US3209578A

US3209578A - Apparatus for forging ingots into a base material

Info

Publication number: US3209578A
Application number: US88039A
Authority: US
Inventors: Muller Ernst
Original assignee: Hydraulik GmbH
Current assignee: Hydraulik GmbH
Priority date: 1960-02-11
Filing date: 1961-02-09
Publication date: 1965-10-05
Anticipated expiration: 1982-10-05
Also published as: GB964008A

Description

E. MULLER Oct. 5, 1965 APPARATUS FOR FORGING INGOTS INTO A BASE MATERIAL 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 9, 1961 Oct. 5, 1965 E. MULLER 3,

APPARATUS FOR FORGING INGO'IS INTO A BASE MATERIAL Filed Feb. 9. 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 5, 1965 E. MULLER 3,209,578

APPARATUS FOR FORGING INGOTS INTO A BASE MATERIAL Filed Feb. 9, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent APPARATUS FOR FORGIN G TNGOTS INTO A BASE MATERIAL Ernst Miiller, Duisburg, Germany, assignor to Firma Hydraulik G.rn.b.H., Duisburg, Germany Filed Feb. 9, 1961, Ser. No. 88,0'3'9 Claims priority, application Germany, Feb. 11, 1960,

6 Claims. '(Cl. 72-407) This invention relates to an apparatus for forging ingots into a base material and more particularly to an apparatus in which two opposed forging saddles work the ingots with equal, uniform pressure distributed along a plane which passes through the center line of the ingot and the stroke of the forging saddles.

This invention provides an apparatus for forging cast ingots into aluminum base material which may be worked subsequently in a rolling mill to form plates sheets or strips. For this purpose special rolling mills also called blooming mills or roughing mills are usually employed. Such rolling mills are designed to operate in a continuous manner and require the rolling of a substantial amount of material in order to become commercially practical in view of the high investment and operating costs of such rolling mills.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an apparatus for manufacturing base material from cast ingots which requires smaller investment and operating expenses compared to the usual rolling mills and which are more suitable for handling also smaller amounts of material.

It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus for reducing ingots by means of two oppositely moving saddles of a hydraulic press by uniform impact from opposite sides to a predetermined shape and size while advancing the ingots step by step through the press.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an apparatus in which the ingot and the forged base material are guided through the press along a plane which passes through the center line of the ingot, the stroke of the forging saddles and of the forged base material.

It has been found that a forging of the ingots produces equally extensive form changes on the ingot as a rolling of the ingot in a rolling mill.

Forging presses for reducing ingots in order to produce a base material of steel, especially high quality steel which is to be worked further in subsequent operations are already known in the prior art. In the apparatus of the present invention it is essential that the impact of the saddles of the press take place from both sides in the direction of the center plane of the ingot simultaneously and uniformly in order that the resulting reduction of the work piece be effected equally from both sides. The uniform impact from both sides on the ingot is particularly advantageous for metalurgical reasons in order to obtain a coherent and undisturbed fiber run.

The employment of a hydraulic press having two opposite saddles which move in a linear direction relative to each other is also an essential prerequisite for the economy inherent in the process and apparatus of this invention because it makes possible an operation of the forging saddles at a stroke velocity which is almost double the number of strokes available with prior art forging presses. As each of the two moving cross-beams elfects only half the total forging stroke the apparatus provides double the number of strokes while it is actually working with the same stroke speed.

A uniform pressure on the surfaces of the work piece in the direction of the central plane requires also that the work piece be introduced and conducted along the central plane of the saddle strokes. Furthermore, a step by step progression of the ingots by the same distance each time is required in order to produce a uniform result of the forging process.

According to an additional feature of this invention to work piece is conducted in the central plane of the saddle strokes of the press on a rolling bed which is formed by depressable roller pairs and the progression or advancement of the work piece is provided by a movable gripping tool which takes hold of the ingots that are deposited on the rolling bed in the starting position and advances the work piece or ingot step by step in time with the strokes of the forging saddles.

The hydraulic press of this invention has two oppositely or countermoving forging saddles which are operated at equal speeds and which are independent of any nonuniform resistances to forging of the work pieces by providing conventional speed equalizing cylinders.

The hydraulic press of this invention has one or more operating cylinders whose pistons are connected to one cross-beam to effect the stroke While the piston cylinders are connected with the other cross-beam which is operated by the reaction force produced in the cylinders. Such an arrangement of the forging press assures the simultaneous opposite movement of the forging saddles without requiring a large number of stroke cylinders for obtaining this effect, as it is required in the case of presses which have only one movable cross-beam.

