[Illustration: Fig. 25.]
If several sets of cards of one design are required for starting a
corresponding number of looms, and the first set has been produced by
the “piano machine” exact duplicates can easily be obtained at small
cost to the manufacturer by the “Repeating Machine.” This machine is
built by Messrs. John Royle & Sons, Paterson, N. J., and is illustrated
by Fig. 25 in a perspective view.
Fig. 26, p. 94, represents the front elevation of the throat-piece
through which the cards that are to be cut pass, the carriage on which
it is supported, and the mechanism employed for imparting a rising and
falling motion to the carriage.
Fig. 27, p. 95, is a vertical longitudinal section of the upper portion
of the machine.
Fig. 28, p. 95, gives a perspective view in detail of portions of a
selecting-needle and key-wire and a lever connecting them.
Fig. 29, p. 95, gives a view in detail of the mechanism employed to
turn the pattern cylinder.
The cards to be duplicated (_N_, _N_, Fig. 26, p. 94,) are arranged
upon the card race-arms (_M_, _M_, Fig. 26,) in the same manner as
upon a loom. The uncut or blank cards, having been previously laced
together, (_E_, _E_, Fig. 26), are piled in the rear at the base of the
column, and thence passed forward through the machine, and delivered
finished in front.
The perforating of the cards is performed by a vertically reciprocating
die, (_D_, Fig. 26), and a set of punches (_C_, Fig. 26,) carried in a
fixed punch-head, and capable of being pushed upward when such movement
is not prevented. The cards commonly used are of a size to receive 600
holes, and hence that number of punches are required.
The cards (_E_) to be cut are drawn over a “reel” or “idler” (_F_, Fig.
26,) at the back of the machine, and thence pass through openings in
the base frame to the front of the machine, and over a square cylinder
having a step-by-step rotary motion. By each quarter turn of this
cylinder, the chain of cards is drawn forward sufficiently to bring
a new card in the die. By the rising movement of the die (carriage),
which takes place as soon as the intermittent feed of the cards has
ceased, the card in the throat of the machine is carried up against the
lower ends of the punches, and is cut or perforated by all such punches
as have their upward movement prevented by the keys; while such punches
as are not arrested by the keys are carried upward, and do not puncture
the card. The pieces of card cut off fall through a throat or opening
in the carriage (_F_, Fig. 27,) into the hollow base frame, (_A_, Fig.
27), and can be taken out at the door, (_A_, Fig. 26).
It will therefore be apparent that the variations in the cards are
produced simply by holding down different punches in successive
punching operations. This is regulated by the original set of cards,
(_N_, Fig. 26), which are passed over the pattern cylinder (_O_, Fig.
26). The latter has also a step-by-step rotary motion similar to the
cylinder first described. Its four faces are covered with holes the
same distances apart as the perforations in the pattern cards. This
pattern cylinder is mounted in bearings in a carriage on the top of
the machine, and is reciprocated back and forth between the successive
rotary movements of the feed and pattern cylinders.
[Illustration: Fig. 26.]
In the upper part of the machine are arranged what are termed selecting
needles, (_C_, Fig. 27), which consist of wires arranged in horizontal
rows, with their ends opposite to the pattern cylinder, and which
are the same distance apart as the holes in the cylinder, so that if
the cylinder were moved up by the carriage against the ends of the
needles, the latter would enter the holes in the cylinder, and would
not be moved longitudinally. There are the same number of selecting
needles as punches in the machine--six hundred. When, however, a
perforated pattern card is on the cylinder, and it is moved against
the ends of the selecting needles, such needles as are opposite the
perforations of the cards will enter them, and will not be moved, while
such needles as are opposite the blank spaces of the cards will be
moved longitudinally. [See Fig. 27 for illustration.] At the reverse
movement of the carriage, an “evener,” which is secured to it at the
end opposite the pattern cylinder, strikes against the ends of all
the needles so moved and pushes them back to their original position.
Above each of the punches before described is a horizontal sliding key
(_D_, Fig. 27,) attached to a horizontal key-wire (_D´_, Fig. 27), and
the 600 key-wires are arranged in horizontal rows below the selecting
needles, and are each connected by a lever (_B_, Fig. 27,) with the
corresponding selecting needle. Consequently, a longitudinal motion of
any selecting needle will move the key-wire with which it is connected
in a reverse direction.
