The Iron Age 1944-04-13: Vol 153 Iss 4

was hazard. VAN DEVENTER President and Editor BAUR Vice-President General Manager AGE Vol. 153, No. April 13, 1944 ° ° Editorial and Advertising Offices 100 East 42nd St., New York 17, N.Y., U.S.A. Johnson, Market Research Mgr. Hayes, Production Manager. Baur, Typography and Layout. Editorial Freedom Rings the Bell ° ° Regional Business Managers New York New York 100 East 42nd East 42nd St. Technical Articles Welded Hand Truck Simplifies Product Handling Woodward Box Republic Uses Pentrating Process Los Angeles Electric Torque Control Prevents Drill Breakage Decarburizing-Annealing Carbon Dioxide Mixtures (Incorporated) Reclaiming mm. A.P. Shot Forging Executive Offices Chestnut and Sts. Philadelphia 39, Pa., U.S.A. OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS Features MUSSELMAN, President News Front JOS. HILDRETH Vice-President Assembly Line GEORGE GRIFFITHS Washington EVERIT TERHUNE Vice-President BAUR Vice-President Personals and Obituaries WILLIAM BARBER, Treasurer JOHN BLAIR MOFFETT, Fatigue Cracks JULIAN CHASE THOMAS KANE Dear Editor HARRY DUFFY CHARLES HEALE This Industrial Week ° ° Member, Audit Bureau Circulations News and Markets Machine Tool News Non-Ferrous Metals News and Developments 146 Non-Ferrous Metals Prices; Scrap Prices 147 Iron and Steel Scrap News and Prices 148 Comparison Prices Year 150 Finished Iron and Steel Prices 151 Steel and Warehouse Prices 152 Semi-Finished and Tool Steel Prices 153 Steel Pipe and Tubing Prices 154 ailroad Material and Stainless Steel Prices 157 Cable Address, Y." ° ° Index Advertisers 223 | | | | | ° ° on- ors. ed, ors. the ted ave | ac- eet his ble bur on- ns. ° ° ° } | FIRTHITE ANNOUNCING NEW CONVENIENCE FIRTHITE USERS Through new arrangements with hundreds “authorized” Tool Makers located every indus- trial center the United States, they are now prepared supply Firthite-tipped tools for quick 48—THE IRON AGE, April 13, 1944 delivery. suggest that you contact REGULAR TOOL MAKERS for Firthite Carbide. case you not immediately find Firthite tool maker distributor nearest you, Firth-Sterling Office will gladly give you the Tool Makers who will supplement our own facilities. £ = 3 : Offices: McKEESPORT, PA. NEW YORK HARTFORD PHILADELPHIA CLEVELAND DAYTON DETROIT CHICAGO LOS ANGELES Makers High-Speed Steels, Tool and Die Steels, and Sintered tact find the you, the name will ESTABLISHED April 13, 1944 VAN DEVENTER President and BAUR and General ° DIX Manager, Reader Morkets Editor...D. JAMES Associate Editors WINTERS LLOYD BARMASEL Assistants SCHIEN WILLIAMS BUTTERS. News and Technical CAMPBELL Pittsburgh 428 Park POST Chicago 1134 Otis Bidg, DONALD BROWNE EUGENE HARDY Woshington National Press MacDONALD Cleveland Guardian BRAMS Detroit 7310 Woodward OSGOOD MURDOCK San Francisco Market St, Correspondents ROBERT PENLEY Boston HUGH SHARP SANDERSON Toronto, Ont. RAYMOND KAY Los Angeles JOHN McCUNE Birmingham ROY EDMONDS DOUGLAS Freedom Rings the Bell HAT that enabled us, less than three years, perform the “miracle production” and become the world’s Arsenal Democracy well its hope for postwar reconstruction? Superior productivity did it; productivity that has been nurtured freedom for nearly century. Management and men and ma- chines work better together America than any other country. Our shipbuilders have four times the productivity per manhour than those any other land and there are few important industries, any, where not hold advantage two one better. worth looking for the reason for this superiority that may keep alive the years come. not because have superior natural resources. Those Russia and Africa far exceed ours. not population nor population growth. Witness the teeming millions China India. not availability producing equipment. have always been willing sell, more re- cently even give away our latest and best. Our superior productivity does not rest upon monopoly means, materials manpower. The reason for that the fundamental urge for freedom, which has made America what is, has been carried over into our daily work for our daily bread. And free labor will out- produce slave labor anywhere anytime. Slavery does not necessarily mean the physical ownership one person another. Even more insidious forms are expressed fascism socialism which the people sell themselves the state return for promised, but perhaps not delivered, security, facing the future thereafter, like civil service employees, without much fear but also without much Monopolies and cartels are instruments enslavement, are colon- ial exploitations races” however labeled. also the sale for few cents per day the right exercise thought and will the Zombies who fall beneath the the union racketeer. Most insidious all forms self-enslavement the hero worship the indispensable man, common and unfortunate today and the chief cause the world’s troubles, Germany, Italy, Japan; yes even America. When freedom reigns America our productive superiority will unchallenged. But when our productivity per manhour falters, watch out for our freedom. And has been faltering for year more. True, our total volume output has steadily increased but with dispropor- tionate effort. But many industries, steel included, output per man- hour per cent less than year ago. Maybe it’s time again ring the Liberty Bell. | ‘ — = ; ANGELES ‘ x wt <i Are Coming Out the Ground From the ore ranges, the coal fields, and the limestone beds are coming vast quantities blended iron ore, coking coal, and purest the principal ingredients for making steel, the both peace and war. Today this steel must all into the production the materiel war, but tomorrow, when Victory ours, finer things will come from out the ground because im- provements now being made steel. Inland metallurgists are constantly testing and re-testing, melting and re-melting, adding one element and taking away another—always seek- ing for something better. Already they have contributed many new methods and new steels produc- tion for war. These, and the newer methods and Inland steels that are sure come from continued research, will help you meet the needs peace. INLAND STEEL COMPANY South Dearborn Street, Chicago Illinois Milwaukee Detroit St. St. Louis Kansas