US2116971A

US2116971A - Tube forming machine

Info

Publication number: US2116971A
Application number: US105975A
Authority: US
Inventors: Haslauer Adolf
Original assignee: Superior Tube Co
Current assignee: Superior Tube Co
Priority date: 1936-10-16
Filing date: 1936-10-16
Publication date: 1938-05-10
Anticipated expiration: 1955-05-10

Description

Fi led Oct. 16, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. I307) .YLESZauer g ATTORNEY.

May 10, 1938. A. HASLAUER TUBE FORMING MACHINE Filed 0st. 16, 1956 6 SheetsSheet 2 INVENTOR. E077 j-lfiszauezg w w 1i:

; ATTORNEY.

A. HASLAUER May 10, 1938.

TUBE FORMING MACHINE Filed Oct. 16, 1936 6 Shegts-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

May 10, 1938.

A. HASLAUER TUBE FORMING MACHINE Filed Oct. 16, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 May 10, 1938. A. HASLAUER 2,116,971

TUBE FORMING MACHINE Filed Oct. 16, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 laozfjzasza g ATTORNEY.

May 10, 1938. -A. HASLAUER 2,116,971

TUBE FORMING MACHINE Filed Qct. 1a, 1936 a Sheets-Sheet e INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented May 10, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TUBE FORMING MACHINE Adolf Haslauer, East Orange, N. .L, assignor to Superior Tube Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application October 16, 1936, Serial No. 105,975

30 Claims.

This invention relates to an automatic machine for producing lock seam tubular formation from flat steel stock, such e.

for use in thermionic valves or vacuum tubes.

This invention has for its general object to provide a machine for automatically forming, from flat sheet metal stock fed thereto, lock seam tubular structures for various purposes, and more especially for making cylindrical cathode ele-' ments of the lock-seam type similar to that shown in my United States Letters Patent No. 2,029,482, and, if desired, also providing such cathode elements with external positioning beads, similar to the disclosure of my co-pending application for United States Letters Patent, Ser. No. 98,333/35.

operation thereof.

Other objects of the invention, not at this time more particularly enumerated, will be understood from the following detailed description of the same.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the cathode form-,

ing machine according to this invention; Fig. 2

is a side elevation of the same; Fig. 3 is a hori: zontal section, taken on line 3-3 in Fig. 1; Fig.4

is a transverse section, taken on line {-1 in. Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a horizontal section, talren on a line 5--5 in Fig. 4; and Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section, taken on line I Fig. '7 is a fragmentary cross-section, taken on line 1-4 in Fig. 5, showing the blank cutting and. pre-forming dies and the blank feed means: and

i6 in Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of portions of these parts.

operations.

Fig. 1'7 is a greatly enlarged perspective view g. as cylindrical cathodes of the finished cathode element, which is the product of the machine.

Fig. 18 in perspective shows strip-feeding mechanism appearing in Figs. 1 and 3.

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of cam structure appearing in Figs. 1 and 3.

Similar characters of. reference are employed in the above described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, the reference character 20 indicates the base of a suitable main frame 2| and associated removable frame head 23. Journaled in bearings 22 with which the main frame 2| and associated frame head 23 are provided is a transverse drive shaft 24, which may be driven from a source of power in any suitable manner, as, e. g., by a belt pulley 25.

Vertically reciprocable in guideways 26, with which said frame 2| is provided, is a stamp member 21. This stamp member 21 is provided, in connection with its upper end portion, with an upper crossrhead 28 and a lower cross-head 29, which are respectively disposed above and below said drive shaft 24. Fixed on said drive shaft 24, so as to be revolved thereby, is an actuating cam 30 which is adapted to produce timed operative vertical reciprocation of said stamp member 21. Said cross-heads 28 and 29 are each provided. with anti-friction rollers 3|, with which engage the operative perimeter of said actuating cam 30, when the latter is revolved so as to reciprocate said stamp member 21.

Fixed upon the base 20 of frame 2| is a bottom die-block 32, and suitably amxed to the lower end of said stamp member 21 is an upper die-block 3!. Said bottom die-block 32 is provided with upstanding dowel pins 31 which extend through correspondingopenings or ways provided in said upper dierblock 33,}so that the latter is slidingiy inovedtiiereon, and-thus adapted to'maintain in accurate register the subsequently described cooperative die elements with which the respective die-blocks are provided.

Suitably secured upon the bottom die-block 32 is the stationary die member 35 of a blank cuttin and pre-formingdie set. This stationary die member 36 is provided in its upper face with a longltudinally disposed blanking die formation comprising a transversely convex die portion 36 bounded on its left hand side by a vertical side wall adapted to form a stop shoulder 31, and on its right hand side by a vertical side wall which is formed along a portion of its length to provide a somewhat downwardly offset shearing or cutting edge 38 having an outwardly and downwardly extending chamfer 39 (see Fig. 7). Formed in connection with the stationary die member 35 to project from its convex die portion 36, in proper location, are one or more transversely extending male beading die portions 40. Suitably affixed to said upper die-block 33 is the movable die member 4| of said blank cutting and pre-forming die set. This movable die member 4| is provided in its bottom face with a longitudinally disposed blanking die formation comprising a transversely concave die portion 42 corresponding to the convex die portion 36 with which it is to cooperate. One longitudinal edge of said die portion 42, as the edge 43, constitutes a shearing or cutting edge adapted to cooperate with said shearing or cutting edge 38 of the stationary die member 35. Formed in connection with the movable die member 4|, in proper location, are one or more transversely extending female beading die portions 44 adapted to cooperate with said male beading die portions 40 of said stationary die member 35.

