US2929281A - Machine and method for shaping articles - Google Patents

Description

March 22, 1960 V. A. ZAVERUHA MACHINE AND METHOD FOR SHAPING ARTICLES Filed Dec. 22, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 J 1 F n fly? I 22 i 2 1| I", E i 1.3a i3 18: 24 I 52 I y 33 A I I 801, 27a. 2 I l 28 26 Y A INVENTOR. My BY Victor" AZave/"uim V\ 29a a ATTOKNEYS March 22, 1960 v. A. ZAVERUHA 2,929,281

MACHINE AND METHOD FOR SHAPING ARTICLES Filed Dec. 22, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q L INVENTOR. 56am" A. Zaver'uiza ME Q ATTORNEYS March 22, 1960 v. A. ZAVERUHA MACHINE AND METHOD FOR SHAPING ARTICLES INVENTOR. ViciOfl A. Zaveruka 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 rlhlrlill .llllfi I II 1 J 727/ a. m Whig M2,

ATTOENEYS March 22, 1960 v. A. ZAVERUHA 2,929,281

MACHINE AND METHOD FOR SHAPING ARTICLES Filed Dec. 22, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVEN TOR.

Vic for A Z a verufia ATTOENE Y3 MACHINE AND METHGD FOR SHAPING ARTICLES Victor A. Zaveruita, Trumbull, Conn, assignor to The Coulter & McKenzie Machine (10., Inc, Bridgeport, Conn, a corporation of Connecticut Application December 22, 1954, Serial No. 476,833

4 Claims. (Ci. 80-19) This invention relates to an improved rolling machine for and method of shaping malleable or moldable materials into articles of manufacture. Although the invention is hereinafter described for the purposes of disclosure in connection with the manufacture of tapers for rod or bar ends and the like, it will be apparent that the invention is equally well adapted to the manufacture of other types of shapes and forms, particularly in the making of forged forms.

Heretofore, the shaping of a taper on workpieces, as for example rod or bar ends to be used in the manufacture of coil or flat springs and the like, was usually made by-a multiple pass principle common to conventional type taper rolls with side squeezing devices. .I-This prior method and means of tapering has certain disadvantages in that it is costly and time consuming because it requires the workpiece to be passed several times through the taper rolls until the desired taper is formed. The prior practice also required the operator after each pass through the taper rolls to place the workpiece being Worked between a side squeezing device in order to bring the sides which have been squeezed out during the tapering operation back to a squared parallel condition for the next pass, and in doing so, if the operator fails to properly locate the rod between the side squeezers, the tapered end of the workpiece would be irregularly shaped in that the sides would not be perpendicular to the tapered surface, thus spoiling the workpiece for subsequent operations.

Therefore, an object of this invention is to overcome the above disadvantages by providing a method and means whereby the forming operation on a workpiece is performed in a single pass to produce surfaces on the formed portion of the piece which are uniform, accurate and smooth, thus providing a better quality surface for the finished product.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and means having high productive capacity for producing predeterminately shaped articles from suitable stock materials in a continuous single shaping operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method and means for forming a workpiece into a desired shape by securing the workpiece in a contained die so as to be acted upon by a rolling die under proper pressure and temperature in such a manner that the desired shape thereof is formed by extruding and containing the flow of material of the workpiece so as to take the form of the contained die.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel contained die having an open position in which the work can be readily inserted and a closed or confining position in which the finished shape is accurately controlled.

Another object of the invention is to provide lubrica- 6 tion for the contained die for shaping the stock in order that theextrusion or flow of the workpiece is facilitated.

Another object of this invention is to provide a means for automatically measuring and predeterminately positioning the workpiece in the contained die and for auto- 2,929,281 Patented Mar. 22, 1960 matically actuating and controlling the cycling operation,

These objects are accomplished by positioningiaworkpiece or a portion thereof in an adjustable contained or vice-like die which has been previously lubricated. As the workpiece is inserted in the contained die it contacts an end gauge positioned adjacent thereto which accurately" measures and positions the length of the workpiece to be shaped in the contained die and which then actuates means to cause the workpiece to be positively gripped and secured by the walls of the contained die in predeter mined position therein. The walls of the contained die define the sides of the piece to be formed so that when it is acted upon by a suitable rolling die, the periphery of the rolling die causes the workpiece in the contained die to be shaped under proper pressure and temperature, so as to extrude or form the workpiece into the shape of the contained die in a single pass. Upon completion of this shaping operation the workpiece is automatically released from the contained die and removed. After removal, means are provided for automatically lubricat ing the contained die to render it ready for another operation.

