Abstract: A continuous process for high speed fabrication of wire comprises the steps of directing wire through a first set of drawing dies to reduce the wire diameter to an intermediate diameter, applying a lubricant to the wire during the drawing process, annealing the intermediate diameter wire while it is still coated with some of the lubricant, controlling the tensile forces and elongation of the wire during the anneal, and drawing the annealed intermediate diameter wire to a desired final diameter in a second set of dies. The process is partially well suited for fabricating fine copper wire having improved mechanical properties.

Abstract: An improved lubricant and coolant removal system for a roll stand includes suction boxes surrounding the sheet formed by the roll stand and a series of pipes connecting the suction boxes to various coolant traps. Special doctor blades and air knives remove coolant from the rolls. An enclosing shroud prevents coolant overspray and mist from escaping.

Abstract: A hot strip mill having a final reducing stand and runout cooling means downstream of the reducing stand includes an incubator capable of coiling and decoiling the hot strip. The incubator is located intermediate the runout cooling means. In a preferred form the final reducing stand is a hot reversing mill. A second incubator and/or a temper mill and/or a slitter may be positioned downstream of the first incubator. The method of rolling includes isothermally treating the strip within a predetermined time and temperature range in the incubator prior to subsequent processing. The subsequent processing may include any one or more of the following: further deformation by cold rolling, temper rolling or cooling at a desired heat loss rate.

Abstract: In a mold for the superplastic forming of a piece from a blank, the distortion of the blank is measured by a hollow tube located within the mold and having one end positioned in contact with the blank. The hollow tube extends through a sleeve fixed to the mold and includes an axial array of holes. A bore in the sleeve is connected to a source of low pressure gas via a delivery tube so that the low pressure gas can selectively communicate with the interior of the hollow tube as the movement of the tube causes the selective registry of the holes therein with the delivery tube. Such selective registry causes a pressure drop in the delivery tube which is measured by a pressure drop detector and accompanying recorder. Electrical leads are provided on the inner surface of the mold for evaluating when the distortion of the blank causes the face of the blank to reach selected portions of the mold inner surface.

Abstract: An electrical upsetting method for upsetting a cylindrical metal material, which is durable against wear and tear due to high temperature as well as vigorous friction under heavy pressure during the upsetting work, wherein a space gap is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the workpiece and the inner peripheral surface of the shaping die to prevent the die from direct heat from the workpiece generated by electric conduction across the electrodes, or wherein a space gap is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the anvil electrode and the inner peripheral surface of the shaping die, and an inert gas is filled in the space gap to protect the die from oxidation due to its exposure to the external atmosphere, or air, as well as to maintain the die in a cooled condition by the inert gas.

Abstract: A clean cold strip is produced by injecting at a high pressure a rolling mill lubricant emulsion of a low concentration to both the sides of a strip at the last stand of a rolling mill, thereby removing oil and metal dust therefrom, charging the cold strip as rolled into a box annealing furnace, mixing water steam with an atmospheric gas of the annealing furnace consisting mainly of nitrogen and hydrogen, and adjusting the dew point of the gas within the furnace to 0.degree.-10.degree. C.

Abstract: A flat blank of a metal which becomes superplastic at elevated temperatures is transformed into a part of the desired configuration in an apparatus that is utilized in connection with a hydraulic press, the apparatus having a lower section that is mounted on the press bed and an upper section that moves with the press ram. The lower section includes a forming tool having a contoured surface, the configuration of which corresponds to that which is to be imparted to the blank, and a cooling passage that surrounds the tool. The blank is positioned over the tool and cooling passage of the lower section. The upper section includes a chamber enclosed by walls and a bulkhead, another cooling passage at the lower end of the chamber walls, an infrared emitter within the chamber, and infrared optical sensors that are located outside of the chamber but view the blank through tubes that extend through the bulkhead and the emitter.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for hot lubricated metal extrusion in which a billet is extruded into a solid or tubular form by means of a die and/or a mandrel with an organic lubricant interposed within a container, the method comprising feeding a combustion improver or a mixture of a combustion improver and water into an extruded product thereby burning off the carbide of the lubricant deposited on the surfaces of the extruded product.