Means are provided for automatically feeding sheet metal stock to and between said blankin and pre-forming dies 35 and 4|. Preferably the sheet metal stock is in the form of a metal strip of a width corresponding to the length of cathode element to be produced, said strip being fed from a. roll endwise across the stationary die member 35.. This stock feeding means is subject to more or less variation in form and arrangement, but illustrative of one practical embodiment thereof, the same is herewith shown to comprise a guideway 45 through which the stock strip 45 is fed to advance its free end transversely across the stationary die member 35. The means for gripping and advancing the stock strip 46, comprises a slideway 41 connected with the machine frame, in which is reciprocably mounted a carriage 48. Fixed on the carriage 48 is a gripper means 49 having a projection 49a. adapted to automatically grip and propel forward said stock strip on inward movement of said carriage 48, but to release and slide freely back along the stock strip on outward or retractive movement of said carriage 48. The means for producing properly timed movements of said carriage 48 comprises a bell-crank 50 which is pivoted to an extension of the machine frame. The downwardly extendingarm 50 of said bell-crank 50 is pivotally connected to the carriage 48, while the inwardly extending arm 5| of said bell-crank is provided with a bifurcated end in which is engaged a tongue 52 which is ailixed'to and which moves up and down with the upper die-block 33. .When the upper die-block 33 rises, on the upward or recovery movement of stamp member 21, said tongue 52, by its engagement therewith, swings upward bellcrank arm 5l' and consequently swings inwardly the belll-Lcrank arm 50, thus producing an inward movement of carriage 48 so that the stock strip is gripped and propelled forward while the blanking and preforming die members are separated. When the. upper die-block 33 descends, on the operative -;downward movement of the stamp member 2'l, said tongue 52 imparts a. downward swinging movement tobell-crank arm 5| ,1 and consequently swings outwardly-the bell-crank arm 50', thus retractingthe carriage 48 and gripper means 49 to normal initial position ready for a succeedingstrip stock feeding operation. i The reference character 53 indicates a mandrel which. extends longitudinally and. outwardly between the bottomandupper die-

blocks

32 and 33. Said mandrel Safest-ends slidingly through the stationary die member 35 of the blanking and pre-forming die set, and its free outwardly extending portion lies in a plane slightly below the plane of the die portion 36 of said stationary die member. Means are provided for longitudinally reciprocating the mandrel for purposes subsequently to be mentioned. This means comprises a guideway 54 mounted on the frame base 20 behind the bottom die-block 32, said guideway having a channeled way in which a slide-piece 55, is reciprocably slidable. The rear end of said mandrel is suitably affixed to said slide-piece 55. The means for producing properly timed reciprocation of said slide-piece and the mandrel carried thereby, comprises a transverse countershaft 56 journaled in bearings 51 which project from the main frame 2|. This counter-shaft 56 is driven from the drive shaft 24 by chain and. sprocket transmission means 58, or by any other suitable kind of transmission means. 'Mounted on said counter-shaft is a raceway cam 59. Pivotally supported from a bracket 60 on frame base 20 is an oscillatory lever 6|, the lower end of which is pivotally connected with said slidepiece 55. Said lever 6| is provided with a roller stud 62 which operatively engages the raceway 59a of cam 59, whereby said lever is oscillated to produce properly timed back and forth movement of said slide-piece and the mandrel carried thereby.

Means are provided for discharging a blank, after the same is cut and formed by the blanking and pre-forming dies, from the latter dies onto the mandrel subject to the operation of the tube forming and seaming dies of the mechani m. This means comprises a push-piece 63 having depending fingers 64 to engage the rearward end of a formed blank (see Fig. 8) and, upon operation of the push-piece, thereupon push said blank forwardly off of the die member 35 and onto the mandrel 53. The means for producing properly timed reciprocation of said push-piece 83, comprises a second slide-piece 65 movable in another longitudinal channeled way with which the guideway 54 is provided. Said push-piece 63 is suitably aftlxed to said slide-piece 65. Mounted on said counter-shaft 56 is a second raceway cam 65. Pivotally supported by a bracket 61 on frame base 20 is another oscillatable lever 68, the lever end of which is pivotally connected with the slidepiece 65. Said lever 68 is provided with a roller stud 69 which operatively engages the raceway of cam 66, whereby said lever is oscillated to produce properly timed back and forth mov'ementof slide-piece 35 and the push-piece 63 carried thereby.

Arranged forwardly of the blanking and preforming die set are the tube forming and seaming dies. Mounted on the bottom die-block 32, to extend inwardly from the left side of the latter toward said mandrel 53 is a housing 10. Fixed on said die-block 32 between the mandrel 53 and the inner end of said housing I0 is a supporting block H. In like manner, mounted on the bottom die-block 32,to extend inwardly from the right side of the latter toward said mandrel 53 is a housing 12, and fixed on said die-block 32 between the mandrel 53' and the inner end of the housing '12 i's-a supporting block I3.

