Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and tooling suitable for handling closure blanks (5) having an external radius (6) at their cut edge at production speeds of about (1200) closures per minute. The external radius (6) limits formation of “angel hair” (a common problem in metal closure production). However, reversing the external radius causes a problem, when producing metal closures having a conventional inward curl at their peripheral edge. Accordingly, the invention proposes a modified curling rail (40) having a first portion (41) to uncurl the external curl (6) on the closure blank (5) and a second portion (45) to urge the straightened side wall of the closure blank (5) towards an inward curl.

Abstract: The present invention relates to means for feeding blanks into the thread rolling part of a thread rolling machine in accurate timing and accurate position. A transport screw for transporting blanks e.g. in a thread rolling machine is disclosed, said transport screw comprises a transport helix for transporting a blank along said transport screw when said transport screw rotates, said transport screw further comprises a feeding area being a widening of said transport helix, whereby said feeding area can receive and feed said blank into said transport helix upon rotation of said transport screw. Further, a method of feeding blanks into a transport screw and a feeding system comprising a transport screw, a blank height adjustment mechanism and a blank alignment mechanism are disclosed.

Abstract: Beading of containers such as two and three piece can bodies by rolling the can body between tools, typically a roll/roll or a roll/rail of a rotary turret system. During beading, a load is applied along the central axis of the can body, whereby axial and panel performance of the beaded can is improved. This load is applied for example by the use of miniature air bags which are fixed to the turret.

Abstract: A method of cold forming a capped cylinder with geometrically spaced torsional engagement radial projections on an exterior side of the capped cylinder is provided. The method includes the step of striking a generally flat blank to form a drawn part having a first capped portion and a second cylindrical portion adjacent an open end of the capped cylinder, placing the drawn part with the capped portion into a die with a cylindrical cavity portion having a first diameter with radial projections extending to a second diameter greater than said first diameter; inserting into the drawn part open end a mandrel, and rotating said mandrel with respect to the drawn part to plastically deform the drawn part cylindrical portion radially outward into the die cylindrical portion to cold form the radial projections on the exterior side of the second cylindrical portion of the capped cylinder.

Abstract: A thread-rolling machine includes a vertical rotating shaft journalled on a machine base, and a thread-rolling unit. The thread-rolling unit includes a plurality of angularly equidistant rotatable rolling plates fixed on the rotating shaft, and a plurality of angularly equidistant fixed rolling plates fixed on the machine base and disposed around the rotatable rolling plates. During rotation of the rotating shaft, nail-shaped blanks are fed simultaneously onto the thread-rolling unit. Each of the blanks is rolled between a respective one of the rotatable rolling plates and a respective one of the fixed rolling plates, thereby forming a bolt.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mechanically reshaping and/or forming textured features in the side wall of metal can bodies in which a can body is mounted on a profiled mandrel and rolled along a second mandrel or rail, which is also profiled. The tools are made from hard material but the second mandrel or rail is resiliently mounted. This mounting has been found to facilitate control of the depth of the profiled features formed in the can body. In particular, the problem of depth variability which will arise due to expansion of the machine and tooling in normal running conditions, or variability in thicknesses in the can body is avoided. Typically, the can body is clamped between complementary unformed regions on the tools during forming so as to prevent wrinkling or localised thinning of the can side wall.

Abstract: A device for embossing the edge of round blanks, in particular coins, has a forming wheel which is provided with roll-forming segments. The forming wheel has associated abutment elements which may likewise be mounted on forming wheels. A positioning device guides the round blanks, in coordination with the equally directed synchronous rotation of the forming wheels between the forming wheels and, after edge embossing has taken place out of the wheel interspaces.

Abstract: A method for hot rolling and cold rolling metal strip to a finish strip thickness, profile and flatness in a series of rolling mills each having roll bending and roll crossing capabilities to effect a plurality of roll gap profiles. A control method utilizing mathematical models of the roll gap profiles and strip profile is used to select and set the roll bending and roll crossing to a preferred configuration based on secondary effects of possible combinations so as to produce finished metal strip having desired thickness, profile and flatness characteristics.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing metal balls from a cylindrical strand material, with two rolling jaws which are displaceable relative to one another and of which each forms a shaping groove which extends in a direction of displacement, wherein the jaws are located displaceably relative to one another such that U-grooves, which are located opposite one another on the opening side, form a shaping channel, a blank being rolled, as a result of displacement of the channel walls relative to one another, on its passage through said shaping channel.

