US2867949A - Process and apparatus for finishing metal and products resulting therefrom - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 13, 1959 H. A. MEYER 2,367,949

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR FINISHING METAL AND PRODUCTS RESULTING THEREFROM Filed Aug. 10, 955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 m /2 4f /4 fi A f A w r A f PM Z0 22:: zfia a 23 IN VEN TOR.

A Z/VXY A. MEYER Jan. 13, 1959 A. MEYER 2,867,949

. H. PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR FINISHING METAL AND PRODUCTS RESULTING THEREFROM Filed Aug. 10, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 fig. 2

INVENTOR. fi E/VAX A, MEYER Jan File

6. Aug. 10, 1955 IN V EN TOR.

770/Q/VE Y 1959 H. A. MEYER 2,867,949

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR FINISHING METAL AND PRODUCTS RESULTING THEREFROM Filed Aug. 10, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVEN TOR. flE/VKY 6, MEXEQ PROCESS AND APPARATUS FQR FINISHING AND PR UDUCTS RESULTWG HERE- This invention relatesto the art of metal Working, and more particularly to a process and apparatus for the treating and finishing of metal rod or wire.

U d States atom;

One object of this invention is to provide a process A and apparatus of the above nature for producing a highly polished smooth finish on the surface of rod, wire, pipe,

wire, which can be readily adjusted to stock of widely varying diameters.

Still another object is to provide apparatus which is adaptable for use with metal rods or wire which may be furnished either in the form of coils or in straight lengths of stock.

Still another object is to provide apparatus which is capable of drawing scouring, scoring, polishing, or burnishing continuous lengths of metal rod or wire.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide means whereby metal rod or wire may be provided with a highly polished cylindrical surface finish wherein the diameter of the finished product may be controlled within extremely close limits.

Still another object is to provide a process and apparatus whereby long lengths of metal stock having irregular variable cross-sectional and axial dimensions may be continuously treated to provide the stock with a uniform cylindrical surface.

Still another object is to provide apparatus capable of continuously treating the surface of metal rod or wire stock with abrasive material in the form of a strip or web, whereby successive portions of the surface of the stock will be treated by unused portions of abrasive material.

Still another object is to provide apparatus employing abrasive strip material formed in a roll wherein successive portions of said strip may be unrolled and brought into contact with said stock, said contact being maintained continuously around said stock.

Yet another object is to provide apparatus capable of supporting an unwinding and taking up roll of abrasive strip material for continuous movement in a rotary path surrounding a length of stock to be abraded by said strip.

A still further object is to provide apparatus capable of supporting a pair of strips of abrasive material in roll form for continuous rotary movement in a circular path surrounding a length of stock the surface of which is to be abraded by said abrasive strip, and wherein successivc portions of unused strip material are brought into contact with the surface of the stock'during said rotary movement, said apparatus including means to hold the ice 2 abrasive strips in contact withopposite sides of the stock under tension.

Yet another object is to provide a process and apparatus whereby surface imperfections in metal rod or Wire may be removed mechanically by scoring and burnishing the cylindrical face thereof.

A still further object is to provide a new and novel article of commerce comprising metal rod or wire having a distinctive surface finish.

A still further object is to provide a device of the above nature which will be relatively simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, easy to install and manipulate, compact, ornamental in appearance, and very eificient and durable in use.

Since the beginning of the eighteenth century, when continuous rod rolling mills of various types were developed, very little improvement, basically speaking, has been made in the art of making metal rods, and hot rolling is still today a necessary preliminary step in the comscale comprises three more or less distinct concentric layers, the outer-most layer (which is the thickest and most brittle) being composed of ferric oxide (Fe O while the innermost layer generally comprises ferrous oxide (E30), and the intermediate layer being composed of ferric-ferrous oxide (R2 0 outermost layer of scale may be removed by a simple mechanical process ofsubjecting the rodto a bending and twisting operation, which may be accomplished by drawing such rod in a zigzag path formed by a series of concave or V-shaped rollers which are arranged in an alternately offset relation to each other.

Some of the intermediate layers of scale is also removed during this operation, and this is generally considered to be the cause of spotted rod, after the process of pickling has been completed. .The pickling process generally comprises treatment of the rod with a chemical solution which dissolves the remaining innermost layer of scale. However, a great deal of difficulty may be experienced in the pickling process because of the fact that various alloys and mixtures react differently with any given solution, and" because of the fact that as increasing amounts of scale are dissolved in the solution, the latter may become weakened, resulting in non-uniformity of the rod surface.

A further step after pickling is also considered necessary in the presentday practice of preparing rod for in general, these imperfections will not be removed when the rod is drawn through the usual drawing die which effects a substantial reduction in diameter. On the contrary, such a drawing operation will merely serve to elongate a cavity on the surface, and force deeper into the interior any imperfection lying below the surface. Attempts have been made in the past to remove such surface imperfections by abrading the surface with Patented Jan. 13, 195% In general, the

action, and without scraping away the metal.

I have therefore found it advantageous to employ a relatively long strip of flexible material, the surface of which is coated with abrasive grit.

Means have also been provided whereby this strip of of the strip as a whole, so that succeeding lengths of the rod will be actedupon by fresh particles of abrasive grit. i i

, The importance of this invention lies in the fact that the surface of the rod may becut or scored by a multiplicity of minute but sharply.definedgrooves which may be controlled to follow a-helical pattern'along the length of the rod. Furthermore, since the individual grooves are thus sharply defined, it is-thereafter possible to pass the'rod through a 'burnishing die, which, while not substantially'reducing the diameter of the rod will 'be effective to cause the surface metal between these grooves to flow, whereupon the grooves will be filled in, and a highly polished surface will result. Furthermore, due .to the :fact thatonly the surface material is afiected, .there is only a .slight reduction in the cross-sectional area. Moreover, imperfections which have not been removed by the abrasive material, or those .imperfectionswhich lie just below the surface, will not be forcedtoward the interior of the rod.