According to the invention the conveyor structure for the ingots consists of a rolling bed formed of individually depressable roller pairs. The plane of the rolling bed is adjustable to the central plane of the saddle stroke. The work pieces are guided through the press by means of a movable gripping tool which glides over the automatically depressable roller pairs. A second movable gripping tool is provided which takes hold of the forged ingots and pulls the forged piece away from the press in a step by step manner. The portion of the rolling bed on which the second gripping tool travels is also provided with individually depressable roller pairs, the rolling plane of this bed being also adjustable to the central plane of the work piece.

The manufacturing costs of an apparatus according to this invention are substantially below the costs of a standard rolling mill. The operating and maintenance costs are also considerably reduced with the apparatus of this invention so that for reasons of economy this apparatus offers considerable advantages.

Additional objects and features of this invention will become apparent by reading the following detailed description of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the invention showing the hydraulic press partly in section.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus of the invention according to FIG. 1 showing a completely forged work piece and an ingot prior to the forging operation.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the apparatus of the invention along line III--1II of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-section of the apparatus of the invention along line IVIV of FIG. 1.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 1 of the drawing numeral 1 designates the hydraulic press and a rolling bed which may be adjusted in height and which consists of individual independent depressable roller pairs 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d and of one or more non depressable roller pairs 2e which may also be adjusted to different heights. The automatically depressible roller pairs 2a through .2d are actuated by a gripping tool 4 which conducts the ingot 3a into the press. FIG. 1 shows the ingot 3a being guided through the press by the gripping tool and supported by roller pairs 2d and 2e while a second similar gripping 3 tool 10 has taken hold of the forged portion of the Work piece and pulls it away from the press.

The roller pairs 2a through 2d are secured at predetermined intervals from each other in a rigid frame 32 and are urged hydraulically against an abutment to the predetermined level of the rolling plane. The ingot 3a is preferably conveyed onto the

rolling bed

211, 2b, 2c, 2d, 26 by means of conventional conveyor apparatus. The movable gripping tool 4 takes hold of the ingot 3a by means of its jaws 5 and guides it into press 1. In doing this it travels over roller pairs 2a, 2b, 2c and the ingot is still resting on roller pairs 2d and 2e for the purpose of aiding or rellieving the gripping tool in supporting the ingot.

The hydraulic press is provided with two oppositely movable cross-beams 6a and 6b having forging saddles 7a and 7b which press the work piece simultaneously on both sides and effect the forging of the ingot. The forging saddles include heating devices 8a and Sb in order to maintain the saddles constantly at the required forging temperatures.

On the discharge side of the press the rolling bed consists also of individual roller pairs designated 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e, 9 and the rolling plane of this rolling bed is adjustable to the center plane of the forged work piece depending on the thickness of the resulting base material 3b. Roller pairs 9g also provided on this rolling table and support the forged material 3b immediately upon leaving the impact area of the forging saddles roller pairs 9g being also adjustable in height depending on the thickness of the base material 3b. The second gripping tool 10 is provided for pulling the material being forged in the hydraulic press and its jaws 11 grips the forged base material 3b and exert a step by step pull directed away from the press.

After a certain amount of forging has been effected on the work piece and the forged base material 3b has been seized by the gripping tool 10 so that the advancement of the ingot 3a through the press is assured the gripping tool 4 releases the ingot 3a and returns to its starting position. In this position it is ready to receive another ingot (FIG. 2) and convey it to the rolling bed.

By providing two gripping tools 4 and 10 an uninterrupted guiding of the ingot and the forged base material is assured so that a continuous working operation is obtained.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 2 of the drawing the gripping tool 10 has Withdrawn the completely forged base material 3b entirely from press 1 so that it lies now on the rolling bed formed by roller pairs 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 92, 9 while the roller pair 9g is still in the de pressed position as gripping tool 10 is still above the roller pair which is not moved upwardly to support the forging material.

The subsequent ingot to be conducted through the hydraulic press 1 has been gripped by the gripping tool 4 and been guided int-o the press. In this position it rests on the roller pairs 2c, 2d, and 2e so that the gripping jaws 5 of the gripping tool are substantially relieved or aided in supporting the ingot in this position.

Referring now to FIG. 3 of the drawing there is shown a cross-section of the forging apparatus illustrating the roller pair 2c in its depressed position. The support frame 130 for this roller pair is provided with guide rods 14c which are adapted to slide in guide sleeves 15c. By means of a piston 170 which is arranged to reciprocate in a cylinder 160 the roller pair 2c is raised and lowered depending on whether the hydraulic pressure for actuating piston 170 is introduced either through inlet conduit 180 or inlet conduit 190. FIG. 3 also illustrates how the gripping tool 4, which is movable in a conventional manner on a track 20, takes hold of the ingot 3a by means of its jaws 5.

