GB740930A - Improvements in or relating to apparatus for making composite metal billets - Google Patents

Abstract

740,930. Making cased or compound forms. SUPERIOR STEEL CORPORATION. June 17, 1953 [July 19, 1952], No. 16710/53. Class 83 (2). Apparatus for assembling composite metal billets comprises a carriage 7, Fig. 2, for moving a billet component 29 to an assembly station, means for applying other components 30 into engagement therewith and means for welding to one of the components a holding member 31 which holds the components together. A backing component 29 of a composite billet is fed to a welding station, Fig. 2, on a carriage 7 having wheels 11 driven along a track 3 in a pit 5 by a motor 12 on the carriage. The component 29 is supported above the carriage by rollers 15 on a platform 14 which is adjustable in height through eccentrics 17 rotated by a double-acting hydraulic cylinder 24 to move the billet to the required height for welding from the level at which it is fed on to the carriage from a roller conveyer 32 (not shown). Facing components 30, Fig. 3, are applied to the component 29 on the carriage 7 by hinged plates 47 at each end of the billet, movable towards and away from the billet by hydraulic cylinders 42, 48. When in position the components 29, 30 are clamped tightly together by clamping- plates 65 actuated by hydraulic cylinders 56 through shafts 59 mounted on each side of the pit 4. The shafts 59 are slidable in bearings 60 for the clamping action and are also rotatable by a worm gear 69 for turning the billet components over when required, thrust bearings 58 permitting rotation of the plates 65 while the work is clamped. When in position the holding member 31 of inverted " U " shape is applied over the assembly to engage the edges of the outer components 30. The holding member is then welded to the component 29 by a welding head 87 mounted on a second carriage 76 movable on wheels 79 along a track 73 by a motor 86 driving pinions 82 running on racks 74. The welding head 87 forms a pair of weld seams along the holding member 31 and is mounted on a member 88 which is vertically adjustable on the carriage through eccentrics 90 rotated by a hydraulic cylinder 98. The member carries recessed rollers 92 for pressing the holding member 31 downwards and edge rollers 103 on slides 100 for clamping the edges of the member 31. In operation after the billet has been welded along the upper edge from end to end the supporting carriage 7 and welding carriage 76 are withdrawn while the work is turned over between the clamps 65. The carriages are then returned to position for welding the opposite edges of the billet. Specifications 687,684 and 740,931 are referred to.