'Adjusably mounted on the respective housings 10 and 12 so as to be positioned in opposition to each other, respectively on opposite sides of the mandrel 53areblank positioning and holding jawpiates I4 which are slidably movable in ways '15 provided in the topsof'the respective housings 18 and 12. Each jaw-plate 14 is provided at its rearward end with an upstanding lug 16 having an internally screw-threaded opening engaged by an adjusting screw 11. Fixed on each housing 18 and 12, behind the jaw-plate mounted thereon, is a bearing 18 for rotatably mounting the associated adjusting screw 11 in such manner that the same may turn while being 'held against axial movement. Each jaw-plate 14 is provided at its free end portion with an undercut blank engaging shoulder 18 having, at the end thereof toward the blanking and pre-forming die set, an upwardly inclined guide-in portion 88. When the blank B is discharged from the stationary die member 35, for deposit in overlying relation to the mandrel 53, its leading end engages theguide-in portions of the shoulder 18 of the jaw-plates 14 so as to be downwardly deflected for passage beneath said shoulders 18 and between the ends 8I of said jaw-plates, thus positioning the blank across the mandrel and holding thesame subject to the initial action of tube forming and seaming dies. The jaw-plates 14 are individually adjustable relative to the axis of the mandrel 53 so that the blank, as held therebetween, may be properly positioned to produce, when initially bent, a longer extension or wing on one side than on the other, thus providing a disposition of the stock of the blank which, upon initial bending will permit of the proper formation of the laps and interlock of the seam which completes the cylindrical tubular cathode.

Arranged for vertical reciprocation beneath the mandrel 53 is a secondary stamp member 82, the same being slidable in a vertical way 83 provided in the bottom die-block 32. At its lower end said secondary stamp member 82 is provided with alaterally offset foot-piece 84 which normally stops against the frame base 28. A spring actuated plunger 85, which is mounted in connection with the bottom die-block 32, bears yieldingly downwardly upon said foot-piece 84 to normally return said secondary stamp member 82 to downwardly retracted normal initial position. At its upper end, said secondary stamp member is formed with an upwardly projecting die-head 88 of reduced width, and having at its extremity a concave die-surface 81 to conform to the cylindrical surface of the cathode tube to be formed. At the juncture of said die-head with the secondary stamp member 82 and along the left hand side of the latter is a chamfered shoulder 88, the

, purpose of which will subsequently be explained.

lever flplvotally' connected with a fulcrum bearing 8| beneath the frame base 28. A slide- I piece 82;, vertically slidable through said frame base- 28 is operatively engaged by the forward end portion of said lever8 8, and is disposed to exert, at proper times, an upward thrust upon said secondary stamp member 82. A plunger 83 is mounted for vertical movement through a guide member 84 disposed beneath the countershaft 58, and so that its lower extremity bears operatively upon the rearward end portion of said lever 88. The upper end of said plunger 83 is provided with a nosing 85 which is operatively engaged by an actuating cam 88 carried and rotated by said counter-shaft 58.

Suitably aflixed to the upper die-block 33 is a bending die 81, provided in its lower face with an inverted U-shaped die-recess 88 adapted to straddle the mandrel 53, when lowered by the operation of stamp member 21, so as to initially bend the blank B over said mandrel.

Slidable in the housing 18 is a spring returned slide block 98 which carries a left-hand seam lap forming die I88. In like manner, slidable in the housing 12 is a spring returned slide block I8I which carries a right-hand seam lap forming die I82. Also slidable in said housing 18 is a spring returned slide block I83 which carries a seam lock forming die I84, this latter die underlying said left hand seam lap forming die I88. The slide blocks 88, IM and I83 are respectively provided at their outer ends with nosings I85 to receive the engagement and thrust of actuating cams whereby the several dies carried by said slide blocks are caused to operate in properly timed relation. Mounted in bearings I86 connected with frame 2| is a left hand lay shaft I81. This lay shaft I81 is driven from said countershaft 56 by suitable intermediate gearing I 88. Fixed on said lay shaft I81 is a suitably shaped cam I88 for engaging and actuating the slideblock 88 and its die I 88, and also fixed on said lay shaft I81 is another suitably shaped cam II8 for engaging and actuating the slide-block I83 and its die I84. Mounted in bearings III connected with frame 2I is a right hand lay shaft II2. This lay shaft H2 is also driven from said counter-shaft 56 by suitable intermediate gearing II3. Fixed on lay shaft H2 is a suitably shaped cam II4 for engaging and actuating the slideblock IM and its die I82.

Aflixed to the slide-block 88 which carries the left-hand seam lap forming die I88 is a pushpiece II5 adapted to be reciprocated with the slide-block 88. Ifhe free end portion of this pushpiece II 5 extends through a passage H6 which is provided therefor in the supporting block 1|, and said free end portion is provided with a chamfered deflector portion II1. Said pushpiece II5 cooperates with the secondary stamp member 82, as will subsequently appear.

Afiixed to the slide-block I8I which carries the right-hand seam lap. forming-die I82 is a second push-piece II8 adapted to be reciprocated with said slide-block IN. The free end of this pushpz'ece I I8 extends through a passage H8 in the supporting block 13, so that it may also properly cooperate with the secondary stamp member 82 in the manner hereinafter explained. Mounted on the bottom die-block 32 beyond the tube forming and seaming dies is female finishing die, I28, and carried by the stamp mem ber 21 for cooperation therewith is a male finishing die I2I.

The heretofore described movable die member 4| of the blank cutting and pre-forming die set, the bending die 81 and the male finishing die I2l are each provided with spring pressed yieldable work engaging plungers or grippers I22 which, upon operation of these dies, engage and grip the work so as to hold the same against accidental shifting during the various forming operations in which these dies take part.