Abstract: A method of rolling strip, particularly metal strip, for example, steel strip, in a rolling train with several roll stands arranged one behind the other, wherein the strip enters each of the roll stands with a desired entry thickness and each of the roll stands is provided with a desired thickness value of the strip, and wherein the strip is to leave the respective roll stand with a thickness which corresponds to this desired thickness value; when rolling a transition portion of the strip, i.e., a portion of the strip where the thickness of the strip changes, the desired thickness value of one of the roll stands is changed from an initial desired value to a final desired value; when rolling the transition portion of the strip in any roll stand arranged subsequent to the one roll stand, the desired thickness values of these roll stands are also changed from initial desired values to final desired values.

Abstract: A roller die apparatus for supporting pairs of roller dies in predetermined clearances for processing a web workpiece, and for varying the clearances between the dies to accommodate variations in the thickness of a web workpiece and having first and second roller dies rotatably mounted on respective roller die bearings, one of the first and second roller dies being moveable upwardly and downwardly transversely to its axis of rotation, and one of the first and second roller dies being moveable axially along its axis of rotation, thereby achieving adjusting of the die clearance between the first and second roller dies in two planes.

Abstract: A system for calculating an output of a multi-stage forming process using a model of the forming process with which the output of the forming process is determined as a function of properties of the forming process. Selected properties of the forming process are determined using a neural network-based information processing arrangement.

Abstract: A vibration control apparatus (20) and method for a calender (18) for controlling vibration between two or more rolls (ex. 22, 24) which controls vibration induced thickness variations in a medium (27) exiting from the nip. The apparatus (20) includes a frame (19), a first and second rolls (22, 24) mounted relative to the frame (19), and a force generator (32), such as an electromechanical active actuator, servo-hydraulic actuator, controllable semi-active damper, Active Vibration Absorber (AVA), or Adaptive Tuned Vibration Absorber (ATVA), provides cancelling forces to control vibration between the first and second roll (22, 24) thereby, controlling such vibration induced thickness variations in the medium (27). Preferably, the apparatus (20) includes at least one sensor (ex.

Abstract: System to control the surface profile of the back-up rolls in four-high rolling stands (11) to produce flat products (14), the four-high rolling stand (11) comprising working rolls (12) and back-up rolls, wherein each back-up roll (13) comprises deforming elements (18) consisting of means made of magnetostrictive material (19, 119) on which coils (20, 120) are directly wound and connected with autonomous means of electric supply to generate a magnetic field, the system comprising a control and regulation unit (24), connected with at least means (25) to control the planarity and/or thickness of the rolled product (14) leaving the rolling stand (11), for the controlled activation and feed of each of the coils generating the magnetic field (20, 120). Back-up roll for four-high rolling stands comprising means made of magnetostrictive material to achieve the control system as described above.

Abstract: A method to measure strip shape in rolling and a method of using the measuring method to control the same are provided in present invention, which can dramatically simplify the computation during the measurement of strip shape. On the basis of a prior mathematical model, the invention is realized by applying a strip rigidity coefficient q reflecting the features of a piece to be rolled, and a shape rigidity coefficient m reflecting those of a mill, to express heredity coefficient .eta..

Abstract: It is possible, in a rolling method of a strip shifting one-side-tapered work rolls in the axial direction and causing the upper and the lower work rolls to cross each other, to appropriately set a quantity of shift and a crossing angle and to improve an edge drop satisfactorily, by utilizing the relationship of the three factors including the quantity of shift and the crossing angle for determining quantities of operation necessary to correcting an edge drop of the strip and the quantity of correction of edge drop corresponding to these quantities of operation in the form of the relationship between the roll gap between the upper and the lower work rolls and the quantity of correction of edge drop, by providing an effective roll gap reference position apart from the strip edge by a prescribed distance.

Abstract: In the continuous rolling mills, the strip crown and the strip flatness of a strip can be controlled to any desired value. In the strip crown measuring method, the strip crown of the first stage rolling mill can be obtained by adding the set target strip crown value and a value obtained by multiplying the deviation in mechanical strip crown between the predicted value and the actually measured value by a imprinting ratio. Further, the strip crowns of the second and after rolling mills can be obtained by adding the set target strip crown, a value obtained by multiplying the deviation in mechanical strip crown between the predicted value and the actually measured value by a imprinting ratio, and a value obtained by multiplying the deviation in entry strip crown between the target value and the calculated measurement value by an inheritance coefficient, for each rolling mill.

