US1984552A

US1984552A - Engraving machine

Info

Publication number: US1984552A
Application number: US594562A
Authority: US
Inventors: Howard B Scott; Warner Edgar
Original assignee: NCR Corp
Current assignee: NCR Voyix Corp; National Cash Register Co
Priority date: 1932-02-23
Filing date: 1932-02-23
Publication date: 1934-12-18
Anticipated expiration: 1951-12-18

Description

H. B. )SCOTT El AL 1,984,552

ENGRAVING MACHINE Dec. 18, 1934.

Filed Feb. 25, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 18, 1934. H. B, SCOTT r AL 1,984,552

ENGRAVING MACHINE Filed Feb. 25, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.3 $1

their dtt q Dec. 18,1934. SCOTT r' 1,984,552

ENGRAVING MACHINE Filed Feb. 25, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG 4 33 4 49 49 /44 34 FIG. 5 55 I 34 33- I 35 30 329 a /49 l 57 3 I 5687 7 64 M8 FIG.1O 45 gwuwntow Howard B, Scott B and ar War er Dec. 18, 1934. H, B, SCOTT ET AL 1,984,552 ENGRAVING MACHINE Filed Feb. 23, 1932 T Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG. 15

B o gmzti Y an ar arne their 5M1;

Dec. 18, 1934. H, B, SCOTT r AL 1,984,552

ENGRAVING MACHINE Filed Feb. 23, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 MOTOR 3 gwwmtoa s B, ms W ar Patented Dec. 18, 1934 UNITED STATES 1&4552

PATEE QFHCE ENGRAVING MACHINE Application February 23, 1932, Serial No. 594.562

13 Claims.

This invention relates to metal working machines, and more particularly relates to engraving machines and the like.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an engraving machine capable of engraving to be engraved, in a path substantially parallel to saidsurfaces.

A further object of the invention is to provide an engraving machine with novel means to index the work.

Another object of this invention is to provide in an engraving machine novel means to transmit movement of a tracer or follower-pin to the cutting tool.

Still another object of the invention is to provide novel means for securing, a master character plate in its carrier, and to adjust said plate to the proper position after-it is so secured.

Another object is to provide an engraving machine with novel means to shift the cutting tool toward and away from the work under the control of the master plate.

Still another object is to provide an engraving machine with novel means to carry the tracer across the face of the master plate.

A further object is to provide a novel means to feed the master plate in a direction at right angle to the direction of movement of the tracer.

With these and incidental objects in view, the

invention includes certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, the essential elements of which are set forth in appended claims and a preferred form or embodiment of which is hereinafter described with reference to the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification. In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one unit of the machine.

Fig. 2 is'a view-in front elevation of the unit shown in Fig. l. A portion of the frame is shown broken away in this figure to show the method of mounting the cutting tool spindle.

Fig. 3 is a View in. right elevation of the unit, part of the frame being broken away, better to illustrate the structure.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 (Fig. 5), and illustrating the work indexing mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 (Fig. 2). This figure illustrates the manner of mounting the work carrier and the connection between the work carrier and the master plate carrier.

Fig. 6 illustrates the method of removably securing the cutter spindle in the swinging frame.

Figs. '7 and 8 are views of a type wheel engraved by the machine of the instant invention.

Fig. 9 is a top-plan view of one of the master plates.

Fig. 10 is a sectional View through the master plate taken on line 10-10 (Fig. 9).

Fig. 11 is a detail view of the tracer pin carrier.

Fig. 12 is a detail view of the device for withdrawing the tracer pin from contact with the master plate, and for withdrawing the cutting tool from cooperative relation with the work.

Fig. 13 is a detail view of the mechanism for coupling the tracer carrier to the drive bar.

Fig. 14. is a detail view of the means for pneumatically restoring the master carrier to accessible position.

Fig. 15 is a top-plan view of the master plate carrier showing the means for adjusting and holding the master plate therein.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken on line 16---16 (Fig. 15).

Fig. 1'? is a sectional view taken on line 17-17 (Fig. 15).

Fig. 18 is a detail view of one of the master plate clamping nuts.

Fig. 19 is an enlarged detail view of the method of clamping the cutter spindle in its saddle.

Fig. 20 is a detail view of the pneumatically operated mechanism for feeding the master carrier and work carrier.

Fig. 21 is a top-plan view in detail of the feed screw and the mechanism for uncoupling the master carrier therefrom.

Fig. 22 is a fragmentary view of the coupling nut and part of the mechanism for operating said nut.

Fig. 23 is a top-plan view partly in section, illustrating the cutter spindle support saddle.

Fig. 24 is a detail view showing the ball tracer tip in section.

General description Described in general terms, the machine herein illustrated includes a plurality of units mounted on a common base or bed plate, each of which units may include a tracer mounted between a pair of swinging arms pivoted near the upper end of a standard. The standards, one for each unit, are mounted separately on the common base. Mechanism is provided to rock the swinging arms, causing the tracer for each unit to traverse the master character or characters from end to end. The master characters are formed on plates removably held in a carrier adapted to be fed at the end of the stroke of the traversing movement of the tracer by a feed screw. The master plate carrier is fed in one direction only, and at the end of its travel it escapes the feed screw and is held at the limit of its travel until the attendant operates a releasing lever, whereupon the master plate carrier is moved to the opposite end of its travel automatically.

A common driving means is provided for swinging the pairs of arms of the several units comprising the machine, but each of the units may be driven independently, also, the swinging arms of each unit may be uncoupled individually from the common drive means.

The universal drive may include reciprocating bars, suitably connected together, there being one bar for each unit of the machine. These bars are driven by a motor of suitable design, preferably a pneumatic motor, because of the ease with which said motor may be reversed. It is to be understood, however, that any suitable power device, such as an electric motor, water motor, etc., may be used to drive the machine.

