The Iron Age 1902-07-31: Vol 70

THE IRON AGE THURSDAY, The Improved Froude Water Dynamometer. The dynamometer here illustrated was originally de signed by William Froude for use in his experiments on the propulsion of ships. It has since, states the Lon- don largely modified for with sta- tionary engines, and is claimed to be the machine best adapted and most trustworthy for superseding the old type brake band for testing the brake horse-power of engines and motors. An earlier form of hydraulic brake took the shape of an ordinary centrifugal pump, the resistance to rotation being varied to some extent by a valve placed in the outlet pipe. But to powers, say 500 to 1000 horse-power, would have become very Engineer, been use measure large the and apparatus the range eumbrous, THE through which the power absorbed could be regulated would be insufficient. To meet these difficulties Mr. Froude invented a new form of rotator and case, which gave a vastly increased resistance for given over-all dimensions, and also provided means for regulating the resistance through a very considerable range. The general arrangement of this machine is shown in Fig. 1. It consists of a case, or shell, within which revolves the wheel, or rotator. The latter is a circular disk, and on each side is formed a circular channel of semielliptical cross section. These channels are placed back to back, and are provided with a number of vanes fixed obliquely, as shown in cross section in Fig. 3. On each side of the casing similar channels are fixed, and also provided with vanes, thus forming two complete circular channels of elliptical cross section—Fig. 2 which are divided into a number of complete compart- ments by means of oblique vanes. The apparatus being completely filled with water, and the rotator set in mo- tion, the water contained in the cups of the rotator, under the action of centrifugal force, is delivered from Jury 31, 1902. their outer surface and thrown with eonsiderable force against the upper part of the fixed cups in the casing The water then circulates round the outer surface of the fixed cups, and enters the bottom edge of the mov ing cups with an velocity, due partly to the velocity of its delivery from the fixed cups and partly to the velocity with which the cups of the rotator meet the jet as it is delivered from the fixed cups. Thus a whirlpool or vortex up in each cup, the power required to drive the rotator being mainly ex pended in keeping this going. The whole of the power exerted being converted by friction into heat, in order to keep the machine cool it is necessary to introduce a In doing this it is essen- should not be disturbed, increased motion is set continual supply of cold water. tial that the whirling motion ' IMPROVED FROUDE DYNAMOMB'LER. so the water is conducted through holes up the fixed vanes to points lying in the center of the vortex, where the pressure and velocity are low, and the circulation water being under a pressure of 15 to 20 pounds per square inch, lodgment of air at this place is prevented. The inlet pipe for cold water is connected to a circular supply channel at the back of each set of fixed vanes, while the hot water is continually escaping into the outer part of the case and leaves by the outlet pipe shown, which, being at the highest point of the case, assists the escape of air or steam. The connections of these pipes are flexible, so as not to affect the balance of the machine. Cocks are also provided to permit any air collected to escape. It is interesting to note that the total power absorbed may be considerably increased by making the interior surfaces of the cups as smooth as possible, so as to admit of very high velocities of circu- lation in the individual cups. The power absorbed by the dynamometer is reduced when required by interpos- ing a thin metallic shield between the faces of the rotator and easing, thus cutting off what may be termed 2 THE IRON the vortex action. In this manner the power may be re- duced from the maximum down to about one-fourteenth of that amount. It will be noticed that the weight of the casing is not supported by the shaft, but carried by means of friction rollers. The rollers are provided with a slight adjustment, so that the shaft may be readily brought into line with that of the engine or motor shaft required to be tested. The revolving rotator necessarily reacts on the tending to carry it round with it, the turning moment being equal to that exerted on the shaft. being carried on the rollers mentioned, is from turning by a weighted lever, as shown in Fig. 1. It is found convenient to secure greater weight than ac- the portion not supported by the brake shown. The minus suppose the case, driving The case, prevented steady tually being carried by a readings to provide a required, Dension balance, as effective weight is, of course, the total the iti of the balance. For instance, effective weight supported is W Ibs., at 5 feet 3 inches weight “WATER INLET | WATER suP CHAMBER J CASING THE IRON AGE = CASING Fig. 2.—Section Parallel with Shaft. THE IMPROVED FROUDE radius, and the revolutions are N per minute. Now, 5 feet 3 inches radius corresponds to a circle of 16.5 foot hence the formula for the x 16.5 x NV WxwN 33,000 = 2000 In using the machine the rotator shaft is first brought into line with the engine or motor to be tested and is coupled up. Water is admitted by the inlet pipe, the outlet being opened for the escape of air. As soon as running is commenced the water inlet should be opened full, the flow of water being regulated by the outlet, so that the outflowing does not attain too high a tem- perature, and a certain amount of pressure is thus main- tained in the casing. The machine is made in a number of standard sizes, and the differences between the various powers are ob tained by the regulation of the shields mentioned above, which are moved by the hand wheels at each end of the machine. The maximum power which the machine will absorb varies as the square of the speed; thus, if given dynamometer takes 100 horse-power to drive it at 100 revolutions it will take 400 horse-power to drive it at 200 revolutions. The water is prevented from passing out between the casing