A feature of the invention resides in the formation of tapered ends for springs or the like in which the tapered portions are uniform and have fiat, square, smooth end surfaces, thus providing a more desirable finished product. I Another feature of this invention is the'provisionfor means automatically lubricating the contained die in order to facilitate the flow of the material during the forming operation.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision of means on the contained die to prevent bending of the article as a portion thereof is being formed. p

Another feature of this invention resides in the formation of the contained die with. at least two spaced side walls having means for positively securing an article to be shaped between them during the shaping operation.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provi; sion of an end gauge which accurately measures and accurately positions the article or portions thereof to be shaped and which upon contact by the workpiece during positioning of the piece in the opened contained die actuated means for positively securing the piece'therein and for starting the shaping cycle.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provif sion of arranging the rolling and sliding contained dies for proper cooperation thereof so that proper register of shape and impression can be obtained Another feature of this invention resides in the provi sion of means for automatically releasing the shaped article from the contained die upon completion of the forming operation. j

Other features and advantages will be apparent from the specification and claims when considered with the drawings in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of the new and improved rolling machine. I F Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of ig. 4.

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view taken along line 3 3 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of the new and improved rolling machine having parts thereof broken away.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the contained die means taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a side view of a tapered rod end as'shaped; by the new and improved rolling machine.

Fig. 7 is a detail view of a modified rolling die. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of the hydraulic syste' showing partsthereof in section.

assess:

Although the invention herein disclosed is applicable for producing most any desired shape or form from suitable stock material, the illustrated form of the invention comprises an apparatus for producing a tapered end on a rod or the like which may be used to form a spring. As shown, the machine comprises a frame having a base 11 provided with a bed portion 12 and an upper frame portion 13 extending upwardly therefrom and mounted to one side of the bed portion. The upper frame portion 13 has a top member 14 mounted thereon so that a portion 14a thereof overlies the bed portion 12. A vertically extendingtie rod 15 passes through and secures the base 11, bed portion 12, upper frame 13 and top member 14 together,.thus forming a sturdy and rigid frame.

Supported on this frame structure 10 is a pair of aligned determinate periphery and the other a contained die 17 having a determinate shape therein for receiving a malleable stock material Wwhich is moldable so as to be shaped accordingly. The dies are so arranged that the shaping or forming operation occurs when the contained die 17 supporting the stock W and the rolling die 16 are moved relatively so as to be brought into cooperating relationship whereby the stock secured in the contained die is engaged by the rolling periphery of the rolling die to how the material of the stock into the fuller F of the contained die.

Although the forming operation may be accomplished by moving the rolling die relative to the stock supported in avfixed contained die or by moving both of the said dies relative to each other, the form of the illustrated embodiment utilizes a fixed rolling die 16 and a contained die 17 movable relatively thereto. While the rolling dies can be suitably geared to the travel of the sliding carrier so that the roll velocity at the face of the rolling dies equals the linear motion of the contained die to provide for the proper register of shape and impression between the rolling dies and the contained die, in the illustrated form of the invention,- the rolling die is freely rotatably mounted in a housing 18 fixed to the extended portion 14a of the top member and positioned to overlie the bed portion 12 of the frame. The housing 18 comprises a. channel-shaped member having a web portion 18a and a pair of dependingly spaced wall portions 18b and 180 for enclosing therebetween a rolling die.

While the housing 18 may be adapted to support any number of rolling dies, the illustrated embodiment shows the housing supporting three sleeve-type roller dies 16a, the number of rolling dies being variable depending upon the amount of reduction per roller which is desired. For best results it is also preferred that the rolling dies have a; width equaling that of the stock material upon which it operates.

If desired, the amount of reductionper roller may be controlled by pivotally mounting the housing 18 supporting. the rolling dies 16a to the top frame member. This is accomplished by providing a transversely extending bearing rod 19 between the top member and the housing adjacent one end thereof, as shown in Fig. 4, to form a pivot about which the housing 18 can be adjusted, and providing each end of the housing with a cut-out portion 18d having a pin 20 extending transversely thereof. An eye-bolt 21 engaging the pins 20 and extending upwardly therefrom secures the housing to the extending portion of the top frame member for adjustment thereon. A set screw 22 extending through the top member 14 rection by simply adjusting the eye-bolts 21 and set screw 22 accordingly.