In FIGURE 4 of the drawing there is shown a more detailed view of the hydraulic press 1 adapted to practice the forging process according to this invention. The forging saddles 7a and 7b are secured on the moving cross-beams 6a and 6b in a conventional manner. The upper cross-beam 6a is rigidly connected with the movable cylinder cross-beam 22 by means of several posts 21 while the driving pistons 23 are directly connected to the lower cross-beam 6b. In operation, when the cylinder chambers 24 are charged with the pressure means the pistons 23 are moved upwardly and cross-beam 22 is urged downwardly by the reaction force. The movement of the cylinder cross-beam 22 is transferred through posts 21 to the upper cross-beam 6a so that a uniform stroke of both cross-beam 6a and 6b is achieved. The mobility of the cylinders is dependent on the stroke of cylinder cross-beam 22 and must be taken into consideration when charging the pressure means into the cylinders. The pres sure means is introduced into cylinders 24 through conduits 25 in a block 25a supported to the frame 1 by posts 25b.

In order to assure the simultaneous and uniform movement of the two-cross-beam 6a and 6b independent of any varying resistances encountered in the shaping of the ingots an equalizing arrangement is provided which consists of pistons 27a connected to cross-beam 6a and 27b, connected to cross-beam 6b, guided in cylinders 26a and 26b which are connected to frame 1. The cylinder chambers 28a are connected with cylinder chambers 28b through a conduit 29. If during operation one of the cross-beam moves ahead of the other cross-beam a displacement of pressure fluid is caused in the cylinder chamber which is associated with the leading cross-beam and the displaced pressure fluid is transferred to the oppositely disposed equalizing cylinder through conduit 29 so that the trailing cross-beam is speeded up and the advance of the leading cross-beam is reduced and equalized.

Cross-beams 6a and 6b are guided in frame 1. One movable unit includes 6a, 7a, 21, 22 and 27a which are supported by working cylinder 24, and the pressure in cylinder 26a. The other movable unit includes 6b, 7b, 23, 27b and 30. The pressure in cylinder 26a and 26b provide the pressure equalization for the upper and lower cross-beams 6a and 6b respectively.

The pistons 30 are connected with the lower crossbeam 6b and are guided in cylinder bores 31 positioned in cylinder 26a attached to the frame 1 to provide a retracting device. In operation, when pressure fluid is introduced into cylinder chambers 31 the opposite faces of pistons 30 and of cylinder chambers 31 are forced apart so that the cross-beams 6a and 6b are returned each to their starting position.

The lower portion of the frame as seen in FIGURES 1 and 2 is representative of that portion shown in detail in FIGURE 4.

Summary The ingot 3a is guided by means of gripping tool 4 under the press wherein forging saddles 7a and 7b are brought together in unison. This is accomplished by supplying fluid through conduits 25 into cylinders 24. Pistons 23 together with

elements

6b, 7b, 27b and 30 bear up on the ingot. At the same time cross-beam 22, together with

elements

6a, 7a, 21 and 27a bear down on the ingot. If the two saddles 7a and 7b will not contact the ingot simultaneously, fluid in

chambers

28a and 28b will tend toward equalization, thus bring the two sides of the press together at the same moment. Gripping tool 10 pulls the base material outward from the press. By injecting fluid into chamber 31 the saddles are retracted.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for forging ingots into a base material for rolling mills comprising in combination,

a forging press having forging means movable toward each other with a combined linear forging stroke, means for feeding an ingot between said forging means,

means for pulling the base material from said forging means,

and means for adjustably supporting the ingot and the base material so that the center line of the ingot and of the base material extends perpendicularly of said linear stroke.

2. Apparatus for forging ingots into a base material comprising in combination,

a forging press having forging members movable relative to each other With an equal combined forging stroke,

means for feeding an ingot between said forging members,

means for supporting said feeding means and the ingot in a predetermined perpendicular position relative to said forging members,

means for conveying the base material away from said forging members,

and means for supporting said conveying means and the base material in a predetermined perpendicular posi tion relative to said forging members and the ingot.

