A combination gravity and manually powered rapid billet loader reduces the time required for transferring hot metal billets from a heating furnace to an extrusion press. Positioned between the furnace and extrusion press, this loader is a simple slide-delivery device

Dolinshek, A. F.

Herman, L. E.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

Guide Trough 
Retraction Mechanism 
April 1964
	
Brief 63-10354 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
This NASA Tech Brief is issued by the Technology Utilization Division to acquaint industry 
with the technical content of an innovation derived from the NASA space program. 
Rapid Billet Loader Aids Extrusion of Refractory Metals 
Furnace 
RillAt.._ 1-i1 Carrier Push Rod
K <:j>
Loading Throat 
The problem: To reduce the time required for 
handling hot metal billets when they are trans-
ferred from a heating furnace to an extrusion 
press. Both high-temperature metals (2,500 to 
4,000°F working temperature) and certain low-
temperature alloys have a narrow range of hot-
working temperatures and tend to lose heat rapidly. 
Conventional transfer methods for handling hot 
metal depend on slow motorized devices or slow-
acting gravity systems. 
The solution: A combination gravity and manually 
powered rapid billet loader that accomplishes the 
complete cycle from furnace to closing of the 
extrusion press within 3 seconds.
How it's done: The loader is a simple slide-de-
livery device positioned between the furnace and 
the extrusion press. For efficient work handling, 
the furnace is as near as possible to the press but 
on a higher level than the loading throat of the 
press. 
A guide trough slides on a horizontal work sur-
face and can be positioned directly below the 
furnace outlet. A carriage to hold the hot billet 
has an open top and bottom to permit loading 
and unloading. Rods or pulleys can be worked to 
move the carriage in the guide trough. At one end 
of the work surface there is an opening which 
leads to the press loading throat. 
-	
-	 (continued overleaf) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States Govern-
ment. nor NASA, nor any person acting on behalf of NASA: A. Makes 
any warranty or representation, express or implied, with respect to the 
accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information contained in
this document, or that the use of any information, a pparatus, method, 
or process disclosed in this document may not infringe privately-owned 
ri g hts: or B. Assumes any liabilities with respect to the use of, or for 
damages resulting from the use of. any information, apparatus, method, 
or process disclosed in this document.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19630000061 2020-03-11T16:48:02+00:00Z
The billet, brought to working temperature in 
the furnace, is allowed to fall from the furnace 
outlet into the carriage positioned directly below. 
The sides of the carriage and solid floor of the 
guide trough cradle the billet as the carriage is 
rapidly moved (manually) to the loading throat of 
the extrusion press. An opening in the guide trough 
floor allows the billet to pass from the carriage into 
the throat of the extrusion press at the end of 
the carriage excursion. Simultaneously with the 
beginning of the extrusion press cycle, the guide 
trough is manually withdrawn by a pulley mecha-
nism. 
The complete cycle, from furnace to extrusion 
press, can be accomplished in as little as 3 seconds. 
Delivery from furnace to carrier is normally ac-
complished in I second. Rapidity of operation has 
two advantages: heat loss in the billet is minimized, 
as well as any adverse effects of excessive heat-
transfer to the handling mechanisms In addition, 
the extremely simple mechanism should have a 
very modest maintenance requirement.
Notes: 
1. Some configurations of billets can be handled 
more reliably than others. Billets having large 
ratios of length to diameter can be expected to 
enter both the carrier and extrusion cavity more 
reliably (without cocking) under free-fall condi-
tions than billets having small ratios of length 
to diameter. 
2. This device is highly reliable and simple to oper-
ate. As constructed, the carrier is moved manu-
ally but could be converted to power operation. If 
the mechanism is power driven, the transfer de-
vice should be equipped with a safety interlock 
to prevent malfunctioning and consequent damage. 
3. Elimination of manual handling of the extremely 
hot billets removes a serious safety hazard. The 
lateral transfer device is an adaptation of the 
slide mechanism often used for orienting parts 
in a mechanized manufacturing process. 
Patent status: NASA encourages commercial use 
of this innovation. No patent action is contemplated. 
Source: Louis E. Herman and Albert F. Dolinshek 
Lewis Research Center (Lewis-50) 
Brief 63-10354


Rapid billet loader aids extrusion of refractory metals

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