If desired, the sleeve-type roller dies can be substituted by the rocker-type rolling dies illustrated in Fig. 7. As shown, the rocker-type die includes a triangular-shaped frame 80 and segmental arcular surface 81 which forms the die proper. If desired, the arcular die segment is secured to the frame 80 by means of bolts 82. Thus, the

engages the Web portion 18a to maintain the housing 18 rolling dies carried thereby can be adjustedin either di-- size and shape'of the arcular die portion can be easily changed or replaced as desired. 7 The rocker die is pivotally mounted in the die housing by a shaft projecting through opening 83 so that the rocker die oscillates and moves with the work as the workpiece traverses a path beneath the rocker die. The rocker die is provided with a projection 84 which is engaged by the end of the contained die as it moves relative to the rocker and causes the die segment 81 to move into contact with the work to fiow the material in the contained die upon continued relative momentum therebetween. Suitable means return therocker to starting position upon completion of the shaping stroke. 1 v

The bed portion 32 of the frame is provided with a substantially U-shaped channel forming a way 24. Slidably supported in the way is a movable carrier or carriage 25 having fixed thereto a die assembly 26 including the contained die 17 for containing a workpiece or stock of suitable material.

In order to prevent scrap or the like from fouling the carrier 25 in the way of the bed portion, the carrier has secured thereto an extension comprising an angle plate 27 and a substantially S-shaped plate 28 fixed to the front portion for protecting the way. The flange portions 27a and 28a of the respective plates overlie the longitudinal edges 24a of the Way as shown in Fig. 2, thus preventing any scrap from falling between the way and the carrier to hinder the movement thereof.

If desired, a stock or workpiece supporting member 29, as shown in Fig. 1, may be positioned between plates 21 and 28 to support that portion of the stock material which is not worked or shaped by the die members. This support member comprises a plate 29a having a troughshaped portion 2% extending adjacent the front of the contained die which aids in guiding and supporting the workpiece in the contained die. If desired, the support member may be adjustable by means of adjusting screw 30 extending through one of the plate members and a slotted opening 29c of the support member. The rear end of the support member 29' is adjustably supported by a transverse bar 31 fixed thereto which is positioned between a pair of adjustable screw members 32 as shown in Fig. 2. Thus it will be seen that the support member 29 facilitates the positioning of the workpiece in the contained die while at the same time supports that portion of the workpiece not being worked upon at the proper angle for forming the desired taper.

Although the die assembly fixed to the carrier may be formed as an integral unit having a determinate fuller for supporting and containing the flow of the workpiece, or may consist simply of a pair of relatively movable walls clamping therebetween the workpiece and arranged to traverse the workpiece between a pair of upper and lower rolling dies, the illustrated embodiment utilizes a die assembly 26, including the containing die, having a bottom 34 and cooperating side walls 35 and 36 for clamping and unclamping a workpiece therebetween and for'containing the flow of material to form a desired shape therebetw'een.

The contained die is arranged on the carrier so that the work-supporting portion thereof is aligned with the rolling dies so that as the carrier 25 moves from a starting position to traverse a single-pass shapin stroke, the work-supporting portion of the assembly 26 fixed to the carrier traverses a path. beneath the. rolling dies, 16' which engage the workpiece therein. and cooperate. therewith. for extruding or flowing the material of the workpiece aeeaaer into the determinate shape of the contained die. In the illustrated form, each rolling die 16a makes an increased reduction until, at the end of the stroke, a finished taper is obtained.

As shown in Fig. 5, the die assembly includes a housing 33 having a stepped recess 33a and 33b wherein one of the stepped portions 33a accommodates a contained die having cooperating or vise-like walls for securing therebetween various sizes of suitable stock material and which form a fuller having a determinate configuration for containing therein the flow of the material during the shaping operation, and the other portion 33b of the recess supporting the operating means for moving the walls of the contained die into clamping or unclamping position. Although it is understood that the contained dies may be formed of such elements as arenecessary for forming any fuller of determinate shape, the elements forming the contained die of the illustrated embodiment are arranged to form a fuller for shaping tapers having squared sides and ends.

As illustrated in Fig. 5, the contained die is formed of a bottom or base member 34 having a side wall member 35 mounted perpendicular thereto wherein both the side wall 35 and the base member 34 are secured to the hous ing by bolts 36. The portion 34a of the base adjacent the inner face of the side wall and extending longitudinally thereof is inclined to form the bottom wall of a fuller for tapering rod ends and the like. Spaced from the fixed wall and parallel thereto is a second wall member 36 slidably mounted on the base member and which is adapted to be moved toward and away from the fixed wall 35 to securely clamp therebetween a stock of material to be shaped and forming therewith a fuller of determinate configuration. In order to slide the movable Wall 36 transversely of the base member 34, an under portion of the movable wall is provided with an inclined cut-out section to accommodate the shaped portion of the base member, as the movable side wall 36 slides across the inclined portion 34a of the base. If desired the taper can be controlled by varying the inclination of the portion 34a of the base with respect to the rollers, either by employing. a substitute member 34 having a different angle or by shimming up the member 34 to vary the angular position thereof.

