US3229493A - Method for rough forging annular workpieces - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 18, 1966 R. K. HILDEBRANDT ET AL 3,229,493

METHOD FOR ROUGH FORGING ANNULAR WORKPIECES Original Filed Jan. 30, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet l Fig.1

INVENTORS RAYMOND K. HILDEBRANDT WALLACE E. SHISSLER, JR.

OTTO HAMMON BERNARD J. KLAVERKAMP 8) ERIC MlCHELSON AGENT Jan. 18, 1966 K. ng- N ET AL 3,229,493

METHOD FOR ROUGH FORGING ANNULAR WORKPIECES Original Filed Jan. 50, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TORS RAYMOND K. HILDEBRANDT WALLACE E. SHISSLER, JR. OTTO HAMMON BERNARD J. KLAVERKAMP Ease wcunsou AGENT 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 1966 R. K. HILDEBRANDT ETAL METHOD FOR ROUGH FORGING ANNULAR WQRKPIECES Original Filed Jan. 30, 1962 w m H mm m BL V RES A O S L TmH K N SW J w M D KE R EH A NC N 0A R O E mmfi B RWO vm v ON kw I! I I! N N... k Wm lllflvxlltillia lati i M J m I an m m m Q Q -l; km lllj lllfi II: V H m X m liflfi If R M X x x N F 5n y Em MICHELSON AGENT United States Patent 3,229,493 METHOD FOR ROUGH FORGING ANNULAR WORKPIECES Raymond K. Hildebrandt and Wallace E. Shissler, In, Lewiston, Pa., Otto Hammon, Scotch Plains, N.J., and Bernard J. Klaverkamp, Wallingford, Pa., assignors to Baldwin Lima Hamilton Corporation, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Original application .l'an. 30, 1962, Ser. No. 169,839, now Patent No. 3,177,696, dated Apr. 13, 1965. Divided and this application Dec. 31, 1964, Ser. No. 427,204

2 Claims. (Cl. 72-377) The present application is a division of our copending application Serial No. 169,839, filed January 30, 1962, now US. Patent No. 3,177,696 issued April 13, 1965.

This invention relates to an improved method of forging large, heavy metal rings and the like, and more particularly to a novel method of rough forging large annular workpieces by means of progressive beaking and edging operations.

In the production of large ring-like members, a work blank is initially rough forged and is then finished by means of a rolling operation. Generally speaking, the rough forging operation includes a series of beaking and edging steps. In the beaking steps the wall of the annular workpiece is subjected to working forces which tend to reduce the thickness thereof in the radial direction, while in the edging steps the workpiece wall is subjected to working forces which tend to reduce the axial dimension thereof. The most common technique for carrying out the rough forging operation includes the use of a hammer which by successive blows is made to apply the desired radial and axial working forces to the work material. In this type of operation each work blank is usually manually manipulated with the result that a relatively large labor crew is required, and the size and/ or weight of the workpiece which may be accommodated is rather limited. Further, the manual work handling operations necessarily involved here are apt to be slow and this factor will limit the number of hot forming steps which may be appropriately performed in one heat.

The principal object of the instant invention is to provide an improved method for significantly increasing the speed, capacity and efficiency of a ring forging operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method for rough forging large annular work blanks, whereby the beaking and edging steps are performed in a novel manner.

Various other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become apparent as the de scription proceeds.

In the drawings which illustrate the invention by way of example.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are diagrammatic sketches indicating the nature of one form of the instant method;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational View in partial section and shows the construction of the instant ring forming press;

FIG. 4 is a plan view taken partly in section on line 4-4 of FIG. 3, but shown on a somewhat larger scale;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of a portion of the vertical ram retracting mechanism shown in FIG. 3.

One method according to the invention will be described in connection with the diagrammatic sketches of FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown, an annular work blank is supported in a horizontal position on its lower side by placing it on a horizontal table 11 that is rotatably mounted on the machine base 12, the weight of the blank being uniformly distributed over its lower axial and surface. The work blank is further radially supported by an axially movable mandrel 13. When thus supported,

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an arcuate portion 10a of the blank is subjected to a vertical edging force by the action of a ram 14, and a radial beaking force by the action of a ram 15. The application of beaking and edging forces may be in any desired sequence; for example, the beaking and edging forces may be applied alternately or simultaneously. Table 11 serves to rotate the work blank so that successive arcuate portions of the annular blank are progressively brought to and forged at the work station. Rams 14 and 15 are actuated each time another portion of the blank is in position to be formed and thus a series of successive forging forces are applied to the workpiece. The rotation or feeding movement of the blank is carried out in predetermined timed relation to the application of the beaking and edging forces and may be continuous or intermittent. As the annular blank or ring 10 is thus progressively rough forged, the ring walls are progressively reduced and squared up preparatory for the subsequent roll finishing operation; the beaking steps tending to reduce the wall thickness in the radial direction, and the edging steps tending to reduce the axial dimension of the blank.