3. Apparatus for forging ingots into a base material comprising in combination,

a forging press having a pair of forging saddles movable relative to each other with an equal combined linear forging stroke,

a first gripping device for feeding an ingot between said forging saddles,

means for supporting said first gripping device and the ingot in a predetermined perpendicular position relative to said forging saddles,

a second gripping device for moving the base material away from said forging saddles,

and means for supporting said second gripping device and said base material in a predetermined perpendicular position relative to said forging saddles and in an aligned position with the ingot,

the center line of the ingot and of the base material extending perpendicularly of the combined forging stroke.

4. Apparatus for forging ingots into a base material for rolling mills comprising in combination,

a forging press having a first and second forging member movable relative to each other with a combined linear forging stroke,

a first gripping device for feeding an ingot between said forging members,

means for supporting said first gripping device and the ingot in a predetermined perpendicular position relative to said forging members,

a movable cylinder cross-beam providing a plurality of driving cylinders,

connecting posts for operatively connecting said movable cylinder cross-beam to said first forging member,

driving pistons disposed in said driving cylinders and connected operatively to said second forging mem ber,

means for conducting pressure fluid to said driving cylinders for operating said forging members with an equal forging stroke,

a second gripping device for moving the base material away from said forging members,

and means for supporting said second gripping device and the base material in a predetermined perpendicular position relative to said forging members and in an aligned position with the ingot,

the center line of the ingot and of the base material extending perpendicularly and centrally of said combined forging stroke.

5. Apparatus for forging ingots into a base material for rolling mills comprising in combination,

a forging press having an upper and lower cross-beam movable relative to each other with a combined linear forging stroke,

upper and lower forging members connected to said upper and lower cross-beams,

a first gripping device for feeding an ingot between said forging members,

a plurality of adjustable roller pairs for supporting the ingot in a predetermined perpendicular position relative to said forging members,

a movable cylinder cross-beam providing a plurality of driving cylinders and mounted below said lower cross-beam,

driving pistons disposed in said driving cylinders and operatively connected to said lower cross-beam,

connecting posts for operatively connecting said cylinder cross-beam to said upper cross-beam,

first control cylinders mounted in said press,

first control pistons disposed in said first control cylinders and connected to said upper cross-beam,

second control cylinders provided in said press below said first control cylinders,

second control pistons disposed in said second control cylinders and connected to said lower cross-beam,

a supply line for conducting pressure fluid to said first and second control cylinders in response to speed variations in the stroke of said forging members,

and a plurality of adjustable roller pairs for support-. ing said second gripping device and the base material in a predetermined perpendicular position relative to the ingot and said forging members,

6. Apparatus for forging ingots into a base material for rolling mills comprising in combination,

upper and lower forging members connected to said upper and lower cross-beams,

a first gripping device for feeding an ingot between said forging members,

first control cylinders mounted in said press,

a plurality of adjustable roller pairs for supporting said second gripping device and the base material in a predetermined perpendicular position relative to the ingot and said forging members,

support frames for said adjustable rollers pairs,

third cylinders mounted for cooperation with said support frames,

piston members disposed in said third cylinders and connected to said support frames,

and fiuid pressure means for actuating said third pis-i ton members to maintain said roller pairs at a predetermined level so that the center line of the ingot and of the base material extend perpendicularly and centrally of said combined forging stroke.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 336,604 2/86 Tweddell 78-42 430,837 6/90 Davy 78-102 922,392 5/09 Christianson 7s 42 1,129,663 2/15 Gier 78-102 1,165,174 12/15 Holmes 78-102 1,167,874 7/28 Smith 78-96 4/3 8 Harter 78-20 3 Schenk 29-552 7/41 Tiedemann.

2/ 44 Dewey 78-96 8/45 Flowers 29-552 7/56 Moore 78-60 12/58 Steinfort 78-42 7/ 5 9 Appel 29-552 XR 12/59 Kendall 78-42 3/ Biernath 78-42 FOREIGN PATENTS 6/ 26 Germany. 4/ 35 Great Britain.

Examiners.

Claims

1. APPARATUS FOR FORGING INGOTS INTO A BASE MATERIAL FOR ROLLING MILLS COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, A FORGING PRESS HAVING FORGING MEANS MOVABLE TOWARD EACH OTHER WITH A COMBINED LINEAR FORGING STROKE, MEANS FOR FEEDING AN INGOT BETWEEN SAID FORGING MEANS, MEANS FOR PULLING THE BASE MATERIAL FROM SAID FORGING MEANS, AND MEANS FOR ADJUSTABLY SUPPORTING THE INGOT AND THE BASE MATERIAL SO THAT THE CENTER LINE OF THE INGOT AND OF THE BASE MATERIAL EXTENDS PERPENDICULARLY OF SAID LINEAR STROKE.