GB832611A - Improvements in or relating to forging machines - Google Patents

Abstract

832,611. Forging machines. EUMUCO (ENGLAND) Ltd. May 9, 1956 [May 9, 1955], No. 13374/55. Class 83 (4). An automatic workpiece feeder, for a horizontal heading machine having vice-jaws 37, 38, Fig. 1, for gripping the workpiece 40 whilst it is headed, comprises tongs 59, 60, Fig. 2, located adjacent the vice-jaws and adapted to move the workpiece parallel to the gripping plane of the vice-jaws between a loading position, wherein the workpiece lies outside the vice-jaws, to an operating position wherein the workpiece is aligned with the vice-jaws. The heading machine comprises a reciprocating header 22 actuated from a crank-shaft 19 driven through gearing 18 and a V-belt drive by an electric motor. The vice-jaws carry dies 37, 38 and the movable jaw is actuated by a pair of toggle links 31, 32 from the crankshaft 19. A fluid-pressure operated onerevolution clutch is provided adjacent the belt pulley 16. The transfer tongs, Fig. 2, comprise a fixed jaw 59 and a pivoted upper jaw 60 actuated by a fluid-pressure cylinder 61 mounted on a sleeve 58 slidable over a bar 57 projecting forwardly of a tongs carrier block 50 slidable vertically in a frame 48, Fig. 4. The sleeve 58 is biased forwardly by a spring 62 and carries rollers 63 co-operating with a cam surface 64 on the frame 48 whereby the tongs 59, 60 are automatically positioned axially when the block 50 is moved vertically. The carrier block 50 is biased upwardly by a fluidpressure cylinder 55, Fig. 4, and is moved downwardly from the upper loading position to a succession of work stations by a rod 74 having a number of adjustable catches 75 adapted to engage a latch 66 on the block 50. The rod 74 is actuated by a fluid-pressure meter 76. An opposite latch 67 on the block co-operates with catches 79 on a fixed ratchet bar 78 for locating the block 50 at each of the work stations. The ratchet bar 78 is exchangeable with other ratchet bars to suit different heading operations. The latches 66, 67, Fig. 6 (not shown) are spring biased outwardly but may be retracted by a wedge member actuated by a fluid-pressure cylinder 72, Fig. 2. The frame 48 is slidable transversely within a fixed frame 45, 46, Fig. 4, within which it is biased to the right by springs 52 and is moved to the left by a wedge 53 actuated by a fluid pressure cylinder 54. After a heading operation the sliding frame 48 and hence the tongs 59, 60 is moved to the left by the wedge 53 to free the workpiece 40 from the fixed vice-jaw 37; the carrier 50 then moves downwardly to transfer the workpiece to the next station. Means may be provided for rotating the workpieces between successive heading operations. The workpieces are preferably heated before heading.