Improvements in Engraving Machines.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 19th June, 1895-Accepted, 20th July, 1895
Improvements in Engraving Machines.
I, BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS, of 23 Southampton Buildings, in the
County of London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
(a communication to me from Herman Ernest Dick, of Chicago, in the County
of Cook and State of Illinois, in the United States of America,) and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
The object of the invention is to produce an engraving machine which will be
capable of engraving figures, characters or the like, in various sizes from suitable
patterns, and which machine will accurately communicate the movements of a
tracer to an engraving tool or work-holder. In carrying the invention into effect
two transversely sliding blocks are employed, the upper one of which carries the
work-holder or the engraving tools, but the work-holder is preferably carried
by said block. The movements of the tracer are imparted to these blocks
through reciprocating links, which links are connected to the sliding blocks by
suitable levers. The invention further consists in the novel devices and
combinations of devices hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in
the claims.
In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the invention,
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the machine.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation and partial section.
Fig. 3 is a plan view, and Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 are
enlarged views of details of the machine.
A is the bed-plate or platform of the machine, B the block or standard upon
which is secured plate B¹, on which work the reciprocating blocks carrying the
work holder, and C is a standard having a bracket which carries the pivot for
the tracing rod D. Plate B' has mounted upon it two reciprocating blocks E
and E. These blocks are dovetailed and work in transverse directions in
dovetailed channels. Block E works in channel F formed directly in plate B', and
the block E¹ works in channel F' formed across block E. The channels are
indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3. G and G are levers connected with
block E¹, both levers being pivotted at H upon support H', which is | shaped.
as shown in Fig. 1, and is secured to the side of plate B' by screws h. Secured upon
block E are guides O and O¹, and between these guides are blocks P adapted to
slide back and forth. These blocks have upwardly projecting pins P¹. Guides O
have blocks O2 secured alongside of them, and through these blocks are screwed
jam screws 9 adapted to force guides O against blocks P, so that said blocks
will work between guides O and O¹ without lateral play, thus guarding against
lost motion in transmitting the movements of the tracer to the reciprocating
blocks E and E. Levers G and G' have slots Q and Q¹ respectively, in which
blocks R and R' are placed respectively and are adapted to be clamped to the
levers. These blocks are made in two parts, the main part 1 baving flanges 2,
and 3 is a top plate screwed on to the body 1. Plate 3 when screwed down
tight clamps the block rigidly to the lever. These blocks have holes 4 which
register with pins P¹ on blocks P. The object of slots Q and Q₁ and blocks R
and R' is to provide an adjustable connection between the levers and the recipro-
cating block E. By connecting the levers with block E' in this way, the pattern
may be reproduced in various proportions, that is to say, either on a larger or
smaller scale, or on either a larger or smaller scale and distorting the pattern more

page_text: or less as desired; thus, when engraving the letter K for instance, the engraving
may be on a larger or smaller scale, the increase or decrease in the proportions
being equal, which is accomplished by adjusting blocks R and R¹ to the same
point in slots Q and Q₁; or if it should be desired to make an engraving of the
pattern in which the proportion of length to breadth will be different to the
pattern, or vice versa, the blocks R and R¹ are adjusted to different points within
slots and Q', which results in different lengths of movement of the two
reciprocating blocks relative to the movements of the tracer, resulting in what
may be termed a distortion of the pattern. Guides O are graduated to enable
blocks R and R' to be accurately adjusted in the slots.
As before stated, levers G and G₁ are both connected to block E. Movement of
the lever G in either direction results in a corresponding movement of block E,
and movement of lever G¹ in either direction results in corresponding movements
of block E, the motion being applied through block E', which works in the
transverse slot formed in block E. Thus the movements of levers G and G¹
produce transverse and compound movements of the blocks E and E', which
movements will correspond to the movements of the tracer.
K and K are reciprocating links which communicate the movements of the
tracer rod to levers G and G³ respectively. The movements of the blocks E
and E correspond to the movement of these links. They are connected to
levers G and G¹ by blocks a and screws a¹. Blocks a work in slots a² cut through
the levers to allow the blocks to shift when the links are moved in either direction,
thus providing a sliding connection between the levers and links. Links K and Ki
rest upon a frame K2, which is secured upon extensions K³ of plate B'. K is a
post which gives additional support to frame K2. To reduce friction at the points
where the levers work through supporting frame K³, rollers 7 are provided, which
work against the edges of the links. A plate 8 is placed over the links and rollers
at three of the points of support and screwed to the frame K² to prevent the
links being displaced. The free end of link K passes under the standard C,
which standard for this purpose is provided with a head or flange k, which flange
is secured to frame K2 by screws and journalled between the flange and frame
are rollers 7 similar to those at the other points of support for the reciprocating
links.
