GB458822A - Improved means for controlling a sequence of operations in a metal cutting or like machine - Google Patents

Abstract

458,822. Facilitating the control of metal-cutting and like machines. WICKMAN, A. C., Queen Victoria Road, Coventry. June 22, 1935, Nos. 17985/35, 1062/36, and 3444/36. [Class 83 (iii)] In metal-cutting and like machines in which it is normally necessary for the operator in each cycle of operations to actuate a number of change-speed or other levers in a particular sequence, means are provided, comprising a movable hand - operated member carrying adjustably mounted striking pieces, whereby a succession of similar intermittent movements given to the member controls the operation of the machine. The striking pieces may operate levers, fluid valves, or electric switches for controlling speeds and feeds and may be carried by a hand-operated drum, disc, or plate. A drum controller, Fig. 1, is moved intermittently by pawl-and-ratchet mechanism through a handle c to bring axially-slidable striking pieces t successively into position to operate fluid valves in a chest 79. The striking pieces are held in their adjusted positions by latches 7 engaging teeth on wedge bars k, arranged in longitudinal slots in the drum, and all the pieces may be returned to their lowermost or zero positions by depressing a knob p, close to the handle c, which lowers the wedge-bars, which are contracted by springs s, t, thus releasing the latches and allowing these to fall by gravity, the wedge-bars are returned by springs n. Flexible bands u, kept taut by weights w, carry indications which show through windows v in the casing, giving the vertical positions of the striking pieces. These may be adjusted by a rod 5, a stop 6 on which is adapted to engage the underside of the striking pieces in one of their non-operative positions. The rod 5 may be moved through rack-and-pinion mechanism from a finger controlled disc similar to that employed for automatic telephones. The striking pieces may be arranged in radial slots in a disc member, or they may be arranged in vertical slots 59, Fig. 9, in a vertical plate 122 which is given a number of stepwise movements from right to left, to operate fluid valves, by a ratchet handle 57. The plate, carried between rollers 58, has three groups of upper and lower striking pieces 64 and 65 which have finger projections enabling them to be adjusted from the front of the control box according to indications marked adjacent the slots. Access to the finger piece being obtained through a hinged window 72 covering the front of the control box. The back ends of the striking pieces engage latches 85 on levers 83 to move the fluid valves 82, Fig. 11, in the operative direction of movement but ride over these on the return. Three valve chests 77-79 are provided in this case for controlling the spindle speeds, the tool slide feeds, the turret saddle feeds and the reverse movements of a turret lathe; some of the levers 83 may be linked together by pins 84, Fig. 13. The control lever 87 is connected to ratchet mechanism which is adjustable by a knob 118, provided with an indicator, to give a predetermined number of stepwise movements to the plate, whereon the latter is automatically returned to its initial position where it may open a valve 114, Fig. 11, for stopping the moisture through a fluidoperated clutch mechanism. In a further modification, Fig. 16, the striking pieces are carried by a ratchet operated disc, but in this case they act as stops for a spring-pressed rod 140 carrying dive keys for selecting predetermined gear pairs. Movement of the ratchet arm 132 in this case also disengages a clutch 148 prior to the gear-changing movement. Other functions than speed-changing may be controlled by the striking pieces such as the opening and closing of a chuck or the feeding of bar material.