Abstract: A precision roll stand includes a roll housing absorbing the rolling forces. In the roll housing rolls constituting a roll pair with their roll chocks are mounted so as to be rotatable and mutually adjustable by an adjustment device which changes the axial distance between the pair of rolls. A drive housing including a roll drive is connectable with the roll housing while establishing a drive connection of the roll drive with the rolls and being removable from the same while undoing the drive connection. In order to produce rolled products exhibiting extremely high measuring accuracies and to be able to exchange the rolls quickly and without difficulty, the roll housing has a frame which is open in the direction of adjustment of the rolls and contains and guides the chocks of the rolls. A crosshead for closing the frame carries the adjustment device designed as a pressure medium cylinder and is rigidly connectable with the frame. The drive housing is supported on the crosshead.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for an anticipatory thickness control in foil rolling by using characteristic lines stored in a process control computer of the individual manipulated variables (for example, strip tensions, rolling speeds) for various operating points (conditions of operation) or by using an on-line operating physical computing model, also in combination with a monitor control. The method includes the steps of determining the thickness deviations of the foil at the entry side of the roll stand and of compensating the thickness deviations by an anticipatory thickness control. The apparatus includes a thickness measuring device between the running-off reel and the rolling mill or the roll gap of the roll stand. The thickness measuring device is connected to a superordinated process control computer. Following the thickness measuring device is arranged a tensioning unit which serves to change the travel path of the foil strip between the running-off reel and the roll gap.

Abstract: A method of producing corrugated fins employing a fin mill machine (12) for forming strip stock (14) into corrugated fins (16) to form heat exchanger fins or the like. A fin mill machine (12) that can carry out the method includes a tension control subsystem (20) employing a pneumatic cylinder (32) to create the tension which is controlled by a feedback loop which automatically adjusts cylinder pressure based upon measurements from a strain gauge (44). The fin mill machine also includes a height measurement subsystem (22) which continually measures the average height of the fins in a packed state, which allows for manual or automatic feedback to the tension subsystem (20) to adjust the average fin height.

Abstract: A device is provided for regulating the thickness of rolling stock in a roller stand. The device includes a control device that controls the roller adjustment of the roller stand as a function of the deviation between a reference thickness value (h*) and an estimated value (h') for the thickness of the rolling stock exiting from the roller stand; a model simulating the rolling process in the roller stand, the model calculating the estimated value (h') on the basis of roller technology parameters and measured values; a thickness measurement device that measures the thickness of the rolling stock after its exit from the roller stand with a measurement delay (T.sub.L) providing a measured thickness value (h.sub.L); a delay device for delaying the estimated value (h') determined by the model by at least approximately the amount of the measurement delay (T.sub.L); a correction device generating a correction value (k) as a function of a deviation (.DELTA.h.sub.L) between the measured thickness value (h.sub.

Abstract: A method for rolling rolled strips 3, 4 in a hot strip rolling mill 6, comprises at least two roll stands 6, 7, with horizontally adjustable top and bottom work rolls 10, 11. Each work roll is backed up directly or through an intermediate roll by a backup roll 9 or in a reversing stand where at least two passes are rolled, wherein the roll strip is subjected to a condition control for which profile the surface evenness-imparting correctively control elements act upon the rolled strip to meet requirements of profile accuracy and surface evenness of the rolled strips in spite of flexible rolling program if a target contour of the profile of the rolled strip 3, 4 is preset for achievement of which two groups of correction control elements act successively upon the rolled strip. The control elements 12, 13 of first group are brought to bear if a rolled strip thickness is above the critical thickness and influence largely the contour of the rolled strip in its central region referred to the strip center.

Abstract: In a previous process, the influence of roll eccentricities on the output thickness of the rolled material in a roll stand is suppressed by simulating the output signal of an oscillator and supplying this value to a position or thickness control for the roll stand, where the frequency of the output signal is set according to the roll rotation speed. In the process according to the invention, the amplitude and phase of the output signal are set so that the exit thickness of the rolled material is measured with a measuring delay in relation to the thickness reduction in the roll gap. A difference signal is generated from the delayed roll screw-down signal and a measured thickness signal multiplied by the sum of one and the quotient of the rigidity of the rolled material and the roll stand. The output signal of the oscillator is corrected according to the difference between the output signal and the difference signal. The output signal is phase shifted by the amount of measurement delay for a forward slip.

