US2062559A - Apparatus for reducing metal stock - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 1, 1936. R, 5 2,052,559

APPARATUS FOR REDUCING METAL STOCK Filed Aug. 29, 1954' 14 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.1

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APPARATUS FOR REDUCING METAL STOCK Filed Aug. 29, 1934 14 Sheets-Sheet-8 Dec, 1,1936. J; R. COE 1 2,062,559

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APPARATUS FOR REDUCING METAL STOCK Fild Aug. 29, 1954 14 Sheets-Sheet 11 ins Q!- 116 1 WA '9 1\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ 1\\\\\\\\\\ INVENTOR amefi CDC 1 BY E V 3- ATT RNEYS- I 1);. 1, 1936. J. R. (:01: 2,052,559 A APPARATUS FOR Runucme METAL smdcx Filed Aug. 29,- 19s4 14Sh eets-Sheefc1 2 Y Dec. 1, 1936. J. R. coE

APPARATUS FOR REDUCING IETAL STOCK Filed Aug. 29, i934 i4 Sheets- Sheet 1:

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INVENTOR Qmcs 0e 14. Sheets-Sheet 14 INVENTOR James Rcoe;

ORNEYS APPARATUS FOR REDUCING METAL s'rocx Filed Aug. 29, 1934 w in Patented Dec. 1, 1936.

PATENT OFF] APPARATUS r01: REDUCING METAL s'rocx James R. Coe, Watertown, conn 'assignor to The American Brass Company, Waterbury, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application August 29, 1934, Serial No. 741,887

- 25 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for reducing metal stock and has for an object the provision of improvements in this art.

More particularly the invention relates to re- 5 ducing apparatus of the step-by-step intermit tent ly acting type and aims to provide improved supporting means for the stock reducing devices; to provide improved means for rotating the stock; to provide improved means for turning a mandrel 0 when used for supporting tubular stock; to provide improved means for feeding stock to the reducing devices; to provide improved means for holding the mandrel in position; to provide means for receiving and reducing tubular blanks of any desired length; and in other respects to advance the state of the art. In certain known reducing machines of the step-by-step type the reducing rolls'are mounted in a reciprocating frame. The frame is made heavy of necessity in order to obtain strength to resist the large strains imposed upon it by the rolls when working on the stock. The known machines as well as the present machine are intended to be used principally for reducing metal in a cold state and this maximizes the strains imposed upon the rockers and frame. The inertia of such heavy frames is correspondingly great and the strains imposed upon the machine as the frame reverses its motion at the ends of its stroke tend to. injure the machine and reduce its period of usefulness. According to the present invention the use of a heavy reciprocating frame is avoided by mounting the rolls in a light reciprocating frame and backing the rolls by trackways or backing plates which are mounted in a heavy fixed frame. In this way the required strength and weight are transferred fromthe reciprocating elements of the machine to the fixed elements. In the present application this type of construction is specifically applied to a machine havingrolls with working surfaces which are eccentric to the axes of rotation of the rolls.

In certain known machines of the step-by-step type provision has been made for the introduction of stock into the rear end of the machine, commonly over the rear endof am'andrel which is approximately fixed in its axial position with respect to the reducing devices; and for the delivto permit the stock to move past it without obstruction or manual intervention while continuously engaging the stock for turning it so long as stock is present thereat; the. mandrel turning mechanism is designed to permit the stock to move past it without obstruction or manual intervention and to automatically re-engage the man' drel when the stock has moved by; the mandrel and stock guiding devices are designed to permit the stock to move past them automatically; the mandrel holding devices aredesigned to be disengagedfrom and engaged with the mandrel very quickly; and the stock feeding devices are designed to permit stock to pass therethrough without obstruction.

The present apparatus is also designed to handle stock of various lengths. Recently there has been a demand for thin-walled seamless tubing of considerable lengths, often upwards of eight hundred to a thousand feet. This has not been obtainable in' continuous lengths and attempts have been made to weld shorter sections together.