While the above statements briefly describe the features of the present invention, it should be understood that in actual practice, a number of variations of the basic principles thereof may be employed, which will be explained later in detail.

With these and other objects in view,there .has been illustrated on the accompanying drawing one form in which the invention may conveniently be embodied in practice.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 represents a diagrammatic view of an arrangement of apparatus suitable for performing the process embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in cross-section of one form of rotary abradinghead, employed in the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a front view of the Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the same.

apparatus shown Fig. 5 is a rear view of the same, taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the feeding mechanism shown on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 66 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view, showing the presser plate mechanism, taken on theline 7-7 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a cross-section of the presser plate, on a greatly enlarged scale.

In thepractice of the present invention, it has been l0 Referring now to the drawings in which like reference discovered that an entirely new result can be achieved numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the in the treatment of metal rod, when successive portions several views, the numeral 10 indicates a unit for feedof the surface of the rod are brought in contact with ing reel and straightening materialsuchas wire or rod fresh abrasive material which has not been previously stock. The numeral 11 indicates generally a first scorused. Such acondition cannot be fulfilled by the usual 15 ing and burnishing unit, and additional scoring and il ding wheel or a conv'entional endless belt, since burnishing units are indicated generally by the numerals shortly after such abrasive ,means have first come in 12 and 13. A take up unit is indicated by the numeral contact with thegstock to beabraded, the spaces between 14, and a control unit is indicated at 15. individualparticles .of ,grit become filled withparticles In the normal operation of this process, wire or red of metal, which. have alreadybeen removed. Further- 39 stock 16 will be supplied in the forinof a coil .on a more, the individual particles of grit themselves lose standard wire ,reel 17. It should be understood that the their sharp edges and become partially dulled, with the practice of this inventionis not limited to the use of result that these abrasive particles no longer cut unirod stock which has previously been subjected to descalformly into the surface of the metal with a scoring action, ing treatment, but that it is possible to provide a high buttend to merely rub over the surface with a polishing polish on so-called green rod which has not undergone treatment for descaling or .degreasing. In the usual case, where the rod has first been descaled, the rod stock 16 firstpasses through a conventional ring guide'18 which assists in straightening and steadying it in its further passage through the apparatus.

The rod 16 then ispulled through a standard drawing die 19 of circular cross-section which reducesthe rod to the desired-diameter, after which the rod passes through the first scoring and burnishing unit which comprises a series of planetary abrading heads, 2%, v21, 22 and 23, followed by a passage through a jburnishing die 24.

Thereafter, the rod may go through asecond scoring and 'burnishing unit, comprising planetary abrading heads 29a, 21a, 22a and 23a, followed by passage through a burnishing die 2 5a, and a further passage through a third successive unit including planetary-abrading heads 2%, 21b, 22b, 23b, 24b, followed by passage througha final burnishing die 24-12 as may-be desired,

However, in the case of processing green rod, the stock may be first passed through a series-of 'abrading heads, such as 2%, 21, 22 and 23 without first-being subjected to a drawing operation,.the'succeeding steps being similar to'those just described.

. Each of the abrading heads 20, 21, 22, 23 which comprise the first scoring unit, as well as the abrading heads comprising the successive scoring units are substantially identical in construction.

A rotatable disk shaped member 25 isconcentrically fixed to one endofahollow shaft 26 which is supported for rotation about a horizontal axis by a pair of journal members 27, 28 which are supported on a pair of cross members 29 .and 30, respectively, of a frame work 31.

The shaft 26 and the disk shaped member 25 may be driven by any suitable means, such as an electric motor 32, connected by V-belts to the pulley 34. Extending forwardly from the frontface of the disk member 25 are a pair of spindles positioned diametrically across from each other, and equidistant from the central rotating axis of said member 25.

Each of the spindles 35 serves to support a flanged feed spool 36 containing arch of unused abrasive tape 37. Provision is also made. of a pair. of flanged takeup spools 38 upon which the abrasivetape is wound as it is used. These spools 38. are mounted .on shafts 39 which are journaled in the disk-shaped member 25 so as to project therethrough and extend outwardly from the rear face thereof.

The shafts39 arealso positioned so as to be diametrically opposite from each other and equidistant from the central axis of the disk member 25.

unused tape, and the take-up spools 38 upon which the abrasive tape is gradually vound during the course of operation of the machine, will counterbalance each other, so that while there will be a change in the distribution of the weight of the tape as it accumulates on the take-up spools 38, nevertheless the distribution of this weight will always be symmetrical with respect to the rotating axis of the disk member 25.

"Movement of each of the abrasive tapes 37 from the feed spools 36 to the take-up spools 38 is accomplished by means of a pair of driving rolls 40 (Fig. 3) which are rotatably journaled on shafts 41 mounted in the disk shaped member 25 and projecting outwardly from the back thereof.

The cylindrical surface of the driving rolls 4d should be such as to establish frictional contact with the tapes 37, and such contact may be maintained by means of guide rollers or idlers 42 and 43. Adjustable mounting plates for such guide rollers are provided, said guide plates having pivotal connection with the disk-shaped member 25, at 4-4 and 45, respectively, at one end, and

having a slotted opening at their other end to receive mounting screws 46 and 4 7 respectively. This construction will permit adjustment of the guide rollers 42 and 43 with respect to the driving roll 40 by a limited movement of said guide rollers about their respective axis 44 and 45 so as to regulate the frictional engagement between the driving roll 4% and the abrasive tape 37.

A pair of slotted guides 48 are also provided, adjacent to and at opposite sides of a central opening 49 in the disk member 25, through which opening, a wire or rod 16 is moved so as to pass between the two abrasive tapes 37, during the operation of the machine.

A pair of presser blocks 50 are provided to bear against the back of the tapes 37 to hold them in engagement with the wire or rod 16. These presser blocks are pivotally connected, as at 51, to a pair of bell crank levers 52 which in turn are pivotally mounted at $3 on a pair of adjustable mounting blocks 54 (Figs. 2, 3). The mounting blocks 54 are attached to the disk-shaped member 25 by means of screws 55, slots 55a are provided in the mounting blocks 54 through which the screws 55 pass, so as to permit the adjustment of the position of the mounting blocks 54 with respect to the central opening 49 whereby the distance between the presser blocks 50 may be varied in accordance with the size of the material being handled by the machine.

