The Iron Age 1922-12-28: Vol 110 Iss 26

THE IRON AGE New York, December 28, 1922 ESTABLISHED 1855 VOL. 110, No. 26 New Type of Open-Hearth Furnace Loftus Furnace Involves New W ay to Apply Blow Torch Principle—Details and Results of a Unit Now Operating Several Months ticularly the basic, in the development of the a success economically or metallurgically: Econom American steel industry can be measured by its ically, it is looked upon as a heat waster and a man tremendous growth over the relatively short period waster, and metallurgically its life is regarded as short which it has been in use. This has been due to the fact and the demand for tonnage so insistent that the super- that it has permitted the use of iron of almost any intendent is frequently compelled to make certain grades phosphorus content, thus making available immense _ of steel in a furnace which should rightfully be under- deposits of ore which could not otherwise be utilized; going repairs because of defects in the furnace design. also to the’extreme flexibility which is possible through It has been further stated that the usual period of high the various methods devised for its application as a_ efficiency in the present type of furnace represents not HE importance of the open-hearth process, par- operating men that the present type of furnace is not process. It has provided for the production of steel more than 60 per cent of the furnace campaign. ~ in a great variety of charges by many variations in In a furnace of the present design the mixture of method of manipulation, and with economy in regard air and gas depends upon the inclination of the air . to the supply of scrap and pig iron. port and the gas port, the extension of the end of the : The open-hearth furnace in which this process has_ air port to the end of the gas port to give the air been carried out has been neglected from a broad point access to the gas before entering the furnace chamber. of view and its development has not been brought to The present port areas are a compromise to suit both the state of perfection which the process has reached. conditions of entry and exit so that the tendency is It has been stated by some of the most widely known almost universal to make the area of the ports too large End of a Loftus Furnace Showing the Air Pipe and the Auxiliary Fue! Branch. Removal of the cap permits the substitution of oil, coke-oven gas or a combination of coke-oven gas and producer gas Q 1677 1 ee THE IRON AGE December 28, 1922 | I ) | {If = TS | | j F .}. "| y HH HAL Pe LEAST =i | — | | | i | | | | | | | | | | Lf i, PA pihbees : Cross Section of a Complete Loftus Furnace Showing the Special Warm Air Blast Pipe Connection and How It W bss, * ; \ S to give the proper mixture for the incoming air and _ ture is discharged from the mixing chamber in the fo eRe gas and too small for the outgoing products. In the’ of a flame having practically no stratification and wit hitiae case of the producer gas furnace the velocity of the the utmost compactness and continuity of direction. itis. gas is far greater than the velocity of the air through Through the agency of voluntary regulation of t! 1oSh tn its ports. This brings about conditions which interfere pressure and volume of the booster supply of rege PSN with desired combustion and the securing of high flame erated air, the operator finds himself able to control th: bed temperature. The delayed and improper combustion flame. If he chooses he may melt down a charge with a St yt ; results in a flame, it is held, which starts too far from short hot flame, and refine with a long mellow flam: Be a , ¥ ny ek Oey ne Vila gh oe PME A . “i {apts Be the entering port and is still burning when it passes \ Bere : through the outgoing ports downtakes, and at times | ety, | ' even when entering the regenerative chambers. Such he de action tends to destroy the brickwork of the furnace he i and in this way shortens the campaign. } aba) | The furnace, the subject of the illustrations, has been OL designed to overcome the difficulties and also to afford RY the operator control over the quality, intensity and eel length of the flame. The drawings show a producer gas 1 furnace wherein the producer gas is discharged from a She) restricted nozzle into a mixing chamber, serving to in- ithe! duce the necessary air for combustion. A booster supply Sia of regenerated air is withdrawn from the regenerative ms | chamber, passed through a special blower driven by a fis te! variable speed motor, and introduced into the center of te the stream of gas in the direction of its flow through ; Fi bt: the furnace. The pressure and volume of this booster ok supply of regenerated air may be governed by the con- a trol of the variable speed motor, in this way giving the Rie operator control over the flame. 1 A Ee With such a furnace construction a more efficient ; a wes, combustion is obtained, as shown by actual operation, x ee through the mixing of the air with the gas in the hot ial? mixing chamber. The air and gas enter an extremely he | hot mixing chamber in the form of an outer envelope Fe of air completely surrounding an annular ring of gas ( wl Met containing an inner core of air; all of this is calculated Ne i to produce an extremely intimate mixture. This mix- i it hse Interior of a Loftus Open- Hearth Heats. Furnace After 136 The auxiliary chan- nel for clearing the furnac« and the mixing chamber where incoming gas and air are mixed are shown which completely covers the bath without extending through the outgoing channels. . The old type of gas uptake with its abrupt turn has been replaced by a stream line elbow or gooseneck which is supported so that it may be readily adjusted in all di rections. In this way the travel of the gas may be altered to suit the desired conditions after the furnace has bee! put into operation. unfortunate enough to miscalculate the proper angie and pitch of the gas port, it was necessary to wait until Details of the Air Pipe and the Auxiliary Fuel Branch In prior constructions, if one were e oa St a eee iy, Par fi: eee voll a 5g ae December 28, 1922 the furnace went down for the next major repair, al- though this was naturally hastened by the destructive