City Cincinnati New York fou ope and pla the lak toc toc anc abc a Pre pls News Front APRIL 13, 1944 The early policy Air Force procurement officials excessive replacement ordering has resulted tremendous stocks items like piston rings and Much this stock now has only one use the original mas scrap. Howard Bruce, deputy director materiel, Army Service Forces, the value mof total stocks surplus goods has been exaggerated. About billion worth surplus materials have conceivable civilian use, not the $50 billion previously estimated. The great success with use mm. cannon the Mitchell airplane Pacific and the Marauder Europe, leading the development 105 mm. cannon the United Nations for installation aircraft. There's talk going the rounds regarding the likelihood Stettinius ending Democratic nominee for President place Roosevelt. Such would imply sponsorship Roosevelt, and would based Stettinius' experience world affairs, and acceptability certain factions business mand labor. Henry Kaiser's automotive division has moved from Detroit Bristol, Pa., the Fleetwings Division Kaiser Cargo, Inc., where development military vehicle designed Karl Probst. This move, however, carries the connotation declining interest. Canada, small percentage aircraft production gradually swinging fighting aircraft those the civilian category. Manufacture the Douglas plane, selected for the main airline has already begun the government owned Victory Aircraft, Ltd. and Canadian Vickers. The plane will not released Canadian airlines, however, until new planes similar type are released domestic airlines the United States. the Ploesti oil fields Rumania were captured cut off, Foreign Economic Administrator Crowley says that the loss oil would serious, and the loss Russian manganese and chrome from Turkey and the Balkans will have immediate and serious effect Germany's steel output. Since this country now tooled for war production, the WPB machine tools labor advisory committee asks that the free facilities the industry shifted the manufacture critically needed components and the production new tools replace obsolete The labor committee opposes the postwar sale government owned machine tools any manner that will enable corporations private traders buy such tools for future production mock-up Douglas Aircraft Co.'s new the DC-7, has been unveiled. The plane will powered four engines, probably radial design and develop estimated 3000 hp. Cruising range estimated 4000 miles with speed over 400 miles hr. and service ceiling about 40,000 ft. Consolidated Vultee also has announced its new passenger transport plane (company model 39), prototype which will flying late this month. Gross weight will 56,000 cruising speed will 240 miles per and maximum range will 4000 miles. Power will supplied four 1100 hp. Pratt Whitney engines. welding many airframe parts for the bomber, instead riveting, Willow Run has been able save manhours per plane. Parts spot welded are limited those not subject maximum vibration and can held together Cleco fasteners. Most the work done with welders. British experiments with diamond tools indicate that aluminum aircraft can turned with surface finish 1/8 3/4 micro-in. For results machines should properly mounted and all possible steps taken vibration. Also, the tool must have perfectly polished cutting edge fault apparent 100 diameters. . 4 J 3 a ‘ Sub-zero Treatment High the present writing the prin- ciples and theories sub-zero treatment published the technical literature have been variable and sometimes confusing. Very few the investigators agree process- ing methods specific metallurgical aspects the phenomenon. However, all are agreed that the process does increase the productive life high speed steel cutting tool. The this increase will vary different types cutting jobs, but can safely stated that increase per cent productivity may ex- pected over the average. Although the scope sub-zero treatments cover almost all the structural metals and tool steels—even reaching into the realm the plastics—this paper will deal entirely with the metallurgical aspects and results the process high speed steel used for metal cut- ting. Although there little agreement between contemporary investigators the proper place the harden- ing operation expose the tool sub-zero treatment, believed that this discrepancy due fluctuations the method prior treatment. Even results obtained from ordinary 52—THE IRON AGE, April 13, 1944 treatments high speed steel will vary different hardening rooms. This phenomenon probably due slight difference the details the hardening operation, and the actual austenitizing temperatures used, Since reasonable believe ° ° ° LEFT No. etch, Aqua Regia; magnification 600 diameters; treat- ment, Type aus- tenitized 2300 deg. RIGHT 2—Steel No. etch, Aqua Regia; magnification, 600 diameters; treat- ment, Type aus- tenitized 2300 deg. that prior treatment has effect the results sub-zero treating, fol- lows that different investigators could very easily obtain different results obtain similar results different ap- plications the sub-zero treatment. The author has attempted inves- tigate the refrigeration high speed steel from many angles, the objective being the most economic treatment that will give desirable cause the obvious cracking hazard involved, the cold treatment following directly after the was Gordon and Cohen, “The Trans- formation Retained Austenite High Speed Steel Sub-atmospheric Transactions, Society Metals, September, 1942, Vol. 30, 569-591. steel, Jan. 10, 1944, pp. lieved uneconomical. However, this method was included the inves- tigations and given thorough trial. The materials used the investiga- tion were donated the Latrobe Electric Steel Co. for the purposes research. ‘Table lists the seven dif- ferent types used the original in- vestigation. Since Steel No. more widely used than any other high speed steel today, was selected run the ments that this material jected are listed follows: TYPE Preheat 1600 deg. Quench from 2225 deg. into salt 1050 deg. Cool air 100 deg. 150 deg. Wash hot water. Double TYPE Preheat 1600 deg. Quench from 2225 deg. into salt 1050 deg. 150 per | Speed Steels Trans- npera- society 0, pp dening — vever, trial, stiga- trobe