Each of the swinging arms carries a cutting spindle, each spindle being rotated at high speed by an individual electric motor. These spindle motors are mounted on the swinging arms in such a manner as to be easily removed for the purpose of grinding and repairing or replacing the cutting tool. Adjustable stops or locating points are provided to insure proper location of the cutters with respect to the work when said cutters are replaced in the machine after they have been removed therefrom for grinding or replacing the cutters.

The Work may assume a variety of forms, such as, plates, segments, or disks, of metal or other suitable material. The work is supported on a work carrier, slidably mounted near the upper end of the standard. The work carrier is connected to the master plate carrier and is fed in proportion to themovement of the master plate carrier to carry the work past the cutters. The cutters are shiftable toward and away from the work,

under the control of the tracer pin to regulate the depth of the cut and the surface shape of the character. Manually'operated means is provided to index the work after each character is engraved.

Various adjustments and controls are provided in the machine in order to properly aline the elements of the machine and to control the operation thereof, all of which are described in detail in the following specification.

Frame work The main supporting frame of the illustrated embodiment of the present invention includes,

for each unit of the machine, a main standard 3O (Figs.1 to 5 inclusive, and mounted on a bed plate 31. These bed plates may be supported on a common base 32. A rail 33 attached to the underside of a cap plate 34 (Figs. 4 and 5), secured to and resting on top of thestandard slidably supports a work carrier slide35 to which is attached a work carrier 36. I

The master plate carrier 37 (Figs. 1, 2, 5, l4 and 15) travels on runways in the bed plate 31, and is guided in its movement by inverted L-shaped rails 38 secured to the bed plate 31. Means is provided, and will be described later, to feed the master carrier step by step, one step at the end of each stroke of the tracer swing.

The tracer swing 39 (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 11) is suspended between the bifurcated lower ends of two

channel arms

40 and 41, pivotally supported between the pairs of

brackets

42 and 43, the bracket 43 being secured to the standard 30 and the bracket 42 being secured to the bracket 43. As the

arms

40 and 41 swing, the tracer pin 44 carried in the tracer swing 39 traverses the master character plate 45 clamped in the master carrier. 7

The cutter spindles are mounted in carriers in the upper ends of the

arms

40 and 41, and move therewith, swinging the cutters vertically across the face of the work. At the same time the master plate carrier 37 is fed, carrying the master plate 45 at right angles to the movement or" the tracer swing. The work carrier is coupled to the master carrier by a suitable coupling, to be described later, thus feeding the work gradually past the cutters in a horizontal direction. The cutting tools move toward and away from the work under the control of the tracer pin following the contour of the master character plate, thus cutting replicas of the master character on opposite sides of thework. The machine will now be described in detail.

Work carrier For illustrative purposes, the machine of the instant invention is shown adapted to engrave characters on type wheels or counter wheels. It is to be understood, however, that, by easily effected mechanical changes, the machine may be adapted for engraving any other articles of manufacture.

The work carrier 36, as set forth above, is secured to the carrier slide 35. In order that the carrier may be accurately located on the slide 35 a tongue on the carrier fits snugly into a groove in the slide 35. In order to prevent sidewise movement of the work carrier a block 46 (Figs. 4 and 5) on the lower end of a downwardly extending arm 47of the slide 35, travels in a horizontal groove in a guide bracket 48 secured to the front side of the standard 30. The work must travel in a horizontal path exactly parallel to the path of the master carrier. To maintain the proper adjustment between the slide 35 and cap 34 the rail 33 isprovided with adjusting screws 49 and thimbles to raise or lower either or both ends of the rails.

The type wheels to be engraved by the machine illustrated'herein are carried on a work arbor 56 (Fig. 5) mounted in a spindle 57. This spindle is rotatably mounted in bushings 53 and 59 in the U-shaped carrier 36. A spring 60 is pressed between a shoulder on the carrier 36 and the inside wall of a spring cap 61 securely held on the righthand end (Fig. 5) of the spindle 57 by a nut 62.

The purpose of the spring 60 is to press a flange 63 on the opposite end of the spindle 57 snugly against the carrier 36 to maintain the work or type wheels 64 in the proper location in respect to the cutting tools. The blank type wheel 64 to be engraved is slipped on over the left-hand end (Fig. 5) of the arbor 56, and is seated against a plurality of studs 65 projecting from the flange 63 on the spindle. The work arbor 56 is threaded and a knurled retaining nut 66 is provided to hold the work firmly in place. A stud (notshown) on the flange 63 isadapted to project through a locating hole 67 (Fig. 7) in the type wheel to properly locatethe wheel with reference to an index dial 68 (Figs. 2 and 5) secured on theflange 63. A notched bracket 69 secured to the carrier 36 provides an index point through which the index of the character being engraved may be seen.

After a character is completely engraved the work or type wheel is indexed manually to bring the next blank spaces opposite the cutting tools. The indexing is accomplished by rocking a lever 70 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3). This lever is secured on a short shaft 71 journaled in a pair of brackets 72 mounted on the-side of the standard 30. The lower arm of the lever '70 extends at an angle toward the front of the machine for the convenience of the operator. The upper arm of the lever 70 is connected by a rod 73 (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4) to an indexing arm 74 pivoted on the hub of a toothed index aliner disk 60 mounted on and keyed to the spindle 57. A lock nut 81 holds the toothed disk and the indexing arm 74 in their proper positions on the spindle 57.

The parts are shown in their normal positions in Figs. 2 and 4. Referring to Fig. 4, it can be seen that the nose of a spring pressed locking pawl 82 normally is held in one of the tooth spaces on the disk 80 by a spring 79. The pawl 82 is pivoted on a stud 83 in the carrier 36. The work spindle and the work are thus held against rotation while the engraving operation is in progress. When the engraving of the character is com pleted, and before the work may be indexed, it is necessary to rock the pawl 82 counter-clockwise to remove the nose thereon from engagement with the tooth disk 80. This is accomplished as follows.

