The Iron Age 1912-10-31: Vol 90 Iss 18

WL VL Established 1855 New York, October 31, 1912 Vol. 90: No. 18 Steel Cast Locomotive Frames The Importance of the Heat Treatment They Get—High Carbon, Vanadium and Nickel [he manufacture of steel cast locomotive engine frames in the United States has assumed proportions that are realized by very few people. Twenty years ago nearly all the locomotives were supplied with engine frames forged from wrought iron and the prejudice against those made of steel castings was very decided. Today it is probable that at least 95 per cent. of the locomotives made by the two large producing companies, the American Locomotive Company and the Baldwin Locomotive Works, are sup- plied with steel cast frames and at least 80 per cent. of these are produced in what is known as the Chester, Pa., district, where there are seven large steel foundries, a large part of the output of which consists of locomotive engine frames of all sizes, weighing from 1000 to over 10,000 lb. each. The ear'y prejudice against steel cast frames was due largely to the comparatively poor product made in the early stages as compared with that made now. Steel foundry practice has been developed to such an extent that locomotive frames are now produced which equal or excel any forged frame ever made, not on'y in endurance in service, but in Castings Considered BY EDWIN F., coNE ——————___—__ been some demand for a higher carbon frame whose com- position is the same as that mentioned above except that the carbon content is 0.38 to 0.42 per cent., with a rela- tively higher tensile strength running from 80,000 to 90,000 lb. per sq. in., with a correspondingly lower ductility. Whether this is an advantage or not over the lower carbon frame is a matter of some dispute. It would seem that it would be more liable to breakage from shock than the more ductile and milder steel, but a test in service should determine this point in due time, one railroad in particular in the East having a large number of engines equipped with these high-carbon frames. ~ Those. advocating the use of 0.40 per cent. carbon frames claim that the extra strength is needed because of the heavier weight resulting from larger boilers and upper structure, and that the deleterious effect of shock can be overcome by suitable springs. There is a fact in this con- nection, however, that must not be overlooked, i.e., that all high carbon steel castings have a tendency to be more or less “blowy,” no matter what precautions are taken in producing the metal. High carbon metal is wilder and more active when physical and chem- ical qualities also. There have been improvements in methods of mold- ing, in the quality of the metal and more especially in the heat treatment of such frames. Briefly, the gener- al practice is to mold the frames from a pattern of wood in a long flask, using the usual foundry sand mixtures. The molds are then thoroughly dried in suitable ovens and after being fitted up are supplied with metal from acid open-hearth furnaces of about 25 tons capacity, some foundries in the Chester district pouring as many as eight to ten 'rames per day. The method of molding and pouring varies in\each foundry, as also, in particular, the method of heading and gating. And the producer of frames who 's the most successful is the one that has the best methods ot pouring and molding and the best metal. (he chemical and physical properties of these frames are about the same, no matter by what foundry produced. With the exception of one foundry in the Chester district, they all use acid open-hearth steel. The average chemical -o™position of all ordinary carbon engine frames is as lows: Carbon, 0.2§ to 0.30; manganese, 0.65 to 0.70; n, 0.25 to 0.30; sulphyir, 0.030 to 0.040; phosphorus, '5 to 0.035. y ordinary carbon is meant all frames as distinguished m high carbon, such as 0.38 to 0.42 per cent. carbon, also vanadium steel cast frames. Of late there has eilan 1009 Sections: At A, 4% x 4% In.; At B, 3% x 4% In.; At C, 6 x 4% In.; At D, 4% x 4% In.; At E, 4% x 6% In.; At F, 4% x 4% In.; At G, 4% x 4% In,; At H, 4% x 6% In. , FIG. I—FRAMES FOR LOCOMOTIVES CAST OF STEEL tapped than the ordinary lower carbon, and there are many who in- sist that this is an element of weak- ness in the frames, which, combined with a_ greater tendency to brit- tleness, renders them less desir- able. The harder frames seem to be growing in favor, however, the demand for them increasing every year. The relative physical properties of these two kinds of frames are here tabulated: Properties of Two Classes of Locomotive Frames 0.25 to 0.30 Carbon 0.38 to 0.42 Carbon Tensile strength, Ib. per sq. in. 65,000 to 75,000 80,000 to 90,000 Elastic limit, Ib. per sq. in.. 34,000 to 39,000 41,000 to 47,000 Elongation in 2 in. per cent. 25 to 35 15 to 20 Reduction of area, per cent.. 40 to 55 25 to 35 Elastic limit o tensile strength, per cent 52 §2 It is claimed by some that a special heat treatment of the high-carbon steel renders it superior to any other steel for frames. Many foundries are now also called upon 19 furnish vanadium steel locomotive frames, and many of the roads are putting them to a careful test and scrutiny. The effect of the vanadium is to raise the tensile for the same carbon content by ro to 15 per cent., and to increase the elastic limit also, with a corresponding decrease in elonga- tion. The average of some 400 tests on engine frames made of annealed vanadium steel with an average vanadium S. DIESCHER & SONS Mechanica! and Civil Engineers, PITTSBURGH, Pa. 4 a ee See i apiccialiiens 5 aes ee er ee ee ee age A NE Re Ste te FE ey i agg ME me ~ om Oe OS Se a er ee sb eesti aly Fig. 2—Original Microstructure of the Ordinary Carbon Frames Obtained by Quick Cooling content of 0.18 to 0.20 per cent. showed the following re- sults : Average of 400 Tests innealed Vanadium Steel Cast Engine Frames Tensile strength, Ib. per sq. in... ie ohare ; 78,014 Elastic limit, lb. per sq. in Rcabekanek sss ahs 46,842 Elongation if 2. imk.,) Per CONE... 2... csrsc ccc sccsceseees 22.26 Reduction of area, per cent. PNP Pe TS ey ee 35.89 Elastic limit of tensile strength, per cent. ‘Sakae peae as 60.03 But unless the vanadrum steel