The above description of the various mecha nisms making up the machine will in part at least explain the operation thereof so far as the transmission of power to the variousdie elements is concerned. The operation of the said die elements per se is as follows As the stamp member 21 rises, the stock feeding means advances the strip 45 thereof over the face 36'of die member 35 until its free end is stopped against the stop shoulder 31. In this position an end portion of said strip 46 overlies the die face 36 and the shearing or cutting edge 38. Timed operation of the machine thereupon causes the stamp member 21 to descend, thereby carrying movable die member 4I downward toward die member 35. The shearing or cutting edge 43 of die member M, in passing the cutting or shearing edge 38 of die member 35 shears from the strip a blank. Completion of the downward movement of die member 4| stamps this blank into a preliminary transversely concavoconvex shape, while at the same time the cooperating male and female beading die

portions

40 and 44 emboss the blank with the transverse beads I23. These operations being completed, the stamp member 21 is retracted or raised to separate the die member M from die member 35.

While said die members 4I--35 are separating, and before the next advance movement of the stock strip 46, the cam 66 is timed to produce a quick forward and back movement of the pushpiece 63, whereby its fingers 64 engage the rear end of the formed blank B to quickly push the same endwise off of die member 35, and into engagement with the holding jaw-plates 14,

whereby the blank B is deposited above and across the mandrel 53 (see Figs. 7, 8, and 9).

As the stamp member 21 begins a succeeding downward movement, the cam 96 operates lever 90 to raise the secondary stamp member 82 to position its die-head 86 in supporting relation to the underside of mandrel 53, whereupon continued descent of stamp member 2'! carries the bending die 91 into bending engagement with the blank 46 so as to initially bend the same over the mandrel, leaving longitudinally extending side wings at each side of the mandrel, the left-hand wing being longer than the right-hand wing (see Fig. 10). Support of the elongated mandrel by the die-head 86 during descent of bending die 91 precludes flexure'of the mandrel during bending of the blank thereover (Fig. 10) by die 91. As soon as this initial bending of blank B- is completed, the cam 96 which controls the secondary stamp 82, being shaped to produce a temporary retraction of the latter, operates to withdraw the same, while the cam 30 controlling the movement of stamp member 21 causes the latter to dwell at the downward limit of its movement so as to retain the bending die 91 in position to hold the initially bent blank B against shifting on the mandrel. While the secondary stamp member 82 is thus temporarily retracted, the cams I09 and H4 which control the operation of the respective slide-blocks 99 and IOI and the left and right hand seam lap forming dies I and I02 operatev to simultaneously advance these dies, thereby bending the wings of blank B inwardly over the underside of the mandrel 53 and into meeting relation, with-a free marginal portion of the left-hand wing projecting downwardly beyond. the margin of the right-hand wing (see Fig.l1).- The cams I09 and H4 are shaped to provide a simultaneous period of dwell adapted to hold the dies I00 and I02 advanced to their last described. operative positions, so as to maintain the grip thereof on the formed laps of the blank B. While the dies I00 and; I02 thus dwell in lap holding position, the cam IIO which controlsthe operative movementv of the seam lock die I04, is shaped to cause a quick forward and back move,- mentof; the latter die, effective toturn the free marginal portion of the left-hand wing of blank B angularly across the free edge of the righthand wing of said blank B,'this occurring while the secondary stamp member 82 remains temporarily retracted (see Fig. 12). The cam I09 has a longer period of dwell timing face than has cam II4, so that die I00 remains in operatively advanced position while die I02 is momentarily retracted. While said die I02 is temporarily retracted, the die 96 controlling the rise of the secondary stamp 82 is shaped to actuate the lifting lever 90 a second time to again thrust upwardly said secondary stamp member 82. Owing to the fact that the push-piece I I5 is connected with the slide-block 99 which operates die I00, it follows that said push-piece II5 will remain advanced so long as die I00 occupies its operative advanced position. As a consequence of this the chamfered deflector portion I H of pushpiece H6 lies in the path 7 of the chamfered shoulder 88 of the secondary stamp member 82, so that as the latter rises the second time, said shoulder thereof will ride over 'said deflector portion In. The effect of this is to produce a sidewise shift to the right of said die-head 86. Since the way 83 in which the secondary stamp member 82 moves is obliquely and upwardly re lieved on its right hand side (see Fig. 4), the sidewise shiftabove mentioned is not obstructed. This sidewise shift of the secondary stamp member 82, during its second upward movement, deflects die-head 86 sufiiciently to cause the same to engage the angularly and laterally bent marginal portion of the left-hand wing of blank B so as to upswing and bend the same around the right-hand wing of said blank B, thus forming an interlock of these parts (see Fig. 13). Upon completion of these operations, cam 96 byits shape effects another downward retraction of the secondary stamp member 82, while at the same time cam II4 controlling the right-hand die I02, again advances the latter in opposition to the still dwelling die I00, thereby to force the parts of the interlock, formed as above described, tightly together (see Fig. 14). If there is any tendency of the die-head 86, by reason of friction, to stick against downward retraction, the advance of the push-piece I I8, which moves in company with the die I02, will cause the chamfered end of said push-piece I I8 to engage the shoulder 89 of secondary stamp member so as to positively force the same downward out of the path of the advancing die I02. Preferably, the faces of dies I00, I02 are so inclined that the seam elements are displaced from vertical alignment with the axis of the secondary stamp member 82 and inclined downwardly to the right as viewed in Fig. 14. Upon completion of the tightening together of the formed seam lap interlock, the dies I00 and I02 are retracted finally to normal initial positions, whereupon the cam 96 by its shape effects a third up and down movement of the secondary stampmember 82, whereby, on its upward movement, the die-head 86 engages the tightened seam lap interlock and folds the same from the position shown in Fig.14 to the position shown in Fig. 15. Formedv in the underside of the mandrel 53 is a depressed channel or groove G. When the upward movement of die-head 86 folds over the seam lap interlock, the latter is also pressed into said channel or groove G, whereby its outer face is brought flush with the cylindrical surface of the produced cathode tube. It will be observed that duringthe above-described tube forming and seaming operations, the stamp member 21 dwells in downwardly moved position,