The arm 74 (Fig. 4) has a projection 84 thereon normally lying just beneath a stud 85 projecting from the pawl 80. Clockwise movement of the lever '70 (Fig. 2) due to the connecting rod 73, rocks the arm 74 also clockwise. At this movement of the arm 74 the projection 84 acting on the stud 85 rocks the pawl 82 counter-clockwise freeing the disk 80 and consequently the work spindle for rotation.

At about the time the nose of the pawl 82 is free of the disk 70 a spring-pressed indexing pawl 86 (Fig. 4) pivotally carried on the arm 74 engages a tooth on the disk 80 and rotates the work spindle assembly one step to bring the next blank spaces on the type wheel into alinement with the cutting tools. A spring-pressed retaining pawl 87 pivoted on a stud '78 projecting from the carrier frame 86 cooperates with the toothed disk 80 to prevent retrograde movement of the work spindle when the lever 70 and the arm 74 are restored to normal. As the arm 74 rocks counter-clockwise to normal, the projection 84 recedes from its stud 85, whereupon the spring '79 rocks the pawl 82 clockwise to enter the nose of said pawl into the proper tooth space of the disk 80.

The rocking movement of the lever 70 (Figs. 2 and 3) is limited by a pair of stop screws 88 and 89 in the lever 90 fast on the shaft 71. Lock nuts 91 are provided on the screw stops to hold said stops in their adjusted positions.

The master plate carrier As set forth above, the master character plate 45 (Figs. 1, 9, 10, 11 and 16) isclamped in the carrier 37 which is fed at each stroke of the tracer swing 39. The master plate carrier includes the slide 37 adapted to travel from front to rear (Fig. 1) in the bed plate 31. The master plate is adapted to be clamped in a shallow channel on top of the slide 3'7, having a pair of guide bars 92 of hardened steel set one alongside each edge of the channel and secured to the slide 37.

The means for clamping the master plate in the carrier 37 includes a screw 93 (Fig. 15) provided with a right-hand thread 94 and a lefthand thread 95. The screw 93 is rotatably mounted in a rear cross bar 96 (see also Fig. 14) and in a tubular adjusting screw 97. This ad justing screw is mounted in a bearing 98 secured to the forward end of the carrier 37. Two master plate clamp nuts and 106 are provided, one, 105, being slidable in the carrier, and cooperating with the right-hand screw 94. The clamp nut 105 extends downwardly through a narrow slot in the carrier 37, and has secured to its bottom a guide plate 104 (Fig. 17). This plate being somewhat wider than the narrow slot through which the lower end of the clamp nut 105 projecits, prevents any upward movement of the nu The screw 93 is held in its proper relation to the screw 97 by a flange 99 integral with the screw 93, and by an operating handle 107 secured to the outer end of the screw 93. The other clamp nut 106 cooperates with the left-hand screw 95. Rotation of the screw 93 in one direction draws the

clamp nuts

105 and 106 together, and rotation of said screw in the opposite direction separates the clamp nuts.

In order to rotate the screw 93 to operate the clamp nuts, the crank 107, described above, is secured on the outer end of the screw. By ro tating this crank clockwise (Figs. 1 and 2) the clamping nuts 105 and 106 (Fig. 15) are drawn together to clamp the master plates securely therebetween. When it is desired to remove the master plate, the crank 107 is rotated counterclockwise (Figs. 1 and 2), thereby separating the clamping

nuts

105 and 106, releasing the plate, which now may be removed manually.

The location of the master plate in the carrier 3'7 bears a certain relation to the location of the type wheel with respect to the cutting tools. For example, if the master plate is set too forward in its carrier, by the time the master character is fed back to the tracer the type wheel is fed past the cutting tool. Also, if the character is located too far back in its carrier 37 it will be'fed past the tracer before the type wheel reaches the cutter. It is therefore necessary to accurately locate the character plate in the carrier 37, in order that the image may be engraved in the proper position on the type wheel.

This adjustment is effected by rotating the screw 97, this screw being provided with a hand wheel 108 (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 15) secured to the outer edge thereof. A knurled locking screw 109 mounted in the bearings 98 is provided to lock the screw 97 in its adjusted position. A master character plate is first placed in position by placing it in the channel between the bars 92 and sliding the plate toward the rear until it strikes the nut 105, the plate passing above the nut 106, which is shaped as illustrated in Fig. 18. The purpose of so constructing the nut 106 is that by rotating said nut to the position in which it is indicated by full lines in Fig. 16, the master plate 45 may be inserted in the carrier above the nut. After the master plate is in position the nut 106 may be rotated manually clockwise to the position shown by dot and dash lines in Fig. 16. The crank 107 is now operated to rotate the screw 93 clockwise, drawing the

nuts

105 and 106 together to clamp the plate in position.

If, when the plate is thus clamped securely between the nuts 105 and 106, it is not in the proper position relative to the tracer pin, the set screw 109 is released and the wheel 108 is rotated in either direction, shifting the screw 93 and consequently the

nuts

105 and 106, and the master character plate 45 until said plate is in proper position. The set screw 109 is then tightened to prevent further rotation of the'screw 97,. thus holding the character plate in proper position.

The position of the master plate, once located for a given character, may be located by a suitable mark, as indicated at 103 (Fig. 15) on an adjacent part of the carrier 37. A suitable gauge, such as 104, may be seated over the screw 93 and against the flange 99, so that when the screw 97 is rotated, a pointer on the gauge 104, when alined with a certain one of the marks 103, indicates that the master character is in its proper position.

A clamp nut stop bar 110 secured horizontally in the carrier 37 limits the rotation of the clamp nut 106 in either direction.

When it is desired to remove the master plate 45 the operator rotates the crank 107 counterclockwise, separating the

clamp nuts

105 and 106, thus freeing the plate. The nut 106 is then rotated-counter-clockwise to the position shown by full lines in Fig. 16, whereupon the plate 45 may be slid forwardly and removed from the carrier. Another master plate may now be inserted to control the engraving of the next character.