is properly heat treated, 10 THE, IRON AGE Figs. 4 to 11—Microstructure of Bottons Located at Correspondingly Numbered Points in the Upper Frame of Fig. |. October 31, i912 it is a more dangerous ste the corresponding ‘low-carbon steel frames, having a te: to be much more brittle when un der-annealed or unanneale in the ordinary, and this als: lds true of 0.40 per cent. n steel, And it is an open es tion whether special heat treat- ment of vanadium = stee! frames is not necessary to duce the best and most reliabk results. No attempts have made to use nickel steel cast frames, though the physical erties of nickel steel castings very superior, having averag: sults about as here given. Physical Properties -of Nickel Castings Fig. 3—The Microstructure Tensile strength; lb. per OM. WR 24 o'ax ands tse 85,000 to 95, Elastic limit, Ib. per sq. Whe. 05 cA DOA Aco pd oe eas 51,000 to 57,00 Elongation in 2 in., per CeMt,....cccsecsscccens 20 to 28 Reduction of area, per Cemt.......seeeecerevess 35 to 40 Elastic limit of tensile strength, per cent........ 60 Ordinary careful annealing brings the results without any trouble. Another advantage is the fact that the nickel content of scrap nickel steel is recoverable in the furnace enhancing the value over any other scrap frames. But no matter what kind of steel is incorporated int: engine frames, their annealing or heat treatment is of vital importance. The general practice is, or should be, to plac il lL ——-- - — — r 31, 1912 a large pitxannealer where heated by gas coal, gas to above the recalescence nd after being held there ent length of time to pen- he frame thoroughly from nd, to complete the trans- in of crystalline structure, e allowed to cool slowly closed annealer. While t, but at a black heat, they emoved and _ straightened , steam hammer or a drop. st form of annealer is one rom the entire side and not fy the ends, thereby insuring an even heat treatment through- frame instead of the ends heated possibly too high ind the centers not enough. iere has always been some n as to how thoroughly in engine frame is annealed. The usual method of ijging the annealing is from the fracture of a 3 x 14 x 8-in. test bar, cast solid on the frame. If this shows the proper fine structure to the eye it is usually accepted by a railroad inspector regardless of the heaviness of the sec- nof the frame. It is manifest that this does not neces- sarily determine whether the inside portions have been heated above the recalescence point and relieved of all strains. At the suggestion of one of the large locomotive com- panies two frames of different sections and weight were especially cast and annealed by the usual practice. Each frame was then cut up and slabs of 1 in. thickness were cut out. From the center of each slab buttons were pre- pared for microscopic examination to determine whether the center of each frame was annealed. The drawings on page 1009 show frames with the location of the sections of which the photomicrographs were made. Fig, 2 shows the original microstructure of all ordinary carbon frames before annealing, revealing the large pearlite and ferrite ystals, the breaking up of which is so important to relieve the frame of all internal strains. Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 ind Il represent photomicrographs taken from the centers {f the corresponding points in this frame, and show a com- plete breaking up of the original structure and a thorough nnealing throughout the frame—the microstructure one vould expect from slow cooling. This shows not only what it is possible to do in annealing frames properly in | suitable annealing furnace but also what ought to be ione [here has been some discussion as to whether the microstructure represented by the photographs is the best vt whether that represented by Fig. 3 is more desirable. the latter is considered to be ideal. steel microstructure, but it can only be obtained by quick cooling from above the recalescence point. It is therefore an open question vhether bringing frames out into the air to obtain this microstructure would not set up unequal strains in such ‘astings of varied thickness of metal and therefore be irmful. Of course, it is recognized that such heat treat- ment would render the physical results superior to those tained by the method of slow cooling, but it is probable this advantage would be offset by other disadvantages. At present the almost universal method is the slow-cooling t treatment. in the case of the lower frame represented in Fig. 1, frame is the larger, the buttons taken from the enter do not reveal as much as in the case of the other Photomicrographs of points at 12 and 13, Figs. and 13, are characteristic of them all. They are domi- by large ferrite crystals. It is probable that a com- ~ change has taken place, though in large sections of Stee! castings it is difficult to determine this because of ‘gation. Large cross sections of these frames polished en etched in acids reveal a marked freedom from ty in any part. ddition to the microscopic tests, there was cut from rame an 8-in. section of the rail. From this physical re made of the drag and cope sides as well as one e center for comparative resis, THE IRON AGE 1Ort Figs. 12 and 13—Microstructure of Bottons Located at Correspondingly Numbered Points in the Lower Frame of Fig. 1. Physical Tests to Substantiate the Microscopic Tests Lighter or upper frame represented in Fig. 1. Analysis Rc. verses ees bites See Manganese .. 4 A dal wean ; 0.66 SE Ts a's i ake aiden ee 3 Geared ieee cee’ ee SE ew ke-badtdenarns woes cok ee ise.) ae PURINE ekg hv bak ec ewhess ; .. 0,039 Drag Center Cope Tensile strength, lb. per sq. in. 76,000 73,500 77,000 Elastic limit, Ib. per sq. in..-.. 42,000 39,000 41,560 Elongation in 2 in., per cent.. 26 19 23 Reduction of area, per cent.... 38.8 24.1 s 43.1 PN ss 6 cx hes bn Cae Silky % Cup Silky Silky “4 Cup Heavier or lower frame represented in Fig. 1. Analysis CMetee kis hav cedserecaes a 54 aa aha ee MOOG 04553 TS aes hs cases cues sees. ee Silicon .. 55 canhan Oonead oss id 0.271 EE: bv wcagen ooh venuwe ave beh ...» 