thereby retaining the bending die in supporting relation to the blank 13 and mandrel 53 throughout the performance of said operations. Upon completion of the tube forming and seaming, the stamp member 2'! is timed to again rise subject to a repetition of the'said operations upon a succeeding blank.

While the stamp member 21 is rising, the cam 59 which controls the longitudinal reciprocation of the mandrel 53 operates first to retract the mandrel and then to return it to normal initial position. The retractive movement of the mandrel slides the same rearwardly through the formed and seamed cathode tube, which cannot move rearwardly therewith by reason of the abutment'of its rearward end against the forward end of the die member 35. Due to the frictional engagement the cathode tube with the mandrel, when said mandrel is again advanced, the cathode tube will advance therewith, and will thus be carried into alignment or register with the finishing dies. In the meantime another blank which has been formed by the cutting and preforming dies is advanced into position on the mandrel to undergo the tube forming and seaming operations.

When stamp member 21 again descends, the advanced formed cathode tube will be acted upon,

by the meeting finishing dies Md and i2! whereby the cylindrical shape of the cathode tube will be trued. The finishing dies are provided with corresponding seats to also receive, embrace and true up the beads I23 with which the cathode tube is provided. Bending die ill is also provided with seats to receive and guide the beads are, when the blank B is initially bent.

Upon repetition of the above described operations, including the reciprocation of the mandrel 53, the retraction of the mandrel will slide the same rearwardly relative to the finished cathode tube, so that as the succeeding formed and seamed cathode tube is advanced to the finishing dies by the forward movement of the mandrel, the finished cathode tube will be advanced beyond the finishing dies.

the mandrel withdraws entirely from the outermost cathode, and the same drops away from the mandrel and is thus discharged from the ma chine into a suitable collecting receptacle.

In brief, after the machine has been in operation a short time, there is a row of tubes on the mandreh Each time the mandrel is retracted, the rear end of the last-formed tube of the row, by its engagement with the forward end of die member which acts as a stop, causes all tubes of the row to advance with respect'to the mandrel, the first-formed tube of the row falling oflf the end of the retracted mandrel; upon reverse movement of the mandrel all of the remaining tubes of the row on the mandrei'advance with respect to the dies; the last-formed tube moves with the mandrel beyond the blank-bending and seam-forming dies to permit the next blank to be bent into a tube and, in the specific machine shown, is positioned with respect to the finishing dies.

It will be obvious that although the machine is especially adapted for the automatic production of cylindrical cathodes, it may be also employed for making lock-seamed tubular structures for various other purposes.

I am aware that many changes could be made in the above described mechanism, as well as in From this it will be seen that the finished cathodes will be advanced step by step toward the free end of the mandrel until finally the details of its general construction and in the mechanisms and parts thereof without departing from the scope of this invention. It is therefore intended that all matter containedin the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a machine for the purposes described, the combination of blanking dies, means for effecting operation of said blanking dies, a mandrel extending beyond said blanking dies, means to discharge a blank from said blanking dies to said mandrel, means to position and hold the discharged blank in operative relation to said mandrel, a blank bending die above said mandrel, means for moving said blank bending die toward and from said mandrel, a vertically reciprocable die below and movable toward and from said mandrel, opposed transversely movable seam lap forming dies cooperative with said mandrel, a transversely movable seaim lock forming die, means for actuating said seam lap and seam lock forming dies in cooperative timed relation subsequent to the operation of said blank bending die, and means to actuate said vertically recipro cable die in cooperative timed relation to the movements of said blank bending die and said seam lap and seam lock forming dies to complete the seam interlock.

2. In a machine for the purposes described, the combination of blanking dies, means for effecting operation of said blanking dies, means to feed stock subject to the action of said dies, a mandrel extending beyond said dies, means to discharge a blank from said dies to said mandrel, means to position and hold the discharged blank in operative relation to said mandrel, a

blank bending die above said mandrel, means for moving said blank bending die toward and from said mandrel, a vertically reciprocable die below and movable toward and from said mandrel, opposed transversely movable seam lap forming dies cooperative with said mandrel, a transversely movable seam lock forming die cooperative with said mandrel, means for actuating said seam lap and seam lock forming dies in cooperative timed relation subsequent to the operation of said blank bending die, means to actuate said vertically reciprocable die in cooperative timed relation to the movements of said blank bending die and said seam lap and seam lock forming dies to complete the seam interlock, and means cooperative with said mandrel operative to eflect discharge of the finished work therefrom 3. In a machine for the purposes described, the combination of blanking dies, means for effecting operation of said blanking dies, means to feed stock subject to the action of said dies, a mandrel extending beyond said dies, means to discharge a blank from said dies to said mandrel, means to position and hold the discharged blank in operative relation to said mandrel, a blank bending die above said mandrel, means for moving said blank bending die toward and from said mandrel, a vertically reciprocable die below and movable toward and from said mandrel, opposed transversely movable seam lap forming dies cooperative with said mandrel, a transversely movable seam lock forming die cooperative with said mandrel, means for actuating said seam lap and seam lock forming dies in cooperative timed relation subsequent to the operation of said blank bending die, means to actuate said vertically reciprocable die in cooperative timed relation to the movements of said blank bending die and said seam lap and lock forming dies to complete the seam interlock, finishing dies beyond said blank bending and seam forming dies, means for efiecting operation of said finishing dies, and means to longitudinally reciprocate said mandrel whereby the work is fed from the latter dies to said finishing dies and from said finishing dies to eventual discharge from the free end of said mandrel.