Master carrier feed mechanism It was stated above that the master carrier is fed one step toward the rear of the machine at the end of each stroke of the tracer swing 39 to carry the master plate beneath the tracer pin 44. The

means for feeding the master carrier 37 includes a pneumatic cylinder 111 (Figs. 3, 15 and 20) mounted on a bracket 112 conveniently secured to the back of the bed plate 31. The cylinder 111 is provided with caps 113, one at each end thereof, each cap having an air vent therein connected by pipes 114 to a suitable source of air under pressure.

A piston 115 (Fig. 20) is provided in the cylinder, which piston is adapted to reciprocate in the cylinder as air is admitted to the cylinder alternately through the pipes 114.

The reciprocating movement of the piston 115 is utilized to rotate, step by step, a feed, screw 116, rotatably mounted in the bed plate 31, in the following described manner:

A floating lever 117, pivotally comiected near its middle in the yoked end of a link 113 and l1aving its other end pivotally supported on a bracket 112, has its upper end pivoted to the piston 115. The lower end of the lever 117 pivotally carries the right-handends of a pair of

links

119 and 120. The opposite ends of these links are pivoted respectively to

arms

121 and 122 mounted on the hub of a ratchet 123 keyed to the feed screw 116. A'nut 125 (Fig. 25) on the end of the screw 116 holds the ratchet 123 and the

arms

121 and 122 in place. A spring pressed pawl 124 is'mounted at the point of connection of the link 119 and the arm 121. A similar pawl is carried on the connection between the link 120 and the arm 122.

In Fig. 20 the piston 115 is shown centered in the cylinder 111. The piston, however, assumes this position only before a new machine has been operated. After the machine is once operated the piston 115 will come to rest in one end or the other of the cylinder 111. Let it be assumed that the piston is in the left-hand end of the cylinder, as viewed in Fig. 20, at the beginning of an engraving operation. At the end of the first stroke of the tracer swing 39 air is admitted through the left-hand pipe 114, which air expands and forces the piston into the right-hand end of the cylinder. This movement of the piston rocks the lever 11''! clockwise, thrusting the

links

119 and 120 toward the left, and rocking the arm 121 counter-clockwise to retract the pawl 124. The leftward movement of the link 120 rocks the arm 122 clockwise and the pawl 130 rotates the ratchet 123 and the feed screw 115 in the same direction. At the end of the next stroke of the tracer swing 39 the valve (not shown) is opened automatically, admitting air to the cylinder 111 through the right-hand one of the pipes 114, whereupon the piston 115 is thrust toward the left rocking the lever 117 counter-clockwise. This draws the

links

119 and 120 toward the right in which case the arm 121 rocks clockwise and the pawl 124 rotates the ratchet 123 and feed screw 116. The arm 122 rocks counter-clockwise, retracting the pawl 130.

nection is formed by a feed nut 131 (Figs. 5, l5,

21 and 22) embracing substantially one-half the circumference of the screw 116. The nut 131 has a T-shaped projection 132 thereon, embraced by a pair of horizontal rails 133 (Figs. 3 and 14) on the rear of the carrier 37, the projection 132 being adapted to slide horizontally in the rails to bring the nuts into or out of cooperative relation with the screw 115.

The nut 131 is slid in its rails manually by manipulating a handle 134 secured on the forward end of a shaft 135 mounted in the carrier 37. A link 136 (Figs. 21 and 22) connects a bifurcated arm 137 fast on the other end of the shaft 135 to the feed nut 131. Obviously, when the handle 134 is rocked counter-clockwise (Figs. 1 and 2) rocking the shaft 135 and the arm 137 in the same direction, the link 136, and consequently the nut 131, are drawn toward the left (Fig. 21) disengaging the nut 131 from the feed screw 116.

The master plate carrier 37 is now free to be slid in the bed plate 31 independently of the feed screw 116. As soon as the proper master character plate has been placed in position in the carrier 37 the handle 134 may be rocked clockwise to reengage the nut 131 with the screw 116, whereupon the carrier 37 immediately commences its rearward step-by-step travel past the tracer pin.

When the nut 131 and the carrier 37 have been fed to the limit of their rearward travel, the nut 131 escapes the rear end of the thread on the screw 116, and is held at an unthreaded, reduced section 138 of the screw 116 until such time as the handle 134 is operated to withdraw the nut 131 toward the left (Fig. 20) free of the screw 116. When this occurs the master carrier is returned to its outer position pneumatically in the following described manner.

A cylinder 139 (Fig. 14) mounted on a bracket 140 secured to the underside of the bed plate 31 receives compressed air through a vent in the til is 12 t 1.

" one-twelfth the distance.

bracket, the vent being connected to an-air pipe 141. A piston rod 142 having a piston 143 secured thereon is connected. to a bracket 144 secured to the underside of and extending downwardly from the master plate carrier 37. 7

As the carrier is fed toward the right (Fig. 14) the piston 143 is thrust into the cylinder 139, forcing the air in the cylinder back into the pipe 141 until such time as the nut 131 (Fig. 26) escapes the thread on'the screw 116. When the operator turns the handle 134 counter-clockwise, freeing the nut 131 from the screw 116, the compressed air acting on the piston 143 moves the carrier 37 quickly toward the front of the ma chine where the character plate is accessible to the operator. 1

As the carrier 37 approaches the limit of its leftward travel (Fig. 14) a spring 126 is compressed between the piston 143 and the cylinder cap 127, thus absorbing the shock of arresting the movement of the master carrier.