0,044 WORROEUD. oo c.cvs 6 img ehees s 6a he ene 0.039 Drag Center Co Tensile strength, lb. per sq. in. 66,000 62,700 65, Elastic limit, Ib. per sq. in.... 36,000 34,000 34,700 Elongation in 2 in., per cent... 33 15 33 Reduction of area, per cent.... 53.3 : 32.2 52.5 POG. out oc kdvi ee yc Seok ead Silky Silky Silky The superiority of the drag and cope tests is manifest and is easily explained because, at the center of any steel casting, there is a lessening of the density of the stee) owing to shrinkage. From this study of the subject it is evident that if a locomotive steel cast frame of average cross-section is heated above the recalescence point and held there a suffi- cient length of time that the frame has been completely annealed and relieved of all strains. In foundries where most of the locomotive frames are made this is the practice and if adhered to strictly an excellent product is sure to be the result. Data Sheets of New Departure Ball Bearings The New Departure Mfg. Company, Bristol, Conn., has brought out a series of most elaborate data sheets devoted exclusively to the adaptability of these bearings to machine tools. The data sheets cover the single and double row combined ,radial and thrust, the cup and cone and the magneto’ types of bearings. These sheets are printed in convenient letter size and are punched for binding in a loose-leaf binder. Technical data of specific mountings in milling machine heads, speed cone and driv- ing pulleys of drilling machines, air compressor bases, high-speed grinding spindles and grinding or polishing heads, etc., are given. This information is especially complete, including dimensions in both inches and milli- meters for the bore, diameter and width of various sizes of bearings, the number and diameter of balls used per row, various other dimensions and the load which can be carried at a speed of 600 r.p.m. Tables of standard fits for radial or annular ball bearings are also given. The Riehlé Brothers Testing Machine Company. 1424 North Ninth street, Philadelphia, Pa, has just finished building what is claimed to be the largest. screw power testing machine in the world, namely, 1,000,000 lb. on two screws, which it is shipping to the American Steel Foundries, Alliance, Ohio. bg = = a a a i TERR ISR EA Ct iy Gt, itt pein ee teem wrPoatmataimat - 2 pn gt i ep got ei aeaey monatig tn nili ating = * Gas Analysis in Testing Steam Boilers’ How Numerous Determinations of the Conditions of Combustion and Quick and .- Complete Power Plant Tests are Made BY ALBERT A. CARY The value of obtaining correct analyses of the furnace culty was largely overcome by thoroughly satura: gases, including the proper sampling methods, cannot be overestimated. Earlier in this article | have spoken of aspiration of the gas in comparatively large the lack of care or intelligence so frequently exhibited in by use of a steam aspirator, which practice has obtaining gas analyses. Inexperience and lack of equip- the most reliable results. water with the gas before starting. ment will probably account for many of these unreliable results. [ can recall my early attempts, first with a rubber aspirating bulb with which I attempted to draw gases from any easily accessible position through a collecting bottle, and which method was samples. Securing Samples of Gas for Analysis Then came collecting over wa filled at the start and the water al lowed to leak out through a_ bottom opening, thus draw- ing the gas in the top of this vessel by this method of aspiration. | thought that I was collecting good average samples by this method, by al- lowing the water to escape slowly through a fixed small opening dur- ing the entire time of the test, until | woke up to the fact that a greater quan- tity of water es- caped during the first part of the test, due to the great flow head, than escaped to- ward the end, when there was but a small depth of water left in the tank. This caused a rapid collection of gases at the start and a very slow col- lection at the end of the test, thus not giving a correct average. I overcame this trouble by syphon- ing the water out of the vessel, which resulted in a ‘con- stant flow during the entire time; but in using these large quantities of water, considerable absorption of some of the gases took place, which diffi- *Continuation of the article by Mr. Cary in The Iron Age of Oc- tober 17 to which was given the title “Re- fined Apparatus for Boiler Testing.” The lig. The term “flue gas analysis” is samples collected generally. 1] make Then foll Taking Both Flue and Furnace Gas Samples commonly a distinctive differ- productive of very poor ence in the two terms, “furnace gas analysis,” whic! me the conditions of combustion in gas analysis,” which is principally immediate combustion chamber, in distinction to th useful to show the the furnace a 1 ter in vessels which were amount of air infiltration through the setting. In 8—Chemist’s Table for Making Gas Analyses During a Boiler Test Fig. 9—Apparatus for Duplicate and Extended Gas Analyses IOI2 of my work lect simulta samples from the furnace and position within the setting, just back of the flue outlet These samples are withdrawn in a constant continuous stream by means of the suction appara- tus, and they are passed through a special piece of ap- paratus I designed for this purpose, called a gas collec- tor, from which fresh gas _ samples of exactly the same composition as ex- ists within the set- ting at the moment they are required for analysis arc made easily avail- able. The slow and un- certain methods by which gas samples are so often col- lected; seldom give (through their analysis) the exact quantity of the gases existing the instant their entry is timed on the log sheet. This exact information, at times, proves very valuable and instructive when 't is desired to trace the peculiar hap- penings at some critical time of 0>- servations. — he necessity of keeping © stantly informed 4° ition 38 present contri! ae to be followed in © next issue, if poss with the analysis % © boiler test employity refined apparatus # methods. nditions existing inside the furnace during the the test requires very frequent analyses and in ts these analyses are made so infrequently that very little value in interpreting the test or in vhat the true furnace conditions are during the test is being conducted. Manipulating the Gas Collecting Apparatus er to overcome the various troubles, I experienced is test work, I finally built up the equipment shown for testing boiler furnaces. This view shows my ; table, and he is kept constantly busy here during re time of the test. The arrangement shown is ted for testing two boilers, the rear ends of which ted just to the left of the table. The tall appara- the left end of the table is the gas collector, which gas collecting tubes in position. The samples of s case are drawn from each of the two furnaces 1s from the flue outlets and all four samples are d to this collector by piping. gas sam- sses through ividual filter, with glass which filters seen over of the ap- and then samples drop vn through glass behind the not visible in ut) and near ‘ttom, the turn upward pass througu .