Abstract: The rotational speed of the rolls of a rolling mill is controlled such that the loops of rolled material between two roll stands have a constant height. The last roll stand in the direction of rolling preferably acts as a guide roller stand, whose speed is controlled. The loop height is controlled by adjusting the rotational speed of the roll stand ahead of the loop.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for improving rolling mill efficiency by providing modified fixed setup parameters according to the class of the material being rolled through the following steps: (1) divide the products produced by the rolling mill into hardness/rollability classes; (2) empirically establish a set of fixed interstand thicknesses for each class which produce desired operational characteristics, such as constant thermal operation; and (3) vary the entry thickness for a particular product in accordance with the set of fixed interstand thicknesses for its class proportionally based on the desired exit thickness.

Abstract: In the control of the rolled product thickness in a roll stand, to suppress the influence of roll eccentricities, it is known to provide a dead zone which is insensitive to signal fluctuations caused by the roll eccentricities and to vary the zone width of the dead zone as a function of the magnitude of the signal fluctuations. In so doing, in order to increase the accuracy, the variation of the zone width (b) is carried out as a function of a continuous statistical evaluation of the signal fluctuations, the standard deviation (.sigma.) thereof preferably being determined.

Abstract: Rolling schedule computing method for adjusting the desired roll force and desired roll gap of a roll stand, in which before rolling a strip (1) of a prescribed quality from an expected material hardness (MH*) and before a relative desired pass reduction (.epsilon.*) given from a pass schedule the desired roll force (F*) is computed taking account of stand-specific and/or material-specific roll force fitting terms (KFK, KMK) and with simplification by means of a simple arithmetic combination, and then the desired roll gap (S*) is computed, with simplification by means of a simple arithmetic combination, from the desired delivered thickness (HA*) given by the relative desired pass reduction (.epsilon.*), the stand modulus (CG) and the desired roll force (F*), taking account of a zero-point correction (SO), a temperature correction (SOT), and, as the case may be, a roll gap fitting term (KSK), and the stand (6) is subjected to the desired roll force (F*) and the desired roll gap (S*).

Abstract: The invention relates to control in the manufacture of hot strip by means of a multi-stand hot-strip rolling mill, especially a wide-strip rolling mill, which has a higher-order process control system with a sampling plan with the initial and final dimensions, with material data, rolling temperatures, etc., and a guidance system for setpoint control of lower-order decoupled individual regulators for the variable functional parameters of the individual roll stands, e.g. roll adjustment, rotational speed, torque, etc., with the setpoints of the individual regulators being determined by means of a computation process using model equations with convergent parameter adjustment to the actual parameters, in such fashion that a working point control that can be determined in advance is provided and section control and regulation are accomplished by changing the load distribution on the individual stands in such fashion that the working points lie in the previously determined tolerance range of a shape control line.

Abstract: A reciprocating mechanical press has two laterally spaced rows of tooling components or modules for producing corresponding rows of sheet metal container shells with each stroke of the press. The shells are ejected laterally outwardly from both s ides of the press into corresponding guide chutes by air jet nozzles which project at slightly different elevations from opposite sides of an air supply manifold extending between the rows of tooling modules. A plurality of curling units are connected to the guide chutes extending from both sides of the press, and each curling unit includes a driven curling wheel having a rim portion supporting multiple level inner die rings separated by corresponding shell support rings. A plurality of circumferentially arranged arcuate die sections radially oppose each inner die ring and are supported in stacked relation by a base member which also supports the rotatable shaft for the curling wheel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for forming a plurality of axially extending externally concave complete flutes defining a fluted profile in a cylindrical can body 1. The apparatus comprises a correspondingly profiled mandrel 11 of maximum diameter less than the minimum diameter of the cylindrical can body and comprising a whole number of complete flutes which is less than the number of flutes on the finished can body, an elongate rail 14, means 12 for locating a cylindrical can body over the mandrel, and means 10 for rolling the mandrel relative to the rail to deform a portion of the cylindrical can body between the mandrel and the rail into the fluted profile.

Abstract: A carousel type head revolving about a vertical axis and skirted by a fixed reaction sector is equipped with work stations, each comprising a system of brackets to support the cylindrical tin can and a mandrel consisting in a shaft with an interchangeable outer barrel of diameter notably less than the internal diameter of the can, by which the revolving metal body is pinned against the fixed sector to bring about its deformation; the mandrel and brackets of each station rise and fall synchronously in mutual opposition between respective limit positions, each traversing through a vertical distance substantially equal to half the height of the production can.