Wo rk carrier feed mechanism The work carrier 36 (Fig. is connected to the master plate carrier 37 to feed the work past the cutting tool in proportion to the distance the master plate is fed past the tracer pin. The proportion or ratio of movement of the master carrier to the movement of the work carrier The movement of the work carrier is effected by a lever 145 (Fig. 5) pivotally supported at its upper end on a stud 146 in the cap plate 34. A link 147 (Fig. 5) yoked to embrace the lever 145 connects the lower end of said J lever to a bracket 148 secured to the top of the master carrier 37. A link 149 also yoked to embrace the lever 145, connects the lever with the work carrier 36. The distance of the point of connection of the link 149 and the lever 145 from the pivot stud 146 in the lever 145 is one-twelfth of the distance between the point of connection of the link 147 and the lever 145 and the pivot stud 146, hence when the master plate carrier 37 moves a given distance the work carrier 36 moves A spring 128 compressed between'the projection 150 on the work carrier 36 and a bracket 129 secured to the standard 30 is provided to absorb any lost motion existing or developing between the lever 145 and the

links

147 and 149, or between said links and the master carrier and work carrier, respectively.

Tracer pin swing The tracer pin 44 (Fig. 11) is slidably mounted in a flanged sleeve 163 clamped securely to the swing 39 by two

brackets

164 and 165 secured to the swing 39 by screws. The swing 39 is pivctally mounted on

studs

155 and 156 in the forked lower end of the swinging

arms

40 and 41 respectively.

As the

arms

40 and 41 are operated the swing 39 is moved therewith in a slightly arcuate path. The arms 49 and 41 and the tracer swing 39 travel in a vertical plane, being guided in their travel by projecting

bars

157 and 158 extending horizontally to the left and right (Fig. 2) of the 157 and 158 project through swing 39. The bars channels in uprights 159 and 160 (Figs. 1) on the leftand right-hand ends, respectively of the bed plate 31.

Cap plates

161 and 162 secured to the

uprights

159 and 160 retain the bars 157 and 153 in their respective channels and assist in guiding the tracer swing 39 in its travel. Thechannels through which thebars 157. and 158 excarry the cutting tend are slightly larger than their respective bars in the vertical direction to permit slight vertical movement of the swing 39 due to the arcuate path of the lower ends of the

arms

40 and 41 and the swing. These channels, however, do not permit movement of the

bars

157 and 158 at right angles to the path of travel of the swing 39.

A conical tracer tip 176 (Fig. 24) having a hardened steel ball 175 rotatably mounted in its apex is removably secured in the lower end of the tracer pin 44 to reduce the friction and wear thereon due to the tracer pin traversing the contours of the master character. As the tracer pin 44 is carried over the master plate, following the contour of the master character, the pin 44 moves up and down with a reciprocating movement in the sleeve 163. This movement, as will be described later, is transmitted to both of the cutting tools to move said tools toward and away from the Work in order to cut away the surplus metal, thus forming a raised figure or character.

' It was set forth above how, when the master carrier 37 is fed to the limit of its rearward travel, it is released manually from the feed screw 116 and automatically restored to its forward position. This movement is quite rapid, and if the tracer pin were permitted to come into contact with the master character, due to the inability of the tracer pin to follow the receding side of the character at high speed, and due to slight lost motion in the mechanism for transmitting the motion of the tracer pin to the cutters, said cutters would lag to a certain degree, thus cutting into the character already engraved. To prevent this it is necessary to raise the tracer pin 44 above the master character which automatically pulls the cutting tool clear of the work. The master carrier 37 may then be released and returned to its accessible position without mutilating the engraved character.

The pin 44 is raised in its sleeve 163 by turning a handle 166 (Figs. 1, 2, 11 and 12) fast on a short shaft 167 rotatably mounted in a bushing 168 in the bracket 164. A collar 169 integral with the inner end of the shaft 167 is slightly larger in diameter than the bushing 163, thus holding the shaft in place. A somewhat smaller collar 170 on the shaft 167 fits snugly within a recess in the sleeve 163 and carries projection 171 extending into an elongated recess 172 in the tracer pin 44. The projection 171 is mounted eccentrically on the collar 170; consequently when the shaft 167 is rotated through the medium of the handle 166 the projection 171 comes into contact with the upper wall in the recess 172 and draws the tracer pin 44 upwardly until it clears the master character. This movement of the pin 44, through the train of mechanism to be described later, is transmitted to the cutting tools, withdrawing these tools clear of the work. As soon as the work has been indexed and the appropriate master character placedin the carrier 37, the tracer pin 44 is lowered to working position by turning the handle 166 to the position shown in Figs. 7 and 12. This movement of the tracer pin is transmitted to the cutting tools, shifting said tools to their working positions.

The swinging support arms The swinging

support arms

40 and 41, in addition to supporting the tracer pin swing 39, also tools and their driving motor. The upper ends of the

arms

40 and 41 are widened to form cradles in which the cutter units are removably mounted. The cradled ends of the V in the saddle rings 182 arms have trunnion studs 173 (Fig. 23) 'mounted therein, each stud 173 being mounted tightly in a bushing 174 pressed into the arm. Ball bearings (Fig. 3) mounted in the brackets 42 rotatably support the outer trunnion studs 173. The brackets 42 are secured to the brackets 43, as set forth above, which, in turn are secured to the standard 30. Ball bearings 180 mounted in the brackets 43 (Fig. 23) rotatably support the inner trunnion studs 173 side of the cradles formed by the upper ends of the

arms

40, and 41. These arms, therefore, swing freely, their respective trunnion studs 173 rotating on the associated bearings 180. Bearing caps 181 secured to the

brackets

42 and 43 cover the bearings 180.

The inner; ends of; the trunnion studs 173 project into a spindle saddle comprising a pair of rings 182 and 1 83;joi ned by sidebars 184 and 185 (Fig. 23), forming pintles whereby the saddle and the cutter spindles and driving motors for the cutting tools may be adjusted.