- the gas collecting re tubes; then con- tinuing their flow upW into the i cross pipe, rs 1 it will be seen, iS continued right, pass- es utside of a M A steam is placed on uter end of pipe, and it itly draws re e gases by its suc- fect through lines of gas n- piping and through ’ { as collecting es tubes just de- @ U_ gauge the left of collector is ntly watched suction is be- untained all through the test. At the moment the is required, a stop cock just below the cross suc- pe and a second cock, at the bottom of one of the llecting tubes, are both closed. Immediately after- id the two corresponding stop cocks of the adjoining it t re closed, and thus we have imprisoned two samples ce (about 300 c.c.), one taken from the furnace and p- m the flue outlet of the same boiler. of these samples may be transferred over to inalyzer (which is located at the right of the gas through the T-shaped tubes, located just below r stop cock. This is accomplished by opening one stop cocks between the collector and gas analyzer ting the leveling bottle, which is seen at the right ir the bottom of the collector,—which leveling as a water connection into the bottom of the U- , passage followed by the gas, between its positions os rance and discharge into and out of the collector. n this leveling bottle rests upon a small platform, easily raised by the hand, the platform and bottle i Fig. 10—Locking Switch on Wall at Left for Keeping Account of Coal Consumption, a aes . (nat a con- and Wired Fire Doors for Learning When Doors Are Open smaller inside cylin- 31, 1912 THE IRON AGE 1013 are raised together, stopping (by a detent device) at any hight desired, which position is just below its final level. The little wheel in front of this platform (seen imme- diately in front of the bottle) is then turned and lifts the platform very gradually to an exact position indicated by a scale. The measuring burette of the analyzer will then be charged with exactly yo cc. of gas under atmos- pheric pressure. Sufficient gas is retained in the collector tube to furnish a duplicate sample should it be required, but, when the analysis of this sample is found to be satis- factory the water in the collector tube is quickly discharged, the stop cocks reopened and a moment later the gas is run- ning through again. It will be seen that speed in manipu- lation without sacrificing accuracy was the object for which this apparatus was designed. The Fast Operating Gas Analyzer Turning now to the gas analyzer, which is of somewhat novel design, I must give credit to Prof. R. C. Carpenter for suggesting to me the general construction of this appa- ratus, which I have modified slightly after considerable use. My first gas an- alyzing experience was with the Orsat apparatus and I have also used other gas analyzers, but they all proved too slow. In short, I might say that the apparatus here pre- sented includes the best features of sev- eral other more or less standard ma- chines with their weak points elimi- nated and I have checked its accuracy carefully by analyz- ing duplicate sam- ples in it and in my apparatus for exact determinations over mercury, and found both to check very closely. The pipettes are made up of two glass cylinders, each closed at one end, the smaller cylinder being inverted and placed within the larger vessel and held in position by a large perforated rubber cork (simi- lar to a ring). The der has a tube lead- ing from its closed end to the top cross supply pipe, made of capillary glass tubing and having a stop cock, or rub- ber tube with a pinch cock inserted in the vertical line. In the first pipette, which holds the caustic solution, is a roll of fine iron wire gauze, wrapped up like a clock spring. This is placed in the interior of the smaller or inside vessel, and when the gas sample is introduced, the solution has its surface depressed, and the liqu’1 rises in the outer vessel. Thus a very large surface of gauze, holding the viscous solution on its two surfaces, is pre- sented to the gas and, in consequence, a very rapid ab- sorption takes place. The speed with which this action occurs is easily seen, by the dropping of the liquid in the outer vessel and its rising in the interior chamber. By watching this speed, the strength of the solution is easily noted. Prof. Dennis has experimented with iron wire gauze placed in the CO, absorption pipette, as I have also, and with its thick coating of adhering caustic solution, no undesirable effect can be observed on the quality of the gas samole. sn egy ICRI A, NR A Ra il bi al elon Bate gh ag dat aioe oe 5 aE FALE. ote spnccanlnciaia ie tania had tals ap gape alps he a Ee Ra 1014 THE IRON AGE The tse f}ipyrogallol for the absorption; of, oxygen proved too slow for me and I use stick phosphorus in the second pipette, which presents a very large surface to the gases and acts very quickly in absorbing the oxygen, be- sides not suffering deterioration. Care must be taken to preven‘ its temperature from dropping too low, and with this precaution it will be found a highly satisfactory reagent. The third and fourth pipettes contain the usual cuprous chloride solution, which is exasperatingly slow in its ac tion, but by using copper gauze in these pipettes, similar to the iron gauze in the caustic pipette, much quicker ac- tion is obtained and the presence of this copper con stantly recuperates