THE LINOTYPE MACHINE.
Fig. 313a.—The Linotype Machine.
Among recent inventions in connection with printing, the linotype machine calls for special mention. In this machine a great number of actions are combined and co-ordinated with the utmost ingenuity, but such mechanism does not lend itself to popular description, and we must confine ourselves to a statement of what it effects, recommending the reader to avail himself of some opportunity of seeing the apparatus at work. It will not then be needful to give details of every one of the very numerous parts, which present in the ensemble a great appearance of complication, the more so that much ingenuity has been exerted to make the machine compact, which is a practical point of great importance. The disposition of parts is not, therefore, that which is calculated to show each movement clearly to the spectator, but that by which the least space is occupied. The machine is driven by belting from a main shaft, turned by a steam-engine, gas-engine, electro-motor, or other regular source of power, and rotated at such a rate that the main pulley of the machine itself (14½ inches in diameter) shall make about 60 revolutions per minute. Fig. [313a] shows the general aspect of the machine and seat for the one operator required, but as we are not undertaking a detailed and complete description of the whole mechanism, no letters of reference are given; but the reader will be able, from the following diagrams, to identify the more important parts, and form a general idea of their action and purpose. In this machine great use is made of the contrivances called cams, several of which may be observed in the sketch towards the side of the machine on the left, being fixed on and turning with its main shaft. They consist of plates, or open rims of various forms, which move levers, etc., in any required way, and at any required period of the revolution.
Fig. 313b.—A Matrix.
Fig. 313c.—Diagram of Movements.
Fig. 313d.—A Line of Matrices.