more speed the sub- ench 1050 150 hr. ench 1050 deg. Cool air 100 deg. 150 deg. Wash hot water. Su- percool —110 deg. for hrs. Warm approximately deg. Double temper 1050 deg. hr. hr. TYPE Preheat 1600 deg. Quench from 2225 deg. into salt 600 deg. Hold 600 deg. for hr. 100 deg. 150 deg. Wash hot water. Supercool —110 deg. for hr. Warm approximately 200 deg. Double temper 1050 deg. TYPE 1600 deg. Quench into salt 1050 Preheat from 2225 deg. deg. Cool air 100 deg. 150 deg. Temper hr. 1050 deg. Cool air 100 deg. Supercool deg. for hr. Warm ap- proximately deg. 1050 Temper hr. TYPE Preheat 1600 deg. Quench from 2225 deg. into salt 600 Cool 100 deg. 150 deg. Wash Temper 1050 deg. for hot water. STEWART DePOY Metallurgist, Delco Products Division, General Motors Corp., Dayton The author points out that important increases tool life may obtained regardless how refrigeration used, and followed sufficient temper relieve the tremendous inter- nal strains caused the process. believed that refrigeration 100 deg. lower necessary produce marked change high speed steel. hr. Supercool —110 deg. for hr. Retemper 1050 deg. for TYPE Preheat 1600 deg. Quench from 2225 deg. into salt 1050 deg. Cool air 100 deg. 150 deg. Double temper 1050 deg. hr. hr. Supercool —110 deg. for hr. The above treatments were origi- nally used in. tool bits from Steel No. tool bits were put into service A.M.S. steel heat-treated hardness. The oper- ated under the following cutting con- ditions: Speed, ft. per min.; feed, 10.007 in. per revolution; depth cut, 0.250 in. Using the Type treated tool criterion, the in- production obtained the which was creased 3—Steel Regia; magnification, 1250 treatment, Type austenitized 2275 deg. remaining treatments were Type 17.5 per cent; Type 22.8 per cent; Type 45.7 per cent; Type 28.1 per cent; Type 31.5 per cent. interesting note that Type treatment gives far the best results, and Type the hazard- ous treatment, gives the poorest re- sults. must not construed the reader that Type will always show these low comparative results. least one other investigator has ob- tained his best results refrigerat- ing directly after the How- ever, believed that the Type treatment will give least good results any the others, and obviously the most ment for use the ordinary harden- lows: ing department. After arriving what seemed the best place the hardening operation insert the sub-zero treat- ment, the investigation the effect grain size and amount carbide solution seemed the next logical step. Consequently, the seven different types steel were subjected Treat- ments Type and Table lists the steels, their hardening temper- atures, impact value, and grain count obtained. The results cutting tests conducted these treated steels show Steel No. hardened 2275 deg. and sub-zero treated, Steel No. hardened 2300 deg. and sub-zero treated, and Steel No. hardened 2410 deg. and sub-zero treated, have the longest hardness, life. The tools, treated Type treatment gave about per cent less cutting life Steels Nos. and The cutting tests were run 230 240 ft. per min. N.E. 8620 Steel 240 B.H.N. this writing accurate results have not been obtained Steels No. and No. THE IRON AGE, April 13, 1944—53 ° ° ° since they will not operate this hard material even 210 ft. per min. Although Steels No. and No. would not operate 230 240 ft. per min., the results these two steels operating 200 210 ft. per min. revealed that the Type treatment using 2410 deg. the hardening temperature gave the best results approximately per cent. was noted that the sub-zero treatment had little effect any the steels when low hardening temperature was used. This phenomenon may the results one two factors, the combination both; the compara- LEFT 4—Steel No. etch, Agua Regia; magnification, 1250 diameters; treatment, Type austenitized 2275 deg. RIGHT 5—Steel No. etch; Aqua Regia; magnification, 1250 diameters; treatment, Type 2275 deg. tively small amount carbide solu- tion the resultant fine grain size. believed that both these fac- TABLE Hardening Temperatures and Steels Tested Hardness, Ft. Ib. Grain Count Austenitizing Temperature, 54—THE IRON AGE, April 13, 1944 Note:—Unnotched specimen used for impact test. Intercept method used for grain size. tors tend toward lowering the pro- ductivity the tool, regardless the refrigeration treatment. Although investigation has not been carried long enough have dis- covered all the metallurgical effects cold treatment high speed steel, enough phenomena has been studied under the microscope venture few theoretical statements. The investi- gation Gordon and proved definitely that the austenite martensite was forced completion very near completion temperature. There reason believe that this action will not the same regardless the place the hardening operation that the cold treatment inserted. Stand- ard hardening practice (Type the author’s plant gives approxi- mately per cent transformation the material double tempered when has reached 100 deg. 150 deg. after the quench. the steel al- lowed cool and remain room temperature for min. more after the quench, the amount retained austenite after the double temper approximately per cent. has also been found that tools with unbal- anced sections and sharp corners and fillets will before tempering ature for any appreciable length time. Microscopic examination structures before and after refrigera- tion has revealed additional phe- nomenon that cannot explained the mere fact that the transforma- tion austenite complete. Fig. = ° ° ° pro- the been dis- steel, udied few vesti- roved ifrom ion There action the that proxi- ion when eg. al- room after tained per has unbal- and ing mper- rth igera- phe- lained Fig. micro-section Steel No. that was treated Type treatment 2300 deg. Examination this photomicrograph shows definite patches austenite. The heavy acicu- lar structure the martensite pres- ent characteristic all high speed steels hardened and double tempered. Very few carbides are visible. This due the high hardening temper- ature (2300 deg. F.) used, which caused more complete solution the carbides than obtained or- dinary hardening temperatures this material. same material using Type treat- ment with 2300 deg. the