GB580520A - Improvements in or relating to the manufacture of ammunition - Google Patents

Abstract

580,520. Cartridge loading machines. HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING CO., Ltd., ELLINGTON, N. B., HOSKYN, R. F. B., COLVER, E. DE W. S., and CURRY, D. G. W. Dec. 6, 1938, No. 35589. [Class 9 (i)] A machine for assembling the parts of fixed ammunition comprises on a single bed-plate e a head a for inserting a primer into the base of the cartridge case, a head b for inserting a shell into the case, and a die-head c for securing the shell to the neck of the case. The die-head c occupies a fixed position, the primer-inserting head a is adjustable to suit different sizes of " rounds," and the shell-inserting head and the die-head are operated hydraulically. The head a, which supports the base of the cartridge case, is slidably mounted on the bed-plate and carries rods g passing freely through the diehead and having nuts g<1> at the remote end of the frame which are screwed up to adjust the head a to suit ammunition of different sizes. The head a, Fig. 6, is supported on a frame member p<2> by a thrust-bloclc l which is screwed against the base of the cartridge case x to move its neck into engagement with a spring-controlled stop k, Fig. 5, on the die-head. The shell l<1> is then pushed into the neck of the case by the hydraulic ram q provided with a selfcentring head r engaging the nose of the shell. The head r, Fig. 7, includes a floating ring r<1> with spring-supports r<3> and a thrust bearing r<2>. Admission of liquid to the ram is controlled by a valve d through a handle s which occupies four positions to enable the operations to take place in proper sequence. When the shell has been forced home, liquid is automatically admitted to radial presses h<2> for operating the dies h, Fig. 5, which indent the neck of the case into a groove in the shell and cone down the end of the case on to the shell. The primer n<1>, Fig. 6, having been inserted by hand, the driving-tool n is then advanced to engage the notches in the primer under the resilient pressure of a spring o<1>. A safety-device p<1> prevents forward movement of the driving-tool unless the case is properly centred. The primer is then screwed home by rotating the handle n<2>. After screwing back the thrust-block, the driver is withdrawn and the primer-inserting unit is then swung aside on a lateral pivot so that the completed cartridge can be readily removed.