4. In a machine for the purposes described, the combination of blanking dies, means for effecting operation of said blanking dies, means to feed stock subject to the action of said dies, a mandrel extending beyond said blanking dies, means to discharge a blank from said dies to said mandrel, means to bend the blank transversely over said mandrel, a plurality of forming dies cooperative with said mandrel and operative upon the longitudinal marginal portion of the bent blank, means for actuating said forming dies in cooperative timed relation subsequent to the operation of said blank bending means, finishing dies beyond said blank bending means and forming dies, means for effecting operation of said finishing dies, and means to longitudinally reciprocate said mandrel whereby the work is fed from the latter dies to said finishing dies and from said finishing dies to eventual discharge from the free end of said mandrel.

5. In mechanism for the purposes described, the combination of a primary stamp member, means for effecting vertical reciprocation of said primary stamp member, an upper die block carried by said stamp member, a fixed bottom die block,. blanking dies comprising a stationary die member on said bottom die block and a movable die member carried by said upper die block, means to feed stock subject to the action of said blanking dies, a mandrel extending forwardly from said stationary die member and between said die blocks, means to discharge a blank from said blanking dies to said mandrel, means to position and hold the discharged blank in operative relation to said mandrel, a blank bending die carried by said primary stamp member, a vertically reciprocable secondary stamp member below said mandrel, said secondary stamp member having an upwardly projecting die-head, opposed transversely movable seam lap forming dies mounted on said bottom die block, a transversely movable seam lock forming die also mounted on said bottom die block, means for actuating said seam lap and seam lock forming dies and said secondary stamp member die head in cooperative timed relation subsequent to the operation of said blank bending die thereby to interfold and interlock the longitudinal marginal portions of the bent blank to produce on the mandrela tubular formation closed by an interlocked seam, and means cooperative with said mandrel operative to effect discharge of the finished work therefrom.

6. In mechanism for the purposes described, the combination of a primary stamp member, means for effecting vertical reciprocation of said primary stamp member, an upper die block carried by said stamp member, a fixed bottom die block, blanking dies comprising a stationary die member on said bottom die block and a movable die member carried by said upper die block, means to feed stock subject to the action of said blanking dies, a mandrel extending forwardly from said stationary die member and between said die blocks, means to discharge a blank from said blanking dies to said mandrel, means to position and hold the discharged blank in operative relation to said mandrel, a blank bending die carried by said primary stamp member, a vertically reciprocable secondary stamp member below said mandrel, said secondary stamp member having an upwardly projecting die-head, opposed transversely movable seam lap forming dies mounted on said bottom die block, a transversely movable seam lock forming die also mounted on said bottom die block, means for actuating said seam lap and seam lock forming dies and said secondary stamp member die head in cooperative timed relation subsequent to the operation of said blank bending die thereby to interfold and interlock the longitudinal marginal portions of the bentblank to produce on the mandrel a tubular formation closed by an interlocked seam, finishing dies comprising a stationary female die on said bottom die block beneath said mandrel and a movable male die carried by said upper die block above said mandrel, and means to produce timed longitudinal reciprocatory movement of said mandrel whereby the tubular formations are fed to the finishing dies and from the finishing dies to eventual discharge from the free end of said mandrel. I

7. In mechanism for the purposes described, a mandrel, means to position a blank above the mandrel with its longitudinal axis laterally offset relative to the mandrel axis, a vertically reciprocable blank bending die above said mandrel, a vertically reciprocable lower die below said mandrel, opposed transverse dies movable toward and from said mandrel and adapted to complete the bending of a blank around said mandrel and to form the longitudinal marginal portions of said blank into meeting seam laps with one of said laps projecting beyond the other to form a seam lock portion, another reciprocable transverse die movable to turn said seam lock portion across the edge of the other lap, means to deflect at proper time upward movement of said lower die to upturn said seam lock portion along said last named lap, means to actuate said transverse dies in cooperative timed relation, means to produce successive movements of said lower die in timed relation to said transverse die movements to upturn said seam look as aforesaid and then finally to fold the whole seam structure parallel to the surface plane of the tubularly bent blank, and

means to actuate said blank bending die so as to effect a dwell thereof in operative relation to said mandrel during the operations of said transverse dies and said lower die.

8. In mechanism for the purposes described as defined in claim '7, blanking dies to form blanks from sheet stock fed thereto, means for effecting operation of said blanking dies, and timed means for delivering the formed blanks from said dies to the blank positioning means cooperative with the mandrel.

9. In mechanism for the purposes described as defined in claim 7, blanking dies to form blanks from sheet stock, means for effecting operation of said blanking dies, timed means for feeding the stock to said dies, and timed means for delivering the formed blanks from said dies to the blank positioning means cooperative with the mandrel.

