The Iron Age 1923-09-20: Vol 112 Iss 12

THE IRON AGE New York, September 20, 1923 ESTABLISHED 1855 VOL. 112, No. 12 Traming Foundry Apprentices in France Making Directors of Molding Machine Operators and Foremen—Much of the Work Done in Green Sand Rather Dry BY H. N this country we frequently hear complaints and I amentations about the fact that nobody is mak- ing molders, but in France the old-fashioned ap- entice system still exists in many shops. A good ny apprentices are under instructions and will turn it to be fair molders. One plant is doing remarkable ining work, and to a large extent with nothing but lesire to further the foundry cause. This is the plant Ph. Bonvillain and E. Ronceray, of Paris, of which Roneeray is the head. fo f M. LANE This firm maintains a foundry which has two or three interesting functions. Ip the first place, it serves to turn out all the heavy and special castings required for the manufacture of their extensive line of molding machinery and foundry appliances. In the second place, it serves as a demonstration plant for their molding machines, and in the third place, in order to keep a plant of this kind running as a demonstration plant, it has been necessary to take in certain kinds of work and run a portion of the foundry as a jobbing shop. | iN ~*~ Besides Name and Age of Each Boy the Photographs Give Also thé Period of Apprenticeship and the Time Taken for the Several Castings 733 FR eet RT ET bs si 734 THE IRON AGE There are twenty or thirty young men learning the molding trade. In France these boys go to work at about thirteen years of age, and some even a few months earlier. They generally serve about four years. In the Ronceray plant the boys are given careful in- struction on molding, core making, operation and main- tenance of molding machines and pattern making, or pattern and plate making as it is practiced in connec- tion with the French molding machinery. The accompanying illustrations show a portion of the sample castings turned out by the boys for a prize competition which is carried on at least twice a year. Each boy makes a casting for this competition, and the castings are then judged by a committee of outside foiindrymen. In the final award of the prize, however, the boy’s general foundry conduct and diligence are taken into consideration. All of the castings shown in these illustrations were made by hand and most of them in dry sand molds. On the board at the side of the casting is chalked the name of the boy, his age, and the number of months’ apprenticeship he has served, and below this the number of hours which he spent in mak- ing the casting. Whenever a boy is given a pattern the method of molding is discussed with him, and he is given such in- struction as is necessary to assist him in turning out OXYGEN IN STEEL MAKING* Advantages Claimed from Its Use in the Bessemer and Open-Hearth Another field for the application of oxygen or oxygenated air is in the Bessemer process. We have available what might be termed intermediate ores, which, while they do not contain sufficient phosphorus to make the basic process possible, still have an amount of this element too high for use in the acid converter. If, however, the heat requirements for the process might be lowered below those of standard basic prac- tice to correspond with the lower phosphorus in the pig iron available, we would have a process which would utilize these rather unsatisfactory products to our advantage, securing a steel better in quality than that obtained by the acid Bessemer process, and as a by-product a high-phosphorus slag valuable for fertilizer. [Thermal requirements and heat balance are dis- cussed here. ] We can use a mixture of 3788 lb. of nitrogen and 2353 lb. of oxygen, or a 38 per cent oxygen blast, and obtain the same thermal results in the bath as was the case when blowing a high phosphorus bath with atmospheric air. To estimate the value of this process in dollars and cents will be difficult, for we have no standard basic practice against which to compare it. The best com- parison we can make is against the open-hearth prac- tice of making low-carbon steel. This comparison will cause criticism because Bessemer steel is recognized as inferior in quality to the open-hearth product. We will, however, risk still further criticism by making the assertion that by the use of oxygen-enriched blast we will be enabled to make Bessemer steel of almost as good quality as that of our average open-hearth steel In order to obtain some rough idea of cost com- parison, the present low-carbon open-hearth steel re- quires as fuel 600 lb. of gas coal per ton, which at present costs $7.50 per net ton delivered, or a fuel cost *Extract from an extensive report by a special com- mittee of the Bureau of Mines, organized to investigate