The bell crank levers 52 extend rearwardly through openings 5s provided in the disk member 25 and are provided at their extremities with cam-engaging rollers 57, disposed adjacent the inclined surfaces 58 of a cam member 59, which is axially movable on the shaft 26, coil springs 60 are connected to the crank levers 62 to hold the presser blocks 56) in their retracted position. Means is also provided for maintaining relative alignment between the inclined faces 5% and the rollers 57 during rotation of the disk member 25, which includes a pair of indexing pins 61, 62, which project forwardly for slidable engagement in suitable openings 63, 6 provided in a block member 65 attached to the rear face of the disk 25.

The forward end of one of the indexing pins 61 is provided with an inclined face 66. Projecting through an opening 67, disposed in the member 65 at right angles to and intersecting the opening 63, is a pin 68, one end of which is thereby placed in camming engagement with the inclined surface 66. The pin 68 is threadedly connected to one end of the slide 69 which is received in the guide members 70. The other end of the slide 69 is provided with a pivotally connected pawl 71, which is urged by the spring member 72 into engagement with the teeth of .a circular ratchet member 73 attached to one of the shafts 41. The arrangement of the teeth on the ratchet 73 6- is such that rotation of the shaft 41 will take place only when the slide 69 is moved inwardly toward the central axis of the disk member 2? under the influence of the spring member 74. Motion thus transmitted to one of the shafts 41 is also transmitted to the other shaft 41 by means of the chain 75 which is in engagement with the identical sprockets '76 attached to each of these shafts. The chain 75 also passes over a pair of idler sprockets '77 so as to keep it clear of the mechanism disposed at the center of the disk 25. Shafts 41 are also provided with pulleys 78, each of which drives a pulley 79 attached to the takeup shafts 39 by means of the frictional belt dtl. It will thus be seen that rotation of one of the shafts 41 will result in an identical amount of rotation of the other shaft 41 through the chain 75, while at the same time, the connection between pulleys 78 and 79 through friction belt 80 will also tend to rotate the shafts 39. However, the relationship between the pulleys 78 and 79 should be such that the movement imparted to the takeup reels 38 will always be suflicient to take up the slack in the abrasive tape 37.

As previously mentioned the cam-member 59 is axially movable on the shaft 26. This movement may be controlled by a pair of air cylinders til mounted on the cross member 29, and having compressed air connections 82, 83 at their respective opposite ends. The pistons of the cylinders 81 are connected to a cross bar 84, which in turn is connected to the cam member 59 by means of a thrust bearing 85 and an interlocking circular flange means 86, whereby movement of the cam member 59 in both directions is under the positive control of the cross bar 34. j

In Fig. 8 there is shown a detailed cross-sectional view of the construction of the presser blocks 5t The main body portion 87 is preferably formed of metal, whereas the working faces 83 will be formed preferably of some resilient material such as neoprene, or the like. A central longitudinally-extending portion 89 is formed with a generally cylindrical profile, and extending along the middle of this central portion there is provided a generally V- shaped longitudinally-extending recess 9% Oneither side of the central portion 89 are wing portions 91, said wing portions being outwardly and forwardly inclined, so that when the presser blocks 56 move toward each other, the initial contact between the blocks will take place at the extremity of the wing portions 91. Due to the fact that the working faces 88 are made of yieldable material, further inward movement of the presser blocks 50 will be possible, which will consequently result in an outward displacement of the extremities of the working faces 88 away from the central portion, the extent of this lateral displacement being dependent upon the force which is exerted upon the presser blocks 50. This outward displacement will also be aided by the fact that the effects of the longitudinally extending grooves 90 is to separate each of the wing portions 2 1 into substantially independent elements. It should be apparent therefore, that when the presser blocks 5'0 are moved toward each other into engagement with the abrasive tapes 37, disposed on opposite sides of the rod 16, that continued inward pressure exerted upon the presser blocks, and a lateral displacement of the working faces 88 will tend to place the abrasive tapes under tension which will insure effective engagement between the tape and the surface of the stock.

In Fig. 1 there is shown diagrammatically one arrangement whereby a control unit, indicated generally at 15, may be employed to control a plurality of abrading heads embodying the present invention. In this arrangement four double-acting air valves 92, 93, 94, 35 are connected to a common source of air under pressure 96. The valve 92 is connected by a suitable conduit means to the air cylinders 81 of the abrading heads 26 249a and 20b, respectively, comprising the first operative element of the scoring and burnishing units 11, 12, and Similarly, the valve 93 is connected by a conduit means 98 to the cylinderslll of abrading heads 21, 2 1a, and 211: comprising the second operative unit of the respective-scoring and burnishing units ll, 12, and 1-3. In a similar manner, the double-acting valves 94, d5 are connected by conduit means 99 and 1dr": respectively, to the air cylinders 81 of abrading'heads 22, 22a, and 22b in the one case, and in the other case, to the cylinders 81 of abrading heads 23, 23a, and 23b, respectively.