harden- ing temperature. Obviously the trans- formation the austenite very near completion. However, the form the martensite much finer, giving stead being heavy acicular. believed that this phenomenon causes the resultant increase hardness and may also noted chip and crumble the cutting edge. This latter phenomenon par- ticularly characteristic tools having and are the structures that re- sulted from Type and Type treat- ments respectively Steel No. The hardening temperature used was 2275 deg. More undissolved carbides are present due the lower austeni- tizing temperature. The same fine Fig. that revealed Fig. Considerable controversy has arisen over the necessity cold treatment low 100 deg. more below zero. investigators have claimed that this low temperature not necessary, and that temperatures from deg. deg. below zero will the job. has been the au- Articles Cold Treatment Metals Which Have Been Published Since Early 1943 “Cold Treatment Metals” “Additional Notes the Cold Treatment Metals” “Cold Treatment Metals” “Effects Sub-Zero Cooling Tempering High Speed Steels” “Low Temperature Refrigeration Requirements War Products” “Refrigeration Used Making Airframe Parts” “Sub-Zero Temperatures Industry” “Utilizing Sub-Zero Temperatures Design” “Refrigeration Aluminum Alloy Rivets and Parts” “Sub-Zero Temperatures for Shrink Fits” ““Heat’ Treating 120 Deg. Below Zero” “Sub-Zero Refrigeration” “Sub-Zero Hardening Cycles” The Iron Age, Feb. 23, 37. The Iron Age, June 17, 66. Mill Factory, May, 941. The Iron Age, March 23, 1944. Refrigeration Engineering, Feb., 83. Refrigeration Engineering, May, 342. Refrigeration Engineering, Sept., 164. Machine Design, Oct., 94. Metals Alloys, June, 1178. Metals Alloys, July, 50. Steel, Dec. 27, 70. Tool Engineer, Jan., 1944, 99. Steel, Jan. 10, 1944, 86. thor’s experience that —100 deg. lower necessary make any marked change high speed steel. seems reasonable believe that this due the high alloy content the steel, and its resultant tendency re- tain austenite. the carbon and lower alloy steels, treating temper- atures from —40 deg. —80 deg. should sufficient. These latter ma- terials not readily retain austen- ite. least the austenite very rarely stable, such many times true the alloy steels such high speed, high carbon-high chrome die steel, and other air hardening steels. Fig. microsection Steel No. treated with Type treatment, 2275 deg. and refrigeration tem- perature deg. The struc- TABLE ture almost identical that shown Fig. which was not subjected any refrigeration. Cutting tests the material shown Fig. gave al- most identical results those ob- tained from the material shown Fig. Consequently, seems neces- sary hold the treating temperature down least —100 deg. stated before believed that important increase tool produc- tivity may obtained regardless how refrigeration used long used, and followed sufficient temper relieve the tremendous in- ternal strains caused the process. The scope the process seems unlim- ited, and the not too far distant future the refrigeration unit will must for all up-to-date hardening rooms. Steels Studied This Investigation CHEMICAL COMPOSITION Specifi- Steel cation Heat No. No. Trade Name Type No. M-3 Electrite HV-6 6-5-4-3 44113 1.14 0.27 0.28 0.023 6-5-4-2 M-36 Electrite CO-6 Cobalt 44038 0.86 0.31 0.33 0.022 Electrite No. 18-4-1 21003 0.73 0.34 0.32 0.029 obalt New specification number adopted large automotive manufacturers, 1944. See THE IRON AGE., Jan, 13, 1944, 67, THE IRON AGE, April 13, ~ di « y The Future The appears now that within the foreseeable future this war will successfully terminated. Whether will one, two more Postwar plans, however, should this time discussed and made inso- far they not interfere with the prosecution the war. There are problems which will arise the end the war which the industry will unprepared meet unless action taken One such problem the disposal surplus machine tools. common knowledge that the government the present time owns tremendous amount machine tools and that many these tools tion hostilities. These tools are now plants operated private individuals who will the end the war reconvert their particular industries. The easiest way for the government solve the problem surplus machinery will, therefore, throw them upon the open market the hope that they will quickly disposed of. this adopted, however, will unquestion- ably have paralyzing effect upon the whole industry for many years come, yet there can little doubt that unless plans are now care- fully drawn solve this most im- portant problem, the danger such procedure will very probably realized. may that have overdrawn the picture. know there are others the industry who believe that re- gardless the position taken the government the end the war, the industry has bright future. For example, there appeared the Jan. issue THE IRON AGE article “Machine Milton Thalberg who undertook ap- 56—THE IRON AGE, April 13, 1944 Machine Tool Industry ° MAX LEACH Leach Machinery Co., Providence praise the present and the future the machine tool industry. His con- clusions were that too many the industry are overly and that what the industry needs good shot the arm. Essentially, Mr. Thalberg believes that there will market for machine tools and that there will plenty business long the industry wide awake and its sales representatives pitch and out and try sell machine tools and services that the industry the opinion that face bright new world which the machine tool in- dustry will revolutionized. Em- phasis will placed speeds and greater precision. The important factor all this, how- ever, his estimation, was that the industry must confident its ability bring into use machine tools fundamently different from those pro- duced the past and all this im- plemented active and intelligent sales approach. have not fully stated his position, but believe that substantially the above represents his views. With much what has been said, there can, course, substantial disagreement. The members the machine tool industry the members all industry after the war will find that aggressive and gent sales approach will pay divi- dends. Those manufacturers who have product that the public de- mands and push sales will better