But it is extremely dim cult to weld together very processes which eifect smaller reductions. Be-

' yond this advantage of machines of this type in general, the present machine embodies a particularly advantageous combination of elements which provide for the handling of very great lengths of original stock. I One embodiment of the invention which exemplifies the above objects and advantages will now be described by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1, includingthe parts 1d andlb, is a side elevation of a complete machine embodying the present invention; I

Fig. 2, including the parts 2a. and 2b, is a corresponding plan'view;

Fig. 3, including the parts 311. and'3b, is a cor responding central vertical section taken approximately on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is'an enlarged plan view of the head end,

i. e. the reducing end, of the machine'sho'wn at the right of Fig. 2b with some of the upper parts removed; I A

Fig. 5 is a central vertical section-taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4;

.12-I2 of Fig. 13, showing mandrel-holding mechanism;

Fig. 131s a transverse vertical section taken on the line l3-l3 of Fig. 12;

14 is a side elevation of parts shown in Figs. 12 and 13;

Fig. 15 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line l5l5 of Fig. zjshowing certain power mechanism for operating the stock turning devices;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged vertical section of parts for rotating the mandrel, the view being taken on the line I6-l6 of Fig. 2a;

vention, as shown from right to left in the as sembly. views I to 3, there is provided: A, means Fig. 17 is a transverse vertical section partly in elevation taken on the line-I'l-ll of Fig; 16;

Fig. 18 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical section showing certain stock and mandrel guides, the view being taken on the line |8--l3 of Fig. 2b; and

Fig. 19 is a transverse vertical the line la m of Fig. 1a.

\In the machine selected to'illustrate the insection taken .on

for turning the finished stock; B, the reducing rolls and the mounting means therefor; C, means for clamping the stock; D, the main-driving mechanism; E, guide mechanism'for the stock and mandrel; F, mechanism for turning and feeding the stock; G, power mechanism for operating the 'stock feeding mechanism; H, mechanism for turning the mandrel; I, mechanismfor holding 'the mandrel; and J, auxiliary"mechanism for holding extensions of the mandrel for'handling greater lengths of stock.

The various parts of the machine are operatively supported by a mainframe 20 which may be formed and'assembled in any convenient manner; the front portion 20a which carries there-- ducing rolls and driving mechanism being rela-.

tively massive totake theheavy strains imposed upon it, the middle portion 20b being in the general form of an elongated box for supporting the long mandrel and stock, and the rear portion being principally formed of a long power cylinder 200 which ,will later be discussed. The middle and rear portions are supported as required by appropriate supports or legs 20d;

A- motor M (Fig. 2b) furnishes the principal power for operating the. machine. The motor shaft 2: acts through a flexible coupling 2:, a gear shaft 24 and suitable worm gearing housed within a gear casing -25 to drive ajack shaft 26. The jack shaft through gears 21, 23 (Fig. 3b) drives a "crank shaft -29 '1.{he crank shaft .9 through crank pins 30 and conn'ectingrrods I drives a roll frame 32. At its rear end the roll frame is guided-by. rollers 34 (Fig. 5) rotatably -moi1nted thereon. which rollers operate between longitudinal guides 3!.f'

the-tube feedoff by a drain pipe56.

' The reducing devices v In the front portion of the frame-there are car -ried a set of eccentric-grooved reducing rolls 38 and backing rolls 31. The backing rolls. operate against backing plates 38 .secured in the main frame 20. The working stresses from the reducing rolls are thus transmitted directly into the main frame 20 which permits the roll frame 32 to be made very light thus minimizing the stresses caused by its reciprocation. The roll frame (Figs.

4 and '7) .is provided with upper and lower blocks tween which they fit at their circumferences.