It will be noted that the relative movability of the side wall members of the contained die portion permit the accommodation of various sizes of material as well as for facilitating the positioning and removal of the stock material therein. The side walls further confine the flow of the material of the workpiece supported therein during the shaping operation, and automatically shape the sides of the piece as desired, thereby eliminating the need for side squeezing devices which were heretofore required.

Generally in a tapering operation wherein the workpiece requires that only a portion thereof be shaped, as for example the end portion of a rod or bar, the end portion is positioned and secured between the side walls of the contained die. The unworked portion of the workpiece extends outwardly therefrom and is subject to a bending action during the shaping operation. In order to prevent distortion of this part of the workpiece during a shaping operation, a side wall of the contained die is provided with a transversely projecting portion 37 which bears against that portion of the rod between the part being worked and the part extending beyond the die so as to prevent bending of the piece at this point. Although the projection may be positioned adjacent the front portion of either side wall member, it is preferred that the movable wall 36 be provided with such a projection so that it is moved with the movable wall into a retracted position when the die is opened, thereby facilitating the positioning and removal of the workpiece therein.

While the wall can be movedby various means, in the illustrated form of the invention the recessed portion 6 33b adjacent the movable wall 36 of the contained die is provided with means for moving the movable wall into clamping and unclamping position. As shown in Figs.

3 and 5, this means includes block members 38 secured to the movable side wall 36 by an L-shaped member 39 fixed to and supported on a shoulder 38a of the block members. A clearance 40 in the housing allows the block members 38 and the movable wall 36 fixed thereto to be moved transversely therein and the top plate 41 confines the movement of the blocks within the housing. As the blocks are so moved, the movable wall member 36 is displaced a corresponding amount transversely of the base member and into clamping or unclamping position relative to the fixed side wall 35.

The blocks 38 and the side wall member 36 fixed thereto are rendered movable by a cam bar 42 slidably supported on the shoulder portions 38b on the rear of the blocks 38. As shown in Fig. 5, the cam bar 42 is longitudinally positioned on blocks 38 and has the end portions thereof extending beyond the front and rear portions of the die housing 33. The bar is provided with a notched-out portion 43 for engaging the rear face 380 of the block, and both the rear face 380 of the block and the notched portions 43 of the cam bar are provided with a camming surface so that as the bar is reciprocated' in the housing, the camming surfaces 38c and 43a respectively, cooperate to move the blocks 38 and movable wall member 36 fixed thereto transversely of the housing into clamping position. While suitable mechanical or electrical means may be provided to actuate the cam bar 42, in the illustrated form of the invention the block moving means comprises a hydraulic cylinder 44 and piston rod 45 positioned on the bed adjacent the rear portion of the cam bar wherein the piston rod 45 acts upon the rear of the cam bar to give it the necessary forward movement required to cam the wall 36 into clamping position.

In order to properly locate the workpiece with respect to the dies, an end gauge 46 is located adjacent the rear portion and slightly above the contained die and is so arranged that as the workpiece is inserted between the open walls of the contained die, it strikes a gauging rod 47 on the end gauge which functions as a stop to properly position the required stock in the die. In the case of to be shaped will be uniformly maintained.

If desired, the gauging rod 47 may be adjustably mounted to vary the length of the workpiece to be shaped or to properly position the workpiece so that any portion thereof may be formed. It will be further noted that the gauging rod 47 by overlying a portion of the fuller formed by the side walls of the die, further controls the amount of die portion which is reserved to accommodate the flow of the material as it is extruded during the shaping operation.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the end gauge 46 is operatively associated with the means for moving the contained die walls into clamping position so that the work is clamped automatically when it is properly positioned in the die. This is accomplished by supporting the gauging rod 47 on a mounting member 48 which is pivotally mounted on the bed and is urged to normally forward position by a spring 49. Fixed to the lower.

cam bar 42 to close the movable wall 36 of the contained die upon the workpiece therein.

To protect the micro switch 50 from the severe impacts caused by the workpiece as it is rammed against the 'end gauge 46, a set screw 52, which acts as a shock absorber, projects through the flange member 49 as shown in Figs.

