The Jacquard Machine Analyzed and Explained / With an appendix on the preparation of jacquard cards, and practical hints to learners of jacquard designing

by E. A. Posselt

II. Piano Card Stamping Machines.

These are operated in two ways, by the belt or foot-power. There are two kinds of each: “French index” and “American index.”

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4. Fig. 5.

Fig. 6.

Fig. 7.

Fig. 8.

Fig. 9.

Fig. 10.

Fig. 11.

Figs.[ 2] to [11] are drawn to one-half the actual size of the “Uhlinger Card Stamping Machine.”

Figs. [13], [16], [17], [18], [19] are drawn to one-quarter the actual size of the “Royle Card Stamping Machine.”

Figs. [2] and [13] (E, F, G, H,) represent the top view of the head (cover taken off), the twelve holes for holding the punches for one row, also the large hole for holding the peg, P. Each punch works vertically, and is guided by a key for stamping the hole.

[Fig. 14] illustrates the punch (actual size) as used in the “Royle” machine: a to b = 3/4 inch; b to c = 2-7/8 inches; 7/32 inch diameter of punch, d to c.

[Fig. 15] illustrates a corresponding key: diameter of key 3/16 inch, d to e; diameter of head, 3/8 inch, a to b; c is the hole for inserting the pin which holds the spring. The length of the keys vary from 1-3/4 to 2-1/8 inches, according to the position they occupy in the machine. The punch and key of the Uhlinger machine are shown (one-half of actual size) in Figs. [4] and[ 5].

A and B, in Figs. [2] and [13], represent the piston for guiding the head in its vertical motion.

[Fig. 3] represents the front view of the head. The numbers and letters indicating the different parts correspond with [Fig. 2].

The principle of construction and action of the heads in both kinds of machine are similar. Each key is provided with a fine spiral spring, which, after every action of the key, returns it to its original position. The key for the peg-hole is controlled by the larger spring, S, D, in Figs. [2] and [13]. The arrows in these two drawings indicate the direction taken by the keys when under pressure.

When cutting cards eight rows deep, the thumb of the right hand works the key for the peg-hole; the eight keys in the rear of the machine (which are the ones to be used) are worked by the four fingers of each hand.

When cutting cards twelve rows deep, the eight keys in the rear are operated by the eight fingers in the same manner; but the thumb of the right hand operates keys marked 1 and 2, and the thumb of the left hand operates keys marked 11 and 12.

During the cutting operation the fingers should not be removed from the keys; they should always be in readiness to press the required key into action, as this is the only way to become expert.

The eye of the card stamper must rest uninterruptedly on his design; and the keys are called at will by the fingers, without the eye leaving the design, to find out where a certain key or finger is situated at the time.

[Fig. 4] shows relative positions of punch, S, and key, E, when ready for stamping a hole.

[Fig. 5] shows the relative positions of punch and key when no hole is required.

O represents the Jacquard card as resting in the slot of the lower head. II. in [Fig. 3], marked X to Z, shows a full width view of this card.

The space D, in Figs. [4] and [5] permits the spring to be inserted regulating the key. A, B, C, solid parts of the upper head, (I., in [Fig. 3]). F, G, K, L, solid parts of the lower head, (II., in [Fig. 3]).

The cards are passed into and through the stationary part of the head at X, Z, and are attached to a “carriage” in the rear of the punch head.

Fig. 12.

Two methods are employed for moving the carriage:

1st. By a “skipper” at its rear fastened to the carriage, which moves in a rack of pins secured to the cutting table. This method of construction is used by the Uhlinger machine. Figs. [6] and [7] are front and side views of this mechanism. Figs. [8] and [9], the top view and sectional cut of the rack.

2d. The rack is fastened to the carriage, and the skipper to the table, thus reversing the first method. [See [Fig. 19], top view.] This method of construction is employed in the Royle machine.

The distance of the pins in the racks in both systems of construction (American and French) corresponds to the distance of the rows in the card. The racks are generally constructed for 600, 900, and 1200 Jacquard machines. Of these three sizes the 1200 is the most advantageous, as cards can be cut for any smaller size machine. The rack of a 900 machine (French index) contains 88 pins, while that of a 1200 machine (French index) contains 114 pins.