The

cutting tools

186 and 187 are mounted in collets 188 attached to the ends of spindles 1-89 rotatably mounted in tubes 190 clamped in sleeves 191 mounted in the spindle saddle. The spindles are coupled directly to .the armature shafts (not shown) of driving motors 192;. Guards 179 secured to the

brackets

42 and 43 keep flying chips of metal out of the mechanism. The cutting tools are mounted opposite to and facing each other and are adapted to simultaneously cut identical characters on opposite sides of the type wheels 64.

The cutting tool, spindle, and driving motor, form a unit removably and adjustably mounted in the cradle-like upper end of the arm 40. A similar unit is mounted in the arm 41. Since the two cutter units are identical except that they are reversed, only one will be described. This unit is mounted in the arm 40 (Fig. 2) and is best shown in detail in Figs. 2 and 23.

Bushings 193 are set in the ring 182 of the motor saddle to form bearings whereby the motor and cutter assembly may be rotatedv on the trunnion studs 173 independently of the swinging arm 40.

The motor is placed in the machine by inserting the tube 190 in the spindle sleeve 191 mounted and 183 until a stop stud 194 projecting from the motor casing strikes the head of an adjustable locating screw 195 secured in a spindle clamp ring 196 surrounding the sleeve 191. A locknut 197 is provided to hold the locating screw 195 in the position to which it is adjusted. The clamp ring 196 is located on the sleeve 191 and is held in location by a tapered pin 198 (Fig. 6).

After the motor and cutter assembly is placed in thesleeve 191 it is clamped securely therein by rotating a clamp screw 199. This screw has a right-hand thread 205 cooperating with a clamp nut 206, and a left-hand thread 207 cooperating with a clamp nut 208. The upper left-hand corner of the-nut 206 and the upper right-hand corner of the nut 208 are beveled to conform to the circumference of the tube 190. A hand wheel 209 is secured to the outer end of the screw 199 to form a convenient means for rotating said screw. 7

Obviously, when the screw 199 is rotated in one direction, the

nuts

206 and 208 are separated and release the tube 190 which is now free to be removed from the machine. Rotation of the screw. 199 in the opposite direction draws the mounted on the inner nuts together and clamps the tube 190 securely in place.

In order that the

nuts

206 and 208 may not rotate with the screw, due to friction, a longitudinal groove 210 (Fig. 19) is provided in the side of each of the nuts. Pins 211 in the clamp rings 196 project into the groove 210 to permit longitudinal movement of the

nuts

206 and 208, while at the same time rotation of the said nuts with the screw is prevented.

The cutter "units, as set forth above, are rotatably mounted on; the trunnion studs 173. for the purpose of lining

theeutters

186 and 187 with they center of the type, wheels 64. Normally the lower edge of the saddle is secured against movement by a nut 212 (Figs. 2 and 23) on a bolt projecting from the ring 183 through an elongated slot in the; cradle in, the upper end of the arm 40;. Whenit is, desired to rotate the saddla and consequently the cutter spindle, the nut 212 first is loosened. A lock nut 215 on an adjusting screw 213 in a crossbar 214 carried between the sides of the arm 40 is also loosened. The cutter spindle may then be rotated about the trunnion by turning the adjusting screw 213. When the proper adjustment has been. made the lock nut 215 is tightened, which locks the screw 213 in position. The nut 212 is then tightened, thus securing the spindle saddle firmly in the arm 40.

Means to transmit the movement of the tracer pin to the cutter tools The vertical movement of the tracer pin 44, occasioned by said pin, traversing the contours of the master character, is transmitted to the cutting tools to move them horizontally toward and away from the type wheel. Upward movement of the tracer pin 44 moves the cutters away from the type Wheel, and downward movement of the tracer pin moves the cutter toward the wheel. Since the mechanism for transmitting movement to the cutters is identicalfor both outters, but one set of mechanism will be described.

Referring to Fig. 11 it may be seen that oppositely mounted rocking

levers

216 and 217 are pivotally supported between projecting ears 218 on a tracer swing 39. The inner ends of the levers 2'16 and 217- are rounded and normally rest on the upper edge of the tracer pin 44. The outer arm of the lever 216 is connected by a rod 219 (see also Fig. 2) to one arm. of a bell crank 220 pivoted on a stud 221 supported between the sides of the channel arm 40. The other arm of the bell crank 220.carries a segment 222 meshing with a segment carried on one arm of a lever 224 pivoted on a stud 230 supported between the sides of the arm 40. The end of the upper arm of the lever 224 is rounded and cooperates with having their lower ends attached to the sides of the channel arms 40 and their upper ends coupled by spring hooks 232, one for each of a pair of bell cranks 233pivotally supported on a stud 234 in the arm 40. The other arms of the bell crank 233 have secured between them an arm of" which is rounded and pressed against the left-hand side of the ring 196, thus moving the right-hand side of said ring against the upper end of the lever 224. This tends to rock this lever 224 clockwise about respective .

arms

40 and 41.

movement of the cutter spindle assembly and of the cutter 186 toward the type wheel, thus controlling the depth of the out.

As the tracer pin 44 traverses the master character, it reciprocates vertically in its sleeve 163 according to the configuration of the master character. The upward movement of the tracer pin rocks the lever 216 counter-clockwise, lowering the rod 219, which rocks the bell crank 220 clockwise. This movement is transmitted to the lever 224 by. the segments 222 and 223, rocking said lever 224 counter-clockwise to withdraw the cutter 136 from the type wheel 64 a distance proportionate to the upward movement of the tracer pin 44. The ratio of a reciprocatory movement of the tracer pin 44 to the movement of the cutter toward and away from the work is 3 to 1, thus cutting a figure on the type wheel one-third the height of the master character.

The movement of the spindle unit toward the left or away from the work, rocks the arm 235 and the bell crank ccunter clockwise placing additional tension on the spring 231. As soon as the tracer pin, in traversing the master character,

5 rides oil the crest of the character, the spring 231 rocks the bell crank 233 of the arm 235 clockwise, again pressing the cutter toward the work and rocking the lever 224 clockwise until the upper arm thereof strikes the stop screw 236. This rocks the bell crank 220 counter-clockwise, raises the rod 219 and rocks the lever 216 clockwise to thrust the tracer pin downwardly under the control of the master character.