action of the flame. The stream line effect also is counted on to decrease the erosion of that portion of the uptake corresponding to the bulkhead on the pres- ent type of furnace and to afford a construction which may be replaced in about 20 min. with a spare part, the change being made some time during ‘the burn-out period. At the outgoing end of the hearth the products of combustion, together with the gases which rise from the bath of steel, are cleared through the mixing cham- ber and the auxiliary channel over the top of the cham- ber. Owing to the inherent features of the design this auxiliary channel is practically inoperative on the in- coming end, and by its use provides an area for the out- going gases over three times that for the incoming THE IRON AGE 1679 A Loftus furnace, the name adopted for the new design, has been operating on producer gas at one of the independent steel plants since June 8 this year. [Ohio works of the Sharon Steel Hoop Co., Lowellville, Ohio.] In the face of charging conditions not regarded as ideal the furnace has been able, according to the pro- moters, to produce an average of approximately 30 per cent more steel than the remaining furnaces in this plant on approximately 30 per cent less coal per ton of ingots. This furnace, up to the present time, has given more than 300 heats and from all indications it is be- lieved it will run about 400 heats or more, making an increase of about 50 per cent in its usual life. The re- pairs have been almost negligible, as it has been pos- sible to get approximately 100 heats from back and front walls and approximately 80 heats off the goose- neck. Pian and Sectional Drawings of the Interior of One End of a Loftus Open-Hearth Furnace C cfe air and gas, and in this way reduces the velocity of the outgoing gases to practically one-third. The auxiliary channel on the incoming end permits a slight infiltra- tion of air which serves to protect the side walls and roof from the intensely hot flame. The good direction f the flame, together with this feature, is counted on to give a long life on the side walls and roof. The motor and special blower, previously referred to, ifter six months continuous operation, performs its functions with apparent ease, operating quietly and smoothly, and requiring no attention other than the isual inspection and oiling. As stated, the special lower withdraws air from the incoming regenerator through an intake pipe in which is located, immediately the blower, a mixing valve to admit sufficient other ‘ir to reduce the temperature to 1000 deg. Fahr., or ess, thus not to injure the blower. The flow of the re- generated blast air to either end of the furnace is con- rolled by four cast-iron slide gates, two of which are in e intake line and two in the discharge line, all op- erated by one lever located near the reversing and op- erating controls for the furnace. The regulator for controlling the speed of the motor is also located on the charging floor near the remaining controls, thus fa- cilitating the operating of the furnace. Steep Reduction in Unfilled Sheet Orders Sheet statistics as compiled by the National Asso- ciation of Sheet and Tin Plate Manufacturers for November, disclose a decrease in sales as compared with October of 36,142 tons, but an increase in shipments of 6446 tons and a decrease in the unfilled tonnage of 54,907 tons. Stocks on hand awaiting shipment were reduced 6593 tons, but unsold stocks as of Nov. 30, were 9394 tons greater than those of Oct. 3 The total num- ber of hot mills in the United States is 658, having a capacity for November, 1922, of approximately 386,000 tons, and the percentage to which these figures are re- lated is 69.1 per cent. Figures in net tons for Novem- ber compare with those of October and September as follows: October November September Sales . 172,744 208,916 188,863 Production 242,562 243.476 202,600 Shipments 230,320 223,874 190,027 Unfilled tonnage 321,487 376.394 378,574 Unshipped stock hand 101,698 108,291 102,198 Unsold tocks 30,084 20,690 21,241 In compliance with the request of the creditors’ com- mittee, Frank A. Scott, receiver for the Standard Parts Co., Cleveland, has made application to the Federal Court for permission to sell the four plants of that com- pany. Provided authority of the court is granted the plants will be offered for sale at public auction about Feb. 20. However, the receiver will probably be given authority to sell the properties at private sale prior to that date. A en ant 7 : % : : 1680 THE IRON AGE Universal Hydraulic Press For bending, flanging and crimping large plates the Southwark Foundry & Machine Co., Philadelphia, has devised the press shown in the accompanying illustra- tion. The machine is made up of two 200-ton standaru four column forging presses, connected with the struc- tural steel bending beam or guides. The total pressure is 400 tons. The two presses are set approximately 14 ft. apart, giving a clear space for 14 ft. sheets. The individual units can be controlled either by one or two operating valves. The machine is adaptable to all classes of work CY i ee eal hi ela ee ae | ey a H Machine for Bending, Flanging and Crimping Large Plates The bending beam can be removed boiler or structural shops, as the bending beam can be removed and each press used as an individual unit for small flanging, drawing or forging purposes. Safeguarding Power Press Tools Rules for safeguarding power press tools have been adopted by the Massachusetts Department of Labor and Industry to become effective Feb. 1, 1923. It is required that all power press tools in use shall be so constructed, or effective safety appliances provided, to prevent the hand of an operator from being in the hazard zone at the time of operation, where the speed is more than 30-45 strokes p.m. and less than 4 in. length of stroke. Power shall be shut off and press drive wheels shall be at rest while tools are being adjusted, except where the control allows the ram to be stopped at any point of the stroke. No person shall render inoperative or fail to use any safety appliance which has been pro- vided. Types of approved appliances are listed. Nitrogen in Steels WASHINGTON, Dec. 19.