of America.
5
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Thomas Chalmers at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents with his Petitionand Declaration
on the 25th November 1867, pursuant to the 9th Section of the Patent
Bai Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
CHALMERS of the City of Glasgow, now residing in the City of New York,
in the United States of America, send greeting.
-
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
7. MACHINERY FOR PRODUCING SEAL TUBES, and have petitioned Her Majesty
to grant to me, my executors, administrators, and assigns, Her Royal
0 Letters Patent for the same, and have made solemn Declaration that it has
been dommunicated to me from abroad by William Forman Brooks of the
City of New York, in the United States of America,
בלת:

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Thomas Chalmers, do hereby declare that
the following Complete Specification, under my hand and seal, fully describes
and ascertains the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, in and by the following statement: -
I will first describe what I consider the best means of carrying out my
Invention, and will afterwards designate the points which I believe to be new
therein.
The accompanying Drawings form a part of this Specification.
Figure 1 is a central longitudinal section of a series of rolls adapted to
reduce the cast scelp by successive increments. A single continuous mandrel
formed in sections extends through the grooves in the series of rollers, so
that the scelp on being slipped over the mandrel at the entering end of the
train of mechanism may be passed successively through the several pairs of
rolls, being reduced a little in the first pair; thence shoved forward by hand
or otherwise to the second pair, where it is reduced a little further, and thus
to the end, it being understood that the scelp or partially drawn tube is turned
about a quarter of a revolution on the mandrel after each passage through the
pair of rolls.
This Figure also shows several details of the mechanism for
supporting the mandrel and holding it firmly in the proper position, as also
for permitting the scelps or tubes to be introduced and passed through the
train of mechanism; Figure 1* is a cross section of the same showing one of
the trip stands for supporting the mandrel; Figure 2 is a plan view of the
parts shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side elevation of the principal portion
of the same; Figure 4 is a cross section of the same; Figure 5 is a front
elevation of mechanism adapted for cross rolling a tube or scelp. This
method of rolling turns the tube around between the rolls as long as may be
required, and compresses it constantly attwo points upon the mandrel, leaving
it free to swell out at the other points; Figure 6 is a cross section of the same
mechanism; Figure 7 is a cross section of a portion of each roll and of the
mandrel showing thescelp considerably enlarged by the cross-rolling process, so
thatithes very loosely around the mandrel; Figure 8 is a front elevation of the
mechanism for rolling large tubes in a flattened condition, it being understood
that the tubes have been previously cast in a round or other convenient form,
and have been flattened by this or other suitable mechanism into the form
represented, and that the round space at each edge of the flattened tube has
been filled with the same or a different metal to enable the edges to be rolled
with pretty nearly the same effect as the flat portions; Figure 8* represents
one of the sections in which I prefer to produce these rolls. By the removal

page_text: of these sections, and the substitution of others, the main bodies of the rolls
and the gearing need not be changed in adapting the machine to roll different
sizes or thicknesses of tubes. (Figure 8ª is on Sheet 4; the remainder of the
Figures from 8 to 9° inclusive are on Sheets 3 & 4). Figure 9 is a cross
section of the same mechanism; Figure 9ª is a plan view of a portion of a
tube thus flattened and filled; Figure 9 is an edge view of the same;
Figure 9 is a longitudinal section of the same; Figure 9d is a cross section,
and Figure 9 is an end view; Figure 10 is a front elevation of mechanism for
opening the scelp after it has been rolled to nearly the proper size. The
operation is effected by introducing in the end of the flattened tube a peculiar
lance, which is adapted to open it to nearly a round condition, and is pro-
vided with antifriction wheels to reduce the resistance. The lance is held
stationary, and the flattened tube, after having its end opened by hand or
otherwise and being heated and introduced upon the end of the lance is
drawn on by the action of the rolls. Figure 11 is a longitudinal vertical
section of the same mechanism; Figure 12 is a horizontal section showing
the principal portion of the same; Figure 13 is an edge view, partly in sec-
tions, of my series of moulds in which the scelps are cast. I use the term
scelp in this Specification to indicate the hollow casting open at both ends,
from which the tube is to be manufactured by subsequent treatment;
Figure 14 is a face view of a portion of the series; Figure 14" is a section of
the end of a tube with a spout, through which the metal is introduced;
Figure 14 is a side elevation of the same; Figure 15 is a side elevation of
my improved draw bench for treating the tube at and near the finishing stage;
Figure 16 is a plan view of the same. In both these Figures the draw bench
is represented as broken off, so as to show only the central and end portions,
and omit considerable length between. Figure 17 is a cross section of the
draw bench; Figure 17 is a face view of the tongs which are employed to
remove the tube from the mandril; Figure 17b is an edge view of the same
tongs and connected parts showing the tube partially drawn off from the
mandrel, or rather the mandrel partially drawn out from it; Figure 18 is a
face view of the series of drawing rollers which I employ in my draw bench to
reduce the metal of the tube; Figure 18 is a cross section of the same;
Figure 19 is a corresponding view of a series which I employ to loosen the
tube upon the mandrel; Figure 20 is a cross section of a case containing a
series of rollers analogous to the last, with a solid die attached for smoothing
the exterior; Figure 21 represents the solid die and the mandrel, between
which the tube is drawn by aid of the attached pin as represented in the last