The movement of the tracer pin, the cutter unit, and the mechanism coupling the tracer pin and the cutter mechanism, is quite rapid, and in order to stabilize the tracer pin 44 and to prevent undue friction of the tracer tip 176 against the side of the master character, a comparatively weak spring 238 (Figs. 2 and 11) is coiled about the sleeve 163 between a stud 239 in the tracer pin 44 and a flange on the sleeve 163. The tension of the spring 236 is equal approximately to the weight of the tracer pin, thus merely holding said pin elevated with its top touching the ends of the

levers

216 and 217. As was set forth above, clockwise movement of the arm 224 (Fig. 2) is limited by the stop screw 236. This likewise limits the movement of the bell crank 220 and of the rod 219, thus limiting the clockwise movement of the lever 216. Counter-clockwise movement of the lever 217 is similarly limited. When the lever 224 thus rests against the stop screw 236, the

spring 238 holds the tracer pin 44 in its raised.

position with the top of the pin just touching the rounded ends of the

arms

216 and 217. In this condition a slight clearance exists between the tracer ball 175 (Figs. 24 and 12) and the body of the master character plate. The object of this clearance is to prevent the tracer pin from dragging on the master plate. It is obvious, therefore, that as the tracer pin traverses the master character, and as the master character is fed beneath the tracer, the only parts of the master character with which the ball 175 comes into contact are the sloping sides and the narrow flat crest of the character. The depth of cut of the work is regulated by the stop screw 236 (Fig. 2) and the height of the cut is regulated by the height of the master character.

It was set forth above that, due to the arcuate movement of the

arms

40 and 41, the tracer swing 39 travels in a slightly arcuate path. Also, the cutter spindles swing in an arc with their However, it is desirable that the tracer tip 176 (Figs. 11 and 12) in the tracer pin 44 travels as nearly as possible in a path parallel to the master plate. It is equally desirable that the cutting tools travel in a plane parallel with the vertical center-line of the type line. One of the novel features of the instant invention is the accomplishment of this parallel movement.

It will be recalled that the

levers

216 and 217 are pivotally supported on the tracer swing 39. This swing takes the arcuate movement of the pivot point of the studs and 156. Consequently the path of travel of the pivot points or" the

levers

216 and 217 will be in a radius equal to the path of travel of the

studs

155 and 156. It is seen, therefore, that the pivots for the

levers

216 and 217 travel a greater distance than the adjacent points of the

arms

40 and 41. It is this differential of movement of the

arms

40 and 41, and of the

linkage

216, 219, 220 and 224, which transmits the vertical movement of the tracer pin cutters, that effects the parallel path of travel of the cutters and or" the tracer pins.

suitable power device, such as an electric motor,

a water motor, or a pneumatic motor, the latter being preferred because of the ease and quickness with which it may be reversed. The driving motor is not disclosed herein, but is adapted to rotate'a gear 245 (Fig. 1) meshing with a rack 246 coupled to one end of a drive bar 247 slidably mounted in channels in the

uprights

159 and 160 on the bed plate 31.

Cap plates

248 and 249 retain the drive bar in its channels. As the gear 245 rotates, it draws the rack 246 toward the right or left, depending upon the direction of rotation of the gear. As the drive bar 247 approaches the limit of its travel, mechanism (not shown) is operated to reverse the drive motor, and consequently the direction of movement or" the bar 247.

Means is provided whereby the tracer swing 39 may be easily and quickly coupled to and uncoupled from the drive bar 247. The coupling includes a pin 255 (Figs. 1 and 13) slidably supported in

bushings

256 and 257 pressed into the ends of a tubular bearing 258 integral with the tracer swing 39. A handle 259 secured to the outer end of the coupling pin 255 forms a convenient means to manually withdraw the pin from a vertical elongated slot in the drive bar 247, against the tension of a spring 260 compressed between the bushing 256 and a washer 261, the pin 255 being shouldered to receive said washer. When the pin 255 is drawn all the way out of the slot in the drive bar 247, a stud 262 normally resting in a slot 263 in the bushing 256 clears said bushing, whereupon the pin 255 may be rotated in either direction until the stud 262 is out of line with the slot 263. The stud 262 now retains the pin 255 withdrawn from the slot in the drive bar 247. It is to be understood that a separate drive bar 247 is provided for each of the several units mounted on the common base 32. These drive bars are coupled together by racks 246, and all of said bars are reciprocated simultaneously by the common drive motor. By the above described movement the tracer pin swing 39 for all, or any one of the units, may be uncoupled from its associated drive bar.

Operation been completely engraved on the machine, and that there is no wheel on the arbor 56. Likewise, the master character plate 45 has been removed from the master carrier 37.

The operator first selects a blank type wheel and places it on the arbor 56, securing it thereon by the lock nut 66. The type wheel is then indexed to bring the proper blank spaces on which to engrave the first character opposite the cutters. The first master character plate is then placed in position between the clamp nuts 105 and 106 (Fig. 15) and clamped in position by rotating the crank 107, thus turning the screw 93. The master plate is brought to the correct position relative tothe tracer pin byreleasing the set screw 109 and rotating the hand wheel 108 in the proper direction.

As soon as the master plate is in position the handle 166, which handle was rotated counterclockwise to raise the tracer finger 44 at the end of the last engraving operation, is now rotated clockwise to lower the tracer pin into cooperative relation with the master character. The hand wheel or knob 259 (Figs. 1 and 13) is now rotated to bring the stud 262 on the coupler pin 255 into register with the slot 263, whereupon the spring 260 presses the inner end of the coupler pin against the side of the drive bar 247, which bar, it will be remembered, is continuously reciprocated. When the slot in the bar 247 comes opposite the pin 255, the spring 260 thrusts the end of the pin into the slot, thus coupling the tracer swing to the drive bar.