—Different heat treatments applied to steel will alter the amount of the nitrogen present, according to scientific paper No. 457 of the Bureau of Standards, which is available at the Govern- ment Printing Office at 5c. per copy. It is pointed out in the paper that almost all com- mercial metals and alloys contain gases in greater or less amount and that these gases are believed to play an important part in determining the properties and qualities of such metals. Since nitrogen makes up four-fifths of the volume of the air, it is explained that it is only natural that it is found in iron and steel which have been melted in contact with large volumes of air during the process of manufacture. The amount of nitrogen present in steel is not often determined by chemists although a method is available at least for determining certain forms of the element. Many steels are given heat treatments to render them specially fitted for definite service condi- December 28, 1922 tions, and such heat treatments are known to change t! form or state of combination of certain chemica] e|, a ments in the metal. F It has been shown that the nitrogen in steel may |x i changed in form by heat treatment. This, therefor: 4 introduces a new factor to be considered in prepa by heat treatment steels possessing special qualities ¥ ¥ Level for Setting Up Precision Machines ¥ A 15-in. precision level developed for use in sett x up precision machines has been placed on the mai ‘a by the Pratt & Whitney Co., Hartford. a Levels having different degrees of sensitiveness e available but for general use the makers recomm: what is known as 10 second level. With this level « division (1/10 in.) that the bubble runs indicate variation from the horizontal of 0.0005 in. in one f From this reading the necessary adjustment to the work can be readily computed. A 10-second | has a vial ground to a radius of curvature of about ft., and is as sensitive as practicable for setting up | work. A 3-second level having a proportionately lar, radius of curvature is more sensitive but requires eral minutes for the bubble to come to rest. The in of the vials used in these levels is ground with extr accuracy to a uniform curvature and carefully insp¢ to assure that each division indicates the same ang| inclination. One of the instruments is shown in the accompa ing illustration. The frame is 15 in. long, which is sai to be more convenient and reliable than a longer o1 The trussed construction is intended to make the fram: light, rigid and convenient to handle and also to rend: it comparatively insensitive to temperature change Insulating grips are provided to obviate touching the frame when handling, thus eliminating errors due to expansion from the heat of the hands. Like all pre cision instruments the level must be intelligently han- dled to secure the best results. The instrument must be properly applied to the level surface, the thumbs gripping the insulated portions, the finger tips touching the work first and the level gently brought into contact The instrument may be easily checked. In using the level the operator should not breath on the vial nor bring his face close to the level, as t liquid is very sensitive to temperature. The best re- sults cannot be obtained unless the work is at roon temperature, as otherwise the work is constantly chang i f Level for Setting Up Precision Machines ing shape. When not in use the level should be kep'! in its case. For accurate work direct sunshine or draft of air should be avoided as the level may be temporarily distorted. The vial is mounted in metal sleeves means of plaster of paris and should it become loosen« from shock, should be returned to the makers for r mounting. The vial carriage may be removed from t! frame by taking out the four corner screws. Pearl A. Lewis, assistant to President Charles W1! ek ard Young, of New York, was appointed receiver of t! c. Kelly-Springfield Motor Truck Co., $2,500,000 capita: : stock, Saturday afternoon, Dec. 16, upon application 0! the Bankers’ Trust Co., New York, which is trust ees for an issue of $1,500,000, 8 per cent gold bonds. M my Lewis gave bond in the sum of $100,000, and announce« ie that the operation of the plant would be continued ad Treasurer H. Diehl in a statement said that the act! taken was necessary as a result of a recent suit filed a a disputed claim and others threatening on dispute ed i a claims. Receiver Lewis was authorized to borrow $25". a 000 for the conduct of the business. oe, ; : December 28, 1922 Universal Flat Turret Lathe A No. 2 universal flat turret lathe, incorporating the cross sliding turret and cross travel to the auxiliary carriage, features intended to permit the maximum number of tools to be in operation at the same time and the simplest and most inexpensive tooling arrange- ment, has been added to the line of the Acme Machine Tool Co., Cincinnati. Centralized control is also a feature. The machine, a front view of which is shown here- with, is adapted to both bar and chucking work, and either is interchangeable. Chuck work up to 20% in. swing can be accommodated, and for bar work two sizes of automatic chuck capacity, 2% or 3% in. in diameter, are available. The turret travel is 30 in. The square turret on the side carriage may be used for under- cutting, forming, facing and turning, and the flat tur- ret used at the same time for boring and turning. Each having separate power feed provides independent feeds to each carriage. The all geared head with single pulley drive pro- vides 12 speed changes from 18 to 318 r.p.m. and is of the sliding gear type. These changes are operated through the two levers shown on the headstock, one lever controlling four changes and the other three. Sliding gears and their mates are of chrome nickel and heat treated. The stop and reverse lever located on top of the headstock controls the operation of a friction clutch on the initial drive shaft, which is the only fric- tion in the head. Placing the friction on the drive shaft, which is subjected to the least amount of torsion, is pointed out as an ideal condition. A hand hole is provided in the top cover for easy access to friction ad- justment. The company’s patented gear shifting de- vice, which permits changing