than those manu- facturers who are slow new de- mands and backward their sales methods. This is, course, all good common sense, Optimism Not Shared for one, however, not share Mr. Thalberg’s optimism. There doubt mind that there will changes made machine tools pro- duced the industry. The new ma- chines will have higher speeds and greater precision. These things are all the cards, but assume that any changes that the industry may innovate will have the effect ren- dering obsolete the tremendous sur- plus machine tools this country mation grave error. believe that Mr. Thalberg misun- derstands the purchasing public whom the industry must sell its prod- ucts. Take for example concern which has six radial drills purchased during the war. The likelihood that this company will purchase six re- placements the new streamlined and contain few more spindle speeds somewhat remote. Nor believe will purchase six replacements the new greater precision. long drills are good condition, the ten- dency will retain them. Now, course, this very point that Mr. Thalberg suggests that the function the sales representa- tives the various companies sell m a ° ° | anu- de- sales rood hare will pro- ma- and are that may ren- sur- ntry esti- sun- yrod- cern ased that re- are more note. six have the ten- Now, sell the purchaser the idea that there will great saving buying the new machines. The fact remains, however, that for many the postwar prod- ucts the speed and precision the drills purchased during war time even prior will entirely Another example which may somewhat extreme, but nevertheless Rhode Island concern using the present time gear cutter years old. This com- pany requires 160 per month during the peak its production. This quantity gears can cut days. The machine therefore idle the rest the month. Regard- less changes are made gear cutters, this concern will not the maret for one because its needs are amply taken care the present tool use. Utility Standard Tools The point that seek make that there nothing the history the machine tool industry which would serve basis for the propo- sition that the industry will revolutionized that machine tools operation today and sound condi- tion will hereafter discarded. more intelligent approach this problem recognize that changes will made, but the same time understand that standard machine tools will have great utility and will not displaced new models. this premise valid, then the prob- lem the disposal surplus ma- chine tools immediate concern and requires intelligent action now. According the National Machine Tool Builder’s Association, the out- put machine tools the last three years amounted approximately $3,209,000,000. Estimating aver- age price $4000 per machine, has been determined that there were produced 800,000 machines period. estimated that some per cent may have gone foreign countries leaving estimated 700,- 000 machine tools the United States, which some 500,000 are very probably owned the govern- ment. further estimated that there are approximately 1,700,000 machine tools use the country today, 700,000 are not over three years old, 350,000 from years old, while approximately surplus machine tools. machine tools are over years old. Commenting upon these staggering figures, Frederick Blackall, very pertinently says: “Just consider what 500,000 ma- chine tools mean. more than ten times the entire production boom year like 1929. Two Billion Dollars worth. ap- proximately per cent the which were use this country While admitting that aggressive sales policy and redesign machines will help stimulating post-war markets, Mr. Leach points out that the future the industry the next decade depends largely upon the policy adopted government the disposal proposes that Congress should adopt broad legislation this regard. part, this article rebuttal the more optimistic viewpoint expressed Milton Thalberg the Jan. issue The Iron Age. machines use this country to- day. about years’ normal production the industry. Obvi- ously, its disposition will the most important single factor the shaping the industry’s future for the years come.” Tool Industry Headed for Chaos New Era?” Reprinted from Boston News Bureau Jan. 1914, the National Machine Tool Builders As- sociation, Cleveland. bleak future. These are facts which intelligent member the industry has overlooked. attempt dis- guise the real issue the presenta- tion false slogans the set- ting straw men only knock answer the problem. has become almost truism say that the machine tool industry has been most basic the success- ful prosecution this war. may justly proud this fact. equally true that the machine tool industry most fundamental times peace. Much the post war reconversion and post war prog- ress depend upon and thriving machine tool industry. tremendous factor insofar employment concerned and may unequivocally stated that de- pressed machine tool industry will very grave threat the entire economic life the country. After World War 1918 this country produced ap- proximately $220,600,000 worth ma- chine tools. 1921 produced $36,- 000,000 worth machine tools. From 1918 through 1925 production ma- chine tools never reached $100,000,000 any one year. the boom year 1929 produced only $170,000,000. These figures are from the National Machine Tool Builders’ Association. will observed from the figures that time during the last war did this country produce such tre- mendous dollar volume machine tools has during this war and yet for some time after the termina- tion World War there was serious decline the industry’s output. Unless intelligent program for the disposal ma- chine tools prepared now very probable that war era will find the ma- chine tool in- dustry very depressed state. already noted, the government will control tremendous amount up- to-date equipment. If, when peace comes, these machine tools are thrown upon the open market, the market will undoubtedly become Based upon the familiar laws supply and demand, the prices for these machine tools will depressed and the manu- facturer new machine tools will find very difficult market for his products. Position Industry Reviewed have discussed these problems the future with many representa- tive members the industry. one