The tracer swing 39 and the

arms

40 and 41 now start to swing and the operator now rotates the handle 134 clockwise from the position in which it is shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 2 to bring the feed nut 131 into mesh with the feed screw 116, whereupon the master carrier 37 commences its step-by-step journey toward the rear of the machine, carrying the master plate 45 beneath the oscillating tracer pin 44.

This movement, as set forth above, due to the

leverage

145, 147 and 149, also moves the work carrier slide 35 in the same direction to carry the type wheel 64 past the rapidly rotating cutters, the cutters being at the same time moved toward and away from the work under the influence of the tracer pin traversing the master character. The

arms

40 and 41 likewise move the cutting tools vertically across the faces of the type wheel.

At the end of the operation the handle 166-is operated simultaneously to raise the tracer pin clear of the master character and to withdraw the cutters from the work. The handle 134 is rotated to unlatch the nut 131 from the feed screw 116, the master carrier being immediately thrust toward the front of the machine pneumatically. A new master plate is inserted in the proper place, the type wheel is indexed, and the machine again is set in operation, as set forth above.

While the form of mechanism herein shown and described is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that it is not intended to confine the invention to the one form or embodiment herein disclosed, for it is susceptible of embodiment in various forms all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a master plate, a tracer, opposed cutters, automatic means to shift the tracer in a path of travel across the face of the master plate, means to feed the master plate past the tracer in a path substantially at right angles to the first mentioned path, and means to transmit the movement of the tracer to the opposed cutters.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a master plate, a tracer, opposed cutters, a work carrier, means to shift the tracer in a path of travel across the face of the master plate, means to feed the master plate past the tracer in a path substantially at right angles to the'first mentioned path, means to transmit the movement of the tracer to the opposed cutters, and means to transmit the movement of the master plate to the work carrier.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a pair of swinging supports, a tracer swing carried between the supports, means to drive the tracer swing and the supports, and means to disconnect the tracer swing from the drive means.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a master character plate, a pair of swinging supports, a swing carried between the supports, a tracer mounted in the swing said tracer being adapted to move vertically relative to the swing, means to cause the tracer to traverse the master character, and means to feed the master character step by step past the tracer.

5. Ina machine of the class described, the combination of a master character plate, a pair of swinging supports, a swing carried between the supports, a tracer mounted in said swing said tracer being adapted to move vertically relative to the swing, means to actuate the swing to cause the tracer to traverse the master character, means to feed the master character step by step past the tracer horizontally and in a path of travel substantially at right angles to the path of travel of the tracer, and means to render the feed means ineffective.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a master character plate; a tracer adapted to traverse the master character, a carrier for the master plate; means to feed the carrier to carry the master plate step by step past the tracer, means to arrest the movement of the carrier at the limit of its feed travel, means to disconnect the carrier from the automatic means to restore the carrier to the opposite limit of its travel at one movement.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination of .a master plate, a carrier for said plate,

a pair of clamp nuts, a screw cooperating with said nuts, means to rotate the screw to draw the nuts together to clamp the plate in the carrier, and a rotatable tubular screw surrounding the first mention-ed screw to move said first mentioned screw together with the master plate axially relative to the carrier.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a master plate carrier, a rotatable screw to feed the carrier, means to rotate the screw, means slidably mounted on the carrier to couple the carrier to the screw, and means to withdraw the coupling means fromcooperative relation with said screw.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a master plate carrier, a rotatable screw to feed the carrier, means to rotate the screw, means slidably mounted by the carrier to couple the carrier to the feed screw, means to withdraw the coupling .meansfrom cooperative feed means, and

relation with the screw, and automatic means to move the carrier in the opposite direction.

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a master plate, a tracer, opposed cutters, a work carrier, means to shift the tracer in a path of travel across the face of the master plate, means to feed the master plate past the tracer in a path sumtantially at right angles to the first mentioned path, means to transmit the movement of the master plate to the work carrier, and means to move the opposed cutters in opposite directions and at substantially right angles to the movement of the work carrier to cut identical characters on opposite sides of an article of manuiacture.

11. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a master plate, a tracer, opposed cutters, a work carrier, means to shift the tracer in a path of travel across the face of the master plate, means to feed the master plate past the tracer in a path substantially at right angles to the first mentioned path, means intermediate the master plate feeding means and the work carrier to move the latter in a horizontal direction past the opposed cutters, means carried by the tracer shifting means and intermediate the latter and the opposed cutters for moving said cutters vertically but in opposite directions to each other to cut identical characters on opposite sides of an article of manufacture.

12. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a master plate; a tracer; opposed cutters; a work carrier; oscillating supporting means for the work cutters; means to shift the tracer in a path of travel across the face of the master plate; means to feed the master plate past the tracer in a path substantially at right angles to the first mentioned path; said oscillating supporting means for the opposed cutters being connected to the shifting means for the tracer, to cause the oscillating supporting means to move the opposed cutters in opposite directions past the work carried by the work carrier as the latter is being moved substantially at right angles thereto; pivotally mounted members carried by the tracer shifting means; and compensating means for the opposed cutters to cause the latter to move in substantially perpendicular paths of movement past the work carried by the work carrier as the opposed cutters are being oscillated around the pivotal point of their supports.

13. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a pair of swinging supports, oppositely opposed cutters carried by said supports, a tracer swing carried between said supports, a master plate, a tracer carried by said swing and adapted to cooperate with the master plate, and means controlled by the tracer to control the horizontal movement of the opposed cutters during the time they are being oscillated by the swinging support to compensate for the arcuate movement of the points of the cutters, thus causing them to always travel in substantially vertical paths.

HOWARD B. SCOTT. EDGAR WARNER.