Abstract: Several lengths of tubing are interconnected either in advance by welding or brazing, or on-line by hollow plugs, and fed through an annealing furnace, a jacketing station, and a cutter, whereby flushing gas such as air, oxygen-enriched air, or an inert gas are sucked through the respective trailing end. The on-line, end-to-end connection can also be additionally used for tubings as prepared in advance and permits continuous processing, particularly combining process annealing with removal of oil residues.

Abstract: A method is provided for eliminating internal voids in superplastically forming parts. A blank of material which is capable of being formed superplastically is held opposite a forming surface of a die. The blank is heated to the superplastic forming temperature and pressure is applied to both sides of the blank. This pressure is sufficient to prevent the formation of voids. The pressure on the side of the blank farthest from the die surface is then increased to superplastically form the material against the die surface. In a second embodiment, the pressure is applied after the blank has been formed either by maintaining the forming pressure to compreses the material between the forming pressure and the reaction of the die, or by applying a fluid pressure to both sides of the part, thereby removing voids by plastic deformation and diffusion.

Abstract: A sheet of material is held in a die opposite a forming surface of the die, and gas pressure is applied to both sides of the sheet. The pressure creates a compressive stress in the sheet thickness direction sufficient to cause plastic flow. By maintaining the pressure higher on the side of the sheet opposite to the forming surface, the sheet bends and expands toward the die forming surface. This pressure differential can be increased as necessary to bend the sheet into the crevices which make up the details of the forming surface. The sheet may be heated during forming to lower the compressive stress which is required to cause it to flow plastically.

Abstract: An electrically conductive part with an insulation material which withstands high temperatures and a method of manufacturing such a part. Its conductive core is formed by drawing a copper billet coated with a copper-aluminium alloy.

Abstract: A press drive with a central cam shaft actively connected through a connecting rod with a slide guided in a linear guide. Side bars are symmetrically articulated with respect to each other on the slide. Mass balancing weights are driven in opposed directions corresponding to reciprocating masses of the press, with the weights being connected with the slide by other linkages. Pairs of toggle joint linkages are disposed symetrically with respect to the cam shaft. The pairs of toggle joint linkages include a first almost horizontally disposed toggle joint linkage that is articulated on the respective side bars and presents a bearing point on the press frame. A second almost vertically disposed toggle joint linkage that is connected with the first toggle joint linkage and is articulated so as to be guided by the press frame on the mass balancing weight.

Abstract: A tube extrusion press extrudes tubes through the annular space formed when a mandrel projects into the aperture of an extrusion die. In order to prevent oxidation of the extruded product, the outside of the tube passes into a cooling section immediately downstream of the die, and a protective gas is blown into the interior of the tube through the mandrel which is hollow and has an opening in its tip. Both the inside and the outside of the tube may be coated with a liquid emulsion, and the hollow mandrel can have internal channels for the passage of a cooling liquid.

Abstract: A process for producing self-tapping screws from an austenitic 300 series stainless steel material wherein a blank of such material is chilled prior to a thread rolling operation so that the threads are formed while the blank is in a chilled condition. A preferred apparatus for practicing such a method utilizes an insulated tunnel surrounding the feed track which leads to the thread roller. Fluid refrigerant is fed to the interior of the tunnel to chill the blanks immediately prior to the thread rolling operation.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for reducing hot rolled band to final gage iron-silicon alloy steel strip material while retaining the magnetic properties of the strip material. In this method, the hot rolled band is passed through an intermediate and a final cold rolling operation to accomplish progressive reduction prior to final annealing of the material. The improvement of the present invention comprises heating the material between the intermediate and final cold rolling operations to a temperature and for a time of at least that necessary to recover the cold rolled structure and to relieve residual stresses in the intermediate cold rolled material and less than that at which grains of the material begin to recrystallize.