The valves 92, 93, and QSare of conventional construction having slidable pistons Nil, 192, ms, ass, respectively which are 'rnovable selectively into one or the other of two positions in order to connect the source of air pressure 96 to one or the other ofthe air'connections 82 and 33 of the cylinders .81. In order to provide for sequential operation of the valves 92, 93, 3d, and 95, they maybe conveniently arranged about a common operating member 3 35, which member may be continuously or intermittently rotated by means not shown, such as bya synchronous electric motor, or the equivalent. At one point on the cylindrical periphery of the operating member NS there is provided an inwardly directed arouate recess tea. The respectivepistons 101, 102, 103 and litl may be appropriately spring biased so that they bear against the peripheral surface of the operating member 1435 at all times during its rotation. Furthermore, the connections to the valves 2, 93, 94, and 95 may be arranged so that as long as their respective pistons bear against the cylindrical surface of the operating member res, air from the source 96 will be connected with the respective air connection 93 of each of the respective abrading heads which these valves control. However, as each of the pistons becomes engaged with the arcuate portion 1-06 of the operating member the piston will be urged radially inwardly toward the axis of the member 105, in which position the particular valve affected will disconnect the source of air 96 from the connection 83 and transfer it to the connection 82 of the particular group of abrading heads which that valve controls. It will therefore be observed that during rotation of the member ".35 and as long as each of the pistons 101, 102, 103, and are in engagement with the cylindrical surface of the operating member M5, a connection will be established between the source of air 96 and the air connection 33 of all of the abrading heads and that under such conditions the respective cam member 59 of each head will be disposed in its forward position, and that as each of'lhe pistons comes to dwell on the arcuate portion 1% a connection will be established between the source of air 96 and the connection 82 leading to only one of the. abrading heads of the four which comprise each of the scoring and burnishing units 11, 12 and 13. Therefore, while the cam member 59 of the abrading heads so affected wih thereby be reaiwvardly displaced the remainder of the members 5%. on the other abrading heads will remain in their forward position.

OPERATION The practice of the present invention may be readily understood after the description of the operation of one of the abrading heads has first been given.

To begin with, the abrasive strip or tape 37 is a materialwhich is in common use today-and is prepared in the'f-orm of a long roll or coil.

Before commencing use of the apparatus a fully wound roll of unused abrasive strip shouldbe placed on each of the-unwinding spindles 35. It is important that both of these'rolls contain strips of approximately equal length, so that they will counterbalance-each other during rotation. Each of the strips is then carried over the adjacent guide roller 42., thence through the slotted guides 48 and around the guide roller 43, and finally the ends of the tape will be attached to the hub of take-up spools '38. Each of the guide rollers 42 and 43 may then be shifted by rotation about their respective axes-Maud 45, so as to hold the respective tapes 3'7 in frictional contact with 8 the driving rolls 40. These adjustments having been made, the guide rollers 42 and 43 can be heldin position by tightening the respective screws 46- and-47.

Air under pressure will then be admitted to the pistons 81 through the air connection 82 so as to position the cam member 59 in its rearward position, causing the presser blocks 50 to be retracted by the spring members 60.

The material 16 to be finished will then be introduced through the center of the hollow shaft 26 so as to' project through the opening 49 in the disk 25 and pass forwardly thereof between the abrasive strips 37.

The next step is to determine the proper position of the mounting blocks 50, according to the thickness of the stock 16. i

The blocks should be set so that when the cam member 5 9 is moved forwardly by the release of air from the connection 82, and the admission of air pressure to the connections 83, the presser blocks 5% willbe moved inwardly to hold each of the abrasive strips-37 in frictional engagement with substantially one half-of the circumference of the stock 36.

Preferably the presser blocks 50 should be held together sufficiently to cause lateral deformation of the resilient wing portions of the presser blocks 91 so as to provide tension in the abrasive tapes 37 as previously described.

Once the proper position of the mounting blocksfid has been determined, they may be secured in place by means of the screws 55, and it will not thereafter be necessary to change their position unless the apparatus is. to .beused with stock of substantially greater or less diameter than that for which the original adjustment has been:made.

, Means should also be provided for imparting continu ous uniform axial movement to the stock 16.

In the case of a short length of rod it may be either pushed or pulled by a suitable arrangement suchas conventional draw bench. If the stock is furnished in the form er a reel. or if a number of successive operations are to be performed on it, it will obviously be preferable to employ some conventional apparatus to exert a continuous pulling force on the stock 16.

With the rod 16 in position as described, the electric motor 32 may then be energized from a source of current, not shown, to institute rotation of the disk member 25, which rotation will thereafter be maintained more or less constantly during the operation of the apparatus.

Thereafter, as long as the cam member 59 is in its forward position, as a result of air pressure being supplied to the piston 81 through connections 83, the presser blocks 5% will hold the abrasive strip 37 in engagement with the circumferential surface of the stock 16.

if at the same time thestock 16 is subjected to continuous axial movement, the net result will be that the circumferential surface of the rod 16 will become covered with a series of closely spaced spiral grooves or score marks resulting from the action of sharp surface of each of the individual grit particles adhering to the tape 37.

It should be noted at this point that while there is circumferential movement of the abrasive grit with respect to the surface of the stock nevertheless a portion of abrasive material which is in contact with the stock will remain unchanged, and therefore the relative position of each individual particle of grit will not be altered as long as the presser blocks 5d are holding the tapes 37 in position.

This means that whereas all of the score marks may not be identical in cross-sectional configuration and the actual distance between these markings may vary, there will, however, be produced a distinct pattern of parallel spiral score marks which could not be accomplished by prior apparatus using grinding wheels or endless belts.

On the other hand, the fact that the individual particles of grit in the abrasive will become worn and lose their sharp edges makes it necessary to renew the abrasive material after a certain period of contact with the sur' face of the material 16.

This may be accomplished as a result of a certain sequence of operations which is initiated by releasing the air pressure in the connection 83, and introducing compressed air into the connection 82 so that the pistons 81 will move the cross bar 84 away from the surface of the disk 25 causing a similar axial movement of cam member 50.

This movement of the cam member 59 will permit the presser blocks 50 to be withdrawn from the stock under the influence of the springs 60 and will release the abrasive tapes 37 from engagement with the surface of said stock 16.

In addition the retraction of the presser blocks 50, the rearward movement of cam member 59 will also cause a partial withdrawal of the indexing pin 61 from its opening 63 in the member 65.

During the latter portion of this withdrawal, the pin 68 coming in contact with the inclined face 66 of pin 61 will permit the slide 69 carrying the pawl 71 to turn the shaft 41 by its engagement with the circular ratchet '73.

