US3427840A - Automatic stock lubricating system - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 18, 1969 w, R|HTER AUTOMATIC STOCK LUBRICATING SYSTEM Sheet Filed Dec. 16, 1965 FI G.3

INVENTOR.

Walrer Richter AW, ATTORNEY Sheet Filed Dec. 16, 1965 x005 2 5 85. GM: 90258 92mm m w NN 2 m @N [II 90258 105 6 WWmEQ OF 13x QN W NOE Feb. 18, 1969 Filed Dec. 16, 1965 W. RICHTER AUTOMATIC STOCK LUBRICATING SYSTEM Sheet 3 ors TABLE 1 V1 CONTROL VALVE V2-CONTROL VALVE VB-CONTROL VALVE V4-CONTROL VALVE CAM 1-2 LOBE CAM 2-4 LOBE CAM 3- 6 LOBE FOR PUMP 1 FOR PUMP 2 FOR PUMP 3 FOR PUMP 4 TABLE 3 LOBE ,1 LOBE LOBE 21 LOBE 9021 LOBE ,1 LOBE LOBE ,1 LOBE 210.1L0BE LOBE 300, 1 LOBE 330 TABLE 4 RAT K SPEED TABLE 2 RI R2 R3 ON OFF OFF OFF ON OFF 24031 LOBE 270?,

SWITCHES STOCK WIDTH PUM PS ON W2 W3 W4 VALVES OPE RATING A 14 OFF OFF OFF VI B 1+ 2 ON OFF OFF V1, V2 C i+2+3 ON ON OFF VI, V2,V3 D 1+2+3+4 ON ON ON V1,V2,V3,V4

United States Patent 3,427,840 AUTOMATIC STOCK LUBRICATING SYSTEM Walter Richter, Syosset, N.Y., assignor to Hudson Machine & Tool Corporation, Farmingdale, N.Y. Filed Dec. 16, 1965, Ser. No. 514,346 U.S. Cl. 72-44 12 Claims Int. Cl. B21b 45/02; B05c 11/00, 5/00 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure is directed to a metal forming machine in combination with a lubricating system for automatically lubricating stock mate-rial as it is fed toward the forming station of the machine. The lubricating system includes a supply tank for containing the source of lubricating fluid. A spreader means adapted to engage the stock material is disposed in the path of stock travel for uniformly distributing the lubricating fluid to the stock material as it advances toward the forming station. A pump means is interposed in the line between the supply means and the spreader for pumping controlled amounts of lubricating fluid from the supply means to the spreader. Operatively connected to the pump is a means which is rendered responsive to the cycle of the machine for controlling the frequency of operation of the pump so that only predetermined optimum amounts of lubricating fluid are directed from the supply means to the spreader during machine operation.

This invention relates in general to a lubricating system, and more specifically to an automatic stock lubricating system adapted for use in conjunction with a die press capable of forming an article of manufacture out of sheet stock material.

In the feeding or processing of stock sheet material to a die press, as for example a die press having a progressive set of dies, the lubrication of the stock sheet material from which the articles of manufacture are formed is a critical factor in the proper functioning of the dies and/or in extending the operating usefulness of the dies to a maximum extent.

Heretofore, the methods of lubricating such stock sheet material included drip type oilers which applied a lubricant to only one side of the sheet stock material. Such drip oilers however are unsatisfactory because they do not uniformly apply the lubricant to the sheet material. Also, bath type oilers have been employed in which the strip of stock material is required to be submerged in the lubricant as it traveled from the supply reel to the die feeder. This method subjected the stock material to excessive lubrication.

Also, roller type pad oilers and top pad oilers which were hand supplied from oil cans 'have also been utilized, as well as a variety of other methods utilizing features common to one or more of the above mentioned systems. However, all of the known oiling or lubricating systems referred to above had a common fault, and that was they did not result in an evenly distributed, uniform thin coating of lubricant on one or both sides of the sheet, which is a necessary and critical factor in processing the stock sheet material through the die set of a die press.

As the stock feed rate through a die set may vary from one foot a minute to several hundreds of feet per minute, it is imperative that the stock material be lubricated at a rate which will provide the proper amount of lubricant for any specific stock speed. Also, the system must be rendered adjustable over the range of stock speeds and stock width to provide the necessary versatility of press operation.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved automatic stock lubricating system which is relatively simple in construction, relatively inexpensive to fabricate, and which is positive in operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide an automatic lubricating system which will uniformly distribute a lubricating fluid to either one or both sides of the stock material for any predetermined rate of stock speed, and which can be rendered readily adjustable over a given range of stock speeds as may be required for particular press operating conditions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lubricating system, the operation of which is timed to the cycle of the die press to which it is adapted.