Abstract: A process for producing self-tapping screws from an austenitic 300 series stainless steel material wherein a blank of such material is chilled prior to a thread rolling operation so that the threads are formed while the blank is in a chilled condition. A preferred apparatus for practicing such a method utilizes an insulated tunnel surrounding the feed track which leads to the thread roller. Fluid refrigerant is fed to the interior of the tunnel to chill the blanks immediately prior to the thread rolling operation.

Abstract: A vacuum roll mill stand comprises a housing closed at opposite sides with covers and having its interior brought in communication with a vacuum pumping means to thereby form a chamber adapted to accommodate chocks carrying workrolls geared through the intermediary of spindles to a drive. The chocks together with the workrolls are secured on one of the housing covers thereby forming a frame, the housing being annular in shape and arranged so as to have its geometrical axis coincident with the axis of rolling; the housing also being fitted with through openings adapted to receive the spindles together with vacuum seals.

Abstract: According to the invention, both sides of a sheet metal billet are worked with solid hard spherical microbodies prior to each reverse rolling operation. Microbodies are fed by means of a gas jet and have a diameter of 40 to 200 microns. They are of a material selected from the group consisting of glass, aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, chrome-nickel alloys, and ice. The rolling produces a mirror or dull finish, an effect normally attained by etching, grinding or polishing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for automatically controling the strain rate during superplastic forming of a blank of material into a part. The method and apparatus produce a part in a minimum time by deforming the material in its optimum superplastic conditions. A relationship is determined between time and the pressure required to form the blank against the configured surface of a die at a strain rate which causes the blank to flow superplastically. The blank is positioned in the die and held at a temperature at which the material exhibits superplasticity. Pressure is automatically applied across the thickness of the blank in accordance with the previously determined relationship between time and pressure until the part is formed. The apparatus comprises conduits connected to a die and to a high pressure gas. Valves in the conduits regulate the pressure applied to the blank. A controller receives command signals from a programmer which is programmed with the desired time vs pressure relationship.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the continuous production of bright copper rod from stock discharged from a continuous casting machine in which an oxide layer formed on the stock during its passage from the continuous casting machine in the atmosphere is subjected to an initial breakage and separation operation by discharging a chemically active liquid at a relatively low pressure against the oxide layer followed by descaling the stock after the initiation of the breakage of the layer by projecting jets of liquid at a relatively high pressure against the stock. The stock which is now free from oxide layer is rolled in a rolling mill in the presence of cooling and lubricating liquid which isolates the stock from the outside atmosphere and allows the formation of rod in the stands of the rolling mill. The rod obtained from the rolling mill is cooled by passage through a duct in counterflow with a cooling liquid such that the rod leaves the duct at a temperature below 80.degree. C.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically annealing end portions of wall-ironed drawn can bodies and welded side seam can bodies formed of sheet steel to reduce stresses therein wherein the end portions may be flanged without cracking, wrinkling or folding. The can bodies are moved along a continuous path by a rotary table and are supported for rotation about their own axes during such movement. Associated with each rotating can body is a blowing hood for developing a protective gas atmosphere surrounding the portion of the can body to be annealed. The blowing hoods and associated can body upper end portions pass through an annealing zone defined by an elongated induction loop. The apparatus is particularly useful in annealing processes for sheet metal formed of unkilled steel.

Abstract: A tube extrusion press extrudes tubes through the annular space formed when a mandrel projects into the aperture of an extrusion die. In order to prevent oxidation of the extruded product, the outside of the tube passes into a cooling section immediately downstream of the die, and a protective gas is blown into the interior of the tube through the mandrel which is hollow and has an opening in its tip. Both the inside and the outside of the tube may be coated with a liquid emulsion, and the hollow mandrel can have internal channels for the passage of a cooling liquid.

Abstract: A device for extruding ingots, in particular for extruding light metal ingots through a shaping die placed downstream of the ingot, is provided with a scalping facility for removing an outer layer of the ingot immediately prior to extrusion. The said scalping facility is made up of a plurality of blades or similar scalping facilities which together form a scalping ring and can be moved radially with respect to the direction of extrusion, and can be released from the ingot.