As shown in Fig. 3, links K and K' are cross shaped, each having a short cross
arm 5, and lengthwise of each cross arm is cut a slot having shoes b. The tracer
rod D passes through these slots. Shoes 6 are ☐ shaped in cross section and
secured to the cross arm by screws. They are concave as shown at 62, and within
these concave surfaces is a sleeve or roller c¹, which has a spherical outer surface
and through which the tracer rod works freely. It will be seen from Fig. 3 that
upon moving the tracer rod lengthwise of link K', that link only will be moved,
the roller c¹ working in the slot in link K but against the side of the slot in link K',
and upon moving the tracer rod crosswise of link K, or, in other words, lengthwise
of link K, link Konly will be moved, the roller c' then working in the slot in link K',
and by moving the tracer rod diagonally of the two links, a compound movement is
obtained, that is, both links being shifted together. The roller c' reduces friction
within the slots and the concave shoes serve to retain the roller c¹ in position, as
shown most clearly in Fig. 5.
The tracer rod D works through a universal joint supported on standard C,
which joint serves as a pivot for the rod. This joint is composed of a bracket C
having two arms between which a ring C2 is pivotted on pins x, and within this
ring a sleeve is pivotted on pins a¹. The tracer rod passes through sleeve x²
and works freely therein and is capable of vertical movement through this sleeve
to readily permit changes in the inclination of the rod as it moves over the pattern.
The two arms of bracket C' and the rings C² are split, as shown by the dotted
lines (Fig. 4), to permit the pivot pins a and a to be firmly clamped by screws 5
when adjusted. Bracket C₁ is adjustable vertically upon the standard through the
´rack d and pinion d'. Rack d is rigidly secured in a slot cut in the standard C,

page_text: and the pinion d¹ is formed on a spindle d² which passes through the bracket. To
one end of spindle d' is rigidly secured a scale d³ provided with holes d' with which
register a spring pressed pin d³. To adjust the bracket on the standard, pin d' is
withdrawn from the hole d' with which it registers and scale d³ is rotated, whereby
the bracket is raised or lowered to a desired point through the rack and pinion,
and when adjusted to the desired position, pin is allowed to enter a hole d¹ to
lock the scale in place. When the bracket adjusted, collar d' is firmly clamped
to the standard by jam-nut do, which is screwed on the screw threaded end of
spindle d². This prevents lateral movement of the bracket. To facilitate the
clamping of the collar d' to the standard, the bracket is split as shown at d³.
The object of vertically adjusting bracket C¹ to raise or lower the pivot point
of the tracer rod, is to vary the distance between the pivot and the reciprocating
links, whereby the range of movement of said links is increased or decreased
relative to the tracer or pattern, and hence the range of movement of the recipro-
cating blocks is correspondingly varied. This adjustment is mainly provided to
give such length to the tracer rod between the pivot and tracer as to make
the leverage of the rod proportional to the distance the reciprocating blocks
are to be moved relative to the pattern; that is to say, if the connections
between levers G and G' and the reciprocating blocks are adjusted to give the
reciprocating blocks a comparatively large range of movement, the pivot point
of the tracer rod should be raised to increase the distance between the fulcrum
or pivot of the tracer rod and the work, that is, the intersecting point of the
links K K¹, and if the range of movement is comparatively small, this distance
should be decreased by lowering the pivot. Thus the leverage of the tracer rod
can be made proportional to the range of movement to be given the reciprocating
blocks. This same adjustment may be employed to produce inclined or bevelled
surfaces in the engraving. For instance, if the pivot of the tracer rod be
adjusted to a high point, the range of movement given the reciprocating blocks
relative to the tracer or pattern will be larger than when the pivot of said rod
is adjusted to a low point; hence by starting to engrave with the pivot at a
high point and gradually lowering the pivot, the range of movement of the
reciprocating blocks will be gradually decreased as the graver cuts the material,
thus producing a bevel. However it is preferable to produce a bevel by the
device hereinafter described.