Abstract: Apparatus for making electrical pins with frusto-conical end portions, comprises a wire feed station for the supply of a length of metal wire to a wire severing station at which a wire severing wheel severs the wire into pin blanks, in cooperation with a fixed bushing. The wheel pushes the blanks along a track to a pin blank rolling station at which the end portion of the pin blanks are rolled to frusto-conical shape between a pin rolling fixture and a pin rolling wheel having mounted for rotation relative thereto, a pin blank entraining ring having pin blank receiving grooves.

Abstract: A straightener for straightening longitudinal cylindrical bars includes: a machine body, a driving wheel unit having plural driving wheels rotatably mounted on one side of the machine body, an idle plate assembly having plural idle plates retained on the opposite side of the machine body interlacedly facing the plural driving wheels, and a driving motor for driving the driving wheels, so that upon a transverse feeding of a deformed bar into a slit defined by the driving wheels and the idle plates and rotating the wheels as driven by the motor, the bar can be arcuately moved downwardly through the arcuate slit and rotatively bitten by the wheels and the idle plates to straighten the bar.

Abstract: A process and machine for fabricating a rotation body having different diameters along the length thereof is disclosed, in which a blank is rotated and worked between two pressure zones to apply thereto a local pressure exceeding the flow limit of the blank material whereby circularly extending impressions of the different diameters are worked into the blank, the pressure zones crossing each other. The pressure zones are displaced relative to each other while applying the local pressure, the displacement motion having a component extending in the longitudinal direction of at least one of the pressure zones and the points of intersection of the crossing pressure zones forming a geometric line, and the blank is displaced in dependence on this line and on the different diameters to be produced.

Abstract: The method and apparatus is disclosed to reduce the size of weld flash located at the junction of two workpieces each having a cylindrical contour and which have been butt-welded together. This method and apparatus employ roller members which positively feed the butt-welded workpieces through a slot opening smaller in width than the original diameter of the weld flash. In the preferred embodiment, a roller is spaced apart from the stationary block member to establish the slot opening while the workpieces are rotated while being fed through the opening in order to exert sufficient mechanical force with the sides of the slot opening to reduce the diameter of the weld flash by compaction during passage therethrough.

Abstract: A press assembly by which cut metal workpieces of specified length are formed into blanks of desired shape by punches and dies is provided with a rolling mechanism disposed adjacent to and in line with the press assembly. The blanks formed by the press assembly are fed directly to the rolling mechanism to perform the press work and rolling work continuously.

Abstract: A threaded fastener has a pin with a head, a cylindrical shank, a shoulder with reducing diameter, a radius at the least diameter of the shoulder whose region is work-hardened, and a threaded end, in that order. The thread extends into near-adjacency to the shoulder, and has no more than approximately one-half of a convolution of an incomplete thread at its end adjacent to the shoulder. A collar is threadable onto the thread. It has a counterbore no longer than the anticipated grip range plus approximately one-half of a thread pitch. The collar may be inherently torque-limited. The term "thread" also includes a peripheral groove.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed which will test an elongated round cross-section workpiece by bending the workpiece as it is rotated to determine if a breakable area such as a welded area will break. Broken workpieces are discarded but those testing satisfactorily proceed through the machine for a straightening operation to straighten the entire workpiece, including the breakable area. The above description is merely one form of the invention and is not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention.

Abstract: Feeding apparatus for elongated objects having a rotary feed member, having a drive for rotating the same at a high speed, spaced apart parallel grooves formed in the outer circumference of the rotary member spaced apart radially from one another, to receive a single elongated object, angled shoulders formed on the outer periphery of the rotary member, located adjacent respective grooves, a recess formed in the rotary member intermediate its upper and lower ends, an ejection device located in the recess for engaging and ejecting objects at a predetermined rotational position and a generally semi-annular retaining guide, around a portion of the rotary member, for retaining objects in the grooves.

Abstract: An apparatus for prestraightening badly bent axial leads on electronic components and the like. The components are seated in notches on the periphery of a carrier disk assembly with the bent leads extending to each side of the assembly. The assembly is rotated about its axis to carry the leads in a circular path. The periphery of the carrier disk assembly is arranged adjacent an inner cylindrical surface or surround surface as it is called. The leads are thus caused to drag and twist against the surround surface. Two notched puller disks are mounted to rotate about nonparallel axes that intersect the axis of the carrier disk assembly at equal and opposite angles. Thus the peripheries of the two puller disks and the carrier disk assembly are closely adjacent at one point on their peripheries at all times. This is the entry point where components are seated in the carrier disk assembly.