[Fig. 10] illustrates the “catch” for holding the cards in the Uhlinger machine. This is fastened to the carriage when pressed by the hand on top in the direction of arrow, S; this catch will compress spring, D, in the direction of arrow, S´, thus opening the “blade,” C, (front view shown by [Fig. 11]), in the direction of arrow, S´´, thus allowing the card to be inserted and held, securely fastened to the carriage.

[Fig. 18] illustrates the side view of the carriage and its catch for holding the Jacquard card as used in the Royle machine. Arrow, S, indicates the pressure of the operator’s hand on lever, B, when the card is inserted. This lever presses by means of presser, D, in the direction of arrow, S´, on the double-acting lever, E, at c. This lever moving around its fulcrum, e, will lift catch, F, in the direction of arrow, S´´, thus allowing the card to be inserted. Spring, G, fastened to main part of carriage, A, by means of screw, a, secures the card to the catch. C, C´, are the carriage wheels, of which there are four.

Fig. 13.

Fig. 14.

Fig. 15.

Fig. 16.

Fig. 17.

Fig. 18.

Fig. 19.

[Fig. 19] represents the top view of [Fig. 18], and is designed to show the arrangement of levers, wheels, and catches of the complete rack as used for a 900 machine. The letters indicating the different parts correspond with the ones used in [Fig. 18].

[Fig. 16] shows top view and ground plan, and [Fig. 17] the front elevation of the “card-guide,” as constructed on the Royle machine. It is universal and self-adjusting to any width of cards from 3/4 to 3-1/2 inches; both guide-plates, C and D, are caused to move equally toward or away from the peg-punch, thus accurately centering the peg-hole in all cards.

Letters A, B, P, and numbers 1 to 12, correspond to those used in [Fig. 13.] E, F, H, K, are the three levers moving around pin, G, (the latter in even line with the centre of the peg-hole, P). These levers are held by screw, L, in any required position. Spring, S, holds lever, F, H, against pin, T, which in turn is fastened to the same plate as screw, L.

[Fig. 16] indicates the card-guide set for a 12-row card. Let us suppose it necessary to cut an 8-row card. Loosen screw, L, and spring, S, will instantly contract until each side of the guide has moved the required distance (two holes and two spaces between holes) towards the centre. Much valuable time is saved by the use of this guide, as it instantly adjusts itself to any width of card, and at the same time centralizes each card passed through the machine. In factories where broken cards require to be constantly renewed, the value of this guide is especially noticeable, there being no material interruption of the regular work of the operator, who can replace the damaged card at the moment wanted.

Fig. 20.

Letters indicating the different parts in [Fig. 17], correspond to those used in [Fig. 16]. As mentioned before, the pistons, A and B, of the cutting head are connected below the table to the cutting levers, and by a simple combination of levers, the cutting pedal is brought in direct relation to the cutting lever; all of which are illustrated in the perspective view of the Royle machine in [Fig. 20], and the Uhlinger machine in [Fig. 12]. The working of the cutting pedal is very simple. Pressing the pedal, situated at the right, causes the punch head to descend, and the punch penetrates the card. Transferring the pressure from the right to the left pedal raises the punch-head to its former position, (punches above card), ready for a repetition of these movements. The “skip” arrangement allows the carriage to advance the distance from one pin to the other in the card-rack, thus placing the card in proper position under the punches.

At the proper height above the punch-head is the reading-board, on which the guide-rules are moved across the design by screws, which are connected by gearing and operated by means of the hand-wheel or crank shown on the lower side of the board. As drawing-pins or thumb-tacks are generally used as fastenings for the design, the reading-board is made of soft wood, and its trimmings are made of hard wood.

Fig. 21.

[Fig. 21] illustrates the Uhlinger Card Stamping Machine operated by belt-power. Being the same in principle as the foot-power machine, it is only necessary to state that instead of working the machine by means of the cutting pedals, it is done automatically by simply touching any of the keys that operate the punches; thus the machine makes one stroke and punches the required holes.