The amount of rotation of shaft 41 can be controlled by adjustment of the pin 68, and as previously explained, the consequent rotation of both the driving rolls 40, due to their interconnection by means of the chain '75 will cause a portion of each of the abrasive strips 37 to be unwound from the spindles 35 and taken up on the take-up spools 38. Immediately thereafter, the air pressure may be released from the connection 82 and switched to the connection 83 to move the cam member 59 forwardly, causing the presser blocks 50 to re-engage with the unused portion of each of these abrasive tapes 37, and to press this fresh portion of the tapes into engagement with the stock 16.

In addition, the forward movement of the cam 59 will again slide the indexing pin 61 forwardly in the opening 63, whereupon the slide 69 will be forced radially outwardly away from the member 65, carrying the pawl 71 over one or more teeth of the circular ratchet '73 in which position it will be prepared to institute further rotation of shaft 41 and the feeding of additional unused abrasive tape 37, whenever the cam member 59 is rearwardly moved during the succeeding cycle of operation.

In Fig. 1 there has been illustrated one form of ma chinery embodying the apparatus just described. In this form, it has been assumed that the rod on the reel 17 has first been descaled and degreased, in which case it will first be passed through a die 19.

On the other hand, if the rod 16 were green stock which had not been descaled, it would pass directly to the first scoring and burnishing unit indicated by the numeral 11.

For the sake of illustration only, the scoring and burnishing units 11, 12, and 13 have been shown as includ ing four abrading heads followed by a burnishing die, but it should be understood that the number of abrading heads employed in carrying out this process may be varied and that in certain cases, it is not essential that the stock be drawn through a burnishing die, either before or after a surface scoring operation performed by a rotary abrading head.

In Fig. 1 longitudinal motion will be transmitted to the rod stock 16 by the takeup unit 14 so that the stock will move through each of the various scoring and burnishing units in a lengthwise direction at a substantially uniform rate of speed.

If the successive abrading heads 20, 21, 22, and 23 are rotated in the same direction and at the same rate of speed the surface appearance of the stock 16 could not readily be distinguished from stock which had passed through only a single head. However, for reasons which will be explained below, it is preferable to alternate the direction of rotation of successive abrading heads and, under certain conditions, it may be desirable to operate the various heads at different rates of speed.

In any event it has been found in practice that if, for example, the abrading heads 20 and 22 are rotated in a clockwise direction, and the heads 21 and 23 are rotated in a counterclockwise direction, a greater amount of surface metal or scale will be removed from the rod 16 than if all of the heads 20, 21, 22 and 23 were rotated in the same direction.

This can be best illustrated by reference to the following two tables, the first of which indicates a reduction in diameter of an actual sample of metal which has been treated by successive heads rotating in opposite directions. The second table shows the amount of metal removed from a similar sample treated by the same number of abrading heads, all of which rotated in the same direction.

Table 1 Direction Diameter Reduced Reduction of Rod to Total Reduction 0035 Table 2.All heads revolving in same direction Direction Diameter Reduced Reduction of Rod to Total reduction 0012 All of these tests were made with heads rotating at 1600 R. P. M.rod speed 200 F. P. M.air pressure per sq. in. and tape grit #80.

In the foregoing tables, it should also be observed that the type of abrasive material employed during each pass of the stock through an abrading head was similar with respect to the hardness and size of the grit particles, but such similarity is of course, not necessary in all cases.

If, for example, the first abrading head 20 were to be provided with an abrasive strip having relatively coarse grit, while a second abrading head 21 was provided with abrasive strips having a grit particle of substantially smaller size and the abrading heads 20, 21 were to be rotated in opposite directions during the axial passage of the stock through both of the heads, the result would be to produce an ornamental pattern of score marks on the surface of the rod resembling a multiplicity of tiny diamond shaped check marks.

This is due to the fact that the grit particles on the second abrading head being finer than the particles on the first abrading head will not cut as deeply as the particles on the first abrading head, and therefore the second abrading head will remove only a portion of the metal lying between the individual parallel score marks produced by the first abrading head, and the helical pattern formed by the second abrading head would in effect he overlaid on the helical pattern of the first abrading head, moreover as the rotation of the particles in each case would be reversed, the spiral grooves of one head would angularly intersect the spiral grooves formed by the other head. The resulting product represents an article of commerce which is new and novel and may be useful for decorative purposes without further treatment, although its appearance can be enhanced if it is given additional finishing treatment, such as a light chromium plating. Generally speaking, it will be prefer able, where the purpose of the apparatus is to remove surface imperfections, to use the same grade of abrasive 1 1 tape-oneach of the oppositely rotating headssuch as the heads 2d; 21, 22 and 23.

In thiscase, the effect of each of the succeeding abrading'heads will be to remove substantially all of the metal extending inwardly substantially to the bottom of the helicalscore marks produced by the previous abrading head,-in which case only the spiral scoring marks made by the lastabrading head through which the rod 16 has passed'will be visible.

Generally'speaking, it is preferable to use abrasive material having a'coarser'grit when treating stock Whose surface is severely pitted, or upon :which a certain amount of scale remains such as would be the'case as the rod enters the first scoring and'burnishing unit ll.

It is also preferable,.after the stock has passed through one or more of the abrading heads 20, 21, 22, 23 etc. to polish the surface of the'rod by passing it through a burnishing die 24-.-

While there is-no definite line of. demarcation between a burnishing die and a drawing die,"inasmuch"as both types of die will reduce the cross sectional areaofthe stocl for the purposes of-this inventionitcanbe assumed that a'drawing die is one which elfects a substantial reduction in the cross sectional area, generally'on the order of 30%, in which case the stock tends to become plastic throughout its interior resulting in allow of metal and a complete. rearrangement of the structure tending to embed the surface material, including any imperfections at or near the surface, further in towards the interior.