Lis the pattern and L' the holder. The holder consists of a base 1, preferably
tubular, on the inner surface of which is a circular rib for supporting a circular
plate 12, which fits snugly within the base. Each pattern is provided with pins 1³
and these pins are rigidly secured to plate 1. To retain plate within the base,
a screw is provided which passes through a hole and enters a screw threaded
bole at the opposite side, and by tightening this screw, plate 2 is clamped in place.
Base is externally screw threaded to receive an internally screw threaded collar 1.
A plate rests on this collar, and this plate is provided with holes through which
pins pass freely. Plate 18 may be raised or lowered by screwing collar up or
down without altering the position of the pattern, the object of which will be
hereinafter explained. Collar is provided with a hole to give access to the
head of screw 1.
The pattern shown is a piece of metal or other material, the configuration of
which is that of the letter, figure or other device or design which it is desired to
reproduce, and the reproduction is accomplished by the movement of the tracer rod
or a part thereof around the edges of the pattern.
As before stated, a bevel may be produced by varying the pivot point of the
tracer rod, but it is preferable to produce a bevel by varying the inclination of the
tracer rod relative to the reciprocating links and the pattern. This is accomplished
by providing the open pattern through or past which the tracer extends, and by
making the tracer and said pattern vertically movable with relation to each other.
In the preferred way of carrying this feature into effect, the tracer rod is provided
with a cone shaped tracer D¹, the point of which rests on plate 18 and which is

page_text: arranged relative to the pattern so that the surface of the cone may follow the
lines of the open pattern, the plate 18 acting only as a support. By providing the
cone shaped tracer, the open pattern and the adjustable plate 1, inclined or bevelled
surfaces may be produced in the engraving, that is to say, for instance, when
engraving letters or numerals, the same can be cut with a bevel, the base being
larger than the face, as is well understood, instead of cutting straight downward
from the face. In engraving designs the same effect can be produced. For
convenience of reference the plate 18 and collar will be hereinafter referred to as
the "bevel adjuster." Assuming now that the machine is to be operated with the
bevel adjuster in the position shown in Fig. 2, and the graver is placed in contact
with the piece to be operated upon, the cutting will begin at a point coincident with
the position of the point of the tracer, and in following the character, the surface
of the cone is held against the side or edge of the pattern. When the pattern or
any desired portion of it has been traced with the bevel adjuster in the position just
described, the bevel adjuster is slightly moved upward, which carries the tracer rod
upward, and, as will be readily seen, brings the point of the tracer nearer to the
pattern. The tracer is then moved around the pattern as before, but the inclination
of the tracer rod relative to the pattern and the reciprocating links will be altered,
which results in the reciprocating links receiving a different length of movement
from that imparted thereto by the tracer rod while the tracer was travelling around
the pattern with the bevel adjuster in its first position. This difference in the
movements imparted to the reciprocating links results in a corresponding difference
in the movements of the graver, which, it will be understood, is always cutting at a
point on the work coincident with the position of the point of the tracer relative to
the pattern. By gradually moving the bevel adjuster upward, the point of the
tracer is gradually brought closer to the pattern, which gradually alters the
inclination of the tracer rod, until plate 18 reaches the pattern which is the limit of
the upward movement of the bevel adjuster. At this position the point of the
tracer will follow the outline of the character and the face of the letter or
other engraving is produced by the graver. Collar 1 in practice is graduated
so that it may be moved upward uniformly and the proper distance to produce
the desired bevelled surface. The depth of the cut produced by the graver is
regulated independently of the bevel adjuster, and the mechanism for accomplishing
this will be hereinafter described.
66
In practice a coarse or 'roughing" cutter or graver is preferably employed
with some classes of work; for instance, when cutting type or letters on plates,
in which case the roughing cutter reduces the end of the type shank or removes
the material around the place where the letter is to be cut in relief on a plate.
This is done by causing the tracer to travel over the face of plate 18 outside of
groove, and when the tracer is moved around in groove to the base of the
fetter is formed. Instead of a groove 10 a flange may be provided. A
finer cutter or graver is then substituted for the roughing cutter, and the letter
or other character is cut, producing the bevel and the face as above described.
When the point of the tracer is in or on the outside of groove 10, the surface of
the tracer will not touch the edge of the pattern L. In tracing the pattern L, the
point of the tracer is placed on the plate inside of the groove or flange and the
surface of the tracer will then touch the edge of the pattern. The bevel is cut
from the base upward, and in cutting the bevel screw S is gradually moved
upward by turning scale s toward zero, which gradually raises the gravers or cutters,
whereby a smooth and perfect bevel is produced.