and the main shaft by the use of ordinary glands and packing, but it will easily be seen that no error is made by their friction, as this reacts on the ease in the same direction as the water. It may be in- teresting to note further that the range of temperature circumference, Brake horse-power = AGE. July 31, 1902 j from inlet to outlet and the quantity of water used af- ford an accurate measure of the power, and the most recent determination of Joule’s mechanical equivalent of heat was made by means of a Froude water dyna mometer by Prof. O. Reynolds and Mr. Morley. The advantages claimed for this dynamometer for high speed engine and motor testing may be summed up as follows: That ,it is suitable for use at highest speeds and for very large powers; it is capable of regu- lation to any power within its limits without adjust- ment of weights; it is simple to work, and cannot easily order; it is portable, and requires practically no foundation, and it is absolutely in its results, get out of correct OO — The Ohio Falls tron Works. Falls Iron New making important extensions erecting a new building, 240 x expect to have their new muck mill in oper- 1, although a great deal of work is still to be done before it is completed. The muck train is 20 inches x 8 feet high. <A corrugated iron roof has heen placed over the building. The mill will have seven busheling furnaces and two scrap furnaces, and will have a capacity of 700 tons of muck per week. A great deal of the machinery and equipment have al- ready been installed, and more is still arriving and being placed in position as soon as the various departments condition. Four 250 horse-power Cahall boilers and the brick work on two of them is near- The new Corliss engine, which is 24 x and is being put The Ohio have heen Thev are which they ation by September Albany, Ind., to their plant. SSO feet, in Company, are in are set up, ing completion. 48 inches, has arrived from Milwaukee, —LESLL I 4 LLL OIRECTION OF ROTATION WATER SUPPLY CHAMBER THE IRON AGE Fig. 3.—Cross Section of Vanes. DYNAMOMETER. The fly wheel, which is 20 feet in diameter and weighs 50 tons, and the main shaft have also been delivered in the building and will be put in place in a short time. A hammer weighing 50,000 pounds has been set up near one of the pair of furnaces. The 60-inch squeezers are being installed, and work on the furnaces and stacks is making rapid The founda- tions for ‘the shears are finished and the shears are ex- one pair weighs 50 tons, and will cut a bar of cold iron 6 inches square. A powerful crane that will hoist 20 tons is in position. At the north end of the mill is a scrap shed which will be 30 x 180 feet. Alongside the scrap shed a spur track will be built. The shed will hold six cars, and the floor of the mill will be just the hight of the floor of a car, so that stock can be wheeled from the car into the scrap iron shed to the big shears, thus doing away with any extra han- dling of material, and also saving much valuable time. As soon as the muck mill is in operation the company will begin work on a new finishing department mill, which will occupy the ground adjoining the present new structure, and will be 180 x 300 feet. The company’s present works resumed rations some time since, after having been closed for repairs, and will be in steady operation for the next year, un- less compelled to close down for unavoidable accidents. Iy the past ten months 30,000 tons of finished iron have heen shipped, and last week over 50 cars of stock were unloaded at the mill. The company now have on hand in position. progress. pected soon; ope July 31, 1902 i000 tons of scrap iron and 2000 tons of pig iron, and are unloading from 10 to 15 cars of scrap each day. When all departments are completed and in full opera- tion the plant will employ from 900 to 1000 men. ooo The Manufacture of Soft Center Steel. BY G, P. BLACKISTON, PITTSBURGH. Volumes have been written upon the manufacture of crucible steel, especially that of the tool grade, but the pens of the numerous authors have devoted but little ink to the subject of soft center steel. From this grade we secure, in an indirect manner, the most nutritious of our food, The plowshare, which in olden days was forged into swords to defend our native land from the enemy, aud which to-day rubs Mother Earth in such a manner as to give us corn, wheat, oats, &e., is one of the greqtest uses to which this special grade is devoted. The writer could name over quite a list of uses to which it is applied, but as space is dear and time short he will simply state that, when a very hard surface is required, Which will receive jolts and uneven strains that would be very apt to break it into pieces, it is given a center of iron or soft steel, which transmits elasticity to the entire piece. But before going into detail and giving the severe und numerous specifications which this steel has to live up to. we will look into its manufacture, which is che of the most important points. The crucible process is the method used to convert the iron and steel serap into the required grade of steei. The charge, composed of a certain amount of iron and well selected steel serap, together with the medicine, is placed into the crucible or pot, as it is termed, which is made of blacklead and clay. The pot, with its charge, is, in turn, placed into the furnace, which is so constructed as to allow the finme and heat to play around on all sides. After being exposed to a heat of 3000 degrees for a period of three to four and a half hours, the contents, or charge, being thoroughly melted, are ready to be with- drawn from the furnace and the molten steel cast into ingots. It is at this point that great care must be exer- cised. ‘The molds are, as a rule, about 10% inches wide, 1S inches long and 38 inches thick. A center plate, com- posed of iron or soft steel, is placed so as to stand up in the center of the mold lengthwise, dividing it into two equal parts. Two methods are in use to hold this plate up per fectly perpendicular. One is by having a groove, the size of the thickness of the plate, cut into the mold and thus slide it in. The other method is by using a lug, a piece of steel which slips