Forthe purpose-of this invention a burnishing die may be considered one, which while producing. a certain amount of reduction in cross-sectional area, will not, however, induce a flow of metal in the interior of the stock but will merely cause an axial flow of material near the "surface. The effect of the passage of the rod 16 through burnishing die 24 subsequent to treatment by the abrading heads will be to fill in the score marks which have been-produced and to elongate any surface defects such as pit marks or cavities, and to expose such imperfections such as fractures or air holes lying just below the surface-of the rod. The surface is thus given a highly polished finishas a result.

If surface-imperfections remain after treatment by one scoring and burnishing unit, it may then be desirable to passthe rod through a second scoring and burnish-ing unit 12. The arrangement and operation of such a unit will be substantially identical with the first such unit, with theexception that it will generally be preferable to use abrasivetapes in the second group of scoringmachines having a somewhat finer grit particle size than in the tapes of the :first scoring unit.

After the rodhas been scored by passage through one or more-of the abrading heads 20a, 21a, 22a and 23a, it should be drawn through a second burnishing die 24a,

again causing a slight axial flow of the surface material which will. fill inzthe score marks produced by the second group. of abradingheads, and resulting in producing a highly polished-finishon the rod.

If the surface just produced is still not sufiici'ently free ofimperfectionsflhe rod may then pass through a third scoring and burnishing unit 13 comprising abrading heads 20b, 21b, 22b, 23b, followed by. passage through a burnishing die 24b.

Theresults of the operation just described will be to produce rod stock having uniform circular cross section extending along its entire length, having a surface free from imperfections and of a mirror like smoothness and havingan internal crystalline structure which is substan tially homogeneous.

inasmuch as this invention is primarily concerned with the treatment of the exterior surfaces it will be apparent that tubular materials, such as conduits or pipes, are equally'susceptible to treatment in accordance with the present process, or by the machinery and apparatus disclosed in connection therewith as would solid materials.

Furthermore, while it-is intended that the final-product will-havetacylindricalexterior surface,--it should beun-' derstood that theoriginal stock to be treatedmay be of some irregular cross-section, such as oval or even rectangular; in the foregoing description and in the appended claims, for the sake ofconvenience, the-words rod or wire maybe used interchangeablyto includeany-and all suchmaterials.

While there has been disclosed in this specification one form in which the invention may be embodied, it is to.

be understood that this form is shown for the purposeof illustration only and the invention is notlimited to the specific disclosure but may be modified and embodied in spirit. In short, the invention includes all the modifications and embodiments coming-within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new and for which it is desired-to secure-Let- Y ters Patent is:

1. In a device of the character -described,--a rotary various other equivalent forms without departing from its abrasive head includinga pair of spindlesfor supporting unwinding rolls of unused abrasive strips positioned in diametrically opposed counter balanced relation with reby the strips-ofeach'unwinding roll will be moved by said driving roll to a takeup roll-in opposite parallelwdiree tions, a pair of oppositely oppcsed'presserplates rockably mounted on radially adjustably pivoted rocker arms 'to hold said abrasive strips in operable'contact \vith'stochpositioned at the rotary axisof the head, positive-drive means to move the driving rolls irr-synchronism; said drive" means including" yieldable-meansto drive the takeup spindles, ratchet means biased to move the positive drive means one step instep bystep operation, anaxially rnova-- ole earn member having a pair-ofcam facesengageable with said rocker arms to actuate-said presser-plates, said cam member being provided with 'an index pin to position-the cam faces into the rocker arms, said index pin having an inclined end for camming engagement with said 7 biased ratchet means, whereby axial movement of the cam member-in one direction'willmove said presser plate 't0 ward the stock and will initiate operation of the positive drive means, and l'llOVEZl'lGl'll'Of the cam member in the opposite direction willrelease said presser plate and will permit saidbiased ratchet means to complete-onestep of said step by-step operation=of the-driving-=rolls, and means to move said cam member axially.

2. In a device of the character described, a rotary abrasive head including a pair of spindles for supporting a pair of unwinding rolls of unused-abrasive strips positioned indiametrically'opposed counter balanced relation with respect to the rotary axis of the head, a pair of takeup spindles for used portions of the strips positioned in diametrically opposed counterbalanced relation Withrespect to the rotary axis of the head, a pair of driving rolls positioned in diametrically opposed counterbalanced relation, each of said driving rolls being disposed between an unwinding spindle and a takeup spindle, an idler roll disposed on each side of each driving roll to respectively hold a portion of strip from the adjacent unwinding spindle and a portion of strip being fed to the adjacent takeup spindle in frictional contact with each of said driving rolls,

whereby the strip from each unwinding roll will be moved by said driving roll to a takeup roll in opposite parallel directions, a pair of oppositely disposed presser blocks rockably mounted on radially adjustable pivoted rocker arms to hold said abrasive strips in operative contact with stock positioned at the rotary axis of the head, positive drive means to move the driving rolls in synchronism, said drive means including yieldable meant to drive the takeup spindles, ratchet means biased to move the positive drive means one step in step-by-step operation, an axial camming means engagea'ble with said rocker arm to actuate the pressure blocks, said camming means including a cam engageable with said ratchet means to initiate said step-bystep operation when the pressure blocks are actuated to hold said strip against the stock, and to permit the ratchet means to complete one step of said step by step operation of the driving roll when the pressure blocks are released.

3. In a device of the character described, a rotary abrasive head including a pair of spindles for unwinding rolls of unused abrasive strips positioned in diametrically opposed counterbalanced relation with respect to the rotary axis of the head, a pair of takeup spindles for used portions of the strips positioned in diametrically opposed counterbalanced relation with respect to the rotary axis of the head, a pair of driving rolls positioned in diametrically opposed counterbalanced relation, an idler roll disposed on each side of each driving roll to respectively hold a portion of strip from the adjacent unwinding spindle and a portion of strip being fed to the adjacent takeup spindle in frictional contact with each of said driving rolls, whereby the strip from each unwinding roll will be moved by said driving roll to a takeup roll in opposite parallel directions, a pair of oppositely disposed presser blocks rockably mounted on radially adjustable pivoted rocker arms to hold said abrasive strips in operative contact with stock positioned at the rotary axis of the head, positive drive means to move the driving rolls in synchronism, said drive means including yieldable means to drive the takeup spindle, and camming means including intermediate motion transmitting means to actuate said presser blocks to hold abrasive strips in contact with the stock and to operate said positive drive means to move said strip when the presser blocks are released.

