New and Improved Small Tools Including a Versatile New Abrasive Cutting-Off Machine

This article first appeared in Practical Engineering 1940 Vol1 No21. The news that is within this article is therefore accurate as of 1940. The article describes developments in Engineering and Manufacturing at the time.

A New Abrasive Cutting-off Machine

An interesting new cutting-off machine which employs an abrasive wheel revolving at high speed - has recently been introduced to the British market by Gaston E. Marbaix, Ltd., of Humglas House, 22, Carlisle Place, London, S.W.I.

This new machine has hundreds 'of uses,' and can be employed in shops and factories of all kinds, both large and small—everywhere, in fact, where materials of any kind must be cut to length on a production basis.

The machine has a fence and stop which are simple in construction, yet fully adjustable. This fence may be placed where most convenient. The stop is also adjustable, and can be set to exceptionally fine limits. The machine is well balanced on pivot bearings, and is easy to operate. A tension-adjustment spring on a pivot shaft may be set to compensate for different motor weights, so that the arm will "come back" as desired.

A powerful Tex rope drive is used, which transmits full power with high efficiency and is designed to eliminate vibration. Riding in fully machined, balanced steel pulleys, the three Tex rope belts deliver a maximum amount of power to the abrasive wheel. A heavy cast iron guard covers both the pulleys and belts, and is readily removable for inspection of drive, if necessary. A heavy cast wheel guard is bolted solidly to the table and - completely covers the wheel so that chips, sparks or abrasive particles cannot be thrown out. One half of the guard is easily removable for the changing of wheels.

The Fray "All Angle" Milling Attachment

The Fray "All Angle" milling attachments are products of the Fray Machine Tool Co., Ltd., of Glendale, California, and are marketed in this country by the Broadway Engineering Co., Ltd., Carlisle Road, Hendon, London, N.W.9. It is not possible to illustrate the three different types in the space at our disposal, but an idea of the capabilities of the different models can be gauged from the following descriptions.

The Type A machines are of the plain type, without spindle travel or depth stops and are used where the various operations to be performed can be taken care of by means of the cross, longitudinal and vertical travels of the milling machine itself.

The Type B machines are of the quill type of construction and have lever feed only, the weight of the quill and spindle being adjustably compensated to provide the extreme sensitivity necessary when using very fine end mills, drills, etc. These tools are claimed to be real time-savers on repetition work.

In the case of the Type C machines, which are also of the quill construction, there is a hand-wheel feed calibrated in thousandths of an inch, hand-lever feed, micrometer depth stop, and positive quill lock, with clear vision graduations in inches on the quill.

The attachments have been specially designed to ensure a rigid and smooth performance, conducive to a high degree of accuracy. The spindles are of S.A.E. No. 4140 chrome molybdenum steel, hardened and ground, and are designed for No- 7 Brown and Sharpe collets, with No. 2 Morse taper as an optional choice. The spindle bearings are double row, pre-loaded radial thrust (lower) and single row radial floating (upper), both bearings being fitted with grease shields on one side. The pulleys are of aluminium alloy, specially designed to ensure maximum transmission of power, long belt life and smooth operation. The motor, which is a standard item of equipment, may be either 220 volts three-phase or single phase, or single phase 110 volts capacitor type.

Once the "All Angle" attachment has been fitted to the miller it is not necessary to remove it for any other operation. When not required, the attachment is simply swung upwards and pushed back against the face of the mill.

The Oxy-Ferrolene Process

Considerable interest attaches to a new process, now being developed in this country by Oxy-Ferrolene, Ltd., of Oadby, Leicester. By impregnating British town gas or coke-oven gas with the vapour of Ferrogas, which is generated in the Oxy-Ferrolene plant, these phenomena occur:

The ignition point of the resultant gas is lowered—the flame temperature is raised almost to that of acetylene—the danger of explosion is eliminated and the treated surfaces remain unhardened.

The makers supply, maintain and service the installation without charge to the consumer. This, of course, cuts out the usual maintenance and depreciation charges and a staff of experts, operating from Leicester, service the plants whenever required.

De-seaming of billets is carried out in the same manner as when acetylene is employed and Messrs. Oxy-Ferrolene, Ltd., adapt the existing torches for use with Ferrogas.

Scaling by Ferrogas is comparatively new to the greater part of the steel industry, although a number of Scottish steelworks have been using this method for the past twelve months with successful results.

Cutting with Ferrogas is also claimed to show marked savings in cost, as the cutting speed is equal to that of acetylene and the process is very much cheaper. Metal spraying, lead burning, annealing, brazing and lancing are also uses to which Ferrogas is now being put by an increasing number of firms. From their premises at Ferrolene House, Oadby, Oxy-Ferrolene, Ltd., are coping with increased business and will be pleased to give their immediate attention to the particular requirements of interested enquirers.