The reducing rolls are, provided with gears 48 which mesh with gears 41 on the backing rolls and these-in turn mesh with fixed racks 43 secured to the main frame 20. I The gears of the opposed reducing rolls, however, arenot in mesh with each other. y v

K As seen in Fig. '7 there is a backing roll on each side of the reducing rolls. These axially aligned backing rolls may be placed on'a common shaft but as shown in the drawings they are mounted -on separate short shafts so as to leave a space between .them for the passage of cooling or lubri- An upper housing 50 and alower housing 5| are provided for eating fluid to the. reducing rolls.

confining thefluid thus employed. The front and rear plates of these housingsare shown in Fig. 5. The plates are provided with aligned openings for receiving the mandrel [and stock. Fig. 5 also shows the means provided for supplying ,the fluid, the means hereby employed comprising a telescopic pipe 52 carried by the frame, which slides in a packed joint in the end of a fixed fluid supply chamber 53.. The pipe 52 has ope ngs inits lower side within the housing 50 for th utflow of fluid to the rolls. Fluid is sup plied to the chamber 53 by a supply pipe 54.- The used fluid is caught in a trough 55 and carried The rolls may be adjusted from and toward each other by any suitable means. As shown in a Fig. 5, one or both of the members carrying backreturning the stock feeding device to its rearward position it may be desirable to hold the old length of stock, i.-e'. the one which has been partly reduced, in a fixed longitudinal position.

For this purpose, as shown at C in Figs. 3b and 5,

there is provided a clamp 6| operated in properly timed manner by hand or by means coordinated I with the other parts of the machine. Herein the v 'ing devices I In order that the rolls'may work eifectively" on diflerent'parts of thecircumference of the '75 gear wheel 1'! drives a gear 18 and through itthe aoeaoos stock, means are provided for turning the stock at times. This may be accomplished by acting directly upon the stock, either before or after reduction; or by acting upon the mandrel. Turning means of all of these types are disclosed herein, it being thought that the machine will function more effectively if the several types are used con- I 18 an" through it operates a transverse bar II slidable in suitable guides. The bar is moved in the opposite direction by a piston 12' operating within a cylinder ,13. Motive fluid may be served to the cylinder by way of a pipe 14. Fluid pressure may be kept constantly upon the piston 12 so as to keep the roller 18 constantly pressed against the cam 69. The cam thus times the operation of the turning mechanism. By making the receding portion of the cam surface abrupt the turning action may be made almost instantaneous so as to accomplish the turning movement while the reducing rolls are reversing their direction of travel at the ends of their stroke even when the machine is operating very rapidly.

The bar II carries a pawl 15 which actuates a ratchet wheel 16 fast on a gear wheel TI. The

longitudinal turning shaft "I9.

Through suitable bevel gearing (Fig. 3b) 88, 8|

. the shaft I9 drives a short vertical shaft 82. The

ratio of these gears determines the angle through Y which the stock is turned at each stroke.

Usually the stock is turned from 60 to 90. The shaft 82 through bevel gears 83, 84 drives a longitudinal shaft 85 extending along the box-like portion 28b of the main frame.

Through similar bevel gears 86, 81, a vertical shaft 88 and bevel gears 89, 98, the shaft .18 drives a hollow shaft 9| mounted in a bearing 82 at the front end of the machine.

" Turning mechanism for finished stock As shown in Fig.5, the hollow shaft 9| carries the' other arms of the levers are pulled toward each other by springs 81 so as to press the grooved wheels upon the stock. The wheels may be'li'ned in their grooves with friction material if desired to give them a good gripon the stock.

From the preceding description. it will be seen that the disc and the grooved wheels are rotated intermittently as the stock is released from the reducing rolls and by friction with the stock cause it to rotate. ,It will also be obvious that stock may be pushed in between the grooved rolls in the normal operation of the machine and when so positioned will be firmly engaged due to the resilient action of the springs.

Stock feeding and turning means The stock feeding means permits the'stock to be fed forward continuously from the rear end of the machine. It is also adapted to accommoits outer circumference.

date stock of great length. Hence the feeding means is of 'the type which grips the stock alon The feeding mechanism is also of the type which will be designated as the trip feed, that is, the feeding device grips the stock and carries it in successive relatively short steps for a considerable distance and then returns to'the start'ng position to re-engage the stock at a new poin along its length: Among the advantages of this type of feeding mechanism are the less likelihood of injury to the stock at a number of places by reason of the very rapid engagement and disengagement characteristic of the more frequently acting feeding devices. The feeding mechanism herein is also employed for turning the. stock. It is shown in Figs. 1a, 2a, 3a, 9, and 10.