22
The drawings show three gravers I mounted in suitable rotary chucks, the
spindles of which are provided with pulleys I. The chuck spindles are journalled
in bearings i projecting from heads, which heads are sleeved on posts 2 projecting
vertically from cross bar ³. This cross bar is rigidly secured upon posts it extending
from the vertically moving block or tool-carrier. This block slides on a dove-
tailed rib on the front of standard B. A rack bar 7 is rigidly secured in the
inner side of block and this rack-bar enters a slot 8 in rib on the standard B.

page_text: A pinion carried by a spindle 10 journalled in standard B meshes with the rack
bar . The spindle is provided with a handle whereby the pinion may be
rotated. The movement imparted to the rack bar by the pinion raises or lowers
block and consequently heads according to the direction of rotation of the
minion. The object of this movement is to remove the three gravers simultaneously
from contact with the pieces being engraved or place the same in contact therewith.
To maintain the gravers in an elevated position, a catch 12 is provided, which
engages with a plate or lug 13 on block (Figs. 1 and 8). By carrying the
gravers on the vertically sliding block, they are free to move downward as they
cut into the work.
The depth of cut by the three gravers is simultaneously and uniformly regulated
by means of a screw stop S, which is in line with a screw S' screwed into the lower
end of block, the head of which screw strikes the stop S, whereby the downward
movement of block is limited, and, of course, this limits the downward movement
of the gravers and thus regulates the depth of cut. Stop S is adjusted by means
of a circular scale s, which is rigidly secured thereto. The scale graduated and
rotates behind a pointer s¹, which is provided with an edge adapted to enter
notches on the periphery of the scale, whereby the scale is retained in the position
to which it is adjusted. In addition to scale s, the gravers are provided with
scales t mounted on screws t¹ which work through nuts t screwed into extensions (³
on heads i¹. The points of screws are seated in holes in the tops of posts i².
A collar t is placed at the top of each extension t³, and each collar has a pointer to,
the edge of which enters the graduation marks on the scale. Extensions t³ are
split and by tightening set screws t, collars t' are rigidly held on the extensions,
and nuts are clamped in position within the extensions. By screwing a nut t²
up or down in its extension, the head i which carries it is raised or lowered in order
to bring the gravers in contact with the pieces to be engraved. This adjustment
is provided for each head to enable all the gravers to be brought into contact with.
the work before adjusting screw s¹. When the heads are adjusted by nuts t³,
screw S¹ is then adjusted so that its head will touch stop S, it being understood
that scales is placed at zero. The depth of cut can then be determined by
adjusting scale s so that stop S will move downward, leaving a space between it
and the head of screw S¹ equal to the depth to which it is desired to cut, or the
scale may be adjusted gradually until the full depth of cut is obtained. When the
desired adjustment is obtained and the work of engraving is started, the gravers
will gradually cut into the work until the head of screw S¹ strikes stop S, which
limits the downward movement of the gravers. Thus it will be seen that by means
of scales the depth of cut can be accurately determined and that by means of
nuts and screw S₁ various thicknesses of material to be engraved can be provided
for. To guard against screw S¹ getting out of adjustment, clamping plates are
provided, between which the screw works. These plates are held in a socket in
block, and by clamping the plates on to screw S₁ by means of set screws 1,
screw Sis prevented from turning. The gravers can be independently adjusted
by turning scales t so that screws t¹ will travel up or down through nuts t2, which
adjustment causes heads ¹ to move up or down on posts 2. By this adjustment the
gravers can be adjusted to cut to different depths without altering the common
adjustment at scale s. For instance, if scale s is adjusted so that the gravers will
cut five one thousandths of an inch deep, either of scales t may be adjusted so that
its graver will cut to greater or less depth than the others. A pin t' projecting
from cross bar 3 passes through a hole t8 in head , and at the top of this pin is a
washer t held thereon by a screw to. Between this washer and the shoulder t¹¹
within the head is a spring 2, which forces the head downward to keep the gravers
on the work. Pins t' also serve to prevent the heads from moving laterally.