Another object is to provide an automatic lubricating system which is constructed and arranged so as to operate unattended except for periodic replenishing of the lubricating fluid.

Another object is to provide an automatic lubricating system which can be simply controlled to lubricate stock material of variable widths and at varying rates of stock feed.

Another object of this invention is to provide an automatic lubricator for applying a consistently thin and uniformly distributed film of lubrication over the entire surface of the stock as it is fed to the die press.

Another object is to provide an automatic lubricating system which is dripless thereby eliminating the need for oil pans, drains and the like heretofore required.

The foregoing objects, and other features and advantages of this invention are attained by a lubricating system which is capable of automatically lubricating stock material with a predetermined optimum amount of lubricant as it is fed to the die set of a die press. The lubricating system comprises a means for defining a source of supply for the lubricating fluid and a spreader means for uniformly distributing the lubricating fluid to the stock material as the same is fed therethrough. A pump means is interposed between the supply source and the spreader means for controlling the flow of lubricant to the spreader means. The flow of lubricant to the spreader is controlled by regulating the frequency of operation of the pump means so that only the predetermined optimum amount of lubricating fluid is directed to the spreader means. The frequency of operation of the pump means is automatically controlled by the automatic operating cycle of the press on which the lubricating system is applied; and which frequency of pump operation can be varied over a predetermined range of stock speeds. One or more pump means are connected in parallel to accommodate for variable stock widths to provide for added versatility of press operation.

The spreader means may be connected to the pump means to lubricate either one or both sides thereof of the stock material.

A feature of this invention resides in the provision of a spreader means which is specifically constructed and arranged for applying controlled amounts of lubricating fluid to the stock material fed therethrough.

Another feature of this invention is to provide -a fluid actuated pumping means interposed between the supply of lubricating fluid and the spreader means that has a multiple of ports, each of which is connected to the spreader at spaced intervals thereby to supply the same with a lubricating fluid in a uniform manner.

Another feature of this invention resides in an automatic control for the pump which is actuated in timed relationship to the cycle of the press.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision of a lubricating system which can be adapted to lubricate stock material of any given width by utilizing one or more pump means connected in parallel.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent when considered in view of the drawings in which,

FIGURE 1 illustrates the automatic stock lubricating system of this invention.

FIGURE 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of the stock lubricating system of FIG. 1.

FIGURE 3 illustrates a modified form of the invention in which a plurality of pump means are utilized in parallel for handling stock material of larger widths.

FIGURE 4 is a schematic control diagram for the four pump unit of FIG. 3.

Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the automatic stock lubricating system 10 of this invention which is readily adapted to a die press. In feeding the sheet stock material 11 to the die set of such die press, it is critical that the sheet stock material be uniformly lubricated for obtaining the proper functioning of the dies and of extending the useful life of the dies to a maximum extent. A feature of the instant lubrication system 10 is that it can be adjusted to speed and width of the stock material being fed.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the automatic lubricating system 10 comprise essentially of a means defining a reservoir for the lubricating fluid, :as for example a storage tank 12, a spreader means 13 by which the lubricant is uniformly distributed to the surfaces of the stock material 11, a pump means 14 for supplying the lubricating fluid from the source of supply or tank 12 to the spreader means 13 in predetermined amounts, and a means 15 for controlling the frequency of operation of the pump means so that only the predetermined optimum amount of lubricating fluid is directed to the spreader means.

The lubricating reservoir may comprise a tank 12 which may accommodate any predetermined quantity of lubricating fluid, as for example lubricating oil or the like Accordingly, the reservoir or tank 12 may be mounted either on the frame of the die press or it may be remotely positioned with respect to the press. However, the position and arrangement of the reservoir 12 is preferably such that the oil outlet 16 thereof is spaced above the inlet 17 to the pump means 14 in order to provide a gravity feed of the lubricating fluid from the reservoir tank 12 to the inlet 17 of the pump means 14.