over the side of the mold, the other end holding the plate in place. By the former all of the plite that is in the groove is so much scrap and thus runs the cost up. In the latter the plate is very apt to be a little on one side at the bottom, not perfectly in the center, as by the first method. Of course this would ruin the ingot. Thus there is a splendid opportunity for inoprovement in this line. Before going further we must look at the center plate. This shonld be of good, clean wrought iron, but open hearth steel, with the carbon not above 0.10 per cent. and the phospherus under 0.08 per cent., can be used with pertect safety. The plates vary in thickness with the ideas of the steel manufacturers, but they are about 1 ineh thick, the other dimensions being those of the mold The greater amount of the plates used to-day are bought by the carload. The manufacturer should then be very careful to test six or eight plates from every cur. A piece should be forged down to % inch square and quenched in cold water at a bright heat (not a weld- ing or burning one). It should then bend, in this state, over a \Y-inch round bar. If it does not break or crack there is absolutely no danger in its use. Now that the quality of the plate is satisfactory it is taken to the pickling house, where the plates are inspected for slivers. If any are present they are chipped out. Afterward the plates are scrubbed thor- oughly in water with a brush. They are then placed into a bath of water and sulphuric acid. which eats all THE IRON AGE. 3 the dirt from the surface. After remaining in this bath for many hours they are removed and again scrubbed with water in order to remove the acid. This is all done to facilitate the welding of the steel and plate when they come together in the mold. If the plate is at all dirty or nas oxide upon the surface the ingot will be unsound, as the stee! and plate will not unite perfectly. But to go back to where we left the pot, just in readiness to have its contents teemed or poured into the mold. The melter picks up the pot with his teeming tongs and teems the metal into the space between one side of the mold and the center plate. At the same time another man pours the contents of another pot into he other side of the mold, The mold is thus left until the ipgot is solid. In this manner the ingot is com- posed’ of one solid mass. iron in the center and steel on the ontside. The carbon being of about 1.50 to 1.50 per cent., the contraction is very great and the possi- bilities of the ingot cracking are also great It is at this point that the majority of steel melters and manufacturers meet with a stumbling block. The writer has seen many cases in which they have simply removed the ingots from the moids and allowed them to cool in the air. The result is a great loss from cracks. Some bury them in ashes or coke dust, but the best inethod, if results and cost have any power of deciding the matter. is to have a small hole in the casting pit, opening into the top of the cellar. ‘The ingots, as soon as removed from the molds, are thrown through the hole into the warm cellar. Here they are annealed or cooled very slowly, which relieves the ingot of the very strong and sudden strains that result in cracks. The cellar ean also be utilized for washing and fixing the pots over and then have everything out of the way. A hydraulie eleyator could easily be erected for lifting them out. After they are thorongehly cool the ingots are brought to the surface and corner taken off, in order that the earbon may be determmedt. They are then sent to the inill, where all the 800d work done up to this time can be destroyed if they are not properly handled by the heater and roller. Being a very high carbon steel, care should be taken not to give them too much heat, but at the same time they should be heated slowly and thor- oughly. After being cogged the steel should be taken, Withont allowing it to cool, and heated for the finishing rolls. There is no danger of edging it, which naturally saves a great quantity of steel from going into scrap. Just as soon as it Is warm enough to handle with tongs the plates should be marked out for pattern and sheets cut to the desired length. These sheets or slabs, if we may be allowed to term them such, are laid upon coke fires in order to keep them warm. They are then cut to the desired pattern. If this shearing was performed while the plates were cold the hard steel would crack or separate from the soft. Great care must be taken to have the surface clean and smooth, as the manufacturers of the plows give it a very high polish. The analysis is about the following: Carbon, 1.30 to 1.50 per cent.; manganese, 0.25 to 0.45 per cent.: silicon, 0.20 per cent.: phosphorus, 0.04 to 0.06 per eent.: sulphur, 0.02 per cent. —_ Statistics of Swedish Productions in r901.—The Bui- lvtin of the American Iron and Steel Association has re- ‘eived through the courtesy of General Director Rich- ard Akerman of Stockholm statistics of the production of coal, iron ore and pig iron, and of various forms of finished and unfinished iron and steel, in Sweden in 101, together with information concerning furnaces in blast. The figures are as follows, in metrie tons: Coal. 271.509 tons, iron ore, 2,795,160 tons; pig iron, all char- cou, 528.575 tons: blooms produced from pig iron in charcoal hearths, 164.850 tons: Bessemer ingots and cast- ings, 77.231 tons; open hearth ingots and castings, 190,- S77 tons: crucible ingots and castings, 1088 tons: blister steel, 701 tons; bar iron and steel, 152,183 tons: nail and wire rods, band iron and steel, 89,135 tons; other shaped iron and steel in bars, 6282 tons: plates, not including sheets, 13.856 tons: tube biocks. hollow blooms and bil- lets, 14.335 tons: number of furnaces in blast. 