3 and 4 to take up substantially all of the impact shock Qf..the workpiece as it engages the gauging rod and the angled switch actuator 4% connected to the flange 49a is therefore displaced only an amount sufiicient to actuate the switch 50 to operate the wall closing piston 45.

Upon the clamping of the walls of the contained die upon the workpiece, the carrier 25 is moved forwardly along the way so that the workpiece is moved under the periphery of the rolling die 16, under proper temperature and pressure to produce the required flow of the material in the contained die to shape the piece.

W'nile'the carrier 25 may be forced down the way by either electrical or mechanical means, the illustrated embodiment provides that the carrier be hydraulically moved. For thispurpose a second hydraulic cylinder 53 having its piston rod 54 connected to the'carrier 25 is mounted on the bed adjacent the rear of the carrier. It is preferred that the second cylinder 53 be automatically operated to move down the way to form the shaping stroke upon the clamping of the workpiece in the contained die. This is accomplished by arranging the first and second hydraulic cylinders 4d and '3 respectively in a hydraulic circuit whereby the first cylinder requires a relatively low operating pressure to actuate the cambar 42 while the second cylinder53 requires a higher pressure which must be built up in the system after the clamping operation before moving the carrier forwardly for the shaping stroke, hence the operations of the cylinders are such that the walls of the contained die are first clamped upon the workpiece and thereafter the carrier is automatically moved forwardly in the way.

- A release means is positioned adjacent the front'of the 7 bed to engage the frontextending portion of the cam bar as the containing die approaches the end of the shaping stroke. Preferably this is in the form of a stop 55 located in the path of the cam bar so that the impact between the cam bar of the forwardly moving containing die assembly and the stop forces the cam bar rearwardly, thereby aligning the notches 43 of the cam bar with the rear faces 38c of the block. Springs 56 return the blocks 38 into seating arrangement with the notches 43 as shown in Fig. 3 causing the walls of the contained die to open. Thus, the formed workpiece can be readily removed from the die. 7

In order to return the carriage and the contained die to its normal starting position, a switch 57 positioned adjacent the forward end of the bed is automatically acuatcd to cause the movement of the piston 54 controlling the carrier torevers'e. The switch 57 is provided with a cam lever 58 and is positioned to be actuated by a cam shoe 59 carried beneath the contained die as the carrier reaches the end of the shaping stroke and the workpiece is released therefrom. Upon actuation of the switch 57 the valve 51 controlled thereby allows the fluid to flow to the rod end of the cylinder 53 and returns the carriage to its normal starting position. If desired, the cam shoe 59 may be rendered adjustable by slot 59a or pin 5% means as shown in Fig. 3.

To facilitatethe how of material in the contained die during the shaping operation, the fuller portion of the contained die may be lubricated. in the illustrated form or" the embodiment means are provided for automatically lubricating the contained die after each shaping operation.

- This is accomplished. by positioning a lubricating nozzle 613, connected to a suitable source of supply, not shown, on the bed adjacent the contained die means as shown in Fig. 4. A one-way valve 61 having a cam actuator 62 to control the flow of lubricant through the. nozzle 60 is located on the bed in line with the path of travel of the contained die so that as the contained die is moved forwardly during the shaping stroke, a cam shoe 63 secured to the contained die rides over the lubricating valve actuator 62 without causing the valve to open, while on the return stroke of the carriage and die, the cam shoe 63 engages the valve actuator 62 to open the valve 61 permitting the nozzle 6%) to deliver a lubricant to the dial The timing of the valve actuation is such that the valve 61 is opened just as the rear edge of the die passes beneath the nozzle 6 so that the entire fuller is lubricated as the die passes by the nozzle. Thus, it will be noted that as soon as the die has returned to its normal starting position, the die has been automatically lubricated and is readied for a subsequent operation.

It is to be understood that the apparatus of the present invention may be used to work either hot or cold material, depending upon the characteristics of the material being formed or shaped and the type of work to be accomplished.