The pump means is of a multi-port, positive displacement type of pump. In the illustrated form of the invention, the pump is provided with twelve discharge ports 18 whereby a predetermined, measured amount of oil is directed to each of the twelve discharge ports, each time the pump is actuated. The actuating means for the pump comprises a fluid actuated piston 19 which may be actuated by compressed air. Thus, it will be noted that by adjusting the number of pump operations of cycles for any given time interval, the oil output from the pump 14 may be accurately controlled.

As the pump 14 has a minimum operating cycle time which is set by the sum of the time required for the pump to be filled by gravity, and the time for the actuating cycle of the pump to occur, any specific pump is able to supply oil at a maximum rate for a given specific sheet width. For example, it has been shown that with a given pump, it is possible to lubricate a stock sheet of 7 inch width at a stock speed rate of 120 feet per minute with one pump. In the event that a greater or wider stock width is fed to a die press, the proper lubrication thereof in accordance with this invention may be attained by utilizing two or more pumps in parallel depending on the particular stock width. For example, a stock width of 12 inches and a stock speed rate of 120 feet per minute may require the utilization of two given pump means in parallel. For a stock width of 22 inches and a feed rate of 120 feet per minute, four pumps may be required.

However, if a particular stock feed rate is low and will be maintained low for :a given press setup, then a single 4 given pump is suflicient to lubricate stock widths greater than 7 inches with a practical limit of about 16 inches.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the respective discharge ports 18 are connected by suitable fluid lines 20 to the spreader means 13. Accordingly, the spreader means 13 functions to distribute the oil supplied to either one or both sides of the stock material as the same is fed to the die press.

In the illustrated embodiment, the spreader 13 comprises a pair of spaced applicators 13A, 138 for sandwiching therebetween the stock material 11 as it is fed to the die set of the press means. Each applicator 13A, 13B comprises a felt pad or a high density oil wick 21 detachably secured to a rigid backing plate 22 by suitable fasteners, e.g. pointed screws or the like.

In the illustrated form of the invention, each of the rigid backing members 22 of the respective applicators 13A, 13B are provided with a plurality of connectors or nipples 23 which is connected to one of the pump ports 18 by a line or conduit 20. Each port 18 of the pump is thus connected by a fluid line 20 to a corresponding connector 23 of an applicator 13A or 13B. In the single pump system of FIG. 1, it will be noted that one half of the ports 18 of the pump are connected to the rigid backing member 22 of the top applicator 13A, and the remaining half of the ports 18 are connected to corresponding connectors 23 of the bottom applicator 13B. In this manner, the top and bottom pads 21 of the respective applicators 13A, 13B are each supplied with substantially the same amount of oil. However, it will be noted that in certain applications, it may be desirable to supply more oil to the top pad than to the bottom pad and/ or vice versa. In some installations, the ports may be connected to only one of the applicators. It will therefore be readily noted that the respective ports 18 of the pump may be connected to the respective ap plicators 13A or 13B in any desired ratio or combinat as may be required by various set ups.

Accordingly, the oil distribution to each of the respective felt pads 21 of the applicators 13A, 13B is transferred to the surfaces of the sheet material 11 passing therethrough by capillary action. Experience has shown that each connection or nipple 23 feeding the lubricant to the pad may be sized to properly lubricate a given area, e.g. an area of about 1 diameter immediately under the nipple or connection 23 of the applicators. In such an event, the spacing of the connectors or nipples 23 along the applicator 13A or 13B are made on spacings of approximately 1%," apart to provide lubrication over the entire length of the applicator. However, it will be understood that the above dimensions are not critical, and that they may be smaller or larger depending upon a particular design condition and/or stock feed rate.

The hose connections 20 between the pump and the applicators are of the pressure type. Oil wick felt, thick, pads have been found to provide optimum oil conditions for the several stock feed rates encountered in normal practice. However, thinner and/ or thicker pads 21 may be used for various specific applications. The density of the felt pad 21 used is rendered dependent upon the viscosity of the lubricant, and accordingly must be determined for the specific lubricating oil used.