139: aver- ize daily product per furnace, 13.96 tons. Sea a pc 4 THE Electric Driving for Shops * A, SELEY, MECHANICAL ENGINEER NORFOLK & WEST- ERN RAILROAD. BY C. Electric driving is of special value in old establish- ments that have outgrown their original plan, or those which could be enlarged or rearranged in reference to economic movement of material, provided a satisfactory solution of the power problem was offered. In many old shops additions have been put on and line shafts unduly lengthened, an engine put in here and a boiler there. The cost of these auxiliaries is not so great, but if we look into the cost of daily maintenance, the extra attendance, the handling of fuel when distributed to a number of points, handling of ashes, the low efficiency of small isolated plants, the general waste of supplies when drawn for a number of plants scattered here and three, and carefully analyze the cost of each of these items, it will often be found that the fuel charge is by no meaus the greater portion of the cost. The Roanoke Shops. An example of an old shop very largely added to and employing auxiliary steam and power in several depart- ments is the Roanoke shops of the Norfolk & Western Railway Company. These shops were built in the early 80’s, on a liberal scale, and fortunately were laid out so that additions consistent with the general plan could be made. By June, 1901, the work required at Roanoke had developed to an amount that important additional buildings were planned, necessitating also a general re- vision of the power transmission which should also check the waste due to the several plants. An unfor- tunate delay in the delivery of some of the machinery has, however, hindered the construction and starting up of the plant, so that some data is not available at the time of writing. In order to give an idea of the size of the Roanoke shops, it may be stated that they take care of the me- dium and heavy repairs of nearly 500 locomotives, main- ly of the consolidation type, build complete one 21 x 30 consolidation engine per month, and of cars about 1000 per year, and also the repair work of 1600 freight cars per month, the entire passenger equipment, heavy repairs and considerable building of new passen- ger equipment, miscellaneous road work, switches, water station and coal pier work, &c., of a 1600-mile road, including all foundry work for the same, as fol- lows: 950,000 pounds of brass and phosphor bronze cast- ings, 44,000 pounds of white metal, 5385 tons of gray iron castings and 43,000 car wheels. The various power plants at these shops in June, 1901, were as follows: ° Boilers. Engines. Nominal Nominal Shop. rating. rating. ND Pak pak: tie Sa Sees 44k S eS 270 200 ee ee ee ee ey Te ee i 170 SURRER UIOEY oiais oc onc s wb asivisee 60 Smith shop auxiliary furmaces............ 90 acs Erecting and boiler shop.............ee0.- 90 20 Mrocting Gad Boller. GhOp... 00. sccivscnvsres a 30 PD ic Nas Ca arene Od Kae WSO dew 60 40 IN dap a's sere iph ew, we wa 260 225 ny En SU SUID 5 vo 6 0 0:0 nod 0 RS 50 30 ee I NE. Svnd.sec sb tarasnaeah siticlh ates a 50 From this table it will be noted that there were two principal power plants, one in the machine shop, which furnished power to a number of shops, and one in the planing mill, whose boilers furnished steam for various purposes. Besides these there were five auxiliary plants of boilers or engines, or both, making a sum total of 880 nominal horse-power of boilers and 775 nominal horse- power of engines for shop power, heating and lighting, the latter service extending beyond the shop’s inclosure and furnishing all night and such day lighting as was required for lighting general offices, hotels, depots and yards. Thus it will be seen that a varied, scattered power service had been built up, and to take its place a new plan must be made which should take into consideration the concentration so far as possible into a central power * Abstract of paper presented at the June meeting of the American Railway Master Mechanics’ Association. IRON AGE. July 3], 1902 station of such an amount of power as would do away with all auxiliaries, thereby securing economy of fuel in generating steam, economy of handling fuel and ashes, in operating force and expense for supplies and repairs. In this plant the change had to be made with- out interference with the operation of the shops or light- ing plant. - New Power Plan, A careful study of the situation developed the fol- lowing plan: To provide a new boiler plant capable of developing steam for all power needed, save and except only such as could easily and with certainty be made by refuse from the planing mill with prac- tically no extra cost of handling, the object being rather to utilize a means, without wasting it, of burning refuse. In large electric installations the center of electrical distribution is an important point to find, and the gen- erating plant should be placed near thereto. In shop plants this is not always the ruling factor and it may pay to use a little more copper and place the plant where other considerations are of more importance. In this case the utilization of a large brick stack of suffi- cient capacity and the location of an elevated trestle for directly dumping hopper cars of coal indicated the location of the new boiler house, which was planned for the immediate installation of 600 nominal horse- power of boilers and reserve of 400 horse-power addi- tional. In a more northerly location additional boiler capacity would be needful in winter for an establish- ment of this size. These boilers are in 200 horse-power units, it being believed that:smaller units do not give a like economy and that it would not be wise to have less than a two- thirds capacity to fall back on in case of the failure of any one boiler. It is deemed unnecessary to go into detail as to the boiler arrangement, stack and smoke con- nection; their general arrangement is shown on the plan of the works herewith. The boilers have been installed and connected to the old system of steam piping, and have been operating for some months in a very satisfac- tory manner, and some considerable economy of fuel and maintenance has been secured thereby. mivastionie Regarding Electrical Equipment. The direct current system of electric transmission of power and lighting was adopted, using two-wire 220- volt current for motors and three-wire system for lights. This was determined upon after visiting a large num- ber of plants. Instead of preparing a set of specifications requir- ing a definite arrangement of the electrical machinery, it was thought best to issue an invitation to the elec- trical