4. In a device of the character described, a rotary abrasive head including a pair of spindles for supporting unwinding rolls of unused abrasive strips positioned in diametrically opposed counterbalanced relation with respect to the rotary axis of the head, a pair of takeup spindles for used portions of the strip positioned in diametrically opposed counterbalanced relation with respect to the rotary axis of the head, a pair of driving rolls positioned in diametrically opposed counterbalanced relation, each of said driving rolls being disposed between an unwinding spindle and a takeup spindle, an idler roll disposed on each side of each driving roll to efiectively hold a portion of strip from the adjacent unwinding spindle and a portion of strip being fed to the adjacent takeup spindle in frictional contact with each of said driving rolls, whereby the strip from each unwinding roll will be moved intermittently by said driving roll to a takeup roll in opposite parallel directions, a pair of oppositely disposed pressure blocks rockably mounted on radially adjustable pivoted rocker arms to hold said abrasive strips in operative contact with stock positioned at the rotary axis of the head, means to actuate said driving rolls to move succeeding portions of unused strip into position to be held against the stock by said presser blocks, and means to move the presser blocks to hold said strip and to release the presser blocks for movement of the abrasive strip.-

5. In a device of the character described, a rotary abrasive head including a pair of spindles for supporting unwinding rolls of unused abrasive strips positioned in diametrically opposed counterbalanced relation with respect to the rotary axis of the head, a pair of takeup spindles for used portions of the strip positioned in diametrically opposed counterbalanced relation with respect to the rotary axis of the head, a pair of driving rolls positioned in diametrically c'lposed counterbalanced relation, each of said driving rolls being disposed between an unwinding spindle and a takeup spindle, an idler roll disposed on each side of each driving roll to respectively hold a portion of strip from the adjacent unwinding spindle and a portion of strip being fed to the adjacent takeup spindle in frictional contact with each'of said driving rolls, whereby the strip from each unwinding roll will be moved intermittently by said driving roll to a takeup roll in opposite parallel directions, and means to hold a portion of said abrasive strips in engagement with the stock including means to progressively turn said driving rolls to advance portions of unused strip into position to be thus held.

6. In a device of the character described, a rotary abrasive head including a pair of spindles for supporting unwinding rolls of unused abrasive strips positioned in diametrically opposed counterbalanced relation with respect to the rotary axis of the head, a pair of takeup spindles for used portions of the strip positioned in diametrically opposed counterbalanced relation with respect to the rotary axis of the head, feeding means to progressively transfer strips from each unwinding roll to a takeup roll in equal amounts to maintain said counterbalanced condition, presser block means intermediate said unwinding and takeup rolls to hold unused strip in engagement with the surface of the stock, and means to intermittently actuate said feeding means to move unused strip into engagement with the surface of the stock.

7. In a device of the character described, a rotary abrasive head including a pair of spindles for supporting unwinding rolls of unused abrasive strips positioned in diametrically opposed counterbalanced relation with respect to the rotary axis of the head, a pair of takeup spindles for used portions of the strip positioned in diametrically opposed counterbalanced relation with respect to rotary axis of the head, a pair of driving rolls positioned in diametrically opposed counterbalanced relation, each of said driving rolls being disposed between an unwinding spindle and a takeup spindle, an idler roll disposed on each side of each driving roll to respectively hold a portion of strip on the adjacent unwinding spindle and a portion of strip being fed to the adjacent takeup spindle in frictional contact with each of said driving rolls, whereby the strips from each unwinding roll will be intermittently moved by said driving roll to a takeup roll in opposite parallel directions, a pair of oppositely disposed presser blocks to hold said abrasive strips in operative contact with a longitudinal surface of stock positioned between said strips means to actuate said presser blocks to hold abrasive strips in contact with the stock and to operate said positive drive means to move said strips when the presser blocks are released.

8. In a device of the character described, a rotary abrasive head including a pair of spindles for supporting unwinding rolls of unused abrasive strips positioned in diametrically opposed counterbalanced relation with respect to the rotary axis of the head, a pair of takeup spindles for used portions of the strip positioned in diametrically opposed counterbalanced relation with respect to the rotary axis of the head, a pair of driving rolls positioned in diametrically opposed counterbalanced relation, each of said driving rolls being disposed between an unwinding spindle and a takeup spindle, an idler roll disposed on each side of each driving roll to respectively hold a portion of strip from the adjacent unwinding spindle and a portion of strip being fed to the adjacent takeup spindle in frictional contact with each of said driving rolls, whereby the strip from each unwinding roll will be intermittently moved from said driving roll to a takeup roll in opposite parallel directions, a pair of oppositely disposed presser blocks to hold said abrasive strips in operative contact with a longitudinal surface of stock positioned between said strips, positive drive means to move the driving rolls in synchronism, and means to actuate said driving rolls to move succeeding portions of said strip into position to be held against the stock by'said presser blocks, to hold said strip and to release the presser blocks for movement of the abrasive strip.

9. In a device of the character described, a rotatable carrier, a pair of unwinding rolls and a pair of takeup rolls for pairs of abrasive strips supported on said carrier to engage opposite sides of stock to be moved axially with respect to the carrier, including means to feed' unused stripsinto area of engagement of the stock and to counterbalance the variation of the weights of the unwinding and takeup rolls with the used and unused strips respectively, resulting from the feeding of said strip, and apair .of oppositely disposed radially movable presser members positioned respectively behind each of said strips to press said strips into engagement with the stock, the opposing faces of said presser members comprisingresilient material having a lateral width substantially greater than the thickness of the stock and being provided with a longitudinally extending circular channel portion to conform generally with the configuration of the stock, the bottom of each channel having a V-shaped longitudinally extending groove, said faces including outwardly converging inclined wing portions disposed on each' side of the channel portion, whereby said abrasive strips will be frictionally gripped on opposite sides of the stock'first by the extremity of said forwardly inclined wing when said presser members are moved toward each other, and whereby further movement of said presser members will cause laterally outward distortion of said wing portions to draw said strips into engagement with the stock under tension, said wing portions being further yieldable under said continued movement to permit the channel portions to bear against the back of the strips partially enclosing the-stock.