In accordance with this invention, the number of pumps 14 controls the stock width which can be lubricated, and the amount of oil required for a given rate of stock feed is controlled by the frequency of pump operation.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the means 15 for controlling the frequency of pump operation comprises a source of actuating fluid, as for example compressed air which is directed in line 24 through an air cleaner 25, air regulator 26 and air filter 27 to the three way, modulating, normally closed solenoid valve 28. Accordingly, the flow of actuating fluid or air through three way valve 28 is controlled by a cam timer 29 operatively associated with the valve 28. Included as part of the cam timer 29 is a single lobe cam 29A to actuate a switch 30 which is adapted to actuate the solenoid valve 28. Power for the timer 29 is taken from the clutch solenoid valve 31 of the press control, and accordingly, the timer 29 and consequently the air valve 28 required to operate the oil pump is actuated only when the die press is running. Accordingly, if the timer 29 is set to run at 4 revolutions per minute, the single lobe cam 29A thereof will operate the air valve 28 four times per minute. The air valve 28 controlling the air cylinder actuator of the oil pump and the oil pump 14 then operates four times per minute giving four shots of oil per minute to each of the twelve ports 18 of the oil distributing system or spreader, and the oil is then distributed to the intermittently moving stock 11 therebetween.

Accordingly, the amount of oil may be increased by operating the pump 14 more frequently, or decreased by decreasing the operation of the pump. Accordingly, the increase or decrease of pump frequency can be accomplished in either one of two ways, i.e. by changing the frequency of operation of the cam by changing the gear rack or ratio which drives the cam 29A and/ or by using a plurality of cams with phased lobes wherein each cam has its own operating switch, and separate mechanical switching to render the cams operative either singly and/or in combination to provide a variable range of pump operating rates.

FIGURE 1 illustrates a control panel in which the frequency of pump operation can be varied by changing the cam drive ratio. Accordingly, only two controls are located on the front of the control box A which comprise a simple on-oif switch 32 and a pilot light 33. Accordingly, the frequency of oil pump operation is adjusted by replaceable gear rack to cover the range required.

The form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a modified form of the invention in which a plurality of pumps P1 to P4 are connected in parallel in which a three cam timer and a plurality of rate switches and associated controls are utilized for varying the number of operating pumps and/or pump frequency thereof as the width of the sheet stock material and/ or feed rate is varied.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, it will be noted that the modified construction utilizes an arrangement 50 in which a plurality of pumps P1, P2, P3 and P4 are connected in the system to accommodate for varying stock widths. The embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 comprises a supply reservoir or tank 51 which is operatively connected for gravity feed to a plurality of pumps, P1 to P4 as for example four pumps to accommodate variable widths of stock material.

Each pump P1-P4 is operatively connected to the respective applicators 52-53 of the spreader means 54. As hereinbefore described, the respective spreader means 54 comprises an upper and lower applicator comprising of a felt pad 55 connected to a rigid backing member 56. Each of the respective pumps P1-P4 constitutes a multiport pump similar to that herein described in which the respective ports 57 thereof are suitably connected in any desired combination to the connectors 58 of the respective applicators by hoses 60. For example, one half of the ports 57 of each of the pumps may be connected to the top applicator 52 and the other half of the respective ports 57 connected to the lower applicator 53. It will be of course understood that the respective applicators 52, 53 may be spring biased toward one another by suitable spring means 61 so as to bear on the stock material being fed therebetween with a predetermined tension.

Likewise, the applicators 13A, 13B of FIG. 1 may likewise be similarly biased toward the sheet stock material.

Each of the respective pump means P1-P4 is actuated by a modulating valve Vl-V4 respectively similar to that hereinbefore described with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein each valve V1-V4 is rendered responsive or activated by a cam timing motor 62 and associated cam means and switches C1, C2 and C3 to control the flow of actuating fluid thereto and consequently the frequency of pump operation.

In the form of the invention of FIGS. 3 and 4, the control means utilizes three cams C1, C2 and C3 with phased lobes wherein each cam is provided with its own opera-ting switch and with a separate mechanical switching to effect utilization of the cams either singularly and/ or in combination to provide for a range of operating pump frequencies.