the solution. The usual practice of my chemist to overcome the trouble of the slower absorption of the CO, 1s to pass one sample of gas through the successive pipettes, finally leaving it ‘in the third pipette. Then a second sample is started through, which is finally left in the fourth pipette. He then returns to his third pipette and determines th« CO of the first sample. When greater speed is required, he successfully runs three samples at a time through this analyzer. He has succeeded in getting a complete analysis, with perfect ab sorptions in 5 min. and this would mean I~ analyses per hour, but ordinarily 8 analyses per hour are obtained when required. [resh solutions are very quickly substituted for the old in this apparatus, and the rapidity of each following absorption (which can be seen), as well as testing by returning the gas samples occasionally to the same pipette, keeps him constantly informed as to the working condition of the apparatus Use of a Duplicate Analyzing Equipment The equipment I have shown and de scribed here is only one of a number of combinations I have used. Sometimes this collector is arranged to produce two dupli cate samples from a single furnace and flue, and then it discharges each pair of samples from the opposite sides of the apparatus. One pair of samples goes to the analyzer just described, while the second pair is led to other gas analyzing apparatus, as shown in Fig. 9. In this case a very rapid CO: apparatus is used, where the quality of gases runs very uniform and double the number of analyses are made that can be made in the other apparatus and with no more effort. When any material change takes plac« in the precentage of CO, found the dupli- cate sample, collected at the same instant on the other side of the collector, is sent through the regular analyzer and analyses are conducted there until a uniform run of the same quality of gas occurs again. I have used this duplicate sample arrangement of the collector for the de termination of other constituents in the furnace gases, which could not be determined with the apparatus just de- scribed in use. By use of my large gas collector, | have succeeded in obtaining 20 gas samples in 20 min., which allowed me to follow the different changes occuring in the furnace in this time. This proved especially useful when making the analysis of the working of a gas producer, starting with the time when it was blown by air and then followed by blowing with steam. I have also constructed a larger portable gas analyzer on the same principle as the one 11 lustrated here, with which I can obtain a complete analysis of a gas in not over 25 min. A few tests of boiler fur- naces’with this complete apparatus have shown me that there is considerably more to be learned in the operatiox of such furnaces through the use of such a complet: analyzing apparatus, which has been used more for gas producer tests. There are a few matters of additional -interest to be found in a further inspection of the chemist’s table, shown in Fig. 8. At the left of the table and hanging against the wall will be seen a black-board which allows the chemist to place the results of his gas analyses there as Fig. 11—Open Door Time Recorder October - rapidly as they are obtained.; As this record, is eas from my observation table, I am kept constantly ; as to the condition of the furnace, which informat nected with the other automatically recorded ; have always before me, keeps me thoroughly post. just what is happening in all parts under test at Automatic Notifications of Open Fire Doors \t the left of the gas collector and under the | will be seen an electric bell and buzzer placed side ide These are connected to a small electric commutator, o; partially insulated brass ring which is attached to each {yr- nace door, and moving with the door as it is opened o; closed. This will be seen in Fig. 10, where it is placed over the right top hinge of each door, the right side of the double door overlapping the left side at its center. thys requiring opening before the left half can be opened Pressing against this ring is a brass spring (or brush) which is arranged to bear upon the insulated portion of th ring when the door is closed. As soon as the door js opened, the ring revolves around its center, bringing its metallic face against the flat brass spring. ; The electric connecting wires are shown in Fig. 10, and the instant the door is opened the electric circuit is com pleted and this rings the bell or buzzer shown on the chemist’s table according to the door which happens to be opened, the bell ringing for the No. 1 boiler and the buzzer for the No. 2. Thus the chemist is immediately notified, and should the analy- sis be made when the door is opened, note is made of this fact on the log. As this open furnace door analysis does not indi- cate the normal condition of the furnace, there is no danger of confusing the reading with those taken which show the true fur- nace conditions. Recording Peroids of Time When Doors are Open I use this electric furnace door connec- tion for still another purpose by the use of the instrument shown in Fig. 11 and an electric counter. Fig. 11 shows my open door recorder, which is the combination of an electric solenoid and a continuous stop watch and one of my most recent inven- tions. When the circuit is closed, by open- ing the door, the core of the solenoid is drawn down, striking the starting mechan- ism of the watch. As soon as the door is closed the flow of the current through the solenoid ceases and the spring attached to the top of the ccre instantly lifts the core up and the watch stops recording. A second opening of the door starts the watch again, which goes on recording the time, continuing from the time last re- corded. Thus, at the end of the test (as well as during the short periods when readings are taken) I have the total number of seconds of door openings. By turning to my electric counter, which is operated on the same cir- cuit, I have the total number of times the door is opened during the test. I always time the intervals of door open- ing when the fires are cleaned by another stop watch as well as recording the number of door openings during this