Referring to Fig. 10, the stock S is adapted to be gripped on its outer surface by -a collet chuck I88 secured in a rotary-sleeve IN. The chuck is clamped upon the stock by'a collar I82 which is slidable thereon, the collar and chuck-being provided with mating inclined surfaces as usual in this type of chuck. The collar is rotatably mounted in an annular bracket I83, bearings I84 being interposed between them, and is secured by a nut I85. The bracket I88 'is mounted on a cyl-'-. inder casting I86 as, for example; by being made. integral therewith.

The cylinder I86 is associated with andmovable relative to an auxiliary or clamping piston I81 mounted on the front end of a feed plunger I88. Also mounted on the plunger I 881s a frame I89 in which the sleeve IN is rotatably secured. A

The sleeve ,8 is slidably splined to the longitudinal shaft'85 hereinbefore referred to. I

Means are provided for opening the chuck I88 when it is not positively gripped upon the stock.

As shown in Fig. 9, the bracket I83 is provided with arins H8 and to these arms are attac ed rods. II9 which pass loosely through openings in arms I28 secured to the frame I83. Springs I2 I are interposed between the arms I28 and nuts I22 on the rods. The springs thus normally'tend to move the collar I82 to the left as viewed in Fig. 10 to release the chuck. The pneumatic device,'comprising the cylinder I86 and piston I81 the greater certainty and accuracy of feeding and tends to move the collar to' the right and engage the chuck with the stock.

Referring to Fig. 3a., the plunger I88 is attached to a piston I28 operating in a long cylinder I28. This cylinder has been referred to as part of the rear portion 28c of the main frame. A stuffing box I21 to prevent leakage is provided of the type, as for example like that disclosed in my coplied to the feeding piston may be of any suitable pending application, Serial Number 704,609, filed December 30, 1933. Enough of this will be ex.- plained here to furnish an understanding of its action; Air is supplied to and exhausted from one end of the cylinder I26 by a pipe I28 and a four-way valve I29. The valve has an inlet pipe I38, exhaust pipe I3I anda pipe I32 which leads cylinder is supplied with liquid, such as water or oil, by way of an'inlet pipe I34 provided with a check valve I35. Fluid is exhausted from the cylinder I26 by an exhaust pipe I36 and a return pipe I31 leading to the tank. The exhaust of liquid from the cylinder is controlled and timed by a poppet valve I38 operated by a cam.-I39 on the shaft 19. A needle valve I40 controls the amount of the exhaust and by this the amount of stock-feed.

It is desired that the chu'ck l00 shall grip the stock whenever the feed piston is actuated in -feeding-direction. For this purpose a by-pass conduit I43 extends through the piston I25, its plunger I08 and the auxiliary piston I01 whereby pneumatic fluid is conducted from the head end of the cylinder I26 to the head end of the cylinder I06. Fluid may be exhausted from the cylinder I06 by the by-pass conduit, though for quicker-relief an exhaustvalve I44 may also be employed.

The valves I29 and I44 may be operated either by hand or automatically by the machine.

In operation pneumatic fluid is supplied to the head end of the cylinder I26 by the valve I29. At the same time the top of the tank I33 above the liquid is left open to exhaust. It will be presumed that the plunger end dfthe cylinder I26 is filled-with fluid, the same being trapped in the cylinder by the valves I35 and I38. The

periodic operation of the poppet valve I38 permits a small amount of liquid to be exhausted from the cylinder back into the reservoir .tank

I33. The liquid is forced out by the action of the pneumatic fluid which constantly urges the piston toward the crank end. After the-plunger has moved the stock as far as desired toward the reducing devices the valve I29 is reversed to connect the head end of the cylinder with the exhaust pipe and to connect the top of the tank with the pneumatic fluid source. This will force liquid back into the plunger end of the cylinder and move the piston I25 back to the head end of 'the cylinder. When pressure is relieved in the cylinder I06 the chuck will release the stock to permit return of the piston I25 and associated parts without causing the stock to be moved back.

