III. Repeating Jacquard Pattern Cards by the Positive Action Repeater.
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.
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.
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.
Fig. 28.
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.