operation. By deducting these last described times and openings, | have the efficiency of the fireman well recorded, and by taking these times of openings in connection with the gas analysis, I am frequently able to discover many things 0! interest. This apparatus is very useful in tests comparing hand fired furnaces with continuous machine-stoking methods. It may surprise some to know that this apparatus has shown that it is no uncommon occurrence, with a good fireman, doing good stoking, to find the furnace doors of a boiler open for 10 per cent. of the entire time. This means that in a 10-hr. run the furnace doors are ope? for a full solid hour. On the right-hand side of the chemist’s table will be seen a small collection of other apparatus, including 4 barometer, hygrometer and a millivolt meter, connected er 31, 1912 vh a double’ pole switch to ‘thermoelecttic couples at the rear ends of the combustion chambers of f the two furnaces under test. Thus the chemist ese furnace temperatures under observation in con- n with his gas analyzing investigation. ere will also be seen a second U-tube, which is con- with the flue outlet, back of the damper. This an indication of whether the boiler is being operated n open or closed damper. Combined Boiler and Engine or Turbine Tests e great adaptability of the apparatus described in ction with steam consumption tests of engines and nes becomes apparent after a short consideration. pecially equipped automatic water weigher is used etermine the quantity of water fed to a boiler (or lers) delivering all the steam to the engine or turbine er test, and again it is sometimes used to determine ondensed steam coming from the engine or turbine igh a surface condenser. With the proper correct- s applied, the exact amount of steam used can be de- mined over very short intervals of time, thus making record shown on the chart almost equivalent to a record obtainable by use of a continuous indicator which delivers a continuous succession of indicator cards. When testing reciprocating (including pumping) en- gines | have a number of steam engine indicators, one of ich | place at each end of each of the cylinders. As f these indicators are equipped with electrical at- tachments, which bring all pencils up to the card at the me instant by the mere pressing of an electric button, | in closely watch the condition of the load as shown on chart of the water weigher, and can thus obtain cards inder rare conditions during the course of the test which would otherwise likely be lost. By placing an indicator push button near the water weigher and a second one in the engine room, I can operate the indicators from either position, Further, I place an electric counter, showing the num- er of dumps of the water weigher, on the observation table near the engine thus constantly having this record right before me, and a convenient stop watch gives me the intervals between discharges when this information desired. By use of a tachometer, the speed of the engine is taken and noted on each card, and in important tests | have the cards worked up by use of a planimeter as rapidly as they are taken from the indicators. By plotting the indicated horse-power, a comparison between the re- sults obtained by the indicator and the water chart au- tomatically plotted by the water weigher often leads to valuable information. When the push button is pressed to take indicator ards, in tests of electrical equipment, I have made the same push button ring a bell at the switchboard, where assistant records the necessary electrical readings at the same instant, which are generally noted on an indicator ird taken at the same time. In testing steam turbines, the connection between the autographic water chart and the brake horse-power de- terminations are very interésting and instructive, and vhere the delivered power is taken from the readings of electrical instruments, (after proper corrections have been ipplied) equally instructive results are obtainable. Where it is desired to measure the heat consumed by the engine, the records obtained by this method of testing ecome of great value, and with both engines and boilers ested at the same time it is a simple matter to start the cat balance from the coal pile and thus trace the entire inciency of the apparatus from the coal pile to the crank haft. From the data collected by this system, the cost current per kilowatt is very accurately determined. [he National Cast Iron Pipe Company has been incor- rated with a capital stock of $5,000, subject to. increase $300,000. It will erect a plant on a 50-acre tract of land Boyles, near Birmingham, Ala., which will employ 400 500 men in the manufacture of gas and water pipe. A. lord, president Birmingham Railway, Light & Power mpany, has been elected president. Other Birmingham ‘pitalists interested are George B. Tarrant, A. E. Nelson | F. M. Jackson. E. E. Linthicum, vice-president and neral manager, will be in charge. THE FRON AGE 1015 Handling Gun Jackets with a Lifting Magnet According to J. C. Dillon, Jr., secretary of the Titus- ville Forge Company, Titusville, Pa., there are many uses for a lifting magnet in the company’s plant. In addition to being adapted for numerous kinds of work, the mag- nets have proved themselves savers of labor and have promoted many economies in the handling of material. In this plant lifting magnets are employed for unload- ing heavy steel billets, handling heavy forgiggs and load- ing crop ends or turnings. As an interesting»example.of the saving effected by its use, it is stated that formerly the cost of loading 25 tons of crop ends or turnings was $4.60, while with the magnet 25 tons of this material can be loaded at a cost of only 78c. On a tonnage basis, the “% A Nickel Steel Jacket for a 6-In. Gun Being Handled by a 42-In. Lifting Magnet Made by the Electric Controller & Mfg. Company, Cleveland, Ohio cost of handling material has been reduced from approxi- mately 9c. to 1%4c., including 6 per cent. interest on the cost of the magnet together with a 4 per cent. annual charge for depreciation. The accompanying engraving shows an interesting application of a 42-in. magnet built by the Electric Controller & Mfg. Company, Cleveland, Ohio, which