page_text: finishing process; Figure 22 represents on a larger scale a section of tube at
the mandrel in au earlier stage of the process than that described in
connection with Figures 1 to 4.
Referring to Figures 1, 1, 2, 3, and 4, the several pairs of rollers A¹, A¹,
A2, A3, A3, A3, A4, A4, are grooved as indicated in Figure 4, the grooves being
corrugated in directions oblique to the axes. This corrugating may be done
by milling tools or otherwise, and is carried to a sufficient extent to roughen
the rolls and enable them to take a firm hold on the tubes or scelps as they
are introduced thereto. There are several grooves in the same pair of rollers,
which may be of the same or of different sizes, and the mandrel may be intro-
duced in either groove as may be preferred. B', B2, B3, B4, and B5 are the
several distinct sections of the mandrel; they may be of iron, and are of
different sizes, B' being the largest, B2 the next largest, and so on diminishing
in size to B. The several sections are strongly joined by steel thimbles 6¹,
the thimbles being placed directly in the bite of the rolls as represented.
The weight of the several sections is supported on the trip stands C; these
stands are adapted to turn or swivel on the support c, and the gravity of the
arm C² causes the arm C¹ to stand erect, except when it is deflected by the
passage of a scelp or tube. Each tube in succession on reaching one of the
stands strikes the arm C¹ and tilts it over. As soon as it has passed the arm
resumes its original position, and continues to support the weight of the
mandrel. D¹is a stout clamp which takes firm hold on the contracted portion
of the mandrel at the end where the scelps are entered. This clamp is in
two parts as indicated distinctly in Figure 2; by moving the handle or lever d
the two parts of the clamp are opened. The mechanism provided for the
purpose, as is indicated by dotted lines in Figure 2, will be readily understood
by mechanics. During the period while the clamp D¹ is open it necessarily
ceases to hold the mandrel, and the latter might be displaced, except for the
lever E, which turns on the support s. One arm of this lever catches against
a shoulder provided in the mandrel as represented. After a scelp has been
introduced on the mandrel the clamps D¹ are closed firmly; then the lever E
is tilted by hand, and the scelp has now a free passage, so that it can be
pushed forward into the bite of the first pair of rolls. As soon as it has
passed the handle of the lever E is again depressed or allowed to fall by its
gravity, and the upper arm again takes hold on the shoulder in the mandrel
and is ready to again hold the mandrel when the clamps are again opened.
It will be understood that the thimbles 61, etc. may be larger than the several
sections of the mandrel B1, B3, etc. The thimbles or steel portions should