the use of oxygen or oxygenated air in metallurgical and allied processes. It includes the blast furnace, Bessemer and open-hearth, ferromanganese and artificial gas. The chair- man of the committee is M. H. Roberts, consulting mechan- ical engineer, Bureau of Mines. The author of the report is F. W. Davis, metallurgist, Bureau of Mines. Minneapolis, Minn. The portion on blast furnace was published in THE TrRoN AGr, Sept. 13, that on ferromanganese elsewhere in this issue. September 20, 1923 a good piece. He is also shown the cause of various failures, and whenever a casting goes wrong, the entire class of apprentices holds a port-mortem on it to deter- mine the cause of the loss. They are also constantly criticizing each other’s work to try and improve the quality. The boys are generally allowed to pour their own work, and the en- tire crowd stands around until every mold is poured, and sometimes it is almost impossible to drive them out of the shop at any reasonable hour in the evening, par- ticularly when some interesting piece has been poured and they wish to see it shaken out. Every one of the boys is a bright, active fellow, and the interest they are taking in their trade is very marked indeed. To Americans the fact that most of them wore wooden shoes would be quite a novel feature. Another interesting thing in connection with the practice of this shop is the fact that the sand is worked much drier than it is in American shops, particularly for green sand work. As much of the work as possible is cast in green sand, and a good many difficult cast- ings are made in this way. Several of the best of the castings shown in this competition were of green sand. As the boys complete their apprenticeship most of them find positions in other foundries where they become directors of molding machine work or foremen. PO Or of $2.25 per ton of steel. With the proposed basic Bessemer process along the lines shown in the heat balance we would require 0.0448 ton of oxygen per ton of steel, or with oxygen available at $3 per ton, a cost of 13.44 cents for oxygen per ton of steel. Oxygen and the Open-Hearth Process According to Clements (Trans. Iron and Steel Insti- tute, May, 1922), the largest and most striking loss is that of heat lost by radiation from the bath and port ends or 44.20 per cent of total heat wasted. This figure impresses us as a most forceful argument that the open-hearth process stands in vital need of a “super- refractory.” The silica brick used for the roof and port ends of the furnace is the purest obtainable and, while it is the most suitable material available, it is in our estimation far from being an ideal refractory for even the present requirements. The brick as used today has a fair life as a refractory, but is in no sense of the word a heat insulator nor is the endurance of this material in the service to which it is subjected great enough to allow us to supplement it by a heat insulator. What the industry needs is a brick so resistant to heat and metallic fumes, and one of such thermal expansion, that it will not only serve as the silica brick does today—as an uncovered arch and wall—but will stand the still more severe test of being covered with a heat-insulating material to prevent, in a large measure, the too great heat loss through these sections. As to the possibility of obtaining such a material, we see no reason to say it can not be done. Price should be of secondary consideration,.for such a material once introduced would not only add ma- terially to the life of the furnace, but would save millions of dollars in fuel cost. In the matter of applying oxygen to metallurgical processes, our first thought is that of increasing temperatures. As our present refractories are now subjected to their maximum working temperatures, we will not consider the matter in that connection at present, but more with the idea of retaining a greater percentage of the total heat for a useful work than is the present practice. Clements gives the loss of heat by radiation from the regenerators as 15.50 per cent of the heat lost, and that from the chimney gases as 36.2 per cent of the heat lost. The chief function of the regenerating system in our present open-hearth process is that of increasing the temperature of com- bustion by adding sensible heat to the gases before they are burned. With oxygen available we will have another method of increasing the flame temperature, September 20, 1923 hich, instead of heating the gases, will simply decrease e amount of inert gases entering the furnace, and iting the calorific intensity of the reaction. Suppose it we go even farther than the regenerators, and H rt by replacing with pure oxygen the air now used e sperating the gas producers, increasing at the same 5 .e the steam used in order to dampen the