Abstract: A method according to the present invention comprises the formation of metallic materials by translating metal wire between working tools, that is, a striker and an anvil, which are arranged in a closed space with a medium inert to both the wire metal and material of the tools. The wire is then heated to a temperature high enough for plastic deformation of the metal, while ultrasonic vibrations are simultaneously applied to the working tools, propagating at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the wire. An apparatus for carrying out the proposed method comprises, in addition to the working tools, sources of ultrasonic vibrations which are rigidly coupled to the tools, and a mechanism for heating the working tools and wire.

Abstract: Aluminum or aluminum alloy scraps or wastes are broken into chips and extruded under a high temperature to produce extruded structural profiles. The method is characterized by the fact that the interior of the extruder is evacuated prior to or simultaneously with the extrusion step so as to exhaust air entrapped in the body of the chips. There is also disclosed apparatus suitable for performing the method.

Abstract: Hot-formed rod is prepared in a rolling mill by removing oxide from the surface of a nascent cast bar while the bar is in a non-oxidizing environment. Oxide is removed from the surface of the bar by means such as wire brushing, for example, with the oxide removing means and the nascent bar being enclosed in a non-oxidizing or reducing environment to improve the removal of existing oxide and to inhibit formation of new oxide on the bar while the bar travels from the oxide-removing means to the rolling mill to be hot-formed. Removal of oxide while the bar is in a non-oxidizing environment enhances the removal of oxide and lessens the unwanted removal of metal underlying the surface oxide.

Abstract: Gas turbine engine blades and single-die cavities are dynamically balanced on a rotor, transferred to a neutral atmosphere heated chamber and rotated. The centrifugal force distributes sufficient stress on both the blade's platform and airfoil to correct critical geometrical characteristics by creep forming in a relatively short time. The process is not affected by the blade surface irregularities, which cause die damage in conventional opposed-die forming due to high stress concentrations.

Abstract: A seal for permitting a wire to be fed through a wall separating regions at different pressures, e.g. into and out of a vacuum chamber for heat treatment or coating, comprises a pair of die-shaped elements of hard rigid material each having a bore for passage of the wire, these elements being spaced apart in a tube extending through said wall, means for pumping air from said tube, and an internal wire guide in said tube adjacent one of said holders and having an internal diameter decreasing towards that holder.

Abstract: A production, automated method of hot forging finished articles from powder metal preforms, and an apparatus for carrying out the method, wherein the preforms are passed through an induction heating device, whereby they are heated to at least forging temperature. Thereafter, the heated preforms are passed to a pair of dies whereby they are forged into finished articles, after which they are cooled. The entire process may, if required, be conducted in a non-oxidizing atmosphere. The apparatus includes an induction heating means, a forging means, a cooling station, feeding or conveying means to introduce the preforms into the induction heating means, and conveying means to move the preforms from the heating means to the forging means and from the forging means to the cooling station. The entire operation is automatic, including the feeding of the preforms through the apparatus, the control of temperature, and the lubrication and preheating of the dies.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cold working metal powder to produce a metal powder highly suited for consolidation wherein the apparatus comprises a cold rolling mill including a pair of driven rolls mounted within a sealed work chamber for receiving and deforming a closely metered amount of powder. The work chamber is continuously purged with an inert atmosphere to protect the powder from gaseous contaminants and circulating and filter means is provided for removing solid contaminants. To facilitate cold rolling the powder is lubricated prior to passage through the rolls and brushes are provided for cleaning any adhering powder from the surface of the rolls. The resulting cold worked powder particles have a coin, or plate-like, shape and demonstrate desirable properties for hot consolidation, such as, a low incidence of hollow particles and nonmetallic inclusions, the capability of achieving a condition of superplasticity, and an increased tap density of the loose powder.

Abstract: Aluminum or aluminum alloy scraps or wastes are broken into chips and converted into a cylindrical body to be extruded under a temperature suitable to produce extruded structural profiles. The method is characterized by the fact that the interior of the extruder is evacuated prior to or simultaneously with the extrusion step so as to exhaust air entrapped in the cylindrical body.