In the illustrated form of the invention, the actuating fluid or compressed air line 64 is operatively connected to each of the four valves, V1 V4 whereby actuation of the latter in accordance with the cam settings, governs the frequency of operations of an operating pump. However, the arrangement is such that one pump P1 is connected directly into the circuit, and the other three pumps P2, P3 and P4 are selectively brought into operation by actuation of their respective switching means, W2, W3 and W4, depending upon the stock width being run through the die press.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 the cam timer 62 and pilot light 65 are connected in parallel in the circuit 66. The timer motor 62 in turn is operatively connected to the respective cam actuated switches C1, C2 and C3. Operatively associated with each of cam switches C1, C2 and C3 are cams with two, four and six lobes respectively. For example, the two lobe cam has lobes located at the O and 30 spacings. The four lobe cam has the respective lobes thereof located at 60, and spacings therea'bout. The six lobe c-am has the respective lobes thereof spaced at 210, 240, 270, 300 and 330 thereon.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the control set up includes an on-olf control switch 67 and a pilot light 65 located directly therdbelow. The control panel is also provided with two rows of three switches each. The top row of switches comprises the rate switches and are identified as R1, R2 and R3. The bottom row of switches control the number of pumps which can be selectively placed in operation and are identied as W2, W3 and W4. Accordingly, it is to be noted that one pum p P1 is connected directly into the circuit and each of the other pumps P2-P4 are brought into operation by the actuations of switches W2, W3 and W4 accordingly. In this manner, pumps P2, P3 and P4 can be brought into and out of operation in accordance with the width of stock material being run.

'Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown the schematic diagram to illustrate the basic connections and tables to show the various switching positions for varying rates and widths. Accordingly, in the tables the stock feed rates are indicated by numbers, as for example, low numbers to indicate various low rates and the higher numbers to indicate high rates. The varying widths are identified by lettering, as for example A, B, C and D, where A is for narrow width, B is for a narrow intermediate width, C intermediate width, and D for maximum width.

Accordingly, it will be noted that to lubricate a stock material having an A width and a stock speed rate of 2, that only one pump P1 and its operating valve V1 need be operated wherein the pump is operated at a frequency indicated by placing switch R2 in the on position. Accordingly, to the table, the four lobe cam will deter-mine the frequency of pump operation in a manner sufiicient to lubricate the stock material of A width at a stock speed rate of 2.

In accordance with the table, it will be seen that for a stock width of D and a stock speed rate of 6, it is necessary that all pumps be placed in operation by placing switches W2, W3 and W4 in on position with all switches R1, R2, and R3 also placed in the on position.

Accordingly, it will be seen that any variations of stock width to stock speed can be controlled with this form of control means by actuation of the appropriate R and W switch. Thus, by utilizing the controls of the type disclosed in FIGS. 3 and 4, it will be apparent that the versatility of the lubricating system is greatly enhanced.

Accordingly, the units of FIGS. 1 and 3 can run unattended for all practical purposes, except for replenishing the lubricating material in the reservoir or tank at periodic intervals. Oiling or lubricating of the stock at varying rates and widths are thus under the control of the operator by a simple means. Further, the oil film applied to the stock material are consistently thin and uniform across the width and length of the stock. Also, the system is dripless thereby obviating the need of oil pans, pumps, drains and the like.

While the instant invention has been described with respect to several embodiments thereof, it will be readily appreciated and understood that variations and modifications thereof may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a metal forming machine, a lubricating system for automatically lubricating stock material as it is fed to a'forming station of the machine comprising:

supply means defining a source for a lubricating fluid,

a spreader means adapted to engage the stock material for uniformly distributing the lubricating fluid to the stock material as it advances toward the forming station,

a pump means interposed between said supply means and said spreader means for pumping measured amounts of said lubricating fluid from said supply means to said spreader means, and

means responsive to the cycle of said machine for controlling the frequency of operation of said pump so that only the predetermined optimum amounts of lubricating fluid are directed from the supply means to said spreader means.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said spreader means includes,

(a) an oil applicator disposed on at least one .side of said stock material to engage the same,

(b) and said pump means having a plurality of ports,

() and means connecting the ports of said pump means to said oil applicator at spaced intervals therealong to insure a uniform distribution of oil to said applicator.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said spreader means includes,

(a) an oil applicator stock material,

(b) means for biasing said applicators toward one another and onto said stock material as the latter is fed therebetween,

(c) said pump means including a multi-port pump,

(d) and means connecting a plurality of said ports to each of said applicators so that a predetermined amount of oil is coated on each side of said stock material for attaining the most optimum results.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said applicators comprise,

(a) a felt pad, and a relatively rigid backing member for said pad,

(b) said backing means having attachments spaced therealong for connecting with the ports of said pump.

5. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said pump means includes,

a fluid actuated piston,

a source of fluid for activating said piston,

conduit means for connecting said source of fluid to said piston,

a valve means in said conduit to control the flow of fluid to said pump, and said means responsive to the cycle of said die press including a timer means for disposed on either side of said i actuating said valve to control the frequency of operation of said pump means.