10. In mechanism for the purposes described as defined in claim 7, wherein said mandrel is provided on its under side with a receiving channel to receive the seam structure 'as finally folded by lower die whereby its outer surface is disposed flush with the surface plane of the tubularly bent blank. I

11. In mechanism for the purposes described as defined in claim 7, finishing dies beyond the blank bending and seam forming dies, means for eiiecting operation of said finishing dies and means to longitudinally reciprocate said mandrel whereby the tubularly bent and seamed blank is fed from the latter dies to said finishing dies, and from said finishing dies for final discharge from the free end of said mandrel.

12. In mechanism for the purposes described as defined in claim '7, means to retract and advance the mandrel upon completion of the blank bending and seam forming operations, and means to hold the bent and seamed blank against retraction with the mandrel whereby the same is advanced away from the blank bending and seam forming dies and eventually discharged endwise from the mandrel end.

13. In mechanism for the purposes described, blanking and cutting dies to form blanks from sheet metal stock fed thereto, said blanking and cutting dies having means to form at least one suitably located raised transverse bead on the body of said blank, means for effecting operation of said blanking and cutting dies, a mandrel, an initial reciprocable blank bending die, timed means for delivering the formed blank from said blanking and cutting dies onto said mandrel subject to the operation of said initial blank bending die, additional blank bending and seaming dies cooperative with said initial blank bending die and mandrel, means for timing the relative operations of said bending and seaming dies, timed means to retract and advance the mandrel upon completion of the blank bending and seam forming operations, and means to hold the bent and seamed blank against retraction with the mandrel whereby the same is advanced away from the blank bending and seam forming dies and eventually discharged endwise from the mandrel end.

14. In mechanism for the purposes described as defined in claim 13, timed means for automatically feeding metal stock to said blanking and cutting dies.

15. In mechanismfor the purposes described, blanking and cutting dies to form blanks from sheet metal stock fed thereto, said blanking and cutting dies having means to form at least one suitably located raised transverse bead on the body of said blank, means for effecting operation of said blanking and cutting dies, 8. mandrel, an initial reciprocable blank bending die, timed means for delivfiing the formed blank from said blanking and cutting dies onto said mandrel subject to the operation of said initial blank bending die, additional blank bending and seaming dies cooperative with said initial blank bending die and mandrel, means for timing the relative operations of said bending and seaming dies, finishing dies beyond the blank bending and seaming dies, means for efiecting operation of said finishing dies, timed means to retract and advance the mandrel upon completion of the blank bending and seam forming operations whereby the bent and seamed blank is advanced from said bending and seaming dies to said finishing dies and from the latter to eventual discharge endwise from the mandrel end.

16. In mechanism for the purposes described as defined in claim 15, timed means for automatically feeding metal stock to said blanking and cutting dies.

17. A machine comprising a mandrel, a blankbending die disposed on one side of said mandrel, movable structure disposed on the opposite side of said mandrel, means for moving said bending die toward and from said mandrel, mechanism for feeding between said die and said mandrel a blank to be bent about said mandrel by said die during its movement toward said mandrel, which mandrel is of such dimensions that flexure thereof normally would occur during said bending of the blank, mechanism for moving said structure toward andfrom said mandrel timed to en age the mandrel to support it against fiexure during bending of the blank by said die, means for reciprocating said mandrel axially while said die and said structure are away therefrom, and structure engaging the bent blank, during axial movement of the mandrel in one direction, subsequent movement of the mandrel in opposite direction carrying the bent blank beyond said die.

18. A machine for making tubes comprising a mandrel, means for bending blanks in succession over said mandrel and to fold margins of the successive blanks to form a row of lock-seam tubes on said mandrel, intermittently operated means for supporting said mandrel during the bending and folding of the blanks, means for reciprocating said mandrel axially while unsupported by said intermittently operated means,

and means engaging, during axial movement of the mandrel in one direction, the last-formed tube of said row to eifect discharge from the mandrel of the first-formed tube of the row, subsequent movement of the mandrel in opposite direction carrying the remainder of the row of tubes beyond said bending and folding means.

19. A machine comprising a mandrel, a blankbending die disposed on one side of said mandrel, which mandrel is of such dimensions that fiexure thereof normally would occur during bending of a blank thereover, movable structure disposed on the opposite side of said mandrel, mechanism for feeding a blank between said die and said mandrel, means for moving said die toward said mandrel to bend the blank, for providing a dwell of said die upon termination of its bending operation, and for subsequently retracting the die from said mandrel, seam-forming dies, means for efiecting operation of said seamforming dies upon the bent blank during said dwell of said blank-bending die, and mechanism for moving said structure to engage said mandrel to support it against flexure during bending of the blank by said blank-bending die and for retracting said structure away from said mandrel before operation upon the blank of said seamforming dies.

20. A machine comprising a mandrel having a groove extending lengthwise thereof, a blankbending die disposed on the side of said mandrel Opposite said groove, means for moving said die toward and from said mandrel, mechanism for feeding between said mandrel and said die a blank to be bent about said mandred by said die, said mandrel having such dimensions that flexure thereof normally would occur during said bending of a blank, seam-forming dies, means for effecting operation of said dies upon the bent blank to form a seam; structure disposed on the grooved side of said mandrel, and mechanism for moving said structure toward said mandrel to engage said mandrel to support it against flexure during operation of said blank-bending die, to retract said structure from the path of said seamforming dies, and for operating said structure subsequent to operation of said seam-forming dies, to press the seam into said groove.