When the valve I29 is again reversed to admit pneumatic fluid under pressure to the head end of the cylinder, the fluid will flow backthrough the by-pass conduit I43 to the cylinder I06. This and as herein shown such supporting means peror so long as there is fluid under pressure in the head end of the cylinder I26.

Stock and mandrel guide means As the stock feeding chuck moves along it shortens the length of unsupported stock and mandrel ahead of it and increases the length of unsupported stock and mandrel behind it. Means are hereby provided for supportingv the mandrel and stock so that only-short lengths will be left between supports at any given time. Preferably,

mits the stock to be passed through it automatiwhy and engages the stock or mandrel auto-- matically.

Figs. 2 and 3 show two guides or supports E in front of the feeding device F and two behind it. The plates on which these four supports are -ward away from-the support I50.

I5I and the two intermediate plates 8,149 are connected together bythe rods or links I52.

When the feeding device moves forward it first engages the support I48 and moves it forward toward the support I41. The support I48 through the links I52 also carries. the support I49 for- -When the feeding head and the support I48 arrive at the support I41 they then carry it forward with them and this in turn through the links I5I carries the support I50 forward.

On the return movement the feeding head first engages the support I49 to carry it and its companion support I48 rearward; and these parts later engage the support to carry it and its companion support I41 rearward.

It will thus be seen that'the space between supports is never permitted to be very long.

The details of-the supports are shown in Figs. 18 and 19. Here the plate I48 is shown to be guided in ways I53 along the'box-like' portion 20b ofthe frame. To ears I54 on the support plates are hinged the guide members I55. Springs of any desired type press the members I55 toward the stock. As shown, coil springs I56 are secured to arms I51 of the members I55 for urging them toward the stock; The members I55 have arcuate notches I58 at the center for re- L ceiving the stock.

It is thus seen that the stock or mandrel can be pushed forward through the guides without obstruction and that the guides will always swing forward automatically to receive it and will resiliently enga e either the stock or mandrel.

- -As shownjn Fig. 3a similar guides or supports I6I, I62 which are located in fixed positions are provided at certain points where the stock and mandrel areotherwise unsupported for considerable distances.

' Mandrel holding means ment. Such means should provide for the ready.

feeding in of the stock over the rear end-10f the mandrel and should provide for a limited floating? movement of the mandrel. This floating movement refers to a slight backward movement of the mandrel which is induced by gthe rearward movement .of the rolls on the stock; By providing the rearward movement of the mandrel and stock the return movement of therolls is eased andthe action on the mandrel and-stockis eased as well. By reference to Fig. 5 it will be seen that the rolls on their return movement roll up the taper of the stock'and mandrel and this exerts a rearward force on the stock and mandrel which may be considerable, especially when working stock in the cold state. 7 v

' After the stock and mandrel have been moved back they are again moved forward automatically by the rolls at the beginning of their ensuing forwardmovement. I

The mandrel holding device is shown in Figs. 1a., 3a, 12 13, and 14. It comprises opposed jaws I35, I66slidably mounted in a clamp frame I61. The jaws are provided with annular corrugations I68 adapted to register with mating corrugations ofvthe mandrel m. The jaws are operated rapidly andsimultaneously by a handle I69, the shaft disposed eccentrics Ill, "2 cooperating with the spectively.

the mandrel.