from one speed to another with one continuous movement of either of the speed changing levers, is incorporated also in this design. The side carriage spans the ways of the bed, elim- inating overhang to the turret and tools. It clears the chuck and can be moved out of the way to permit the ise of short tools when using the flat turret. Six inde- pendent stops for longitudinal movement are provided. The square turret is mounted on the cross slide and po- sitioned by a hardened lock bolt, located under the cut- ting tool. It can be indexed to four positions, and a vertical movement of the lever on top of the turret un- ‘lamps and withdraws the bolt simultaneously. The ‘ross sliding turret is similar to the company’s previous designs. Power rapid traverse is provided in either direction, longitudinally, for the turret, and is controlled by the lever projecting vertically at the front of the carriage. The operation of this lever also disengages automatical- ly the feed and power to the turnstile handle, thus pro- viding a stationary turnstile wheel while rapid traverse is in motion. Twelve longitudinal stops are provided, me independent stop for each turret position and six auxiliary stops. These are operated by an index knob at the right of the saddle. Power feed for the cross and longitudinal movement to both the side carriage ee i Ed! THE IRON AGE 1681 and turret is provided. The gear box at the head end gives ten feeds from 10 to 250. Stops are provided for the longitudinal movement, and for the cross movement, a large micrometer dial with observation stops. The feeds can be reversed by means of convenient levers. For motor drive a 5 hp. constant speed, 1200 r.p.m. motor is recommended, and is mounted on the rear side of the head end leg. A chasing attachment is part of the regular equipment and is located at the right end of the carriage. A taper turning attachment for the side carriage is also available, for tapers up to 3 in. per foot and 12 in. long. The swing over the carriage cross slide is 14 in. The hole through the spindle is 2% to 3% in. The floor space occupied is 3 ft. 9 in. x 10 ft. 8 in., and 3 ft. 9 in. x 16 ft. with stock supports in posi- tion. The net weight of the machine with chucking equipment is 5050 lb. and with bar equipment 5000 Ib. Fiat Turret Lathe witt Cross Sliding Turret and Cross Travel to the Auxiliary Carriage The capacity for clutch work is up to 20%-in for swing, and bar work, 2% and 3% in diameter Standardizing Export Packing Methods and Reducing Waste WASHINGTON, Dec. 12.—Industrial machinery and other major commodities are to be included in an investigation to be undertaken by the Department of Commerce through facilities of the Forest Products Laboratory at Madison, Wis., for the purpose of stand- ardizing export packing methods and the elimination of waste due to breakage, pilferage, etc., which has reached abnormal proportions during the past few years. The study will be nation-wide in character and will be under- taken under the supervision of John Keely, assistant chief of the Transportation Division. Mr. Keely has had many years of practical experience in exporting and is a specialist in packing for export. The result of the studies with appropriate recommendations as to methods employed and looking to unification in export packing methods will be published by the department in a series of manuals, each covering a particular commodity. Mr. Keely will visit all the important in- dustrial cities of the country in the course of the in- vestigation. The work will have the hearty co-operation of the marine insurance and steamship companies, freight for- warders, trade associations and exporters themselves, according to an announcement of the department, and will represent the best thought in export packing methods. Commercial! standards of taps and dies, as adopted by the Tap and Die Institute, are available in pamphlet form. This pamphlet, which undoubtedly can be ob- tained by applying to Herbert S. Blake, secretary of the institute, 116 West Thirty-second Street, New York, contains some twelve detailed tables of dimensions of taps for threading pipe, machine screws, for nuts and for tap drills and covers United States threads, Ameri- can Society of Mechanical Engineers threads and the standards of the Society of Automotive Engineers. The pamphlet is a valuable contribution to the standardiza- tion movement and provides the information in con- venient form. pa REP AE ad See om CBbepenma FREIGHT CAR SHORTAGE Decrease for First Week in December—Progress Made in Repair Work WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.—A decrease of 21,825 was made in the freight car shortage from Dec. 1 to Dec. 8, according to the Car Service Division of the American Railway Association, the total shortage on the latter date being 111,961 cars. Shortage in box cars totaled 56,711, a decrease of 10,757 within the same period, while the shortage in coal cars totaled 37,613, or 5235 below that on Dec. 1. An increase of 50 in the demand for coke cars over and above the available current supply was reported, which made the total shortage 394 cars for that class of equipment, while the shortage in refrigerator cars to- taled 5188, or 890 less than the beginning of the month. Reports also showed a gradual increase in the number of surplus freight cars in good repair scattered through- out the country, the total on Dec. 8 being 6657, which was a gain in approximately a week of 1062 cars. Loadiig of revenue freight on American railroads totaled 919,828 cars during the week which ended on Dec. 9. This was an increase of 178,487 cars above the corresponding week last year, and an increase of 81,875 cars above the corresponding week in 1920. An in- crease of 74,609 cars was reported over the preceding week this year, when, however, loadings were reduced owing to the observance of Thanksgiving Day. Ore loading totaled 9879 cars, or a decrease of 671 cars compared with the week before. While this was an increase of 3895 cars above the same week last year, it was a decrease of 8552 cars compared with two years ago. Coke loading totaled 13,051 cars, 24 less than the week before, but an increase of 6380 over the same week last