Abstract: A process of producing a threaded shank, particularly for hinges, characterized by comprising in a succession the following steps of: cutting from a continuous wire a stock or cylindrical starting piece substantially having the same volume as the self-threading shank to be obtained; pressing said cylindrical piece at high pressure, to form a blank composed of a possible head section which will remain smooth, and at least two successive cylindrical sections of different diameter, each of which corresponding to the average diameter of the screw thread to be obtained and interconnected by a "frusto-conical" section having a thread pattern; and threading by rolling said blank with the thread connecting section constituting a guide means and continuity thread between the sections of different diameter.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a new mechanism for making screws. It consists of two stationary segmented dies and an intermediate rotary die and by means of rotation, the rotary die threads working pieces which become screws. It includes a pneumatic feeding holder so that working pieces can be fed into the rotary die accurately and quickly and with the action of double die dual path, a high speed mass production is achieved.

Abstract: In a rotary turret-type machine, in which operations are performed on successive can body cylinders (8) or the like by a mandrel (159) inside the workpiece co-operating with a beading rail (176), each workpiece is guided smoothly into a cradle (151) which so supports and locates it throughout its stay in the machine that axial movement of the mandrel is unnecessary. Each cradle is reciprocated towards and away from the mandrel by a fixed cam (145). Each cradle has a spring loaded support roller permitting eccentric support of the can body during beading. Each mandrel preferably has a quick-acting coupling (200) permitting temporary radial displacement of the mandrel without loss of parallelism to accommodate a can body side seam. This coupling consists of a spring mounted support plate (305) engaging a register plate (304) through three balls (306) mounted in seats (307) in the rings to give radially-yielding tripod support.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning the head of an engine valve in relation to the valve stem. A pair of die members is provided, the first die member being fixed relative to the frame of the apparatus and the second die member being cylindrical and rotatably mounted relative to the first die member. Each of the die members includes a surface for engaging the stem of the valve to straighten the valve stem as it is rolled between the surfaces in a generally arcuate path. A head straightening assembly is disposed adjacent the die members, including a straightening wheel freely rotatable relative to the die members. The straightening wheel includes a straightening surface which rollingly engages the surface of the valve head as the valve stem is rolled between the die surfaces in the arcuate path.

Abstract: A planetary production workpiece processing machine having a rotatable annular drum with circumferentially extending planetary workpiece engaging tooling and opposed fixed reaction tooling providing a progressively variable relative radial tooling spacing for rolling and variably stressing the planetary workpiece beyond elastic limit as it progresses from an entrance to an exit portion of the machine. Processing operations may include straightening of linear workpieces with rapid and gradually reduced deflection or progressive reduction forming of the workpiece. Multiple diameters in a linear workpiece are accommodated through the use of free floating as well as power driven drum elements.

Abstract: Ball rounding apparatus includes a rotatable inner rolling die and a stationary outer die. Forged steel balls travel through an arcuate path between the dies for final rounding. The stationary outer die is made up from a plurality of segments known as die shoes. A plurality of circumferentially-spaced die shoe tension take up devices bias the die shoes toward the inner die. The die shoe tension take up devices include a one-piece plunger having an enlarged head with a flat outer surface engaging the die shoes. An integral smaller diameter shaft extends from the head of the plunger, and a small radius is formed between the shaft and head. The plunger shaft is guided for longitudinal movement through a guide sleeve, and a coil spring is positioned between the plunger head and guide sleeve for urging the head into engagement with the die shoes. The guide sleeve is adjustable for varying the distance between such sleeve and the plunger head to vary the force exerted by the coil spring.

Abstract: A machine is provided to straighten both the stem and the head of flanged stem workpieces such as poppet valves by rolling the stem of the workpiece between a rotary die and an arcuate stationary die. The flange of the workpiece being larger than the stem overlaps the rotary second die to have a first path of a contact portion of the flange. A straightening roller is journalled for orbiting movement on a rotary straightening member and the straightening roller has a contact area movable in a second path intersecting the first path to engage the flange and bend the workpiece cyclically. This bending effects a straightening of such flange. The above description is merely one form of the invention and is not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention.