US2970500A - Forming machines - Google Patents

Description

FORMING MACHINES Filed sept. 1o, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 GERHARD H. APPEL BY @1MM ATTORNEYS Feb. 7, 1961 G. H. APPEL 2,970,500

FORMING MACHINES Filed Sept. l0, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 IFJ: E- E Y INVENTOR.

GERHARD H. APPEL BY wm Rm ATTORNEYS Feb. 7, 1961 G. H. APPEL FORMING MACHINES 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. l0, 1958 L E P P R. A mH. ED wm I H R E G S vu E N R ,0 T T A Feb. 7, 1961 G. H. APPEL 2,970,500

FORMING MACHINES Filed Sept. l0, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

GERHARD H. APPEL ATTORNEYS Feb. 7, 1961 G. H. APPEL 2,970,500

FORMING MACHINES Filed Sept. 10, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet l5 INV EN TOR.

@l l GERHARD H. APPEL Bywwgenzm ATTORNEYS Feb. 7, 1961 G. H. APPEL 2,970,500

FORMING MACHINES Filed Sept. 10, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR.

GERHARD H. APPEL ATTORNEYS Feb. 7, 1961 G. H. APPEL 2,970,500

' FORMING MACHINES Filed Sept. 10, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Y INVENTOR, GERHARD H. APPEL www www ATTORNEYS Feb. 7, 1961 G. H. APPEL 2,970,500

FORMING MACHINES Filed Sept. l0, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 m. l g 3g;

INVENTOR.

GERHARD H. APPEL www) @m ATTORNEYS United StaCS '.[atetni vC f' FORMING MACHINES Gerhard H. Appel, Belle River, ntario, Canada, assignor to Appel Process, Ltd., Gshawa, Ontario, Canada Filed Sept. 10, 1958, Ser. No. 760,268

8 Claims. (CI. 78-22) This application relates to forming machines and particularly to forming machines generally of the character disclosed in a prior application of mine, Ser. No. 450,500 of the United States, filed August 17, 1954, now abandoned whose disclosure is incorporated hereinto by reference.

One specific object of the present invention is to provide a forming machine generally according to the character disclosed in the said application but characterized by the fact thatthe dies and die axes are arranged between the radial axes of the die movers rather than along such radial axes whereby the force on each die is not merely the force of one die mover but rather is a resultant of the forces of two die movers between which is the die. Thus, each die mover engages two dies, and each die is engaged by two die movers. In this way, a greater degree of accuracy of movement of the die along a radial axis transverse to the workpiece feeding axis is assured because the `die is engaged by two die movers on opposite sides of the radial axis of the die itself.

Inasmuch as the die mover axes converge upon bevelled edges of the dies, towards the center, the two forces on a die from two die moversyconverge, and this results in the forces being towards each other, a desired result.

A further object is to provide a construction wherein the radial axis of the die is between and preferably midway between the radial axes of two die movers, with the further improvement and object being that each die mover engages parts of two different dies whereby the force from each die mover is distributed equally over two dies and whereby each die receives its force from two die movers. YA still further object of the present invention is' to provide in a machine of the general character disclosed in the said application, a construction wherein the dies are adjustable along the workpiece feeding axis whereby they may be adjusted to present different portions of their faces to the workpiece and to the die throat defined by the dies as the dies are adjusted along the workpiece feeding axis.

The dies are formed as rotors; they may be formed as rotary eccentrics with their throat defining workpiece engaging faces of varying contour, i.e., of varying distance from their axes of rotation, with respect to the workpiece feeding axis. Thus, these faces together define throats of varying form as the dies are rotated or adjusted along the workpiece feeding axis. In this way, by rotating or adjusting all the dies simultaneously and similarly, ,the throat forms may be varied and'thus the external contour of the workpiece being fed along the feeding axis may 1be` varied.

The dies could be formed as rotors with varying congurations such as for example, stepped surfaces, toproduce workpieces with diameters varying by steps.

The dies can be formed as concentric rotors rather are mounted to rotate about axes transverse to the radial 2,970,500 Patented Feb. 7, 19611 axis on which ,they move in their forming strokes and transverse to the workpiece axis. By rotation of the dies, these already being defined as rotary eccentrics, and as having working faces of varying contour, different forms of die throats are formed as the workpiece is fed along these feeding axes. 1

Each die is elongated, i.e., it is of such a length, meas ured along the workpiece axis, that it comprises many increments of work-engaging areas. Thus, by moving the die, different work-engaging areas may be successively presented to the work. With the die so constructed that the successively diiierent work-engaging area increments are of different distances from the workpiece axis, so adjusting or moving the die varies its effective distance, at given moments, from the workpiece axis. Since there are several such dies, so moving them simultaneously varies the throat diameter. To obtain such variation by so moving or adjusting the dies is one object of the present invention.

In the specific embodiment disclosed, the dies are formed as rotary eccentrics and adjustment is obtained 'by rotation of the dies simultaneously to present different portions of the die faces to the work.

For an understanding of the embodiment of the invention disclosed herein, and for a better understanding of the matter in which the foregoing and other inherent objects are attained, reference should be had to the appended drawings and to the following specification which relates to them.

In these drawings:

Fig. l (lA and 1B) is an end view, to reduced scale, showing a complete machine.

Fig. 2 illustrates the geometry of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a partial end view, with parts in section.

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a section View on line 5-5 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 6 is a section view on line 66 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a die and the means for rotating it.

Fig. 8 shows a modified form of die in side view.

Fig. 9 is a section on line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 1B shows a motor 1 which drives a ring gear 2 meshing with pinions 3 of four equally spaced eccentric shafts 8 (Fig. 1A) within eight eccentrics 9 of eight driver rods 10. These have cams 13 which operate, through eight rollers 11 and eight rollers 12 and fou'r backing plates 14 and eight adjustable arcuate wedges 1 6 in housing 17 on four intermediate blocks 20. These operate through eight rollers 21, on eight .inserts 22 seated in four rotary eccentric or spiral dies 23 arranged around the workpiece 24 whose axis is at 25.

Parts 11-22 comprise die movers whose axes of movement are shown at 26, there being eight such axes for the four dies 23. (See Fig. 2.)

Two types of motion must be given to each spiral die 23. The first is positioning this die, while it is retracted from axis 25, by incrementally rocking it clockwise Vor counterclockwise around axis 27 transverse of the workpiece axis 25. The second is to move it along axis 28 transverse of the axes 27 and 28 towards or away from the workpiece axis 25 in working strokes which take place between the rocking or positioning strokes of the die. f

Each of the four die axes 28 is midway between tw die mover axes 26.

The increments of rocking of the spiral die for positioning cumulate to about in the case of the die ,of Figs. 1-7, and up to 315 in the case of the die of Figs. 8-9 later to be explained. The total arc of rocking is indicated by the arcuate lines 29 shown twice on Fig. 5 and extending from position 1-1 to position 2-2.

The other motions of each die 23 are the forming strokes. These occur in ot-beat relation to the first or rocking strokes. The. forming strokes are only about three thousandths of an inch and are advances of the dies along axes 28 towards axis 2-5, in response to movements of the die mover parts along axes 26 in response to movementsA- of the drivers 10 along axes 60.

Die positioning parts A ring gear 39 (Fig. 5) of the machine, through gears 39a, rotates each of four shafts 40, each having a bevel gear 41 cooperating with a bevel gear 42 on the end of a: shaft 43. The parts thus rotate shafts 43 on axes 27. Each of these shafts carries and is connected to a rocker arm 44 (Fig. 7) connected by pins 49 to links 45 in turn connected to a block 47 integral with die 23. Each shaft 43 at its ends is journalled in stationary brackets 50 and the. latter supports the parts just mentioned.

Block 47 is shown as integral with die 23. It could be separate from it in which case it would be splined to die23; or it could be formed with external gear teeth meshingv with internal gear teeth on die 23.

The rocking. or positioning motion for each die 23, is only4 for incrementally rocking and thus positioning each of lthe dies 23, and the rocking strokes of dies 23 take place only between the working strokes of these dies and. is without load.

Working stroke partsv The working stroke is simply a matter of moving each spiral die 23, while it is at rest, about .003 inch along axis 28', in whatever position it has assumed and been given by the positioning parts 39--50- The driving force on each spiral die for a Working stroke is obtained from one eccentric shaft 8 along two driver axes 60, which are 90 apart, from two drivers 10 lacting through the cams 13, the rollers 12, the blocks 20, the rollers 21, and the inserts 22, which move on axes 26. Thus, each spiral die 23 while at rest is movedV by beingv subjected to the converging force of two drivers 10 operating on axes 60 from the same eccentric shaft S but not operating through the same set of cams and rollers (10-11'--1213-14-20-21-22), etc. Thus, each spiral die is operated upon by the parts (l-22) associated with one eccentric shaft but with two diierent sets of parts (l0- 22) at 90 to each other.

It is to be noted that the dies are constantly in contact with the work. The die travel is .003 inch radially on axes 28 and they can shift on their 45 axes 26 a maxitnum of about .0015 inch. This amount of shifting is tolerable in this machine.

An important feature of this machine is the fact that each die is subjected to compressive or converging forces at' 90, on axes 26, opposed to each other but directed towards each other and towards the workpiece axis. These forcesA come from the drivers and cams, etc. (I0- 22), and thus each die instead of being subjected to diverging forces which tend to spread it apart is subjected to converging forces. Hence, it is important to note that each die is subjected to converging forces 90 opposed but directed towards each other and the center of the die.

Inasmuch as there are four dies operated simultaneously, it becomes necessary` to provide for an adjustment for the die effects.

Thus, for example, if it turns out that one spiral` die 23 is slightly olf with respect to another die 23, instead of adjusting these two dies with respect to each other, itv is merely necessary to adjust the working parts (l1-22) for any one or more dies 23 and this adjustment is obtained by adjusting the curved wedges 16 as described more in detail in my prior patent application Ser. No. 604,372 of August 17, 1956. Thus, the operation of each die maybe adjusted by means of these adjusting wedges 16' by adjusting the eect of each die on the workpiece, not by adjusting the position of that die" itself` but by; adjustingA the position of thel working 4. parts (1122)' which" work on that die, andthe na'l effect is still obtained but without the necessity for touching the dies themselves.

Each insert 22, of which there are eight for the four spiral dies 23, is seated (Fig. 3) on an arcuate shoulder 51 of the spiral die 23, to form a bevelled edge for the die. However, the insert is only about as long as the roller 21, and this in turn is considerably shorter than the total arcuate length of the spiral die. The insert 22 has a shallow arcuate groove S2 which seats the roller 21. Thisroller rotates in such seat 52 on its own axis 53, a matter of a very few degrees or so, and only during the workingstroke ofthe parts. The roller 21 seats in the grooved seat S2 ofthe insert 22 which in turn seats on a shoulder 51l of-'the spiral diel 23, and there is relative rotary motion at 52 between the roller 21 and the insert 22 in the spiral die 23 under load, i.e., during the working stroke.

Theres, of course, considerableV relative motion along the surface 51 between thev spiral die 2.3i and" the insert 22 during the positioning strokes* of the spiral die, but this is not underload.

Such relative motion of insert 22 and die 23 occurs only during the positioning of the spiral die, for the insert 22 at all times remains. with the rollerV 21?, whereas the spiral die 23v moves relative to` inserti 22' in increments a total of 130, inthe case of the die of Figs. 1-7`.

Lost motion The spiral diesv 23' move during. the working: strokes while the positioningparts 39, 40, 41, 42, 44, etc., are at rest. Hence, lost motion' is' provided! between die 23 and the positioning parts to permit the required threethousandths or so inch travel of the spiral die 23 with respect to the then stationary bracket 50 and shaft 43 on axis 27, and this isl obtained bythe use of rubber bushings 71 (Fig. 5) around the pins 49 which con'- neet links-45 to rocker 44. These bushings 71, together with the elastic deformation of: thei links 45, rocker 44 and the joints provided by pins 49; will enable-the spiral die 23 to move three-thousandths of an inch or so with respect tothe shaft 43 and.l bracket 50' during the working stroke ofthe dies, as for example,.when the dies 23f' are moved by the inserts 22f responsive to the.v action on these inserts of the rollers 21.1, the intermediate' blocks 20, the rollers` 12, the cams 13, thel drivers 10, the eccentrcs19, andthe eccentricshafts 8;'

Figs. 8 9v show a die 123 formed to act. throughza.` distanceV of about 315 rather than 135", as in'theI case ofthedie of Figs. 1 7.

The die 123Y is formed: to rotate around axis 127 and is rotated by the following. parts. A ring gear 39 (not shown),.but correspondingto gear 39 ofv Figs. 5, 6 rotates a shaft 143-fxed toa cross 144' whose spokes1r45- are connected by pins 149 in rubber bushings 171 inside holesof-a ring 147 integral with die 123; Parts 12S-147 may be separately formedI and splined or gear meshed toV each other. Rotationof the four shafts. 143 simultaneously'causes. rotation andv adjustment of all four dies 123 for: varying the throat diameter.

Conclusion Now havingl described the machine herein disclosed, reference should be had to the following claims.

I` claim:

1. In a forming machine having means for feeding an elongated workpiece longitudinally alongA the workpiece axis; at least three dies spaced equally around and equally distant from the workpiece axis with each die having an inner face formed as the workingl face and having two angularly related outer facesy opposing the working face; with these outer faces of each die being at anglesV of not over to each other and with adjacent outer faces of adjacent dies being co-planar; the

dies being movable on radial die axes towards and away from the workpiece axes; die movers equal in number to the dies and outside of them and spaced equally around and equally distant from the workpiece axis but further away from the workpiece axis than the dies, and movable on radial die mover axes towards and away from the workpiece axis; the die axes being midway between the die mover axes and the die mover axes being midway between the die axes; each die mover being wide enough to straddle and simultaneously engage and move the coplanar adjacent outer faces of two adjacent dies; and each die being wide enough to straddle and be engaged by and moved simultaneously by two die movers on its two outer faces; and means for simultaneously moving all die movers and dies radially on their axes.