year. Compared with the same week two years ago this was a decrease of 738 cars. Compared by districts, increases over the week be- fore in the total loading of all commodities were re- ported in all districts. All also showed increases com- pared with the corresponding week last year. From Nov. 15 to Dec. 1 the railroads repaired and turned out of their shops 13,484 locomotives. This was within six locomotives of the greatest number repaired during any semi-monthly period in approximately the last two years. This also exceeded by 1345 the number turned out of the shops during the first half of No- vember this year. Locomotives in need of repair on Dec. 1 last totaled 18,009, or 27.9 per cent of the number on line. This was a decrease of 347 compared with the total number on Nov. 15, at which time there were 18,356, or 28.5 per cent. Of the total number on Dec. 1 last, 14,450 were in need of heavy repairs, a decrease since Nov. 15 of 670 locomotives. Reports also showed 3559 locomotives in need of light repairs, which was an increase, however, of 323 within the same period. Serviceable locomotives on Dec. 1 totaled 46,525. This was an increase of 424 over the number serviceable on Nov, 15. Exports of Railroad Material and Structural Steel Figures of the Department of Commerce show that Japan, in October, was the largest buyer of rails weigh- ing 50 lb. or more per yard, having taken 5981 tons of the total of 17,070 tons. Cuba, with 4912 tons, was sec- ond and Canada, with 1499 tons, was third. In rail joints, etc., first place was held by Chosen (Korea) which took 1114 tons of the total of 2487 tons. Cuba was second with 347 tons and Japan third with 254 tons. Cuba was the leader in switches, frogs and crossings, with Canada a close second, and Japan third. Cuba again took the largest amount of railroad spikes, with Mexico second, Colombia third and Japan fourth. Of ear wheels and axles Mexico took the largest amount, with Cuba second, Canada third, Japan a close fourth and Honduras fifth. Canada took the largest amount of structural forms, THE IRON AGE December 28, 1922 the heavy structural shapes sent into Canada amount- ing to 5418 tons out of a total of 8196 tons. Argentina was second with 1451 tons. Light structural forms sent to Canada amounted to 1419 tons out of the total of 4584 tons. Cuba was second with 888 tons and Japan third with 545 tons. In other structural forms, includ- ing plates, Canada again was the leader with 1560 tons of the total of 1966 tons. Japan was second with 148 tons and Cuba third. November Refractories Statistics November fire clay brick statistics as compiled by the Refractories Manufacturers’ Association, Oliver Building, Pittsburgh, Frederic W. Donahoe, secretary, notes a gain in production over that of October of 652,- 548 9-in. equivalents, but this gain may be ascribed partly to the fact that capacity reporting for November was greater by 131,417 9-in. equivalent brick than was represented in the October figures. Shipments last month were 4,540,154 less than in the previous month and stock on hand as of Nov. 30 was 3,660,245 greater than at the end of October. Net new business gained, as did unfilled orders. Less silica brick capacity reported for November than for the previous month, which probably explains decreases in production, shipments and new business. Unfilled orders, however, showed a gain over October. The quantities given are the totals sent in by those who reported and the capacity figure is the combined eco- nomical producing capacity of those who sent in figures. The figures in parentheses are percentages arrived at by dividing the total economical monthly producing capacity into the figures given. November figures in 9-in. equivalents, compare with those of October as follows: Fire Clay November October Cemetty.| oo s< wae s's 75,056,974 74,925,557 NS Se. ee: ae 146,737,818 (195) *148,070,275 (197) Production «........ 53,988,391 (72) 53,335,843 (71) Bimiemts 5c esis 51,935,254 (69) 56,475,408 (75) Stock, Nov. 30..... 148,790,955 (198) 7144,930,710 (193) New orders ........ 52,019,358 (69) 49,474,143 (66) Cancellations ...... 277,384 (0) 759,325 1) Net new business... 51,741,974 (69) 48,714,818 (65) Unfilled orders ..... 67,842,752 (90) 67,480,023 (90) Silica November October CORED 6 cscs ees 23,217,500 23,891,666 meee, <at. Si..06.0. 33,809,224 (145) 32,471,079 (136) PYOGUCUONR «2.2005 11,788,350 (51) 13,793,281 (58) NINN ois ois tice ck 9,649,467 (41) 11,504,105 (48) Stock, Nov. 30..... 35,948,107 (155) 434,760,255 (145) New orders ........ 10,113,076 (43) 10,530,033 (44) COmOMIGSIOGS. ossics “Smiseecks °*.. “See Net new business... 10,113,076 (43) 10,530,033 (44) Unfilled orders .... 17,871,831 (77) 17,456,201 (73) *Sept. 30. Oct. 31. In an announcement of the chemical engineering course given by the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N. Y., the belief is expressed that few, if any, of £ our engineering schools have carried this subject of chemical engineering into the engineering phase, rather than the purely chemical phase, to the same extent as in this case. The chemical engineer is defined by the pamphlet as “a professional man experienced in the design, construction and operation of plants in which materials undergo chemical or physical change.” The pamphlet, which covers 32 pages, is profusely illustrated with views of the different laboratories and other de- partments devoted to the study of chemical engineer- ing, while the text features the character of instruction and of the equipment provided. With the details of refinancing completed, the Arm- strong Steel Casting Co., Huntington, Ind., will start actual operations the first week in January. Its equip- ment, consisting of electric furnaces and converters, affords a potential capacity of 500 tons per month. H. D. Oskin, Chicago, formerly general sales manager Trumbull Steel Co., Warren, Ohio, has been elected pres- ident; H. S. Buck, formerly vice-president and general manager Spelter Co., Fort Smith, Ark., is vice-pres!