Abstract: A metal preform is flow formed into a desired structure utilizing segmented dyes. The metal preform is positioned in a chamber comprised of shaping members which define a surface substantially complementary to the desired structure. At least two of the shaping members are spaced from one another and define a groove therebetween. The preform is heated to a temperature suitable for superplastic forming and then compressed such that the preform deforms against the shaping members and into the groove. The at least two spaced shaping members are forced to move into contiguous relationship thereby reducing the size of the groove while forcing further deformation of the preform into the groove.

Abstract: A device for zigzag folding of strip material and the like by means of two dies, the facing sides of which are provided with teeth. Each of the dies is provided with ducts which open into the toothed die face. During operation, the two duct systems are alternately connected to a source of a pressure, either higher or lower than atmospheric pressure, in order to keep the material alternately against one of the two toothed die faces during open die positions.

Abstract: A process of manufacture to produce low cost pressure vessels from a length of metal tubing by use of localized heat and/or axial tensile force to shrink the diameter of the tubing at selected locations of a predetermined starting length approximately one diameter long and many diameters apart to permit subsequent separation to form open-ended pressure vessels. Subsequent conventional swaging operations could thicken and reduce the end diameters so they can be threaded.

Abstract: A process for sheathing a cable core with metal in which the core is immersed in oil in a container and is transferred from the container to the sheath extruder in a siphon tube in which oil flows in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the core. From the extruder, the metal sheathed core is transferred to a drum and during such transfer the core is subjected to oil under pressure. Prior to inserting the core in the siphon tube, the latter is evacuated and filled with degassed oil. The apparatus comprises a stainless steel siphon tube with one end in the container and the other end connected to the extruder. The siphon tube has a higher intermediate portion to which a piezometric column and a pump are connected and has a coupling adjacent the extruder for supplying degassed oil to the siphon tube.

Abstract: A method of reduction of an oxidized surface of copper or its alloys in the process of hot working thereof, in which the oxidized surface is treated with water, an aqueous emulsion or steam, containing at least 0.15 per cent of ethyl alcohol, when carrying into effect hot working or immediately thereafter.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming hollow metal articles such as aluminum reflectors for Luminaires. The apparatus comprises a convex forming punch movable into a complementary hollow magnetic forming coil device. The forming punch is mounted on a base having an annular slot opening at the periphery of the forming punch and being connected to passages in the base for quickly evacuating the air between the workpiece and the punch prior to the magnetic forming operation.

Abstract: Apparatus and related process steps are disclosed for manufacturing titanium alloy sheet metal parts over a die form using radiant heating, particular mechanical motions, and differential fluid pressures in specific sequences of operations. The resulting parts have configurations with substantial depths and are produced both at accelerated rates and with reduced alloy contamination in comparison to known titanium sheet metal forming practices.

Abstract: Production of tapered titanium alloy tube performed by subjecting uniformly dimensioned tube to multiple swaging steps interspersed with vacuum annealing, heat hardening in the presence of atmospheric gases producing high yield strength in the final product.

Abstract: A seal permitting wire, rod or the like to be fed continuously into a vacuum treatment chamber comprises two die-shaped elements conforming to the peripheral shape of the wire, rod or the like in spaced holders with a tube sealed between the holders and a removable insert in the tube externally fitting closely within the tube.

Abstract: A sealed system process for the elimination (destruction or removal) of superfluous projections, such as unwanted burrs and sharp edges, on shaped or fabricated articles of manufacture, particularly those produced by mechanical shaping or fabricating, by treatment with transient elevated gaseous temperatures in a sealed and confined space. The transient elevated gaseous temperatures in the sealed and confined space are produced, for instance, by the ignition or other suitable reaction initiation of various compositions which are exothermic in the sealed and confined space, by the rapid and substantially adiabatic compression of a gas in the sealed and confined space or by some other manner such as by the rapid movement of a heated gas wave under pressure through the sealed and confined space, such as exists in a shock wave, so that the transient elevated gaseous temperatures are produced.