with whom have talked overly optimistic. not fair say, however, that there not real cause for this concern. They have plans and ideas which they would like set into motion but many cases they dare not make the first move. Their views may summar- ized follows: (1) Machine tool manufacturers present have new designs for ma- chine tools which will placed the market soon the war terminated. (2) Machine tool manufacturers realize that the market will not favorable has been during the war years. will require greater sales activity. Manufactur- ers will again have out and stimulate new business. (3) very great extent the normal problems facing the industry will solved the individual manu- facturer, these problems have al- ways been solved. Each manufac- turer has different plan and THE IRON AGE, April 13, 1944—57 method for different these plans. (4) Reconversion will, limited implementing sense, provide activity for the in- dustry. (5) The postwar world many respects will different. Undoubted- there will demand for new equipment. (6) New markets may very prob- ably opened South America well other parts the world. (7) The most important single fac- tor which holding machine tool manufacturers back the uncertainty what will done with the sur- plus machine tools owned the gov- ernment. there one thing which have learned from the depression years, that once the cycle starts downward trend, becomes al- most impossible stop it. therefore realized that problem the disposal surplus machinery can intelligently con- trolled, will raise havoc with the industry for years come. one those factors which has with- all the explosive qualities dynamite. gets out hand, all those calculated and well-laid plans for the future will for naught. for this reason that believe the responsibility the industry intelligently decide now upon course action and vigorously pursue it. Any plan which has the support the industry will necessity receive Congressional approval. The success- ful handling this problem not alone importance the machine tool industry, but, already indi- cated, matter immediate and utmost concern the entire country. Legislation Proposed The following are the basic prin- ciples which should guide the industry determining course action: bill? should drawn cover specifically the disposal surplus machinery. has already been suggested many that the problem disposal surplus machinery different from the disposal other surplus properties owned the government. Individuals who take this position not clearly apprehend the nature the problem. Take for example the surplus food that will owned the United States government the termination hostilities. obvi- ous anyone who will give con- sideration that the disposal sur- plus foods cannot prolonged over 58—THE IRON AGE, 1944 fact, may very well that these surplus foods will distributed very shortly after the termination the war through established trade chan- There are bills now pending Con- gress which contain many the features the proposals hereafter set forth. bill contains all the proposed sugges- tions. But even were assume that error might made the disposal surplus food properties, its devastating effect could only short- lived. the case the machine tool industry, however, dumping surplus tools the market would have lasting and catastrophic effect. nels. Machine tools owned the gov- ernment should carefully inven- toried now with view determining their amount, type and quality. clear that sensible program for the disposal surplus machinery can undertaken without complete knowledge what the government has hand. There can hardly any dispute this proposal. The government the end the war should retain for its own use the best machine tools order re- equip arsenals and war plants under its control. seems clear now that when peace declared, this government will have considerable responsibility world power. Unless peace can maintained generally, will again faced with the prospect new vitation aggressor nations pre- pare for new breaches the peace. therefore essential that have high war potential, that any time necessity requires, will adequately and swiftly. the distribution surplus machinery, priority should given vocational schools under the super- vision the Federal and State au- thorities. Here again suggestion which believe can arouse controversy. Its good sense apparent. Once equipment determined obsolete, should scrapped. This proposal requires discus- sion. board composed represen- tative members the industry, the Army and Navy, and representatives the public should appointed the President handle the entire problem. The disposal surplus machinery involves very technical questions and also certain matters important judgment, cannot handled in- telligently persons outside the in- dustry. The purpose bill dealing with surplus machine tools and the creation board composed mem- bers the machine tool industry having the responsibility handling the entire problem avoid misman- agement, duplication and needless goy- ernmental interference. would poor plan indeed which would rele- the members the machine tool industry position some ad- visory board having power initiate and power supervise. essential the solution the problem facing the industry that its members well represented any board assigned carry out the pur- poses the proposed bill. The board should carefully instructed specific statutory lan- guage the effect that should pursue policy rigid scheduling the release surplus The program should envisaged one continuing over considerable number years. Property under the authority the board should sold through the regular trade channels those times and such quantities will way affect the machine tool market. The disposal plus machine tools not thought the United States Treasury. This not say that the disposal sur- plus machinery should source great personal profit certain in- dividuals. the contrary, any plan which has any chance being suc- cessful must take into consideration the fact that nobody should unduly profit the expense the govern- ment. This does not mean, however, that the government should consider first how much return can get its investment. short- sighted policy which will seek en- rich the Treasury the expense