Butler PRECISION SLOTTERS

Butler PRECISION SLOTTERS

Precision slotters are intended for use where accuracy, as opposed to cutting power, is of paramount importance. They are therefore guaranteed to a maximum error of 0.0005 for the table traverses and for the alignment of the ram. The surface of the table is perfectly flat, and the T-slots are machined at right angles or parallel with one another, within the same limits.

To achieve and maintain this accuracy, wide bearing slides with narrow guides are provided for the table slides. Feed screws are covered, and, where possible, guards are fitted over the slides.

The 4-stroke machine is designed for small tool and gauge work, where high speed, ease, and lightness of control are necessary. All controls are within easy reach of the operator, and it is worth noting that a tilting table with vertical adjustment is provided.

The 8- and 12-stroke machines share the same drive and feed motion design, and they are fitted with a tilting ram. The design of the table controls on the larger machines is varied to ensure that the hand wheels are within easy reach of the operator, particularly when two feeds need to be used simultaneously for profiling.

BUTLER MACHINETOOL CO LTD MILETHORN, HALL ENG

4-STROKE PRECISION TOOLROOM SLOTTER

The drive is transmitted through an oil-immersed plate clutch to a three-speed gearbox, giving 55, 100, and 150 cycles per minute. The gears are made of heat-treated nickel chrome steel, with the sliding gear mounted on a six-splined shaft.

From the gearbox, the drive is transmitted by enclosed V-belts, eliminating all tooth marks from the finished work. The clutch and gear control levers are mounted on the front side of the machine, easily accessible to the operator.

The stroke length can be adjusted with the ram in motion or at rest by turning the hand wheel mounted on the front of the body. The stroke length is indicated on the concentric dial.

The table is balanced by a counterweight inside the body and can be adjusted vertically using the large hand wheel. It can also be tilted up to a maximum of 72 degrees, forwards or backwards. A plug is provided for locating the table horizontally, and a lever is used to lock the table when tilted.

The circular table has hand adjustment by worm and worm wheel. Additionally, it is fitted with a dividing mechanism through twelve divisions, operated by a spring-loaded plunger built into the front of the slide.

The feed is provided by a variable throw ratchet lever through a feed reverse box to the table, where the required direction is selected by a sliding gear on each feed screw. Micrometer collars are fitted to all feed motions and to the tilting motion of the table. These collars can be locked and released for adjustment by a knurled knob concentric with the hand wheel.

The tool box is made of steel and can be indexed to any position through 180 degrees. It is fitted with a spring relief mechanism, which can be locked solid if required.

LUBRICATION
The gearing, eccentric drive, bearings, and ram slides are lubricated with filtered oil from a gear pump. The delivery filter is externally mounted, and a pressure gauge is fitted to indicate that the pump is in operation.

MOTOR
The motor is mounted on an adjustable baseplate secured to the machine and drives the machine pulley via enclosed V-belts.

8-STROKE PRECISION TOOLROOM SLOTTER

The drive is transmitted through a friction clutch pulley to a four-speed gearbox. The gears are made of heat-treated nickel chrome steel, with the sliding member mounted on a six-splined shaft.

A single helical stroke wheel transmits the drive through a bronze die to a slotted link, which incorporates the ram balance.

The four-position gate change gear lever is within easy reach of the operator, while the clutch control lever, which also operates a quick-acting brake, is duplicated on each side of the machine.

LUBRICATION
The gearing, link motion, bearings, and ram slides are lubricated with filtered oil from a gear pump. The delivery filter is externally mounted, and a pressure gauge is fitted to indicate that the pump is in operation.

The table is arranged to tilt forwards up to a maximum of 5 degrees after releasing the lock bolt and operating a built-in jack screw. A dead stop is provided for positioning the ram vertically. The position of the ram in relation to the stroke can be altered from the squared hole in the ram.

The stroke length can be changed while the ram is in motion or at rest from the squared shaft end. The amount of stroke is indicated on the concentric dial.

FEED
The feed is operated from a cam, synchronized with the stroke-changing mechanism, to ensure that the feed always occurs at the top of the stroke.

12-STROKE PRECISION TOOLROOM SLOTTER

The amount of feed is varied using a slotted lever, which transmits the motion to the table through a feed reverse box.

TABLE
Automatic feeds are provided in all directions, engaged by slip gears on the required screw or shaft. The circular table is supplied with plunger dividing through twelve divisions, operated by a spring-loaded plunger built into the front of the square slide. When this is in use, the worm can be disengaged from the worm wheel by the lever at the end of the worm shaft, enabling the operator to turn the table by hand through any part of a circle.

Micrometer collars are fitted to all feed motions. These collars are loose on the shaft and locked into position by the knurled knob concentric with each hand wheel. The periphery of the table is accurately indexed in degrees.

TOOL BOX
The tool box is made of steel throughout and is arranged to take tools in either the horizontal or vertical position. It is fitted with an automatic spring relief, which can be locked solid if required. The tool box can be indexed to any position in 360 degrees after releasing the lock nut in front of the ram.

MOTOR AND DRIVE
The motor is mounted on an adjustable welded steel baseplate secured to the base of the machine. It drives by enclosed V-belts to the friction clutch pulley.