is handling a 6-in. nickel steel gun jacket in the company’s plant. Increase in Machine Mining of Coal The number of machines used in mining coal in 191! was 13,819, an increase of 565 over 1910, according to a report by E. W. Parker, of the United States Geological Survey. The leading coal producing State, Pennsylvania, is also first in the total tonnage mined by the use of ma- chines and in the total number of machines in use; but in the proportion of machine-mined coal to the total out- put Ohio far outranks all other states. In 1911 Pennsyl- vania’s production of machine-mined coal was 69,131,923 net tons, or 47.76 per cent. of the total. Ohio’s production of machine-mined: coal was 26,556,630 net tons, or 86.33 per cent. of the total. Ohio is third in the production of machine-mined coal, though ranking fourth in the total production. West Virginia is the second State in coal production, is also second in the output of machine-mined coal, which in 1911 was 29,121,480 net tons, or 48.67 per cent. of the total. Illinois is fourth in the quantity of machine-mined coal, with 23,093,807 net tons. Mr. Parker says that it is probably not an exazgeration to state that the bituminous mines of the United States could produce from 600,000,000 to 700,000,000 ne: tons of coal without opening another new mine. In addition to the lessening of the mining cost, there are two other aims to be accomplished by the use of min- ing machines. The undercutting of coai by hand js one of the most exacting kinds of labor, and the use of machin- ery materially reduces the arduous tasks of the laborer. More important than this, however, it is Mr. Parker’s belief. is the greater safety secured through reducing the practice, too prevalent in many mining districts, of “shoot- ing from the solid.” The Anderson Engine Company has removed its main office to the Marquette Building, 140 South Dearborn street, Chicago. 1016 A Large Multiple Feed-Water Strainer The Lagonda Mfg. Company, Springfield, Ohio, has placed on the market a line of multiple strainers for which aa special claims are made as to the ease of cleaning. The ta function of these strainers is to re- , . I ‘ move the _ solid ’ t matter, such as leaves, ice, sticks, ‘ fish, sand, _ etc., which is held in suspension in cir- culating and boiler feed- water when the source of sup- ply is a natural one like a river or pond. A screen over the end of the intake pipe is the ordinary method of removing these foreign substances, but it is pointed out that these screens soon be- come foul and in- terfere with the flow of water, thus a io lane pe Rt ip ge aang pm tee ni = Ne tl li Pi nae Te tig Bihan rt Fig. Water Strainer Made by the Lagonda 1—A 30-In. Three-Basket Circulating Mfg. Company, Springfield, Ohio putting an extra ? load on the j pump. As the ordinary strainer cannot be cleaned + without stopping the pump, a considerable loss of time and money is entailed. Recently the company has com- pleted a 30-in. strainer with three baskets for the South- ern California Edison Company. Fig. 1 is a view of the ' strainer, while Fig. 2 illustrates the arrangement of the straining baskets, the view, ‘however, being a typical one, j and not referring particularly to this special strainer. The total straining area of this 30-in. apparatus is : three times the actual area of the intake pipe line, a feature which is an important factor since the flow of water can ; be cut off from one basket while it is being cleaned, the other two being more than sufficient to take care of the water passing through during the time this operation is being performed. The advantage claimed for the multiple g 1 system of baskets is the light weight of the different strainers, which enables one man to lift and clean. any ; particular one. As the baskets are removed through the top of the strainer, it can be buried under the engineroom | floor with only the top of the bonnet and the handwheel : exposed. The water does not flow against the meshes of the strainer, but is directed downward against the bot tom of the basket, which is protected by a solid metal plate, thus reducing the wear to a These minimum. Fig. 2—View Showing General Arrangement of the Bas- kets, Etc. Straining THE IRON AGE October 31, igi2 strainers are furnished with from two to six basket all working parts that come in contact with the wa of non-corrosive bronze or brass. New Type Continuous Chart Recording Pyrometer With a view to providing an instrument capa of furnishing a continuous record for a week or a month, the Brown Instrument Company, Philadelphia, Pa designed a new continuous chart recording instrument. The instrument is intended to be employed in operations requiring temperature measurements, but can also be used for indicating volts, amperes, speed, mechanical opera- tions, etc., where a small current of electricity is required to operate the recording mechanism. This instrument is of the frictionless type and the elec- trical milli-voltmeter system is the same-ras that used in the company’s other types of recording pyrometers. The pen is pressed against the paper only momentarily at in- tervals of from 10 sec. to I min. as may be desired. The instrument carries a roll of paper sufficient to last six months and as the paper travels a little over 1 in. per hour, the dots made by the pen form a practically con- tinuous line. In this way the necessity for changing charts daily is done away with, although the record can be torn off every day or week or it may be permitted to roll up continuously. The clock mechanism is wound once a week and at this time the pad which supplies the A New Type of Continuous Chart Recording Pyrometer Developed } } Dy the Brown Instrument Company, Philadelphia, Pa. pen is inked. The clock mechanism brings the pad against the pen point at frequent intervals so that there is always sufficient ink to enable a record to be drawn As will be noticed from the accompanying engraving, the instrument is mounted on a metal base and is fully protected by a glass dustproof case which enables the record to be examined easily at all times. If desired this instrument used within roo ft. of the point at which the temperature is measured, or it can