6. A lubricating system adapted for use on a press having a die set .for progressively shaping a sheet of stock material into articles of manufacture comprising,

(a) a tank for containing a supply of a lubricating (b) a spreader means for uniformly distributing the lubricating fluid to the sheet of stock material as the same is fed to the die set of the press,

(c) said spreader means including an oil applicator disposed to either side of the stock material as it is fed to the die set,

(d) said applicator being formed with a high density wick felt pad disposed contiguous to the sheet material whereby transfer of the lubricating fluid from the applicator to the sheet is attained by capillary action,

(e) a rigid backing plate connected to each of said applicators,

(f) means for resiliently biasing each of said applicators toward sheet whereby the latter is sandwiched therebetween,

(g) each of said rigid backing plate having a plurality of connectors spaced therealong through which a lubricating fluid is applied to its respective felt pad,

(h) a pump means having a plurality of ports, said pump means including a fluid actuated piston, and a source of activating fluid operatively connected thereto,

(i) conduit means operatively connected between the tank of said lubricating fluid and the inlet of said pump means for supplying said lubricating fluid thereto,

(j) a hose line connecting each of said ports to a corresponding connector of said rigid backing plate of said spreader whereby a portion of said ports are connected to one of said applicators and another portion of said ports are connected to the other of said applicator,

(k) and a control means for controlling the frequency of operation of said pump,

(1) said control means including a valve for controlling the flow of activating fluid to said pump means,

(m) and a valve actuator for operating said valve at predetermined intervals to control the frequency of pump actuation accordingly so that only predetermined amounts of lubricating fluid is supplied to the applicator,

(n) said valve actuation includes a timing lobe cam operatively associated with said valve to effect the opening and closing thereof.

7. The invention as defined in claim 1 and including means for varying the frequency of operation of said pump means.

8. The invention as defined in claim 1 and wherein said pump means includes a plurality of independent pumps, and means for selectively activating said pumps in accordance with stock width.

9. In combination with a machine, an automatic lubrieating system for applying a uniform film of a lubricant to a sheet of stock material comprising,

a tank defining a source of supply for the lubricant,

a spreader means,

a purality of pumps, each of said pumps being operatively connected to said tank and said spreader means for applying predetermined amounts of lubricant to said spreader means,

control means for regulating the number of pumps placed in operation, and

means responsive to the cycle of the machine for controlling the frequency of operation of the respective operating pumps whereby the co-action of said operating pumps and their respective frequency of operation determine the amount of lubricant applied to a strip of stock material according to stock Width and rate of feed.

10. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein the control means for regulating the number of operating pumps includes a solenoid valve connected in series with each of said pumps, and a source of operating fluid to actuate said valve, and a series of timing cams operatively connected to a cam timing motor to vary the frequency of the operating pumps.

11. The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein each of said cams have a plurality of variable spaced lobes.

12. A lubricating system adapted for use 1011 a press having a die set for progressively shaping a sheet of stock material into articles of manufacture comprising:

a tank for containing a supply of a lubricating fluid,

spreader means for uniformly distributing the lubricating fluid ;to the stock material as the same is fed to the die set of the press,

said spreader means includingan oil applicator disposed to either side of the stock material as it is fed to the die set,

said applicator being formed with a Wick pad disposed contiguously to the stock material whereby the lubricating fluid is applied to the stock material as the stock material advances thereby,

means for resiliently biasing each of said applicators toward said stock material whereby the latter is sandwiched therebetween,

said spreader means having a plurality of connectors spaced thereal ong through which a lubricating fluid is applied to its respective pa d,

a pump means having a plurality of ports,

conduit means operatively connecting the tank of lubricating fluid to the inlet of said pump means for supplying the lubricating fluid thereto,

a hose line connecting each of said ports to a corresponding connector of said spreader whereby a portion of said ports are connected to one of said spreader means and another portion of said ports is connected to another of said spreader means,

and a control means for controlling the frequency of operation of said pump means, said control means being responsive to the operating cycle of said die press.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,436,419 2/ 1948 Cartwright 118-8 2,633,822 4/1953 Watterson 118255 X 3,004,514 10/1961 Loes 1l88 3,150,548 9/1964 Roberts 184-6X HOUSTON S. BELL, JR., Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R.

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