companies to tender on such forms of apparatus as in their opinion would best suit our needs, these needs being fuily set forth for their information. The instructions relative to the general layout read as follows: * There are to be three generators, each di- rect driven by a compound, noncondensing engine. In- asmuch as two voltages are desired—namely, 110 volts, three-wire system, for lighting, and 220 volts for power circuits, the arrangement and design of these generators may be proposed in more than one form, to permit de- livery of current from the switchboard of either power or lighting voltage from any combination of the gen- erators.” A schedule of the power and lights probably required was then given, covering the 24 hours. The instructions then proceed: “ All generators must be of the latest and most improved type. They must be guar- anteed by their makers to develop electrical energy specified, and the guarantee should state the electrical efficiency and also the limit of heating with the rated load.” The system of shop lighting has been series, con- stant current, double carbon, open are lamps for general illumination and 110-volt incandescent lamps on alter- nating circuits. The new system puts the power and lights on the same current, using more than one unit for generating, lessening thereby the probability of a breakdown affecting the continuity of service. . Direct Current Adopted, Direct current machinery was chosen on account of its applicability to all the classes of service required, July 31, 1902 and for three principal reasons: 1, For use in crane service, as being best adapted to that work; 2, by rea- son of the slower speeds of direct current motors, they being more readily directly belted to line shafts and ma- chines without the use of intermediate countershafting; 3, alternating current motors are very enticing on ac- count of their simplicity and ease of repair, and I have no doubt that their makers and users have very convine- ing arguments for their adoption and use; they are, how- ever, far more expensive per horse-power than direct current motors. Great care has to be taken in wiring for the alternating current systems to avoid trouble and losses from induction and currents. No trouble of this kind is experienced with the direct current if care is taken to properly proportion the wires for their load and the ordinary precautions in regard to insulation are cross followed. The alternating current certainly has its field in long distance transmission, where a cheap source of power can be reached and by high voltage be economically transmitted. In such a the final voltage and its mode of distribution must be determined by local conditions and with special reference to the work to be done. There, were, therefore, electrical, mechanical and financial reasons that determined the use of direct cur ease THE IRON AGE. 5 * It is desired that the switchboard be of neat design, with all instruments, and other attachments first-class in respect. It is desired to incur no unnecessary expense in elaboration, but to provide every facility for convenient operation, safety and accurate electrical measurements and records. The wiring be- tween the generators and switchboards to be of heavy copper, braided, run the floor in conduits.” A complete plan of the works and yards and the probable amounts of light and power for each location were furnished bidders upon which to base their recom- mendations and proposals. switches every rubber-covered cable below Plan Adopted, The plan finally adopted comprised three generators, one 75-kw. and two of being approximately 160-kw. each. 100 The smaller unit and the larger ones something over 200 horse-power each, it will be horse-power seen that by combinations of the generators, 100, 200, 300, 400 or 500 horse-power may be transmitted to the board. This is believed to be good steam engineering, as it affords an opportunity to work the engines closely within their most economical range of steam using. The three-wire system of lighting generally requires ELECTRIC DRIVING rent transmission in the shops I have named. The plan of the works shows that the power station is by no means the center of distribution, the greatest radius being about 2000 feet, and it required a 700,000 C. M. cable to transmit the power necessary at the mill. The in- vestment in such a cable, however, was far less than it would have been to install the power house at an inter- mediate point so as to reduce this radius and the weight of the copper required. Switchboard. The bidders were requested to fulfill the following conditions in their tenders on the switchboard: “ The switchboard to be of marble, provided with one am- meter and one voltmeter for each generator; two re- cording wattmeters (one for each side of the three-wire circuits): one recording wattmeter for power circuits. To have also automatic cut outs for guarding against overloads; lightning arresters, and the necessary fuses. Triple bus bars are to be provided for light circuits and double bars for power circuits, and suitable switches are to be provided to throw the current from any gen- erator to either the lighting or power circuits, and in addition to these there should be a main switch for throwing the two sets of bus bars together. Contractors are requested to furnish a design of switchboard em- bodying these features and in addition such feeder panels and switches as seem necessary to operate the plant, taking into consideration the plan of the works and the distribution of power and lights as stated. FOR SHOPS.