- dent, and E. T. Pelton, formerly with the National Stee! Castings Co., is secretary and plant manager. od es a ee e é . be: oe” December 28, 1922 New Planer Added to Cincinnati Line The Cincinnati Planer Co., Cincinnati, has added to its line the 30 x 30 in. open side planer shown in the accompanying illustrations. Rigidity and convenience of operation are emphasized in connection with the new machine. Among the features it may be mentioned that the table is gibbed on the right side so that regardless of how much overhang there is to the work, there is no danger of tipping the table. The table also fits be- tween the two Vees so that however far out the work may be machined, the table cannot be twisted out of the Vees. An auxiliary table is provided where the work is very much wider than the table and carries consid- erable weight. The bed is closed between the Vees, made extra heavy on the right side, particularly on the housing cheek, which is carried up 4 or 5 in. higher to provide greater bearing for fastening the column. The column is unusually stiff and ribbed up on the inside to eliminate spring. In addition to being secured by a large tongue and groove, the column is bolted and doweled to the bed. The rear view of the machine shows the construc- for tion of the knee, which is bolted directly to the column, an arrangement intended to provide greater rigidity than with the use of clamps. Two large T-slots are provided in the column for bolting the knee in place. Instead of using an ordinary bolt head or short nut, a sliding nut placed in the T-slot, which is the full depth f the knee, is intended to eliminate the possibility of locking or clamping under any condition. To obviate the tendency of the rail to tip and to aid in maintain- ing its alinement a gib is provided underneath the knee at the front end, seen in a rear view of the ma- hine. This gives a narrow guide bearing on the side of the column and is adjusted to give a sliding fit; this idjustment never changes. From a front view of the machine it may be noted that the rail is gibbed at the uuter edge of the housing, which gives it a. narrow guide bearing in this direction and is said also to pre- ent the rail from tilting or sagging even when all f the clamping bolts are loose. The Central Refractories Co., general offices of vhich are in the Ferris Building, Columbus, Ohio, with rick plants at New Lexington and Shawnee, Ohio, and flint clay and coal mines at Moxahala, Ohio, has taken ver the Eastern Refractories Co., Orviston, Pa. Prop- rties of this company consist of brick plants at Orvis- ton and Snow Shoe, Pa., and fire clay deposits at Orvis- ton. Both companies produce face brick as well as fire ay brick and the combined productive capacity is 200,000 brick daily. C. B. Young is president of the mpany. THE IRON AGE 1683 Etching Reagents for Carbides in Alloy Steels Some tests have been made to verify the results obtained previously as to the etching effect of a dilute sodium hydroxide solution aided by weak electric cur- rent. It was found that electrolytic etching with weak solutions of ammonia and with sodium hydroxide has a very similar effect upon the various constituents found so far in alloy steels, namely, both solutions darken chromium carbide and tungsten carbide, while iron car- bide and iron tungstide remain unaffected even after etching for several minutes. In the examination made in connection with the above-mentioned tests of two samples of high-speed steels melted and cooled in vacuo, an gmidentified con- stituent of relatively great hardness wag found present. It did not respond to the test for iron @&rbide and iron tungstide and did not assume any shape usually met with in the case of tungsten carbide. It did respond, however, to the test for chromium carbide, that is, it was darkened by either sodium hydroxide or ammonia. It appeared to be similar in behavior on etching to the very minute particles noted in the matrix of high-speed steel in the condition as received from the mill which Open Side Planet x 30 In. x 8 Ft. Size The front side view is shown below and a rear view at the eft The table is gibbed on the right side to eliminate dan- ger of the table tipping The knee is bolted directly to the column and two large Tee slots are provided in the column bolting the knee in place were brought out by either ammonia or hydroxide. Since it would appear from the results of previous investigators that a large part of the chromium present in the high-speed steel is dissolved in the matrix (this would depend on the heat treatment received) while a large part of-the vanadium is present in the free state as carbide, it seemed possible that the constituent re- ferred to above might be a carbide of vanadium. To test this out an iron-carbon-vanadium alloy is now being prepared wherein it is hoped tc have the vanadium and carbon present entirely as vanadium carbide, and etch- ing tests will be carried out with the hope of finding a means of distinguishing between vanadium carbide and chromium carbide. sodium Safe Activities of Trade Associations WASHINGTON, Dec. 19.—Trade associations or groups interested in cost accounting may meet solely for the purpose of the study of costs, the detection of errors and the improvements of their methods without con- travention of law, in the opinion of Commissioner Nel- son B. Gaskill of the Federal Trade Commission. Mr. Gaskill further believes that it is perfectly legal to make reports of such conferences available to absent members, Government agencies and other interested parties. This opinion was expressed unofficially today by Mr. Gaskill in response to an inquiry from E. W. McCul- lough, manager of the fabricated production department of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States. we ay SNES New Motor-Driven Saw Bench A new 7-in. motor-driven saw bench, designated as the No. 193, has been placed on the market by the Oliver Machinery Co., Grand Rapids, Mich. It op- erates from a lamp socket and is designed to cut 2 in. deep with a 7-in. diameter saw, and dado heads % in. wide can be used. The machine is for use on a bench or table, but a one-piece cast iron floor base is avail- able for independent support. The table is 21 x 24 in. and is of cast iron. It is provided with grooves on either side of the saw for cut- off gages and has a milled out slide in front for the ripping gage. The table tilts up