page_text: be exactly the size of the interior of the tube at this part of its progress, while
the several iron parts B1, B2, etc. may be much smaller so long as they afford
sufficient strength.
Referring to Figures 5, 6, and 7, I, I, are a pair of rolls, and J a mandrel,
which may be drawn outward, and thus disconnected therefrom at pleasure.
The heated scelp is introduced on the mandrel J and thrust forward into the
rolls, which are compressed upon it, and rotated by the means represented.
It will be observed that the rollers I, I, are impelled by the gearing in such
a manner that the scelp revolves continuously on the mandrel J between
them. This operation may be continued until the scelp is enlarged to a size
much greater than the diameter of the mandril. The action imparts a
toughness to the metal of the scelp which enables it to be subsequently
treated with much more severity than would otherwise be practicable. After
it has been cross rolled in this mechanism to a sufficient extent the rolls I, I,
are separated, and the mandrel and scelp are withdrawn; another one may
then be introduced and the operation repeated.
Referring to Figures 8, 8, 9, 92, 9b, c, 9d, and 9e, K, K, are rolls sup-
ported in stout housings, as represented, and adapted to roll the flattened
scelps M; these scelps, as has been above stated, are previously produced
by casting or otherwise, and are rolled down or otherwise flattened to the form
represented, and the cavities are filled with a material which, when at the
same temperature as the material of the scelp, will be drawn in the same
manner and with about the same freedom. I prefer in practice to fill the
cavities in the scelp with molten metal of the same kind. To effect this
without risk of uniting the metals permanently together the interior of the
scelp may be first washed with clayey water, and dried so as to give a thin
coating of clay to prevent adhesion. This may be done before the flattening
is completed, and the flattening may be done in the rolls K, K, here repre-
sented. To initiate the flattening these rolls should be worked at a considerable
distance apart. After they have been reduced to about the form represented,
the tubes are allowed to cool to a considerable extent, and the cavities are
then filled with melted metal of the same kind and allowed to project at the
ends to form tapering pieces by which the scelps may be seized. The scelp
thus compounded, filled, and ended or provided in the interior at each end
with superfluous metal of the same kind is rolled through the machine here
represented, and turned as many times as may be necessary.
The two grooves or places for the passage of the scelp may be of different
sizes, so that the scelp after being rolled as many times as is
proper through

page_text: one series of passages, screwing the rolls together after each passage, may be
introduced into the other passage or peculiar groove provided, and there rolled
down further. The making of the rolls in segments, as indicated by
Figure 8, and the keeping on hand several sets of these sections allows the
production of every required variety of tubes with the accumulation of only a
small quantity of machinery.
Figure 9 shows the manner in which the sections may be bolted and keyed
upon the stout central roll or core. Edge rolls K' are provided which act
against the edges of the flattened scelp so that no part of the scelp shall
escape treatment. The edge rollers may be driven by power as shown in
Figures 8 and 9, or they may be of the same size or much smaller, and be
driven by the friction of the metal in passing as indicated in Figures 8b,
and &c. In these latter Figures the edge rolls are represented as set much
nearer the bite of the main rolls than is readily practicable when they are
geared. I prefer in most cases the ungeared arrangement shown in Figures
8b and 8c.
Referring to Figures 10, 11, and 12, L, L, are a pair of rolls driven by
suitable gearing not represented, so that they revolve towards each other and
tend to draw the tube longitudinally through between them, while O is a stout
rigid tube of iron, preferably of cast iron, which is fixed on the stand O'. This
tube O and its connections I term the lance. Its front end stands in the bite
of the rollers L, L. The extreme tapered point of the lance O extends a
little forward of the bite of the rolls as represented; P, P, are antifriction
rolls mounted in the lance O as represented. After the flattened scelp M has
been rolled down to a sufficient extent in the rolls K, K, the front end is
opened by hand or otherwise; this opened end is then at the same heat or
after giving it another heat introduced upon the pointed front of the lance O,
and is seized by the rolls L, L, and carried forward upon the lance, the anti-
friction rolls P, P, allowing this action to proceed smoothly with little strain
on the metal. The lance O must be of sufficient leugth to allow the finished
tube to be received thereon, but there may be one or more of the tilting
supports or trip stands C constructed as represented and operating in the
same manner as the corresponding parts in Figure 1, etc., before described.
Qis a guide which aids to support the flattened scelp in the proper position
The rolls L are made in sections.
I have repre-
as it enters the rolls L
sented three sections as sufficient to complete the circumference, but the
number may be increased or diminished at pleasure. So also the keys a,
which aid in supporting the segments, may be increased or diminished in