.The frame I8! is provided with a base I15 which is slidably mounted in one of the frame supports 2011. It is retained by plates I18 and is limited in its sliding movement by stops I11, "8. A supplementary front stop in alignment with the stock and axis is provided by a bushing I18 and an abutment I88 (see also Fig. 3a). The bushing is retained in the frame I81 by a set screw I8 I This provides the floating, movement of the mandrel referred to above. The bushing and frame' and jaws when open provide suflicien't clearance for the passage therethrough of the stock. a

There may be several mandrel gripping devices as shown in Fig. -3a, any one of which may be operated. The one nearest the reducing devices which can be made effective is the one employed but if the tube stock is so long as to cover the mandrel at such point, a more remote gripping device may be used. For unusually long stock there may be providedsupplementary stands or supports 20c which may be secured to the floor of the shop or to any suitable extension of the base frame at any desired distance from the reducing devices. The mandrel m may be lengthened correspondingly by the use of one or more supplemental lengths ml and couplings m2. Each stand will be equipped with one of the quick-release mandrel gripping devices.

Mandrel turning, means Such mechanism is illustrated in Figs. 3a, 16 r and 17, and preferably is placed at several points along the mandrel, as for example near the mandrel gripping mechanisms. Herein it comprises a gear I85 secured in rotative position by a tubular stud I88 which is' screwed into the base frame support. The gear is provided with spaced pivot pins I81 upon which are hinged the swinging members I88. The members I88 are provided with forwardly extending arms I89 between which are stretched coil springs I88 for urging the members inward toward the axis of the mandrel and backward toward the gear. The mandrel'm at this point is provided with a non-circular portion m8 adapted to be engaged by the swinging members I88 when stock is not disposed between them. The portion m3 is made sumciently long to permit the floating movement of The gear I85 is driven by a gear I9I on the shaft 85.

This mechanism permits the stockto be fed forward automatically, the hinged members I88 readily swinging forward and outward vout of the way. After the stock has passed, the hinged members again swing inward to reengage the non-circular portion of the mandrel. The gear I 85 is turned intermittently at all times while the machine is in operation so when the members I88 engage the mandrel they will turn it.

By providing several turning mechanisms spaced along the length of the mandrel there is always likely to be one which is free to engage and turn the mandrel.

Operation The machine will be assumed to, be stoppedv The stock feeding mechanism 1? (Fig. 3a) is.

retracted by exhausting pneumatic fluid from the head end of feed cylinder I28 and supplying pneumatic fluid to the top of the reservoir tank I88 to force liquid from the bottom of the tank into the plunger end of the feed cylinder I28.

when pneumatic fluid is exhausted from the feed I cylinder I28 it will simultaneously be exhausted from the auxiliary or clamping cylinder I88 to open the colletchuck' I08 and release the stock.

The mandrel. clamping devices I and J or such of them as have been in use will be opened to permit stock to be fed in over the rear end of the mandrel. swings the hinged members of the mandrel turning devices H and the mandrel and stock guides E out of the way so it may pass. freely through the feeding chuok' and finally stops when it abuts the rear end of the unfinished length of stock. If short lengths of stock are fed a number of them may be introduced at one time. It is only necessary that the stock extend back into the stock gripping chuck wherever that may be located. The stock may be as much longer as desired since the chuck will grip the stock anywhere along its length. If the stock is too long when the stock is pushed forward it.

It also moves for the main part of the machine the auxiliary mandrel holding device may be erected as far back as necessary. This may render the mandrel turning devices inoperative but will not necessarily disrupt the proper operation of the machine because the stock is usually squeezed down upon the mandrel at the reducing devices so that when the stock is turned the mandrel will be turned also. If it should ever become necessary to turn the mandrel directly when very long stock is being worked it will be a very easy matter to provide turning mechanism on the auxiliary mandrel holding stand. This may be similar in all respects to that already described and may be operated by an extension of the turning shaft 85. I

After the stock has been inserted the valve I28 is reversed to supply pneumatic fluid to the head end of thefeed cylinder and exhaust the pneumatic fluid from the top of the tank I33. vThe'bypass conduit I48 will simultaneously supply pneuw matic fluid to the auxiliary cylinder I08 to cause the chuck to grip the stock. Liquid which is trapped under pressure in the plunger end of the cylinder I28 will be periodically released in small amounts by the cam operated valve I88, to cause assists at all times in the proper turning but is particularly useful when a length of stock becomes too short to be gripped and turned by the chuck. It has already been explained how this turning It will thus be seen that the-present invention provides improved mechanism for reducing stock, the roll mechanismbyreason of its lightness, simplicity and strength, the stock and mandrel turning and feeding mechanism by reason of its simplicity and eifectiveness and the readiness with which it permits the passage of stock, the stock and mandrel guide means by its adaptability to easy passage of stock, the mandrel holding mechanism by reason of its quick action and provision for the floating action of the mandrel' and the whole combination of apparatus by reason of its unique and practical cooperation and adaptation for the prompt and effective handling of stock even when of unusually great length.

