Why are they called Greasy Machines?
eyelet transfer press, GreasyMachines.com, transfer press, turn-key projects, used equipment
Transfer Press Machine Introduction
The Waterbury Farrel is the reason for our company website name GreasyMachines.com
Older machines were referred to as “greasy machines” because of the amount of lubricating oil used on the machines which splashed everywhere. These days, companies have retrofitted older presses with splash guarding and catch pans beneath the press to eliminate unsafe oily floors. Newer machines do not suffer from this when a proper enclosure is employed as you will see. Thanks to the Transfer Press and our local stamping industry, this is our specialty.
Waterbury, Connecticut, USA affectionately known as the “Brass City” is part of the Naugatuck Valley that has seen many industries boom such as the Brass rolling mills. Many industries have died away, but some still remain. One such remaining industry in the greater Waterbury area is the Deep Drawn Eyelet Industry. This metal stamping industry has and still produces a multitude of simple and intricate metal stamped parts, especially anything that requires to be deep drawn. Some common examples of these stamped parts we use in our daily lives are battery cans, lip stick tubes, Edison light bulb screw shells to name a few, and there are many more applications outside a household. Other industries that utilize components made on a Transfer press are Automotive, Aerospace, Ordinance, Electrical, Writing Instruments, and Clothing. All made possible because of the Waterbury Farrel Transfer Press and the wealth of skilled tool makers from the Waterbury area.
There are several types of transfer presses, many have copied the Waterbury Farrel, modestly revised it, or engineered it with a completely different approach to stamping metal parts. A Waterbury Farrel ICOP (Individually Cam Operated Plunger) power press is our main focus which is depicted above. The transfer press or “Eyelet machine” began as a simple machine to produce reinforcing eyelets for shoes, tents, and women’s corsets by the Eli Manville Co. The Waterbury Farrel Company picked up where the Manville Co left off to realize the transfer presses versatility to make a multitude of different metal products. These machines have been refined and modernized with safety/sound enclosures, electronic controls to monitor everything from machine speed to cam bearing temperatures to prevent failures. So the Waterbury Farrel was made in many sizes, from very basic to very sophisticated, it all depends on your product needs. An English company called Platarg Engineering produces their version of the Waterbury Farrel press with subtle differences, main difference being that Platarg chose to feed their material from the left to right. This is opposite of the Waterbury Farrel which feeds from right to left. Another U.S. made heavy duty version of the Waterbury is the Samson machine which greatly improved on the Waterbury design, these are made to order machines.
How it works in a nutshell is strip metal from a coil is advanced into the Blank station by a feed which is either mechanically driven or pneumatically operated. The Blank station punches the metal strip to a pre-determined diameter required to accomplish the final draw length for a finished part. Once a “blank” is produced, it is transferred to the Cup station for the initial draw by the “transfer” slide. The transfer slide has sprung “fingers” that carry the part from station to station until complete. The slide advances, then returns to its original position to accept a new blank with every revolution of the machine. Once the slide is filled at each station a finished part is produced with each revolution. Sounds simple right, it is and it isn’t, there are many little nuances to understand about the machine, everything must be synchronized to generate a quality part, but this is a very basic outline. These machines have been modified and accessories installed such as a “Seiter attachment” to create threads, lettering, or beads. Also, “Extender Plungers” can be installed in place of a standard plunger in order to gain extra draw depth for a longer part. These are just a couple examples of the versatility of these machines.
Some of the more common components still being made on Transfer presses today are “Blasting Caps” such as Ensign Bickford’s 1930s design still made from metals such as Copper, Brass or Aluminum. Most commonly used for road building and mining. This being a 1 time use component, means continuous demand and production for you.
The clothing industry makes use of stamped buttons for the very popular Levi Jeans. Again this is another example of a consumable part, needing to be made over and over.
Another popular industry that makes use of this technology is the Cosmetics industry, aerosol mounting caps, jar lids, lipstick tubes made from Aluminum, Brass, Copper, CRS to name a few, all consumables. Such companies as Revlon, L’Oreal, Estee Lauder and Gucci have high end packaging components made for them to contain or apply their makeup.
Yet another product that is made on transfer presses is battery cans such as AAA up to D cells.
Lastly, Automotive components of all types can be stamped on a Transfer Press, from engine & power train parts to fuel injection & air bag initiator components.
In summary, GreasyMachines.com will manage the entire Transfer Press(es) project, from production of your NEW or Refurbished press, Engineering/Design of the component, tailoring your needs for safety guarding, installing failure monitoring systems, sound enclosures, to material feeding accessories. GreasyMachines will deliver a complete turn key solution on your production floor. Aside from the machine aspect of the project, another element is operator training of all daily operation and maintenance tasks. Not only will you be given the machinery to make parts, but you will understand what it takes to consistently manufacture a quality part. Before delivery of machine, a final run off of components will be done to ensure the machine operates correctly and that all safety, mechanical, and quality issues have been addressed.
Here is what you get when you purchase a New Samson press or refurbished press.
Here is a modernized Waterbury Farrel press from a past “Blasting Cap” project.
In closing, let GreasyMachines.com show you our expertise in this industry. We combine knowledge with excellent customer service to design you a turn key solution. Let’s discuss yours today.
Photo acknowledgements (Solla Eyelet, ITW Highland, Trans-Matic, Eveready, Samson, H&T Group, Levi Strauss)
Contact Us:
George Anderson george [at] greasymachines [dot] com
Nick Perugini nick [at] greasymachines [dot] com
Surplus Asset Management, LLC
Bristol, CT. USA
www.greasymachines.com
866-473-2796 (USA)
860-585-9072 (FAX)