Using the described technique, no manual manipulation of the work is required during forging and workpieces up to several feet in diameter and weighing several tons may be readily handled in an eflicient manner. Because of the inherent characteristics of the instant method, only a small labor crew will be required for a given work program and the controlled coordination between the feeding and working of the blank material will speed up the overall operations and will enable more steps to be performed in one heat, This latter factor is particularly significant when dealing with work alloys having a narrow permissible temperature range for forging operations.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the structural nature of a forging press for carrying out a method according to the invention will now be described, together with a somewhat modified form of the instant method. The press comprises a base 20 to which are secured a pair of main side frames 21 and 22, the upper portions of said side frames being mutually secured together by means of a bridge member 23. Rotatably mounted on the base 20 is a horizontally disposed work supporting table 24 having a tubular hub portion 25 that extends downwardly through an aperture in base 20 and has secured to the lower end thereof a worm wheel 26 that is adapted to be rotatably driven by a worm member 27. A bushing 28 is mounted in the upper portion of central opening 25a in table 24 and laterally supports and guides an axially movable, cylindrical mandrel 30, the table and mandrel having a common axis X-X. Mandrel 30 is adapted to extend upwardly from table 24 in cantilever fashion and is connected at its lower end to the operating element 31 of a hydraulic cylinder 32 so as to be power actuated between the operative upper, work supporting position shown in FIG. 3 and an inoperative retracted position wherein the upper end of the mandrel is flush with or below the upper surface of table 24. Guide bushing 28 may be replaced by other bushings of the same outer dimensions but of different internal diameters to accommodate mandrels of selected sizes.

A horizontally disposed beaking ram 33 is provided which extends axially through a suitable aperture in side frame 21 and is connected at its inner end to a cross head 34 supporting a forming tool 35, the work engaging surface of which is shown straight in FIGS. 3 and 4 but, if desired, may be concave as indicated in the diagrammatic FIG. 1. The other end of ram 33 is connected to the operating element 36 of a main horizontal fluidoperated, preferably hydraulic cylinder 37. Cylinder 37 is operatively secured to a stationary head 40 that is supported and fixedly mounted on the machine frame by means of a base extension 41, FIG. 3, and a pair of tie rods 42 and 43, FIG, 4. A pair of ram retracting hydraulic cylinders 44 and 45 mounted in head 40 serve to operate piston rods 46 and 47 which extend through suitable apertures in side frame 21 and operatively con nect the stationary head 40 and the movable cross head 34. As will be apparent, the horizontal beaking ram 33 and the tool 35 may be advanced through a forward working stroke by the main horizontal hydraulic cylinder 37 and may be retracted by the cylinders 44 and 45.

A vertically disposed edging ram 50, FIG. 3, the central axis of which coincides with the axis XX of table 24 and mandrel 30, is bifurcated at its lower portion in that two symmetrically arranged prongs 50a and FIGS. 3 and 4, extend downwardly toward table 24. It should be noted that the mechanism differs in this respect from that shown in the diagrammatic FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein the edging ram 14 is an undivided member extending along a vertical plane through the axis of the beaking ram and the axis XX, the arm 14 pointing downwardly toward that portion of the table which is disposed between the beaking tool and mandrel. As distinct therefrom, the prongs 50a, 50b are adapted to straddle mandrel 30 and extend along a vertical plane transverse to the vertical plane through the axis of beaking ram 33. Each of the prongs 56a, 50b is equipped at its lower end with a forming tool 51, one of which is shown in FIG. 3. The upper end of ram 50 is attached to a horizontal cross head 52 whose sides are slidably guided on the vertical ways 53 and 54 of the respective side frames 21 and 22. Cross head 52 is connected to the operating element 55 of a main vertical fluid-operated, preferably hydraulic cylinder 56, the latter being mounted in the bridge member 23 which is secured between the machine side frames 21, 22. AS the tools 51 are adapted to engage a work blank at oppositely disposed areas in a substantially balanced way, the forces applied to cross head 52 and operating element 55 will be generally balanced and the occurrence of unilateral eccentric forces will thus be minimized.

A pair of hydraulic return or retracting cylinders 60 and 61, are mounted on bridge member 23. Operable in each cylinder is a return ram 62 and each of these rams is secured to an auxiliary cross head 63 which through a pair of tie rods 64, 65, FIGS. 3 and 5, is connected to cross head 52; the tie rods extending through suitable apertures in bridge member 23. As will be apparent, the vertical edging ram 50 and its tools 51 may be advanced through a downward working stroke by the main vertical hydraulic cylinder 56 and may be retracted by the cylinders 69 and 61.

Integral with, or attached to the lower end of, cylinder 61 is an additional hydraulic cylinder 66 having a piston rod 67 connected to a horizontally disposed mandrel supporting arm or bar 70. The outer end of bar 70 is adapted to bear against side frame 22 and is slidably guided in ways 71, FIG. 4, formed on the inner surface of the side frame. The inner end of bar 70 has secured thereto an abutment block 72 that is contoured on its inner concave surface 73 so as to conform to the cylindrical shape of the upper, cantilever end of mandrel 30 and to engage and laterally support this end of the mandrel when the latter is in its upper operative position as shown in FIG. 3. To accommodate workpieces of greater or smaller thickness in the axial direction, the position of support bar 70 is adjustable by means of cylinder 66-. Abutment block 72 is interchangeable with other blocks, the concave surfaces 73 of which fit mandrels of selected diameters.