2. ln a forming machine having means for feeding a workpiece longitudinally along a workpiece axis; at least three dies spaced equally around and equally distant from the workpiece axis with each having an inner face formed as a working face; the several working faces defining a die throat; the dies being radially movable simultaneously under equal and simultaneously applied radial loads in working strokes on radial die axes towards and away from the workpiece axis; means for simultaneously moving and loading all dies radially inwardly and outwardly along the die axes in working strokes; with each die having its working face of varying contour measured radially from the workpiece axis and mounted to be oscillatable for adjustment along the workpiece axis to aline different portions of the working face of that die with the die axis of that die; and means for oscillating and thus adjusting all the dies along the workpiece axis simultaneously and equally to constrict or enlarge the die throat.

3. A construction according to claim 2 wherein each die is an eccentric segment and is mounted for adjustment to rotate around a die adjusting axis transverse of the die axis and of the workpiece axis and wherein the means for adjusting the dies comprises means for rotating the dies on their die adjusting axes.

4. A construction according to claim 1 wherein each die has its working face of varying contour measured radially from the workpiece axis and mounted to be oscillatable for adjustment along the workpiece axis to aline different portions of the working face of that die with the die axis of that die; and means for oscillating and thus adjusting all the dies along the workpiece axis simultaneously and equally to constrict or enlarge the die throat.

5. A forming machine having at least three dies arranged radially about a central axis, each die having two associated die mover means arranged radially around such central axis but arranged outwardly of the die, each die being out of radial alinement with the two associated die mover means but rather midway between them, with each die being engaged by two associated die mover means simultaneously; with each die mover means being arranged to engage parts of two dies; each die being adjustable along the central axis to present different portions of their faces to that axis, the dies having their axis facing faces of varying contour with respect to that axis and means for adjusting all the dies simultaneously and similarly; each die for adjustment being mounted to rotate around a die adjusting axis transverse of the central axis; the means for adjusting the dies comprising means for rotating the dies on these die adjusting axes of rotation; each die mover means engaging parts of two dies simultaneously; each die being a segment ot an eccentric having spokes meeting in a hub which mounts it for rotation and having two beveled edges each engaged by a die mover.

6. A forming machine having a central axis along which an elongated workpiece may be fed; four identical dies arranged in a working plane, which is normal to the central axis, and spaced equally around the axis and spaced equidistantly from the axis to form a die throat; each of the dies having an inner working face which denes a portion of the die throat and an outer face opposing the working face, the two side edges of each of the outer faces being bevelled at equal but opposite angles relative to that axis of the die which is radial to the central axis and the dies being movable towards and away from the central axis to thus constrict and enlarge the die throat; t'our identical die movers arranged in the plane of the dies and equally spaced around the central axis but located further from the central axis than are the dies, each die mover being movable only towards and away from the central axis along a die mover axis which is radial to the central axis and is located midway between the radial axes of two adjacent dies so that the axis of movement of each die mover is located between two radial die axes; each die mover having an inner end arranged in contact with two adjacent bevelled side edges of two adjacent dies so that each die mover contacts two separate dies and each die is contacted by two separate die movers, and means for simultaneously moving all the die movers along their respective axis of movement towards and away from the central axis for pushing the dies towards the central axis.

7. A construction as defined in claim 6 and Veach of the die working faces being elongated and identically curved in a plane containing the central axis, that is, in a plane which is normal to said working plane in which the dies are moved towards and away from the central axis, and means for simultaneously moving all the dies in a direction transverse to the working: plane for constricting and enlarging the die throat in addition to changes in the die throat due to movement of the dies under influence of the die movers.

8. A construction as defined in claim 6 and wherein each of the dies is elongated and is equally curved away from the central axis in the direction of the central axis and wherein the die movers engage that part of the die which is located in said working plane, :and means supporting and interconnecting the dies and for simultaneously and equally moving all the dies in the direction of the central axis when the die movers are moved away from the central axis for changing the part of the die working face which is in the working plane and which is engaged by the die movers; and lost motion means connecting the dies to the means for supporting and interconnecting the dies wherein the dies are normally held against movement in the direction of the central axis but are normally movable towards .and away from the central axis in a radial direction.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 234,931 Thompson Nov. 30, 1880 249,268 ThompsonV Nov. 8, 1881 570,816 Price Nov. 3, 1896 647,201 Rowley Apr. 10, 1900 773,197 Crawshaw Oct. 25, 1904 952,298 Berg Mar. 15, 1910 2,247,863 Tiedemann July 1, 1941 2,301,093 Tiedemann Nov. 3, 1942 2,863,342 Appel Dec. 9, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 724,515 France Jan. 29, 1932 49,937 France .Tune 6, 1939 721,769 Great Britain Jan. 12, 1955 3420lb Germany Mar. 22, 1956 934,137 Germany Sept. 9, 1954

Images