The work indicated by w (Fig. 1) may be held by any suitable form of holder
5 removably secured to reciprocating block E¹. The drawings show clamping blocks
between which the work is held, aud a screw and crank for tightening the blocks,

page_text: but any other kind of holder may be employed according to the shape and
character of the material to be operated upon.
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:
1. In an engraving machine, the combination with two transversely sliding blocks
adapted to carry either the work holder or the cutting tool or tools, of two links or
slides reciprocating at right angles to each other and held from lateral movement
and adapted to impart motion to the sliding blocks, and a tracing rod for actuating
said reciprocating links, substantially as set forth.
2. In an engraving machine, the combination with two transversely sliding
blocks adapted to carry either the work holder or the cutting tool or tools, of two
links or slides reciprocating at right angles to each other and held from lateral
movement and adapted to impart motion to the sliding blocks carrying the work
holder or tools, and a tracing rod for actuating said reciprocating links, said links
being arranged to permit independent and simultaneous movement thereof, whereby
simple and compound movements are imparted to the sliding blocks carrying the
work-holder or tools, substantially as set forth.
3. In an engraving machine, the combination with two transversely sliding
blocks reciprocating at right angles to each other and adapted to carry either the
workholder or the cutting tool or tools, of two links or slides reciprocating at right
angles to each other and held from lateral movement, two levers connecting said
transversely sliding blocks and the reciprocating links whereby the movements of
the links are imparted to the blocks, and a tracing rod for actuating said links,
substantially as set forth.
4. In an engraving machine, the combination with the workholder and the
engraving tool, of two links or slides reciprocating at right angles to each other
and held from lateral movement, mechanism for imparting the movements of said
links to the workholder or engraving tool, and a device for varying the inclination
of the tracing rod relative to a given pattern, whereby the length of the move-
ments given to the reciprocating links is varied, substantially as set forth.
5. In an engraving machine, the combination with the workholder and the
engraving tool, of two links or slides reciprocating at right angles to each other
and held from lateral movement, mechanism for imparting the movements of said
links to the workholder or engraving tool, a cone shaped tracing point carried by
said tracing rod, an open pattern through or past which said tracing point is
adapted to move vertically, and a device for moving said tracing point and rod
vertically to move the apex of said cone shaped tracing point nearer to or further
away from the edge of the pattern whereby the degree of inclination of the
tracing rod is varied to vary the length of movements given to the reciprocating
links, substantially as set forth.
6. In an engraving machine, the combination with a workholder and an
engraving tool, a pivotted tracing rod, mechanism for imparting the movements
of the tracing rod to the workholder or engraving tool, and a vertically adjustable
pivot for said tracing rod, substantially as set forth.
7. In an engraving machine, the combination with the workholder, engraving
tool, tracing rod, and the mechanism for imparting the movements of the tracing
rod to the workholder or engraving tool, of an open pattern through or past which
the end of said tracing rod is adapted to move vertically, substantially as set forth.
8. In an engraving machine, the combination with the workholder, engraving
tool, tracing rod, and the mechanism for imparting the movements of the tracing
rod to the workholder or engraving tool, of an open pattern through or past which
the end of the tracing rod adapted to move vertically, and a plate on which the
point of said tracing rod rests, said plate being vertically adjustable to move the
tracer vertically through or past the pattern, substantially as set forth.

page_text: 9. In an engraving machine, the combination with a workholder arranged to he
moved laterally, of a vertically moving tool carrier adapted to carry a plurality of
engraving tools, and a device for simultaneously regulating the depth of cut of
each of the tools, substantially as set forth.
10. In an engraving machine, the combination with a workholder arranged to be
moved laterally, of a vertically moving tool carrier adapted to receive a plurality
of engraving tools, and devices for independently adjusting each of said tools and
regulating the depth of cut, substantially as set forth.
11. In an engraving machine, the combination with a workholder arranged to be
moved laterally, of a tool carrier adapted to receive a plurality of engraving tools,
said carrier being mounted upon a vertically sliding block, and a device for
regulating the downward movement of said block whereby the depth of cut of all
the tools is simultaneously regulated, substantially as set forth.
12. In an engraving machine, the combination with two blocks reciprocating at
right angles to each other and adapted to carry a workholder or tool carrier, of
two levers for imparting the movements of a tracer to said blocks, and an
adjustable connection between said blocks and levers, whereby the length of
movement given to said blocks by said levers may be varied, substantially as
set forth.
Dated this 19th day of June 1895.
HARRIS & MILLS,
23 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.