to 45 deg. and may be instantly locked by the hand knob. A dial with graduations and a pointer serves to indicate the exact position of the table and a stop provided facilitates quick and accurate return to the horizontal position. The saw arbor is % in. in diameter and runs in ball bearings, its speed being approximately 5000 r.p.m. THE IRON AGE December 28, 1922 another the swabbing, ete. In heavy coremaking, Brit- ish foundrymen were much in advance, he asserted. Oil sand was more used in American foundries and the sand handling methods were excellent. Mr. Stubbs explained that American foundrymen did not give a hand-tool finish to machine molds, which was to be approved, he added, because either a mold- ing machine is a molding machine or it is not. Great provision is made for partings and patterns are kept in good repair. British foundries, he was sure, could beat American foundries in the production of heavy castings because their molds were better finished. Mr. Stubbs paid a big tribute to welfare work in American foundries. Thread Miller Arranged for Relieving A thread milling machine arranged for relieving taps, hobs and milling cutters has been placed on the market by the Waltham Machine Works, Waltham, Mass. A front view of the machine is shown herewith. The mechanism for relieving replaces the standard tape attachment of the company’s regular machine. A com pound taper attachment is used and the whole attach ment is arranged to travel forward and back, being actuated by a cam through levers, which are adjusi able to give the amount of relief desired. As the cam _makes one revolution for each flute, it can be cut to mill either concentrically or with the ordinary relie! or a combination of both. In order to use the gearing necessary for operating the relieving attachment fo: handling the required number of flutes, a special driv- ing mechanism is attached to the top of the workhead. There are two starting levers, one of which is used w when the machine is employed for relieving and the Motor-Driven Saw Bench, Front view with table tilted is at the right. tear view above shows motor mounting The saw arbor yoke is hinged and is raised and lowered by the hand lever. A % hp., 1800 r.p.m. motor is mounted on a swinging bracket as shown in the illus- tration. The belt is kept in proper tension by means of a turnbuckle device which raises and lowers the bracket with the motor. A heavy type snap switch is mounted conveniently, as shown. The cross cut gage can be used on either side of the saw and may be quickly set at any angle and clamped. Holes are provided to permit mounting an auxiliary wood face piece. The ripping gage can also be used on either side of the saw, and is tightened by means of a hand lever, which automatically lines it up with the saw at the same time. The saw guard is ad- justable to allow for varying thickness of stock. The splitter guard is fastened to the table back of the saw to keep the stock from pinching the saw. The bench type of machine is 10 in. high. When mounted on the floor column the top of the table is 32 in. from the floor. British View of American Foundries Oliver Stubbs, former president of the Institution of British Foundrymen, whom American foundrymen will remember as their visitor last year, said some very flattering things about American foundrymen and foundries at Manchester on Dec. 2. Big American foun- dries, he said, were better laid out and better equipped than British foundries. Handling facilities were supe- rior and the methods of automatically charging the cupolas were excellent. American foundries were handicapped because women could not handle cores over 16 lb. in weight; thus youths of 18 and 19 were doing work which would be done in British foundries by women. This, he said, prevented these youths from ever becoming skilled molders. British coremakers had not much to learn from Americans, the chief difference in practice being that whereas in Britain one man made a core, in Amer- ica the work was divided. one man doing the venting, other for ordinary threading. They are arranged so that when one is in use the other is locked. The compound taper attachment can be used not only for plain tapers in either direction and for straight milling, but also for a combination of straight and taper milling. The change from the straight to the Thread Milling Machine Arranged for Relieving. A compound taper attachment is used and the whole attachment arranged to travel forward and back taper is made automatically at any predetermined point and is said to be so gradual that there is no mark upon the work to show where the change takes place. Spira! and straight fluted work may be handled with equa! success and multiple as well as single threads may relieved. By disengaging the gear connection from the work spindle to the screw and using an indexing devic« for the spacing of the different cuts, the machine can be used for a variety of multiple cutter work. Constant speed single-pulley drive, interchangeab|: cone pulleys for feeds, compensating bar for varying the lead, individual oil pump equipment and other fea tures of the company’s regular machine, can be used with the new design. Directors of the Trumbull Steel Co., Warren, Oh Dec. 19 declared a dividend of 25c. per share on comm stock and $1.75 on preferred, both payable Jan. 1 holders of record Dec. 20. The common dividend is changed from the previous quarter. Deeember 28, 1922 FOR STUDYING MECHANISM Oscilloscope Visualizes Movements Under Work- ing Conditions— Vibrations Analyzed—Ap- plications Cover Wide Field A device known as the Elverson oscilloscope, which isually slows the motion of rapidly moving mechan- sms, so that their functioning or the lack of it can be ibserved, has been placed on the market by Herbert Kennedy & Co., Ltd., London, England, and is being emonstrated by Peter Davey who is making his head- uarters at the office of John H. Faunce, Inc., 8 Bridge street, New York. A view of the instrument is shown Elverson Oscilloscope Applied to high-speed mechanism, t visually slows down motion to a speed the eye can follow n the accompanying illustration. It was developed in England during the war and used by the British Gov- rnment in