the industry. From practical point view, the return the United States government will any event negligible factor. Therefore, the criterion the workability any plan whether protects the indus- try against the possibility the sud- den and violent disposal machine tools the postwar market. the government permitted enter the market competitor the machine tool manufacturer, then those dangers which have already been portrayed will become pleasant reality. the other hand, the disposal machine tools controlled rigid method sched- per per ~ pic! too! tha the ch : pr | | in- the ustry gov- rele- tool ad- the its any efully hould luling saged the sold itities sur- ought irn his in- plan suc- ration nduly vever, nsider can short- en- ise point Jnited any any indus- sud- ted tor then ready hand, ols sched- uling releases over long period time, then the industry will permitted return the postwar period healthy and stable state. Resume the outset this article, dark the state the machine tool industry was painted. The fear that was expressed was not based upon the conviction that the situation was hopeless. The facts and argu- ments which have been presented are supported figures and experience. knowledge these facts should induce the industry quick and courageous action. attempt ignore them minimize them will unhappily result irreparable in- jury the industry. The problem, however, can controlled. The cata- effect the transition period from war peace can some extent mitigated. can only miti- gated, however, the problem squarely met now, and its solution results adequate legislation. The bill which has been proposed does not minute detail set forth the answers all the problems which will confront the industry. basis, however, upon which there can industry agreement. Welded Hand Truck Simplifies Product Handling PPLYING are welding methods fabricate items that improve efficiency common practice the Electric Co., Cleveland. One the scores interesting ex- amples recently worked out the company involved the designing and hand truck for handling welding ma- chines the shipping department. order load the maximum num- ber welders per railroad car, and yet prevent damage the equipment handling and shipping, the ma- chines are simply mounted wooden skids without crating. Although the principle this method was sound, presented problem handling the equipment the confined space boxear and the same time prevent- ing possible damage, such striking one machine against another. overcome this danger, welders the plant maintenance department devised and built several all-welded hand trucks shown Fig. The Re a shipping room truck, showing struction details. RIGHT F's. 2—Roller rear truck permits easily skid-supported welder slid truck shown. view arc welded con- easy maneuverability this truck allows for quick and efficient hand- ling welding units from shipping room boxcar. Design Details The welder placed the truck tilting its temporary wooden skids centric with the rear axle and sliding the welder forward onto the body the unit, shown Fig. press- ing forward the lever shown, the operator releases ratchet locking de- vice the roller, permitting roll freely. Release the lever con- trol locks the roller and prevents the welder from sliding off the truck while being hauled the boxcar. further precaution, there fit- ted over the central portion the roller strip spring steel with section fabric fastened its inner side, which acts snubber against the roller when depressed the weight the braking device. This snubbing braking device shown Fig. the right (rear) end the truck. When the welder has been wheeled into position inside the boxcar, the roller again released slide the unit off the truck its final shipping position. The saving time, labor and ship- ping space afforded through the use these specially designed hand trucks far outweighs the little time and effort expended their construc- tion welding methods. The main frame consists 2%-in. angles, in. thick, fillet welded the joints. Cross members are stock, fillet welded the frame. Braces for the handle are formed and welded the front brace structure and the front wheel sus- pension. The trucks, which are equipped with three solid rubber tired wheels, measure only in. length 20% in. width. IRON AGE, April 13, 1944—59 Flash-Butt Welding Plastic welds made flash-butt welding form almost perfect joint and the failure make the welding complete over the cross section welded indicates poor welding technique. this. article the authors present basic information for producing quality welds, and succeeding articles factors that involve designing for flash- butt welding and methods for controlling metallurgical changes the weld line will presented. the processes included the general term “resistance weld- ing” and employed join metals with butt joint. Flash-butt welding may contrasted with the well- known forge weld made smiths. The blacksmith heats the ma- terial joined and when the tem- perature the heated parts reaches the value which will permit plastic bonding, the parts are forged together heavy impact pressure. flash- butt welding, the heating the mate- rial caused rapidly recurring short circuits high electrical cur- rents and the impact forging pressure produced manually through lever- age action, mechanically through motor driven cam through hydraulic cylinders, the case may be. The blacksmith, however, because the critical factors hardenability and low melting points high car- bon alloy steels, considers his welding confined medium carbon steels. Flash-butt welding, while complicated such factors, can overcome them because the higher degree flexi- bility and control. Hence hardenable steels can flash-butt welded con- trolling the electrical energy input during the flashing action and conse- quently determining the heating the material during the flashing action; the use the flashing action scale, slag gas pockets from the contact surfaces; the use IRON AGE, April 13, 1944 carefully timed high speed, high impact forging pressure and the use post heating current prop- magnitude flowing for the proper length time order retard cool- ing the weld, thereby preventing high hardness and possible cracking. For example, flash-butt