FIG. 19.—Dye-jigger.
the cloth wound from the full on to the empty roller. With the object of keeping the piece tight, a heavy press roller is arranged to bear on the cloth on the full roller. When all the cloth has passed from one roller to the other it is said to have been given "one end". The direction of motion is now changed, and the cloth sent in the opposite direction through the jig, and the piece has now received another "end". This alternation from one roller to the other is continued as long as is deemed necessary, much depending on the depth of colour which is being dyed—some
pale shades may only take two or three ends, deeper shades may take more. When dyeing wool with acid colours which are all absorbed from the dye-liquor, or the bath is exhausted, it is a good plan to run the pieces several more ends so as to ensure thorough fixation of the dye on the cloth.
It is not advisable in working these jigs to add the whole of the dye to the liquor at the commencement, but only a part of it; then when one end is given, another portion of the dye may be added; such portions being always in the form of solution. Adding dyes in powder form inevitably leads to the production of colour specks on the finished goods. The reason for thus adding the dye-stuff in portions is that with some dyes the affinity for the fibre is so great that if all were added at once it would all be absorbed before the cloth had been given one end; and, further, the cloth would be very deep at the front end, while it would shade off to no colour at the other end. By adding the dye in portions this difficulty is overcome and more level shades are obtained; it is met with in all cases of jigger dyeing, but it is most common in dyeing cotton or wool with basic dyes like magenta, auramine, methyl violet or brilliant green, and in dyeing wool with acid dyes like acid green, formyl violets, azo scarlet, or acid yellow.
Some attempts have been made to make jiggers automatic in their reversing action, but they have not been successful; owing to the greatly varying conditions of length of pieces, their thickness, etc., which have to be dyed, and it is next to impossible to make all allowances for such varying conditions.
The Jig Wince or Wince Dye Beck.—This dyeing machine is very largely used, particularly in the dyeing of woollen cloths. It is made by many makers, and varies somewhat in form accordingly. Figs. 20, 21 and 22, show three forms
FIG. 20—Jig Wince.
by different makers. In any make the jig wince, or wince dye beck, consists of a large rectangular, or, in some cases, hemicylindrical dye-vat. Probably the best shape would be to have a vat with one straight side at the front, and one curved side at the back. In some a small guide roller is fitted at the bottom, under which the pieces to be dyed pass. Steam pipes are provided for heating the dye-liquors. The becks should be fitted with a false bottom made of wood, perforated with holes, or of wooden lattice work, and below