page_text: a
number, or the keys may be placed in seats each at the middle instead of at
a joint. R, R, are weights which may be increased or diminished by adding
or removing parts as indicated. These weights act on the levers R¹, and thus
press upon the lowermost of the rolls L, L, with a yielding force. Whenever
an extra thickness or hardness of the metal in the scelp requires that the
rolls L, L, shall increase their distance one from the other the lower roll may
sink a little by lifting the weights R, R, and thus a fracture in the necessarily
delicate members P in the lance may be avoided.
. Referring to Figures 13, 14, 14, 14, S is a horizontal shaft mounted on
suitable bearings and turned rapidly by a belt not represented. This shaft
carries on one end a bevel friction wheel S¹ which gives a rapid rotatory
motion to the several hollow tubes T, which form the moulds, the motion
being communicated through the medium of the bevel friction wheels T¹.
The inner ends of these moulds are carried in bearing boxes of any approved
construction. The outer ends which become at certain periods intensely
heated by the contained inetal are supported between the antifriction rollers
U, U, U. These are carried on studs mounted on plates, which are attached
to the periphery of the wheel V₁. This wheel is carried on a shaft V, which
may be turned by hand or otherwise as required. In the outer end of each
mould T is fitted a cover which is opened in the center, and is in fact merely
an annular ring having a little greater thickness than that of the tube or scelp
which is to be cast therein. This ring is marked t, and is secured by a
bayonet joint so that it may be readily removed to allow the withdrawing of the
scelp after it has been fully formed and cooled. The mould T may be of cast
iron; it is necessary that it be of a material which will shrink less in cooling
than the material of the scelp. In casting a scelp the tube T is held in an
.inclined position as indicated in 14b, and a proper quantity of metal being taken
in the ladle is poured in through a spout as indicated in Figure 14b. The rapid
rotation of the mould T tends to distribute the melted metal by centrifugal
force, and form a shell around the interior of the mould. As soon as I have
finished pouring, and before the metal has time to cool, I turn the wheel V1
and its connected moulds to a sufficient extent to bring the moulds just filled
to a horizontal position. In this position the metal has no tendency by
gravity either to accumulate in what was previously the bottom of the mould
or to flow out at what was previously the upper end. It distributes itself
equally from one end of the mould to the other, and the centrifugal force
being every instant different it distributes itself very uniformly over the entire
interior of the mould. While it is chilling in this position the mould above

page_text: may be similarly filled, and thus the several moulds are treated in succession
until all are filled, by which time or soon after, the cooled scelps first cast are
ready to be withdrawn. This method of moulding produces very uniform and
reliable castings with great rapidity and economy.
Referring to Figures 15 to 21 inclusive, the main peculiarities of my
improved draw bench and its adjuncts will be understood by those familiar
with the ordinary draw bench, and its use, with a very brief description.
My draw bench differs mainly from the ordinary draw benches in the
fact that it is double. One part draws the tube through with the mandrel
within it, reducing the metal to the extent desired, while the other part is
useful in disengaging the tube from the mandrel. In the position represented
the tube is first entered from the left side and is drawn to the right, passing
first through the series of rolls W, which reduces the metal, and immediately
after through the lesser series of rolls X, which loosen the tube upon the
mandrel preparatory to the removal thereof. The difference in the action
between these two series of rolls is due mainly to their arrangement, the
rolls W being so numerous and placed so thickly together that they act on
the whole surface of the tube, drawing the whole equally, and compelling the
metal to extend itself longitudinally only, there being no room for any expan-
sion laterally in any any direction because the tubeis acted upon on all sides by
rolls of equal force. This arrangement is very clearly shown in Figure 18,
which shows the acting portions or inner sides of the several rollers, and
shows their housings or boxes with the screws provided for forcing them
inward and adjusting them with all the delicacy required to produce a
uniform action upon the metal. In the other series of rollers X there are only
three such boxes and rollers, as indicated very clearly in Figure 19. These
rolls tend to force the metal laterally, which increases the diameter of the tube.
It is only necessary to increase the diameter a very little in order to allow the
mandrel to be withdrawn. My draw bench provides for taking hold of the
mandrel at the rear bench represented on the left, while it is drawn forward by
the front bench and following it by the gripper as the tube is drawn through
the rolls above described. After the tube has entirely passed the rolls the
gripper of the front bench is disengaged, the strippers or tongs, as they have
been above designated, represented in Figures 17 and 17b are closed on the
mandrel. These strippers do not, as will be readily understood, take hold of
the mandrel tightly, they simply enclose it, leaving the mandrel liberty to slip
easily through it, but forbidding the passage of the tube. In this condition of
the mechanism the toe of the crosshead on the rear bench is connected with

