Abstract: A method and apparatus for shearing logs to form billets includes movable stop at the discharge side of a shear to measure the length of the log passed through the shear. A light beam impinges on a detector when the trailing end of a log passes beyond the light beam to produce a signal concurrently with a signal which is produced by displacement of the movable stop. The concurrent production of these two signals is used to produce a third signal corresponding to a measure of the length of the log. The latter signal is used for determining the sheared length of one or part of a two-piece billet that can be produced from the log-end portion. The log is severed by displacing a movable upper die of the shear beyond a stationary lower die. In one embodiment, a gripper engages and pulls the end of the log from the shear. In a second embodiment, an H-shaped frame extending outwardly at the discharge side of the shear carries a movable stop.

Abstract: An extrusion press including butt shearing means and cooperating die receiving and holding means carried by the crosshead which supports the free end of the main ram.

Abstract: A roll configuration for use in a roll type straightener including a concave surface of revolution formed on a roll for line contact of the roll with a cylindrical workpiece wherein the throat of the surface of revolution is offset longitudinally from the axial midpoint of the surface of revolution whereby a pair of such rolls may be employed in mutually-aligned or non-offset relationship with respect to the cylindrical workpiece axis to provide lateral restraint of such a workpiece being subjected to a bending moment.

Abstract: A die stem and a billet-receiving sleeve extend rearwardly from an extrusion apparatus platen slide that is movable laterally from a first position in which the stem is aligned with a billet container passage behind it to a second position in which the sleeve is aligned with the passage. An extrusion stem behind the container is movable forward through the passage, and there is means behind the sleeve in the first position for pushing a hot billet into the sleeve. A die slide carried by the container and holding a die is movable laterally across the container from an inner position aligned with the container passage when the platen slide is in its first position to an outer position aligned with the die stem in the second position of the platen slide. In the sleeve there is means for pushing a billet out of the sleeve in the second position of the platen slide and into the container as the container is moved forward toward the sleeve.

Abstract: A gate lock housing mounted against the rear face of the front platen of an extrusion press has a passage through it aligned with a passage through the platen. A tubular block is normally disposed in the housing passage where it is held by releasable gate lock means. Behind this block is a laterally movable carrier, in which is seated a bolster member having a passage through it aligned with the block passage. An indirect-extrusion stem secured to the bolster extends rearwardly from the housing and supports an extrusion die at its rear end. The bolster is connected to the block in such a way that the bolster can be moved forward with the block but can move laterally away from the block when they are in their rear position. Shifting means detachably connected with the carrier can slide the bolster and stem laterally away from the block and out beyond one side of the housing, where the carrier can be supported while being disconnected from the shifting means.

Abstract: A stationary main cylinder, spaced behind a billet-receiving container located behind an extrusion die, contains a ram projecting from the front end of the cylinder. Piercer cylinders are mounted on the opposite sides of the main cylinder and have open front ends from which piston rods extend forward and carry coupling cylinders. A piercer crosshead in front of the ram is rigidly connected to the coupling cylinders behind an extrusion crosshead connected to the ram by means extending past the piercer crosshead. Plungers disposed in the coupling cylinders are rigidly connected with the extrusion crosshead, from which a hollow stem extends forward. A mandrel holder carried by the piercer crosshead extends forward through an opening in the extrusion crosshead for supporting a mandrel in the stem. Means are provided for supplying hydraulic fluid to the cylinders in a predetermined sequence to move the crossheads in unison and also relative to each other during piercing and extruding of a billet.