The hydraulic circuit for operating the illustrated apparatus is schematically illustrated in Fig. 8. As shown, the circuit includes a source of supply 90, a pump 91, a clamping cylinder 44, and a stroke cylinder 53. Also included in the circuit are solenoid control 4-way valve 51, a pressure control valve 92, a 4-way valve 93, a shut-oif valve 94, check valves 95 and 6, pressure gauge 97, and the like.

he openation of the circuit is as follows:

As the operator inserts a stock material between the walls of the open die 17, the workpiece contacts the end gauge 46 which actuates a micro switch 50. Upon the actuation of the micro switch 50, the solenoid valve 51 is energized, permitting the hydraulic fluid to flow through conduit 100 to enter the head end of the clamping cylinder 44, thereby advancing the piston 45 forwardly to actuate the cam bar 42 for clamping the walls of the contained die 17 on the workpiece. As the piston 45 approaches the end of its working stroke, the

pressure builds up to about 800 p.s.i. at which time the fluid backs up through conduit 100a and through a pres sure control valve'92 which sequencesat 800 p.s.i. through conduit 101 to shift the spool 93a of the pilot-operated four-way valve 93 allowing the fluid to enter the head end of the stroke cylinder 53 through conduit 102. This forces the piston rod 54 outwardly and causes the car riage 25 carrying the contained die to traverse a path under the squeezing rollers. The carriage, in nearing the end of its stroke, allows the cam bar 42 of the contained die to strike a stop member to unclamp the workpiece from the die. In the last inch of travel the carriage momentarily energizes a switch 57 to reverse the position of the spool 51a of the solenoid-controlled four-way valve 51. This allows the fluid to enter the rod end of Also, this allows fluid pressure to follow conduit 104 to simultaneousiy shift the position of the spool 93a in the main fourway valve 93 to the original position to supply pressure through conduit 195 to the rod end of the main cylinder which returns the carriage and piston 54 to starting position and the system is readied for another cycle.

If desired, a psi. check valve 96 and a 5 p.s.i. check valve are positioned in the system to render the small cylinder available of 75 psi. for pilot operation at any time the system is unloaded.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that this invention not only discloses a novel apparatus which is capable of a highly productive capacity for quickly and accurately producing determinately shaped articles having a better quality than heretofore realized, but also provides a novel method by which this end result is achieved.

More specifically, this novel method includes the steps of preparing the stock material, heating it, if such mate- After the workpiece is secured in the;

lubricated die member, the die containing the workpiece is brought into cooperating relationship with a rolling die wherein the latter acts upon the workpiece under proper pressure and temperature to cause the material of the workpiece to flow in the die into the determined shape conforming to that of the contained die. This shaping operation is accomplished in a single pass without any side squeezing operation, and in such a manner that the workpiece is not misshapened during the shaping operation, thereby rendering the method highly efficient. Upon completing of the shaping operation, the finished or formed article is removed from the contained die, which die is then relubricated and readied to receive another article to be formed.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

1. A machine for tapering rod ends in a single pass comprising a frame, a contained die slidably mounted on said frame and having at least two spaced walls, one of said walls being fixed and the other movable relative thereto for clamping varying size rod ends therebetween and for forming a fuller for receiving a rod end, wall closing means to move said walls into clamping position to secure a rod end against relative movement therebetween, a rolling die fixed on said frame to cooperate with said contained die, a gauge means positioned adjacent said contained die for accurately measuring and properly positioning a rod end by contact therewith in the contained die and a hydraulic circuit including sequence valves, a clamping cylinder and a stroke cylinder, said gauge means being operatively connected with said hydraulic circuit to actuate said circuit as the rod end contacts said gauge means during the positioning of the rod in the contained die for sequential operation of the clamping cylinder for actuating the wall closing means into clamping position and then actuating the stroke cylinder to move the contained die into cooperating relationship with the rolling die.

2. A machine for tapering rod ends in a single pass as in claim 1, wherein said wall closing means includes a cam bar mounted for reciprocation in said contained die and adapted to be shifted into wall closing position by said clamping cylinder, and in which a release means is mounted on said frame in the path of said slidable contained die for engaging said cam bar and shifting the same from wall closing position after said contained die has been moved into cooperating relationship with said rolling die. 1

3. A machine for tapering rod ends in a single pass as in claim 1, wherein said wall closing means includes a cam bar mounted for reciprocation in said contained die and adapted to be shifted into wall closing position by said clamping cylinder, and in whicha release means is mounted on said frame in the path of said slidable contained die for engaging said cam bar and shifting the same from wall closing position after said contained die has been moved into cooperating relationship with said rolling die, and further means mounted on said frame for operating said clamping cylinder to enable said cam bar to be shifted by said release means.

4. A machine for tapering rod ends in a single pass' as in claim 1, in which switch means are mounted on said frame in the path of said slidable contained die to be actuated thereby to cause said stroke cylinder to reverse so that said contained die is moved out of cooperating relationship with said rolling die.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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