A Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures and Mines / containing a clear exposition of their principles and practice

by Andrew Ure

[Fig. 538.] is a side view of the carding engine, with a horizontal or plan view of the lower part of the carding machine, shewing the operative parts of the winding apparatus, as connected to the carding engine. The doffer cylinder is covered with fillets of wire cards, such as are usually employed in carding engines, and these fillets are divided into two, three, or more spaces extending round the periphery of the cylinder, the object of which division is to separate the sliver into two, three, or more breadths, which are to be conducted to, and wound upon distinct blocks, for making so many separate hats or caps.

The principal cylinder of the carding engine, is made to revolve by a rigger upon its axle, actuated by a band from any first mover as usual, and the subordinate rollers or cylinders belonging to the carding engine, are all turned by pullies, and bands, and geer, as in the ordinary construction.

The wool or other material is supplied to the feeding cloth, and carried through the engine to the doffer cylinder, as in other carding engines; the doffer comb is actuated by a revolving crank in the common way, and by means of it the slivers are taken from the doffer cylinder, and thence received on to the surfaces of the blocks e e. These blocks, of which two only are shewn to prevent confusion, are mounted upon axles, supported by suitable bearings in a carriage f f, and are made to revolve by means of a band g g, leading from a pulley on the axle of a conical drum beneath. The band g passes over a pulley h, affixed to the axle of one of the blocks, while another pulley i, upon the same axle, gives motion, by means of a band, to as many other blocks as are adapted to the machine.

As it is necessary in winding the slivers on to the blocks, to cross them in different directions, and also to pass the sliver over the hemispherical ends of the blocks, in order that the wool or other material may be uniformly spread over the surface in forming the cap or hood for the shell or foundation of the intended hat, the carriage f, with the blocks, is made to traverse to and fro in lateral directions upon rollers at each end.

This alternating motion of the carriage is caused by a horizontal lever l l, (seen in the horizontal view [fig. 538.]) moving upon a fulcrum pin at m, which lever is attached to the carriage at one extremity n, and at the other end has a weighted cord which draws the side of this lever against a cam wheel o. This cam is made to revolve by means of a band and pulley, which turns the shaft and endless screw q, and this endless screw taking into a toothed wheel r, on the axle of the cam o, causes the cam to revolve, the periphery of which cam running against a friction roller on the side of the lever l, causes the lever to vibrate, and the carriage f f, attached to it, to traverse to and fro upon the supporting rollers, as described. By these means the slivers are laid in oblique directions, (varying as the carriage traverses,) over the surface of the blocks.

The blocks being conically formed, or of other irregular figures, it is necessary, in order to wind the slivers with uniform tension, to vary their speed according to the diameter of that part of the block which is receiving the sliver. This is effected by giving different velocities to the pulley on the axle of the conical drum s, corresponding with e. There is a similar conical drum t, placed in a reverse position in the lower part of the frame, which is actuated by a band from any convenient part of the machine passing over a pulley u, upon the axle of t. From the drum t, to the drum s, there is a band v, which is made to slide along the drums by the guidance of two rollers at the end of the lever l.

It will now be seen that when the larger diameter of the cam wheel o forces the lever outwards, the band v will be guided on to the smaller part of the conical drum t, and the larger part of s, consequently the drum s will at this time receive its slowest motion, and the band g will turn the blocks slower also; the reverse end of the lever l, having by the same movement, slidden the carriage into that position which causes the slivers to wind upon the larger diameter of the blocks.

When the smaller diameter of the cam is acting against the side of the lever, the weighted cord draws the end of the lever to the opposite side, and the band v will be guided on to the larger part of the cord t, and the smaller part of the cone s; consequently, the quicker movement of the band g will now cause the blocks e e to revolve with a corresponding speed. The carriage f will also be moved upon its rollers, to the reverse side, and the sliver of wool or other material be now wound upon the smaller parts and ends of the blocks, at which time the quicker rotation of the blocks is required. It may be here observed, that the cam wheel o should be differently formed according to the different shaped blocks employed, so as to produce the requisite movements of the lever and carriage suited thereto.

It only remains to state, that there are two heavy conical rollers w w, bearing upon the peripheries of the blocks e e, which turn loosely upon their axles by the friction of contact, for the purpose of pressing the slivers of wool or other material on the blocks as it comes from the doffer cylinder of the carding engine, and when the blocks have been coated with a sufficient quantity of the sliver, the smaller end of the pressing rollers is to be raised, while the cap is withdrawn from the block. The process being continued as before, the formations of other bodies or caps is effected in the manner above described.