—ROANOKE SHOPS OF NORFOLK & WESTERN RAILROAD. two generators to be worked in series, but in this plant, for considerations of simplicity, first cost and general convenience, and for the further reason that the plant is primarily a power plant, the arrangement and volt- age of the generators were fixed with a view to all these considerations and operated direct to the board at 220 volts. This being also the proper voltage for the out- side wires of the three-wire system the means of main- taining proper balance between the two sides was then considered and arranged by using a motor generator balancer set of 10-kw. capacity. This machine has its controlling switches on a panel of the switchboard and in a simple manner maintains the balance of the two sides, correcting any inequality of current pressure there may be, due to one side being more heavily loaded than the other. If the plant was primarily for lights this plan would not have been adopted, as in that case 110-volt genera- tors, in multiple for lights and series for power, as in the Chicago & Northwestern power plant, would be ad- visable. Care being taken in the distribution of the lights on the circuits, the balancer has little to do and is a simple and effective device. The shops are to a con- siderable extent wired and equipped with incandescent circuits, 110 volts, alternating current, and it is only nec- essary to straighten out and extend the service, trans- ferring the feeders to the new switchboard. General inside illumination is provided for by the use of 110-volt inclosed are lamps on the same circuit as the incandescent lamps, the are lamps having opales- = = 2 SS eR OR Se ZRH > ie 6 THE IRON AGE. cent single globes and sheet iron shades painted white. It is believed that this style of arc lamp is best suited for shop lighting as against the use of double glass globes with no shades. The shades distribute down- ward a portion of the light that would be otherwise wasted upward and do not interfere with the lateral distribution of the light. Group or Individual Motors. rhe question how far individual motor driving should considered for machines is an interesting one, but ief of the writer that it is not necessary o1 to Cousider anything but group driving in the railroad shop, one shop that has been considerably ex he consulting electrical engineer who Inid it is a shining example of the extreme in in lual motor driving The published descriptions of this shop state that motors of the following horse-pow- ers are installed: he (0 oo, 4 o 6 1, 8 » . ~ o> 9.5, 10, 18. 15.. 176, 20, 225. > oo and 45 horse-nower. There are 94 machines listed, excluding cranes, turn tables, &c., driven by 6S motors. The machine shop shows 42 machines driven by 29 motors. The arrange ment is such that if another machine were to be put in a motor for it would be required. In the Norfolk & Western machine shop there are 133 machines, which will be group-driven by 6 motors, aggregating not over 100° horse power, A machine may be added to any group without seri ously overloading the motor, and as there are several groups we may add a number of machines without change of motors. The additional load would be shown at the switchboard, but by reason of the group system it would add but a small amount to any one motor. The reasoning in favor of group driving of railway shop machinery is on this wise: One machine requiring 1 horse-power may be taken as a unit; individually motor driven, this machine would take a 1 horse-power motor to operate it, even if it ran but one-half the time, and average machine tools are idle or running light at least that amount for work or tool adjustment. Two o1 three such tools grouped would not require their full multiple of the unit power, but the full value of grouped driving will be reached, 1, when the number of ma- chines in the group will enable the use of a motor of sufficient size for a near approach to good electrical efficiency, Which is not possible with small motors; and 2, when the number of machines is such that the pro- portion of idle time may be so distributed over them as to be practically continuous and effect a proportionate reduction in the power needed in the motor. For exam- ple, if one unit takes 1 horse-power and is idle one-half the time, two such units can be driven by a 1 horse- power motor, provided the machines are run alternately, but if both are operated together the motor will be sub- jected to 100 per cent. overload. If we take ten such units, however, and use a 5 horse-power motor, the chances are about even that the motor will be driven to its rating, and they are infinitely small as to its ever getting 100 per cent. overload. There is no argument against individual motor driving in case the machines to be driven are large enough or if their isolation is necessary to facilitate movement of material, but we are considering average railway shop machinery, and in most cases old machinery already group driven from shafting. The extremist in electric driving does not like to use shafting, but as against an almost 100 per cent. increase of total motor capacity required, the low electrical effi- ciency of small motors and also the high cost per horse- power for small motors as compared with those of mod- erate size and power, a reasonable length of shafting will in the end prove the best investment for our class of work. In a wood planing mill the case is somewhat different. The power required is so much greater for heavy planers and other continuously operated ma- chines that individual driving may be attempted, but even here it may profitably be limited. Saws, shapers, jointers, mortisers, tenoners, band saws, borers, all in- termittently operated machines, can be successfully gcrouped and driven with a fraction of the power re- quired for individual driving. July 31, 1902 rom the table it will be noted that the mill was equipped with a large engine. An indicator test showed the average power required, including all friction, to be 160 horse-power, although for short intervals it ran a little over 200 horse-power. It was believed that, by the elimination of the engine friction, the heavy transmission belts and certain unused lengths of shaft- ing, 125 horse-power of motors would operate the inill, using seven motors driving 40 machines, all on the sroup system. It was decided that it would be wise, however, to overrun the calculated power at the heavy end of the shop somewhat and 14V horse-power of motors were ordered. Other departments that are to be motor driven in sroups are the smith shop bolt and forging machinery; the forge blowers, together with the tlue shop machinery; the bolt and nut cutting machinery, together with the sinith shop punching and shearing machinery; boiler shop machinery; the foundry rattlers, grinders and drill- ing machinery in two groups, and the