welding can used join the two lengths steel shown Fig. view The welding performed flash- butt welding machine where necessary adjustments are made for welding the type steel question, the parts are clamped the dies, and welding started establishing flashing ac- tion. The irregular localized contact be- tween the two lightly touching sur- faces results extreme localiza- tion heat the surfaces. The con- tact area consists series fine short circuiting contacts. The points the metal contacting are repeated- raised the melting point and are blown out the form incandescent particles. This effect generates the heat necessary cause small zone back the molten surfaces attain plastic condition. the metal blown out during flashing, the moving platen constantly advances bring new points into contact. The expulsion the incandescent particles (sparks) takes place with such frequency that the visual impression formed that continuous action. When the plastic zone extends the COOPER Welding Engineer RILEY Research Engineer and BARRETT Metallurgist The Taylor-Winfield Corp., Warren, Ohio correct distance back the molten surfaces, the speed the platen suddenly increased, butting the pieces together under the upsetting force and causing forging action. The result the forging action pushing out the molten metal and extruding part the plastic metal evident the finished weld Fig. view and welded part can used neces- sary remove the extruded material. this materia] removed one the numerous machining operations the finished part shows evidence the weld, Fig. view The surface discoloration has not been touched order help identify the position the weld. this welded part, Fig. view sectioned through plane right angles the weld and this section properly etched, the weld zone easily discernible the rograph, Fig. further study the important actions flash-butt weld will fur- nish insight the funda- mentals. knowledge these fun- damentals may easily result improvement weld quality. Flashing noted, there are minute points contact between the two work pieces. Currents high densities flow through these points contact, “bridges,” subject them very rapid rates heating. The metal these bridges raised the melting point almost instantane- ously. The shape these bridges when the liquid state believed determined principally the sur- face tension forces and apparently characterized throat approxi- mately the center, Fig. liquid metal these bridges reaches the boiling point very rapidly and the va] get net col inc the ter | W t \ molten aten and result out part the neces- one rations ence surface tion Fig. plane this zone portant ill fur- funda- fun- the high subject antane- bridges eved sur- arently pproxi- The reaches and the vapor pressure thus developed, to- gether with the forces due the mag- netic field, serves rupture the bridges. incandescent particles molten metal are thrown out with considerable velocity which further increased the continued action very strong magnetic field which tends dispatch them direction right angles the flow current. There second magnetic field exist- ing inside the secondary loop. This field tends keep the incandescent particles from entering Therefore when observer watches the flashing action, noted that while the particles fan away from the contacting surfaces, the density the particles the loop less than the density outside the loop. This action the magnetic fields usually referred “mag- netic blow-out.” While the bridges are being raised the incandescent point, they tend absorb the ambient oxygen. This action plus the residual inert gases left the result burning the mate- rial air forms atmosphere, that is, atmosphere with reduced oxygen content. Energy Input The primary purpose flashing allow enough heat generated order that plastic zone will formed permit adequate upsetting. The electrical energy supplied the work pieces while flashing con- verted heat and definite amount heat must added form the plastic zone, possible add fixed amount electrical energy either short long time. This fixed amount energy added will not exactly the same when the time input short long because heat losses through conduction and radia- tion. The short time input higher rate will have greater total radiation loss while the longer time input lower rate will have greater total conduction loss. Natu- rally the velocity the platen would have adjusted cause changes the flashing time for these different rates energy input while flashing off given amount material. This variation rate energy in- put has two obvious effects. that the higher the rate energy input the greater the size, but the less the number aforementioned liquid bridges blow out (Fig. 4), form- ing deep craters. then apparent that the volume metal molten bridge will approximately directly the rate energy in- put. The second effect noticed the depth the heat-affected zones. The combination low rate in- put and longer input time causes greater depth heat affected zone. The heat generated the contacting surfaces has more time flow back the workpieces and effect metal- lurgical changes. The use high rate energy input with shorter flashing time makes all factors more sensitive. Such condition causes increase the apparent length the molten bridges and tends make more probable the presence inclu- sions and porosity. order elimi- nate inclusions porosity the amount upset must increased which turn increases the material lost making weld. Preheating Preheating that action which the workpieces are brought together under pressure and the heating ob- tained the flow the preheating current through the resistance the material exposed between the welding electrodes. The contact resistance the ends the workpieces the ma- jor part the total work resistance and therefore the material adjacent the contacting surfaces becomes much more highly heated than the rest the material exposed between the dies. The preheating current turned and off allow the heat even out around the contacting sur- example flash-butt weld- ing. (B) After welding, with flash and upset material (C) After welding, with flash removed (D) After welding, with flash and upset removed faces and flow back from the con- tacting surfaces. The value pres- sure such that c