experimental work on airplane engines. The instrument can be used to advantage by makers ind users of high speed machinery, the movements and ibrations of which are made visible to the eye, by being pparently slowed down to a comfortably visual speed, vhich in the case of the type A instrument illustrated, 1 per cent of the true speed, this being considered the nost generally useful ratio. Applied to a mechanism hose movement rotating or oscillating is 1000 r.p.m., the movement can be followed at 10 r.p.m. By another ise of the device, the motion may be apparently ar- rested at any point in the cycle of operations, and the phenomena at that point examined, although the mechanism is actually still operating at full speed. It claimed that by means of the instrument imperfec- ns in the working of any mechanism may be seen, and their causes will be made apparent. The apparatus is simple, self-contained and com- pact, and is made up of a gear box, which is coupled to and driven by, a shaft of the mechanism examined; and which acts as an interrupter, controlling the flash- g of a special type of lamp, the rays of which may thrown on to any of the moving parts of the mechan- m, producing either of the effects outlined, by the op- peration of a simple switch mounted in the gear box. The effect seen is said to be similar to that produced by e ultra-rapid moving picture, except that the actual echanism is being observed and not a picture of it, and that the speed is reduced by a constant and invariable ratio. Further, actual measurements, both angular and near, may be taken under working conditions. Obser- tions are carried out in a subdued light, but total rkness is not essential. The current necessary for eration is supplied by a small 4 volt storage battery. Vibrations may be completely analyzed by means of i special feature of the device. By a simple adjustment, ‘ light interruptions may be regulated to give either e, two, or four flashes per revolution of the shaft, in either what is called the “creeping” or in the “station- vy” position. For example, a rapidly vibrating part ploying one flash per revolution in the “creeping” position, will appear to be slowly swaying to and fro. To determine its periodicity, it is next examined at two flashes per revolution. If with two flashes per revolu- THE IRON AGE tion, a double image of the vibrating part is produced, it is at once proved that the vibration is at shaft speed. Should it be necessary, however, to employ four flashes per revolution before a double image is produced, then it is proved that the vibration is at twice shaft speed. By applying the double image phenomena to the “sta- tionary” position, it is found that as we alter the posi- tion in the cycle which is being examined, the two images will appear to recede and approach one another. If the motion is arrested at the point where the images are at their maximum distance apart, we then have a measurement of the amplitude of the vibration. Thus, the three essentials in the analysis of a vibration, namely, direction, periodicity and amplitude are de- termined. The applications of the device cover a wide field. High speed internal combustion engines offer many problems in connection with the operation of valve gear, magnetos, shaft whip and twist, vibrations and fuel in- jection in Diesel engines, all of which may be easily solved. The motion of sewing and knitting machines may be minutely studied, as may the spinning and knitting operations in the production of thread. Fine mechanisms, such as tachometers and calculating ma- chines, can be studied with ease and their smaller parts magnified if necessary. A case where microscopic observations have been successfully taken is in connection with the double silk covering of very fine electric wire, where the exact lay of the minute silk strands and the effect of various vibrations upon them are said to have been made plainly visible. In metal testing it is claimed that the study of a fracture under fatigue or flexure tests has produced very useful results, and that study of the behavior of springs of all types under varying load makes the solu- tion of many problems simple. In gears and gear mountings, many problems may be investigated and a great deal learned about various forms of chain drive. Information may be obtained to aid in the balancing of high speed motors, since the vibrations due to the “out of balance” forces may be analyzed. In connection with lubrication, some of the phenomena which have been observed are said to have been very unexpected, the cir- culation of oil on fast moving parts in many cases, do- ing exactly the opposite to what was supposed. In this direction alone we have a most important application, which applies almost anywhere where high speed ma- chinery is employed. It is to be noted that photographs may bé taken of phenomena observed in the “station- ary” position. Standard Sample Metals with Certified Gas Content Frequent requests are now being received by the 3ureau of Standards for standard samples of iron hav- ing certified gas or oxygen content. These requests have come from technical schools and university labora- tories and experiment stations, from metallurgical! plants and from commercial research institutions. Prac- tically every request states that the material is required for the checking and standardization of analytical methods employed in investigating the effects of gas content upon the quality of some iron or steel product. Such requests are usually accompanied by questions for advice as to suitable methods of chemical analysis. Com- pletion of the Bureau’s work on methods of determina- tion of hydrogen and oxygen in metals will serve greatly to stimulate and assist such researches, besides calling attention to the Bureau’s facilities in this field of metal- lurgy. The Westinghouse Electric & Mfg. Co. has leased a 6-story building to be erected on a lot 100 x 150 ft. at Jones Avenue and Marietta Street, Atlanta, Ga., at a cost of $360,000. The building, which is to be known as the Westinghouse Electric Building, will be used as an office, warehouse, and service station. Construction work was started Dec. 1, and will probably be completed by next May. ORR