be installed some distance away. Either base metal or platinum- rhodium thermocouples can be used. can be The smoke problem came in for considerable attention at the Cincinnati municipal budget exhibition held in Cin cinnati, October 1 to 15. The chief smoke inspector, A G. Hall, had a display of a boiler and furnace equipped with instruments used by his department, together with placards indicating their use in determining the cause 0! smoke. The apparatus includes gas analyzers, pyrometers, draft gauges and the like. One thickness of gray ¢!ass of such capacity that it will intercept 60 per cent. of the light of a 16-cp. flame is taken as a basis in the smokt regulations, and four such thicknesses are regarded 4s corresponding to No. 1 or dense smoke. ber 31, 1912 New 18-In. Heavy Duty Engine Lathe id production, accuracy of alignment and durability e special features characterizing a new 18-in. heavy ngine lathe, which has been brought out by the er Machine Tool Company, Cincinnati, Ohio. The 5 designed along the lines now considered standard ce and the construction is heavy and massive. e headstock, which is of heavy construction, is | and cross ribbed and is securely bolted to the bed. are three steps in the cone-driving pulley, which in diameter from 9% to 13 5/32 in., and are wide sh to accommodate a 3%-in. double belt. This pulley ked to the face gear by a spring pull pin. The tail- is equally massive in proportion, with two .34-in. for clamping it to the bed. It is arranged with two clamps to lock the spindle without throwing it out e line. Both the head and the tailstock are set off q ter, which permits work unusually large in diameter to rned without the bottom slide on the carriage over- nging its bearing. In this way, it is pointed out, great is secured, The diameter of the barrel bearing in., and its movement is 8% in. he spindle, which is made of high carbon crucible |, and finished by grinding, has a No. 4 Morse taper a 1 9/16-in. hole extending its entire length. The le boxes are lined with phosphor bronze bored and \ New 18-In. Heavy Duty Engine Lathe with a 6-Ft. Bed Built by the Mueller Machine Tool Company, Cincinnati, Ohio | scraped to fit the spindle. Sight feed oilers are employed to lubricate the bearings and felt pads which reach into the reservoirs of the oilers filter the lubricant. hardened and ground thrust collar is provided and the d motion is taken up by a nut at the end of the spindle. leans for any necessary adjustment of the spindle are also vided. The speed range extends from 13 to 300 r.p.m., irranged in nine steps in approximate geometrical progres- which it is pointed out gives a good range for ral manufacturing purposes. Forty-five screw threads nging from 2 to 60, and including an 11%-in. pipe | can be cut, all the changes being obtained within the ick-change gear box itself. The ends of the shafts of gear box and reversing gears of the head are arranged receive change gears for special and metric thread cut- \ll the threads can be cut without the removal of a and the chasing dial on the carriage allows the rator to catch threads instantly without having to re- the carriage either by reversing the countershaft or ping the lathe. The feeds are positively geared and tour times the threads. The feed can be started, ped or reversed in the apron or head for either cross lateral feed motion only when the lead screw nut is ngaged. “reat vertical depth characterizes the bed, which is ly braced throughout its entire length with heavy cross s which absorb the vibration of the heaviest cuts. rear bearing is flat. The rack is a single piece of ine-cut steel, and is fastened by screws from the of the bed. The rack pinion is of hardened tool The carriage has an exceptionally long bearing on V’s throughout its entire length, and has a cross V in. wide with an extra amount of metal in the cross- se. It is securely gibbed to the bed and has an ad- THE IRON AGE 1017 justable taper gib which extends the full length of the bearing against the rear side of the bed. In this way, it is emphasized, the possibility of any twisting of the car- riage while very heavy cuts are being taken has been eliminated. A long shear wiper and oiler is fastened to each end of the carriage bearings on the shear and auto- matically wipes the shear free of chips and dirt, and oils it as the carriage moves along. The apron is a rectangular box in which all the bearings for the gears and screws are cast integral with the apron itself. Bearings on both sides are provided for all the gears, and the studs are of hardened and ground steel. The feeds are arranged so that only one can be in operation at a time. The apron is fastened to the carriage by a tongue and groove and also by bolts. The lead screw is 1 9/16 in. in diameter, and has a 4-pitch thread. It is rotated only when: screw threads are being cut. The upper slide of the compound rest is bolted to the swivel base with four screws to insure rigidity. The countershaft has double friction pu'leys 14 in. in diameter, arranged for a 5-in. belt. The belts run forward and no reversing belt is required. The speeds of the coun- tershaft, which is fitted with heavy rigid bearings and hangers, are 175 and 210 r.p.m. All of the gears in the quick-change gear box are of steel and have champfered teeth. In the places where the strain is severe through- out the machine steel gears are also employed and all gears are entirely covered. The lathe swings 18% in. over the ways and 13% in. over the carriage. The length of bed regularly supplied is 75% in., which enables work not exceeding 28% in. to be turned between centers. The net weight of the lathe is 3200 lb. The equipment regularly furnished consists of two face plates for large and small stock, compound, steady and follow rests, a countershaft and the necessary wrenches. If desired, a longer bed and motor drive can be supplied at a s'ight extra cost. A New Thickness Gauge for Sheet Materials Several new principles are embodied in a new gauge for measuring the thickness of paper, boards, sheet metal ana rubber, leather and-any other type of sheet material which has been brought out by the Ashcroft Mfg. Company, 8&5 Liberty street, New York City. The c