21. A machine for making electrodes for thermionic tubes comprising blanking and heading dies for making beaded electrode blanks, means for operating said dies, a mandrel of dimensions suited for formation thereon of thermionic tube electrodes, means for intermittently reciprocating said mandrel axially, a blank-bending die, means for feeding the beaded blanksfrom said firstnamed dies to position between said mandrel and said blank bending die, means for moving said blank bending die toward and from'said mandrel to bend the beaded blanksin succession about said mandrel while it is stationary, and means for restraining the bent blank from movement with said mandrel during one direction of its reciprocation.

22. A machine comprising a mandrel of dimensions suited for formation thereon of thermionic tube electrodes, mechanism for intermittently dimensions that fiexure thereof normally would" reciprocating said mandrel axially, a blank-bending die, a finishing die, mechanism for feeding an electrode blank between said bending die and said mandrel, means for moving said dies toward and from said mandrel, and means for restraining the bent blank during movement of said mandrel in one direction to effect slip thereof with respect to the mandrel to extent suificient to position said bent blank on the mandrel, upon reverse movement thereof, beyond said blank bending die and in position for operation thereon of said finishing die.

23. A machine for making tubes which comprises means for bending sheet-metal blanks in succession over a mandrel to form thereon a row of tubes, a finishing die, means for reciprocating said mandrel axially, and means for holding the last-formed tube of said row from movement with the mandrel in one direction to effect discharge from the mandrel of the first-formed tube of the row and to position a bent blank for operation thereon of said finishing die.

24.. A machine comprising a mandrel of such occur during bending of a blank about it, a blankbending die, means for moving said die toward said mandrel to bend a blank, for providing a dwell of said die upon termination of its bending operation, and for subsequently retracting the die from said mandrel, seam-forming die structure, cam means rotating in timed relation to said blank-bending die for effecting operation of said seam-forming die structure upon the bent blank during said dwell of the blank-bending die, mandrel supporting structure, and means for moving said structure temporarily to engage said mandrel to support it against fiexure during bending of the blank and for retracting said structure before operation" upon the blank of said seamforming die structure.

25. A machine comprising a mandrel extending freely beyond a support for one end thereof and of such dimensions that fiexure thereof normally would occur during bending of a blank about it, a reciprocable blank-bending die having'a recess for embracing the mandrel, means for positioning a blank between said mandrel and said die, means for moving said die toward said mandrel to bend the positioned blank and for subsequently retracting the die, and means for precluding fiexure of the mandrel during the blank-bending operation comprising a member extending parallel with said mandrel and whose width is not greater than the ber toward and from said mandrel to effect support of the mandrel against fiexure during bending of the blank by said die, cam-controlled means for reciprocating said mandrel axially while said die and said member are retracted therefrom, and stop structure for restraining the bent blank during axial movement of the mandrel in one direction.

27. A tube-forming machine comprising a cylindrical mandrel extending freely from a support for one end thereof and of suchdimensions that fiexure thereof normally would occur during bending of a blank about it, a blank-bend ing die, means for moving said die toward said mandrel to bend the blank, the Wings of the bent blank extending beyond the mandrel, a pair of dies movable in a plane substantially tangent to a surface of said mandrel for bending the wings of the bent blank, a reciprocable member, and means for moving said member to engage the mandrel to support it against fiexure;during bending of the blank by said blank-bending die and for retracting said member before operation of said wing-bending dies.

28. A machine for forming tubes of small diameter from sheet metal blanks comprising a mandrel, a blank-bending die on one side of said mandrel, mechanism for feeding a blank between said die and said mandrel, means for moving said die toward one side of said mandrel to bend the blank substantially to U-shape about said mandrel and for thereafter withdrawing said die,

said mandrel having such small dimensions as .anism for moving said supporting structure toward and fromsaid mandrel and timed to bring said structure into position to support said mandrel against fiexure during and by the blankbending action of said die.,

29. A machine for making beaded tubular electrodes of small diameter comprising blank-cutting and beading dies, means for feeding strip metal stock to said dies, means for effecting operation of said dies to form severed beaded blanks, a mandrel, a blank-bending die, means for transferring beaded blanks in succession from said cutting and beading dies to position between said mandrel and said blank-bending die, means for actuating said blank-bending die to bend each blank in succession around one side of said mandrel substantially to U-shape, said mandrel having such small dimensions as materially ,to flex when unsupported under pressure thereon by said blank-bending die, means including said blank-bending die to bend each blank in succession around said mandrel to form a circumferentially beaded tube, and to form a lock-seam from unbeaded marginal portions of the blank, and to lock the seam, mandrel-supporting structure on the side of said mandrel opposite to aforesaid one side thereof, mechanism for moving said supporting structure toward said opposite side of said mandrel and timed to bring said structure into position to support said mandrel against flexure during and by the action of said blank-bending die in bending the blank to aforesaid U-shape, and means for sliding the circumferentially beaded tubes along said mandrel.

30. A machine for forming tubes of small diameter from sheet metal blanks comprising a mandrel, a. blank-bending die, means for moving said die toward said mandrel to bend a blank around one side thereof into substantially U- shape and forsubsequently retracting said die from said mandrel, .said mandrel having'such small dimensionsas materially to flex when unsupported under pressure thereon by said blankbending die, mandrel-supporting structure, and cam structure operating in timed relation to said die for moving said supporting structure temporarily into engagement with the side of said mandrel opposite to aforesaid side to support it against flexure during said bending. and for subsequently retracting said supporting structure from said mandrel.

ADOLF HASLAUER,