At the start of the operation of the press according to FIGS. 3 to 5, the beaking ram 33 and the edging ram 50 are retracted, mandrel 30 is withdrawn to its inoperative lower position, and the mandrel support arm or bar 70 is moved by means of cylinder 66 to a predetermined level such as shown in FIG. 3. The working area of the press is thus cleared for receiving a heavy blank indicated in phantom at 76 in FIG. 3, which is deposited on the rotatable work table 24 so as to surround the central aperture of guide bushing 28. The predetermined position of bar provides for ample space between the bar and blank 76 so that the latter may be moved freely during loading and subsequently the forged ring may readily be removed from the press. After loading, the mandrel is advanced or elevated to its operative FIG. 3 position where it is supported by block 72 and bar 7 0. Thereafter, the beaking and edging rams 33, 50 are either alternately or simultaneously advanced and retracted while the feeding or indexing table 24 is intermittently rotatably driven so as to thereby progressively free forge successive arcuate portions of the annular work blank. Edging forces are applied to oppositely disposed areas of the workpiece by means of the prongs 59a, 50b and tools 51 in a substantially balanced way. As pointed out in connection with the method according to FIGS. 1 and 2, the sequence of execution of beaking and edging strokes may be varied as desired and the slow rotary motion of table 24 caused by rotation of worm member 27 may be continuous, instead of intermittent, if preferred. When the diameter of the workpiece increases, it may partly be supported on the surface area 78 of base 20. Rolls (not shown) may be embedded in base 20 at 78 to reduce friction. After the entire periphery of the annular blank has been progressively free forged, rams 33 and 50 are retracted, as is the mandrel 30, whereafter the forged ring may be readily unloaded from the press and a new workpiece of similar initial size may be placed on table 24 preparatory to an other beaking and edging operation.

If the size of the next blank differs substantially from that of the preceding workpiece, the position of bar 70 is adjusted accordingly by means of cylinder 66. For example, the bar may be raised somewhat to facilitate the loading and unloading of a blank of greater thickness in the axial direction, or the bar may be lowered in the case of a blank of smaller axial thickness to limit the unsupported length of the mandrel while still providing ample space for handling the workpiece. Bushing 28, mandrel 30 and block 72 will be changed when required by the characteristics of the blanks to be treated.

While certain specific examples have been described and shown in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of forging an annular workpiece, comprising the steps of (a) placing said annular workpiece in a substantially horizontal position and supporting its lower side along a generally horizontal plane,

(b) progressively rotating the horizontally disposed workpiece,

(c) progressively edging successive sections of said workpiece by successively applying substantially balanced forging forces simultaneously to spaced portions of the upper side of the horizontally disposed workpiece, and

(d) progressively beaking successive sections of the workpiece by applying successive forging forces to radially outer surface portions of said workpiece while supporting radially inner surface portions thereof and continuing to support said lower side of the workpiece,

(e) the rotation of said workpiece being performed in timed relation to the application of said beaking and edging forces.

2. A method of rough forging a large annular workpiece, comprising the steps of (a) placing said workpiece in a generally horizontal position and supporting it in the axial direction at its lower side,

(b) laterally supporting the radially inner surface of an arcuate portion of said workpiece,

(c) applying a beaking force to the radially outer surface of said arcuate portion of the workpiece, whereby the radial dimension of the wall of said workpiece portion is decreased,

(d) applying substantially balanced edging forces to the upper side of the horizontally disposed workpiece simultaneously at opposite areas thereof, whereby the axial dimension of the wall of the workpiece is decreased in said areas,

(e) intermittently rotating said horizontally disposed workpiece, and

(f) repeating the application of said beaking and edging forces in timed relation to said intermittent rotation so that successive arcuate portions and areas of said annular workpiece will be progressively forged.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 186,999 2/1877 French 72-400 330,875 11/ 1885 Collins 72404 1,493,155 5/ 1924 Humrnel 72306 1,943,089 1/1934 Rosenberg 7227 CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner.

R. J. HERBST, Asst. Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No: 3,229,493 January 18, 1966 Raymond K Hildebrandt et al It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 1, lines 48 and 49, after "manner" insert as a new paragraph A further object of the invention is to provide an improved method for performing an edging operation at two opposite areas of a workpiece in a balanced manner. line 70, for and" read end Signed and sealed this 10th day of January 1967.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

Claims (1)

1. A METHOD OF FORGING AN ANNULAR WORKPIECE, COMPRISING THE STEPS OF (A) PLACING SAID ANNULAR WORKPIECE IN A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL POSITION AND SUPPORTING ITS LOWER SIDE ALONG A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL PLANE, (B) PROGRESSIVELY ROTATING THE HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED WORKPIECE, (C) PROGRESSIVELY EDGING SUCCESSIVE SECTIONS OF SAID WORKPIECE BY SUCCESSIVELY APPLYING SUBSTANTIALLY BALANCED FORGING FORCES SIMULTANEOUSLY TO SPACED PORTIONS OF THE UPPER SIDE OF THE HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED WORKPIEVE, AND

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