While one embodiment of the invention has been described with some particularity inorder to illustrate the principles of the invention it is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not meant to be limited thereby. The true scope of this invention is to be determined by the language of the subjoined claims when read,

in the light of the above disclosure and the prior I claim: 1. Apparatus for reducing metal stock, comprising in combination, a main frame, opposed 2. Apparatus for reducing metal stock, comprising in combination, a main frame, opposed parallel backing plates on said frame, a set of reducingrolls provided with eccentric working portions adapted to squeeze increments of length of stock forward by successive intermittent actions thereon and adjacent concentric portions adapted to cooperate with backingrolls, backing rolls disposed between the concentric portions of the reducing rolls. and said backing plates, a common frame supporting all of said rolls in proper relative positions for working upon the stock, and means for reciprocating said frame.

, 3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 which further comprises in combination, bearing members for said rolls, which are mounted'in said frame so as to be slidable therein in a direction transversely of the axis of the stock.

a. Apparatus as set forthin claim 2 which further comprises in combination, rackssecured to said main frame parallel to said backing plates, gears on.said backing rolls meshing with said racks, and gears on said reducing rolls meshing with the gears on said backing rolls.

5. Appara as set forth in claim 2 which further comp es in combination, means for adjusting one of said backing plates from and toward the axis of the stock.

6. Apparatus forreducing metal stock' com prising in combination, means intermittently acting upon the stockvto reduce it, means for including members which are-resiliently pressed upon the stock at all times while it is positioned between them and which are, adapted to be opened into stock-embracing position by the stock itself as it moves forward, a rotatable head for supporting said members, and means for intermittently rotating said head.

7. Apparatus for reducing metal stock, com-' said head and adapted to swing forward when the end of a piece of stockengages them to permit the stock to be passed along between them, resilient means for causing the members constantly to press uponthe stock when it is disposed betweenthem, and means for rotating said head. Y

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, in which said hinged elements open to receive the stock when it is pushed in between them.

9. Apparatus for reducing metalstock, comprising in combination, means intermittently;

acting upon ,the stock to reduce it, means for intermittently feeding the stock forward, and

means for intermittently rotating the stock, said rotating mean s comprising frictional elements -which are constantly and resiliently pressed.

against the stock.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 in which 'said elements are formed as rollers which roll upon the stock as it is fed forward.

11. Apparatus for reducing tubular metal stock, comprising in combination, a mandrel for supporting thestock, reducing devices intermittently actingiupon the stock, means for feeding the stock forward intermittently upon said mandrel, and means for intermittently rotating said mandrel, said rotating means comprising members which are resiliently pressed against a noncircular portion of said mandrel and which are openedby the tubular stock when it is fed in over the rear end of the mandrel to allow the stock to pass, a rotatable head for supporting said devices, and means .for intermittently r0- tating said head.

12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 11 m which said-mandrel-engaging members are hinged to said head so as to swing forward when a length' of stock is introduced, and springs urging said members toward the mandrel.

13. Apparatus for reducing metal stock, comprising in combination, reducing devices acting intermittently upon the stock, and means for feeding stock intermittently in short incrementsresponsive to the application of power to said travelling device to move it forward which energizessaid gripping device to cause it to grip the stock to feed it forward, and which is responsive to the withdrawal of forward-moving power from said travelling device for de-energizing said gripping device to cause it to release the stock when moving in a rearward direction.

14. Apparatus for reducing metal stock. comsaid travelling device and said gripping device

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