GB560229A - Improved construction of machine frameworks - Google Patents

Abstract

560,229. Machine frames; hydraulic presses. HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING CO., Ltd., and MANGNALL, A. R. July 23, 1942, Nos. 10311/42 and 2078/43. [Class 80 (iv)] [Also in Group XXIX] A laminated machine framework comprises a cross frame part connected between a pair of laterally spaced column parts, wherein each such part is composed of a plurality of plate elements connected together by connecting means which, when a bending stress is applied to the cross frame permits the plates of the latter to move relatively to the plates of the column parts in the direction of the applied stress so that this stress may be converted wholly into tensile stress in the plates of the column parts exerted in the direction of the length thereof. As applied to a press, the framework, which comprises a base 1, a head 2 and vertical columns 3, Fig. 1, is built up from a number of flat plates generally of steel assembled and secured together by transverse screw-threaded rods 4 furnished with nuts to form a laminated structure to or from which parts can be added or removed at will. The plates 5, 6, Fig. 3, of the'head and base alternate with the plates 8 of the columns which may be single vertical plates or opposite pairs of such plates joined together at their top and bottom ends. Each column plate 8 has apertures 9, Fig. 4, near its ends which correspond with apertures 7 in the plates 5, 6. Bushes or collars 10 fit the rods 4 closely and are somewhat thicker than the plates. The plates 5 in the head may have cantilever extensions which may serve to enclose horizontal side rams. The holes 9, 7 are larger respectively than the rods 4 and collars 10 and bearing strips 7b, 9b are inserted in the clearances after which all play is taken up by a wedge action as in Fig. 5. The plates 8 have lateral lugs 13 with a tongue portion 13a engaging a recess in a stretcher block 14, 14a adapted to bear on a head plate 5 or base plate 6. A conical plug 16 forced into a taper socket 15 exerts the necessary stretching force. A press of the down stroke type with a laminated frame made as described above is shown in Fig. 13. The frame serves to guide a box 29 housing the conventional rubber pad 30, the box being moved up and down by side rams 33 to bring it towards or away from a table 34 the pressing operation being performed by overhead cylinder 31 and ram 32. The plates of the laminated box may pass through the spaces between the plates of the columns. Units of pre-assembled plates may be used. The spaces between the plates may accommodate guides for the press table, or parts of the mechanism of the machine, e.g. hydraulic pipes. The transverse plates are preferably so constructed as to . provide compensation for unequal expansion of the base and head plates due to temperature changes. They may be divided into parts 18, 18a, Fig. 8, and connected by links 20 or, in a modification, by a strip of spring steel. In a further modification, Fig. 12, the inner end of one section of plate 25 may have a knob 26 adapted to enter a slot 27 in the other plate section 28.