10. In a device of the character described, a rotatable carrier, means to support unwinding rolls and takeup rolls for pairs of abrasive strips to engage opposite sides of stock to be moved axially with respect to the carrier, including means to feed unused strip into the area of engagement with the stock and to counterbalance the variation in the weights of unwinding and takeup rolls of unused and used strips respectively resulting from said feeding of strip, and a pair of oppositely disposed radially movable presser members to be positioned respectively behind each of said strips to press said strips into said engagement with the stock, the opposing faces of said presser members comprising material having longitudinally extending wing portions extending laterally on each side of the stock, the lateral extremities of said wing portions projecting forwardly on the longitudinally extending central portion, whereby said abrasive strips will be frictionally gripped on opposite sides of the stock first by said extremities when the presser members are moved toward each otherand further inward movement of said presser member will cause lateral outward distortion of said opposing faces to draw said strips into engagement with the stock under tension.

11. In an apparatus for helically scoring the surface of stock, the combination comprising a rotatable carrier, means to position said stock concentrically with the axis of rotation of said carrier, means to support a roll of abrasive strip material on said carrier, means on said carrier to hold successive portions of said abrasive .strip against the surface. of the stock for scoring said surface by rotation of said carrier, intermediate feeding means onsaid carrier to advance fresh portions of said abrasive strip and to counterbalance said unwinding roll as said strip is unwound therefrom, and means to move said 16 stock. axially. duringengagement with .said. abrasive strip material.

12. In machinery for treating thesurface of cylindrical metal stock, the combination including replenishable abrading-meansand means to produce relative revoluble movementbetweenstdck tobe treated and said abrading means,-and means-to operatively engage saidabrading means with the cylindrical surface of the stock to revolubly some said surface and to intermittently actuate said replenishable abrading means step-by-step during said relative revoluble motion between the stock and the abrading means. '7

13. In machinery for treating the surface of cylindrical metal stock, the combination "including replenishable abrading means and means to produce relative helical movement between stock to .be treated and said abradingmeans, means to engage said abrading means intermittently with'a. step-by-step action with saidv stock to helically. score the cylindrical surface thereof,.and die means to thereafter axially flow the surface metal of the stock to replace metal removed by scoring, whereby the surface of the. stock.will be smoothed.

14. In machinery for treating the surface of cylindrical metal stock, the combination including replenishable intermittently operated abrasive. scoring means, means to produce relative compound helical movement between stock to be treated and said abrasive scoring means, said compound movement including components of two oppositely revolubledirections, means to engage said scoring means with the cylindrical surface of the stock during said compound relative movement therebetween and means to move said stock axially.

15. In a machine for treating the surface. of cylindrical metal stock, the combination including means to move said stockaxially, and'means to abrasively deliberately score the cylindrical surface of the stock in two oppositely'helical'directions to form helical grooves therein, andburnishing'die means to axially flow the surface metal of the stock and thereby to smoothing said grooves.

16. In a machine for treating the surface of cylindrical metal stock, the combination including means to move said stock axially, and first and second stationary means to successively abrasively-helically intermittently score the cylindrical surface of the stock, said scoring being produced in the same-axial directionby both of said means but successively by each' of said means in opposite circular directions, thecoarseness of the abrasive substance of the first means being'greater than that of the second scoring means, whereby the scoring produced by the first means-will not be obliterated by the scoring produced by the second means.

17. In amachinefor treating the surface of cylindrical metal stock, thecombination including means to move said-stock axially, and first-and second means to successively abrasively helically score the cylindrical surface of the stock with an intermittent action, the courseness of the abrasive substance of the first means being greater than that of the second means, whereby the-scoring produced by the first means willnot be completely obliterated by thescoring produced by the second means, and burnishing die means thereafter to axially flow .the cylindrical surface metal of thestock to partially smooth said surface.

18. In a method of finishing :the surface. of cylindrical metal stock, the steps includingaxially moving said stock, andv unidirectionally revolublyscoring. the surface of the stock with an intermittently applied stationary unused abrasive strip to produce helically scored grooves therein, and axially unidirectionally flowing only :the surface metal comprising the lands between said scoring to remove said grooves.

19. In a method of finishing the surface of cylindrical metal stock, the. steps including axially moving said stock, and unidirectionally revolubly scoring the surface of the stock with an intermittently applied unused stationary unused abrasive strip, and axially unidirectionally flowing and burnishing the surface metal comprising the lands between said scoring.

20. In a method of finishing the surface of cylindrica metal stock, the steps including axially moving said stock, and unidirectionally revolubly scoring the surface of the stock with an intermitt'ently applied stationary unused abrasive strip, and axially unidirectionally flowing by burnishing means the surface metal comprising the abrasive strip into contact with said stock.

1 22. -In a method of finishing the surface of cylindrical stock, the steps including axially moving said stock, and

scoring the stock with stationary abrasive strip material while maintaining continuous relative unidirectional axially helical motion therebetween, scoring the stock with abrasive strip material while maintaining continuous relative unidirectional axially helical motion in opposing circular direction, and' intermittently advancing unused abrasive strip into contact with said stock.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,105,612 Pallas Jan. 18, 1918 2,191,189 Wade Feb. 20, 1940 2,239,580 Statz Apr. 18, 1941 2,293,923 Stewart et al. Aug. 25, 1942 2,365,640 Illmer et al. Dec. 19, 1944 2,396,114 Neuerburg' Mar. 5, 1946 2,497,407 Green Feb. 14, 1950 2,612,730 Lowe Oct. 7, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 418,5 16 Italy Feb. 20, 1947

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