ion.

The sixth operation (illustrated in Fig. 6) is performed by torsion,
and for this purpose one end of the rod is held fixed while the other
is twisted once or twice in opposite directions, until by fatigue of
the metal at the points, _f_, the whole of the links are severed
almost at the same instant, and a chain of roughly formed stayed links
is produced.

The seventh operation (illustrated in Fig. 7) is to remove the
superfluous projecting pieces of metal both from the inside and
outside of the ends of the links. For this purpose the two ends of
each link are operated on at the same time by two pairs of punches
corresponding to the outline of the ends of the link.

The eighth operation (illustrated in Fig. 8) is to bring the ends of
the links to their finished rounded form. This is performed by
stamping both ends of each link at the same time between pairs of
shaping dies or swages.

The ninth operation (illustrated in Fig. 9) is to bring the middle
portion of each link--that is to say, the side members and the cross
stay--to the finished rounded form, which is also performed by means
of a pair of dies or swages.

The tenth and last operation (illustrated in Fig. 10) is to contract
the link slightly in the lateral direction in order to correct any
imperfections at the sides left by the two previous operations and
bring the link to a more perfect and stronger form, as shown. This
operation has the important result of strengthening the link
considerably by contracting or rendering more pointed the arched form
of the bow or end of the link, and also by thickening the metal at
that part where the wear is greatest, this thickening of the metal at
the ends of the link occurring in the direction of the line of strain
(as indicated by _x_ in Fig. 10) and being brought about by the
compression or "upsetting" of the metal at the end of the link. It may
be preferable to perform this operation immediately after the seventh
operation, and I reserve the right to do so.

In the case of large cables only the metal is preferably heated for
the eighth, ninth, and tenth operations.

I will now refer to the figures which illustrate the series of tools
whereby the above mentioned operations are performed.

Fig. 1_a_ shows a plan (the punch being in section) and Fig. 1_b_ an
elevation of the bed die of the tool by which the notches _b_ of the
first operation are performed. The feed mechanism is not shown, but
might be of any