foundry cupola blowers are also to be driven with a motor with rheo static control for varying the speed according to the need for blast. In all, 28 motors were ordered, as follows: Three 7.5 horse-power, five 10 horse-power, {three 15 horse-power, ten 20 horse-power, one 30 horse-power, ohe 30 horse-power, aggregating 382.5 horse-power. It will be noted that the 20 horse-power motor is ordered in a larger quantity than any other size, it being in- tended that this should be the standard motor so tar as possible. Ali motors are of the regular commercial type, standard with the manutacturers. The above described motors are in all eases to he directly belted to line shafting. The writer has seen notors directly attached on the end line shafting, as ai the General Electric Company’s shops at Schenectady At another shop back geared motors were used directly attached, but the gearing was very noisy and neither of these plants employ strictly standard motors. At the Baldwin Locomotive Works, where both in- dividual and grouped driving are very extensively used, belis are used to the greatest possible extent and in many cases with such short belt centers as to be sur- prising that good results could be obtained. It was explained that this method was very satisfactory and that after a belt was taken up a few times, in most eases it would run thereafter almost indefinitely, and if it did fail, its replacement was much easier, cheaper and speedier than to repair broken gearing. On the other hand, many shops employ gear connec- tions between their motors and machines, especially the modern heavy machinery, much of which is now built to be directly driven. Where the gearing can be cov- ered and protected it may do very well, but wear is inevitable and gear breakages are expensive and at times exceedingly inconvenient. There is a very de- sirable flexibility in a belt connection, and if there should be a failure of the motor an extra one can be readily installed if standard types are employed. Some of the electrical companies have developed systems of multiple voltage which, in connection with double or triple gearing, give a large range of adjustment of cutting speed of tools individually driven, enabling maximum output after proper speed has been deter- mined by experiment. These systems involve the use of considerable gearing, additional wiring and a gen- erating set arranged with reference to the number of the voltages desired. Some of our friends who have installed multiple voltage may be able to enlighten* us as to its advantages, but as the writer does not favor individual driving as a rule, multiple voltage was not considered in connection with the plant under discus- sion. The description so far has reference only to the regu- lar motors for power purposes to be used at Roanoke shops. In addition to these, various situations have been considered and electrical power planned. Some of these are as follows: The substitution of a motor in- stead of a rope drive for the machine shop walking crane, which operates on a center track running the length of the machine shop and serves heavy tools adja- cent thereto. A railway motor and controller is to dis- place a steam engine and boiler driving a turn table. A re ct aa _ 1e July 31, 1902 THE new 40-ton three-motor crane with a 5-ton auxiliary hoist was installed in the erecting shop, and a 25-ton rope driven crane is to be reinforced to carry 40 tons and be electrically equipped in a similar manner to the preceding crane for use in the erecting and boiler shops A rebuilt crane of 15 tons capacity is to be stalled in the foundry, dispiacing a hydraulic crane which could operate over but a small area, while the travel ing crane could cover a large portion of the foundry floor It is probable that in the near future a second turn table, now hand operated, will be el ullv oF erated, and that eleetrical power will be fu eo general othicee ] levator service tte Worcester Manufacturing News. Worel R, MaAss., July 28, 1902.—1 Was n & \loen lDepal leh! ot tine Americal Ste L «\ \ puny is to add new colors to the product « ppel plant at the South Works as soon a e le Lines how Deri erected foi Tlie pian iis 4 1) ed and equipped, Which will be within a t eCKS N roe esses will be used in the manufacture of colors fron the sulphate of iron, or Copperas, procured in the cleans ng of wire with acids. By lew process a great luminosity will be given the Venetian reds, \ ch will be manufactured ip a number of new shades and tints, in addition to those already produced The volume of production will not be increased, Venetian red being only a by-product of tl works, but the new process will add ereaths To the biohey value al I ’ ‘ The Morgan Spring Company are nstalling a 150 horse-power boiler, from the Stewart Boile Worl of this city, at the plant at Barber’s Crossing The ad ditional steam is not needed for power, but for use in Various processes of wire manufacture The company are menufacturing 9 new line of springs for use in cusl ions and for similar purposes. For the past fortnight samples of these springs have been on exhibition at the Furniture Exchange Building, New York, where they have attracted much attention. The springs contain some new features, which the officers of the company believe will attract a large business. A building permit was taken out last week for the new foundry to be built at the Washburn shops of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The structure will be 52 x 90 feet, and the equivalent of three stories in hight, a monitor roof 10 feet high surmounting walls 20 feet in hight. The building will be of brick on granite foun dation, trimmed with freestone. One or more electric cranes will travel the length of the building, covering a space corresponding to the 20 feet width of the monitor. There will be a gallery along one entire side of the building. Under the central portion of the gallery will be two cupolas, one 26 inches, the other 36 inches in in side diameter. Here will also be located the crucible furnaces. There will be a brass foundry as well as the iron foundry, the latter occupying the main portion of the building, which will be open to the roof. Great pains have