[Illustration: Fig. 27.]
Fig. 28 gives a clear demonstration of the connection of a selecting
needle, _c_, to the key-wire, _f_ by means of the lever, _e_, movable
around the fixed pin, _d_. Each key (_D_, Fig. 27,) consists of a
cylindrical plug of metal, which, projecting over a punch, forms an
abutment to keep that punch from rising, but if withdrawn, allows the
punch to rise without resistance.
[Illustration: Fig. 28.]
[Illustration: Fig. 29.]
A step arrangement of the punches and keys is adopted; that is, the
upper ends of the outer rows of punches are highest and the punches
in the several rows decrease in height till the inner row is reached,
where the punches are the lowest. Hence, the keys of the upper rows,
which correspond to the outer rows of punches, are carried over the
inner rows of punches and terminate over the punches in the outer rows.
Normally, all the keys are above the punches, and all would punch when
the die ascends, but when a pattern card is carried by the pattern
cylinder against the ends of the selecting needles, certain needles are
moved and produce a reverse movement of the corresponding key-wires,
and draws certain keys out of reach of their punches; no resistance
being offered to the upward movement of such punches, they do not
perforate the cards.
The carriage on which the pattern cylinder is carried being mounted
directly on the top of the machine, can be readily lifted off to afford
access to the parts below, and it is provided with a movable hood,
which may be lifted to inspect the selecting needles.
The keys and key-wires are arranged farther apart vertically than the
selecting needles, thus enabling larger keys and heavier and stronger
key bearings to be used, and avoiding any liability of the punches
striking the keys in the tier next above when those of their own tier
are withdrawn.
Instead of applying a separate spring to each punch to move it downward
or return it as the die recedes, a positively operated returning plate
is used, which moves down as the die recedes and acts on collars on
the punches, [see _d_, Fig. 27], and forces all the punches down. This
is very important, for if any of the punches should fail to descend,
the movement of their keys would be prevented, and thereby the machine
would fail to properly repeat.
The bearings of the pattern cylinder are so constructed that the
cylinder can be instantly changed to allow either a 400 or a 600-hole
cylinder to be used, so that the bearings can be adjusted to adapt them
for either size cylinder.
The bearings of the feed cylinder, whereby the chain of cards to be
cut is moved, are constructed and supported so as to enable them to be
readily adjusted to suit slight variations in the tightness with which
the cards are laced, or in a greater degree to suit large or small
cards, and the mechanism whereby the cylinder is operated is capable of
ready adjustment for the same purpose.
It is well known that the punching of a great number of holes
simultaneously, even in cardboard, requires great power, and entails
enormous shock and great wear on the machine; to obviate this
difficulty, the punches are slightly varied in length relative to their
keys, so that they will not all act on the cards at exactly the same
instant, and the strain on the machine and power required are thereby
greatly reduced.
_A Lace-Hole Press_
Is indispensable to the machine. This is a separate little machine,
designed to set upon a bench or table, and is used especially for
cutting the peg and lace-holes. It may be operated very readily by
hand, but if desired, is easily adapted to run by power. The feeding
is done by one motion of the hand, and once handling of the card; the
cards leave the press by gravitation, and arrange themselves in piles.
The press is arranged to cut cards for 400 or 600 machines.
The Lacing of Cards.
Two methods are observed for lacing Jacquard cards: _A_, hand-lacing on
a common frame; _B_, lacing by power.
A. Lacing of Jacquard Cards by Hand.
For this purpose the cards are put on a common frame containing on its
surface pegs of a corresponding size to those used on the cylinder. The
pegs on the frame are made of hard wood, and the pegs of the cylinder
of brass. These pegs on the frame are located at exact distances apart,
and the frames are built to hold from 30 to 50 cards, superficially
arranged.
Figs. 30 and 31 illustrate the frame under _S_, showing at _a_ three
cards arranged for a fabric, with a twill effect from left to right;
and at _b_ the same cards arranged for a twill in the opposite
direction, from right to left. These frames are arranged to slide into
each, so as to adapt them to the distances of the peg-holes in the
cards. To give a clear understanding as to the distance of these pegs
from each other a few measures most generally used for lacing frames
are given.
[Illustration: Fig. 30.]
[Illustration: Fig. 31.]