page_text: the chain by tilting the lever and moving the sliding ball, as will be under-
stood from the Drawings. So soon as this toe has engaged with the chain Y,
it commences to move back carrying the mandrel with it, and as the
movement of the tube is resisted by the grippers it follows that the mandrel
is withdrawn, leaving the tube on the front bench from which it may be
removed by hand.
Figure 21 represents, as has been before remarked, the final operation to
which the tube is subjected. The tube is slipped on a fixed mandrel. The
pin or tip Z is dropped into the tube from one end, and is held by its head or
shoulder in the end of the tube as represented, it being understood that the
tube is contracted at the end around this shoulder so as to take a firm hold
thereon, the portion of the tube thus contracted being afterwards removed by
sawing or otherwise. The tube is now slipped on by its open end on a fixed
mandrel as represented, having a slight enlargement near its end which is
accurately finished of the desired size of the interior of the tube. The tip is
now introduced through a fixed die Z', the inner surface of which is accurately
finished of the size desired for the exterior of the tube. Now by taking hold
of the pin or tip by grippers or other means as represented, it is drawn
through, and when through the tip is knocked out and the operation is
repeated.
Some parts of my improved method of manufacture may be employed with
success without adopting the other parts here described. My method of
casting the metal at the commencement, andof rolling and reducing the metal
by successive stages while heated, may be used either alone or together
without the peculiar draw bench described, and vice versa.
Some parts of my Invention here described may also be used in connection
withthe Invention described in the Provisional Specification of Alfred Vincent
Newton, dated 10th September, A.D. 1866, No. 2319.
I have represented in Figures 23 and 24 of this Patent reduced Drawings
illustrating the said former Invention, Figure 23 being a longitudinal section,
and Figure 24 being a cross section upon a larger scale. The Drawings
represent,and the said former Specification describes, a partially formed tube
of metal filled with a more fusible metal. In the said former Specification I
described the drawing of these masses by rolling in grooved rollers and
afterwards removing the interior metal by melting it out. The method of
cross rolling described in my present Patent may be applied with good effect
to those compound masses, and the effect of the cross rolling in enlarging the
diameter of the tube without correspondingly enlarging the diameter of the

page_text: contained metal will loosen the tube from the latter so that it may be removed
mechanically. I can in so operating fill the tube with the same metal as the
tube itself, it being unnecessary that it shall be more fusible, and I prefer in
practice to simply lute the interior of the tube or scelp with clay as is
practiced among metal workers and to fill it with melted metal of the same
kind. The whole being heated uniformly the cross rolling process enlarges
the diameter of the. tube and liberates the enclosed metal. I can also fill the
interior with a harder metal or a less fusible than the tube if desired. I have
drawn steel tubes successfully by the cross rolling process by simply putting a
cylindrical bar or rod of ordinary soft iron in the interior.
Having now fully described the said improvements, together with what I
consider means of applying them in practice, what I claim as new therein
and desire to secure by Letters Patent is as follows:-
First. I claim so arranging a rotary mould or moulds for casting metal that
they can be placed at any angle desired while pouring in the metal and changed
to a different position while rotating, whereby I am enabled to make castings
of different lengths with perfect uniformity.
Second. I claim the arrangement of a series of grooved or recessed cylinder
rolls with the grooves diagonally grooved or corrugated; also the graduated
stationary mandrel whereby I am enabled to make several rollings or passes
between rolls at one heat without removing the metal from contact with the
mandrel; also the making the mandrels in sections, whereby I am enabled
to use thimbles or adjustable rolling points.
Third. I claim the use of the thimbles which are readily replaced when
worn, or easily changed or adjusted to sizes required; also allowing the use of
the same sections of mandrels for various sizes of tube; also the use of a
hollow or tubular mandrei.
Fourth. I claim the trip stand or its equivalent for supporting the mandrel
in position whereby the metal is free to pass it, and when passed to resume
its original position.
Fifth. I claim the stop or its equivalent for holding the mandrel while the
metal is being put on it; also the stop which holds the mandrel from moving
in any direction while the metal is being rolled.
Sixth. I claim the within described means for cross rolling the scelp or
tube on its mandrel by drawing it in the direction of its circumference by the
action of rolls mounted and arranged substantially as and for the purposes
herein specified.
Seventh. I claim using a tubular casting or other tubular metal, and filling

page_text: it with the same or other metal in a moulten state that will roll hot uniformly
in combination, or a plug of metal which when hot will roll uniformly in
combination as herein set forth.
Eighth. I claim drawing a tube or the material for a tube in a flattened
condition with the edges preserved and treated substantially in the manner
and for the purposes herein set forth.
Ninth. I claim the within described lance O and its connections, arranged
as shown in Figures 10, 11, and 12, for the purposes set forth.
Tenth. I claim the several features of novelty, to wit, the means of
removing the tube from the mandrel, as shown in Figures 17 and 17%, and
the means of holding and smoothing both surfaces of the tube in the final
operation, as shown in Figure 21.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Chalmers, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-fifth day of October, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
THO. CHALMERS. (L.8.