been taken to secure the maximum of light and ventilation. The heating apparatus blower will pro- vide cold air in summer as well as warm in winter. A company are forming in Worcester to manufacture an adjustable circular saw, the invention of Frank A. Ilumphrey. Most of the stock of a $50,000 Massachu- setts corporation has been subscribed, the subscribers being for the most part prominent steel and iron manu- facturers. The Humphrey saw table is easily adjusted to saw at any desired angle. The machine is said by experts to possess remarkable mechanical features and to be exceedingly practical. The “No Help Wanted” sign again hangs at the doors of the big shops of the Prentice Bros. Company and the F. E. Reed Company. The end of the machin- ists’ strike soon filled the shops again, and everything is rushing full blast. The Prentice Bros. people are especially busy finishing up orders delayed by the strike, which hit that concern more than any one else. Worces- ter can now boast again that there is not a strike, little or big, within its limits, which is the normal con- dition of things here. Local manufacturers of machine tools disagree as to the effect of the increase in price of tools upon busi IRON AGE. hess. Several of them assert that it makes no differ One or two say, on the contrary, that it makes a diffe ehice for tue worse. Llowever, inquiries and orders are Omuins mM rather more rapidly than usual for this i tL veal Waldo LI Luil ) s ‘ ve s Ww ( btis ess ) No tluipte WW este tie has leased a building Llermon st! ll give him 10.000 square IHULACTUreES Prine ' i il i Ess Il rhe ‘ "0 ) \ It [hu l l 4" ie} \ W \bo hit i] i ( B.S rd \\ SSistsa ( bi en Was & M \ is The H bu \I ( il “ tl ( i S| i ! N \ i l iB vr ¢ | ol xT | SISt ¢ il. J I’ \\ wn and R. G. Je ill « thr eX] ed ) mbutacture ¢ i iC her y | I \\ i mn I re all sorts « lishing ma \ i hie Ist ichine has al i¢ been sold ll in Will i Conn Will HH \\ ! | tl) rsitv’s X] strument make bas found what is claimed to he a feet solder for : mun ile keeps the composition the flux and the liquid with which the surfaces etal are cleansed preparatory to soldering a secret | hmediatel take uta patent upon his discern The savants university assert that the sold Withstands tests ide to demonstrate is weakness any eNXIsts It is even elaimed that the solder has sme strength a he metal itself Mr. Whitne is used the solder extensively in instruments of tluminum is a inportant feature, especially in connect ne sections of aluminum wire _ The Norton Emery Wheel Company’s New Shep. The Norton Emery Wheel Company. Worceste! \iniss., lave erected at Barber’s Crossing a wooden building, SO feet wide by 152 feet long, with monitor roof. The distance from floor to roof of monitor is 31 feet. ‘There is a gallery on either side and at the north end of the building. On one of these galleries will be Inanufactured the small parts: the other side will be devoted to commercial grinding. The distance from the sround fioor to tloor of gallery is 14 feet; from the gal lervy floor to roof, 12 feet. The main floor will be used for erecting purposes and for heavy planing. milling, drilling, &c. ‘The shop is equipped with a 10-ton elec tric crane, with 40-foot span. On each gallery is located au 350 horse-power motor for driving the main lines. \ railroad siding from the Fitchburg division of the Bos ton & Maine enters the south end of the building under cover. The tracks are depressed, so that the floors of cars will be level with the main fleor of the machine shop. Finished machines can be picked from the floor With the electric crane and placed in or on cars for ship ment. All materials and machinery can be unloaded from cars in the same manner. Everything in connec- tion with the shop has been planned with a view to the greatest convenience and economy. The shop is very light, being practically all glass above the sills. which are of brick. This shop is to be devoted exclusively to the manu facture of the special Norton grinding machines for cy] indrical work. They are made in two sizes, the larger being designated as 18 x 96 inch—that is, it will take in 8 feet in length and 18 inches in diameter. The small machine is designated as 12 x 72 inch, and takes in pieces 72 inches long by 12 inches in diameter. Ma chines of both sizes are now in use in some of the lead- ing manufacturing establishments of the country, and a number have also been sent to Europe. Without ex- ception: they are giving excellent satisfaction, and the demand is rapidly increasing. Duplicate orders have also heen received, one customer having ordered four of them and another ten. Electric power is used, which is supplied from the company’s central power house. THE IRON AGE. The Dyblie Hydraulic Valve. We very much regret an error which occurred in our issue of July 17 in the description of a three-way hy- draulic valve. This article was titled the “ Public” hydraulic valve, which was an error. It is made in ac- cordance with patents issued to J. A. Dyblie, the right to manufacture having been acquired by Monahan Bros. of Joliet, Il] It is particularly adapted for crane serv- ice. The four-way valves are made with four plugs or pistons. The operating screw is cut compound with a right and left hand thread, and the nuts are in two and four sections for three and four way valves, re- spectively. The right hand nut descends while the left hand nut ascends, or vice versa, by moving the lever one way or the other. The use of this screw eliminates all slamming of flanges and water hammer, the result be- ing the absence of shoek to pipes and connections. It is also practicabie to use metallic seats which have a long life. If for any reason the valves become cut, re- seating can be done in a few minutes by using a reseat- ing coil, or the old one can be replaced by a new one withont disturbing the valve. The leather cups used for the packing plugs will give service for months, as they are subjected to very little wear. The valves are THE DYBLIE HYDRAULIC VALVE. easily operated and balanced. The smallest motion of the lever will reverse them and a piston in a cylinder can be moved fractions of an inch either way and loads held on the crane indefinitely