higher F ducer temperature otherwise obtained. We will now ire a fuel gas of greater calorific power which may burned from one end of the furnace only, using mixture of oxygen and air, the oxygen content of hich may be regulated as our temperature require- nts dictate. From the exhaust end of the furnace, tead of passing through regenerators with their ac- mpanying expense and heat loss, let us carry the duced volume of gas through a waste-heat boiler, ver its temperature to 300 deg. C., and utilize the at above this temperature in the generation of steam. With a process of this nature we will not only minate the checkerwork, but will take a big stride the way of efficient combustion and proper direction the flame. In our present furnace, any mixing of and fuel gas must be done in a crude manner, in the only burner possible, in order to withstand action of the intensely hot gases and flame during if of the operation, must be of a highly refractory aterial, and even this is always losing efficiency as cas mixer due to its “slagging” away. If it were necessary to reverse the flow of gases to the furnace, it would become possible to construct an «ficient burner which would not only effect a perfect nixture of the gases, but which might be used effec- vely to direct the flow of gas in any manner desired. it is just possible that, with a device of this kind, we ould be able to direct the flame to follow the bath ore closely than is possible today, and relieve the roof to some extent of its high-temperature condition. cette aes ae Available Fuel in Open-Hearth Process Another phase of the question of the use of oxygen in the open-hearth is found in the matter of available fuel. The ordinary process requires for success large volumes of gas made from the most expensive grade of industrial coal, but we feel assured that suitable gas an be manufactured from much cheaper material by the aid of oxygen, and in this line it is well to consider blast furnace gas. This fuel is unsuitable for open- hearth work because it is a low-calorific, slow-burning gas, practically devoid of illuminants. Burning blast- furnace gas with oxygen will not improve this lack of illuminants, but it will increase the speed of com- bustion and increase the calorific intensity of the flame beyond that of current open-hearth practice. This is nly one of the many cheap fuels which should be tried n this respect. Chemical Problems of the Open-Hearth The open-hearth process is essentially one of oxida- tion. Pig iron and scrap steel are charged in a fur- nace, melted down, and the impurities are oxidized out, leaving as a product a material which has lost a great part of its phosphorus, sulphur, silicon, manganese and arbon, the chief oxidizing agent being iron ore. In introducing iron ore we are also introducing further impurities, mainly phosphorus and silica, which have : tendency to lower the quality of the product. If we ould accomplish our oxidation by means of oxygen we would avoid these additional impurities. Our next consideration is the time element. To ‘xidize a bath to the desired quality, using iron ore, requires from 3 to 5 hr., but if we would use oxygen ‘or this purpose it may be accomplished in less than 0 min. Oxidation by iron ore is an endothermic re- iction, as it requires the reduction to iron of the ore charged, and therefore absorbs heat in the furnace. Oxidation by oxygen is highly exothermic and will add greatly to the available heat in the bath, another factor which will tend to shorten the process. As to cost, we pay from $4 to $6 per ton of iron ore for this purpose. This ore contains about 90 per cent Fe.O; or 27 per cent available oxygen. We are of course utilizing the iron content of the ore as well, but that is incidental to the fact that the ore is used THE IRON AGE 735 for its oxidizing power; 98 per cent oxygen for this purpose at $3 per ton will compare favorably in the cost balances to 27 per cent oxygen introduced as ore at a cost of from $4 to $6 per ton even when crediting the latter practice with the iron retained in the bath. Also, inasmuch as this process will decrease the time requirements by about 3 hr., our capacities will be greatly increased and our fuel and overhead charges reduced accordingly. In speaking of chemical possibilities connected with the use of oxygen in the open-hearth furnace, it is well to consider the higher quality steels. Steel made properly in the electric furnace is recognized as being of superior grade and purity to open-hearth steel, and commands a much higher price. One of the main fac- tors which makes the difference in the two products is the almost total absence of oxides in electric steel, which is accomplished by finishing the steel under very reducing conditions. The current open-hearth process is incapable of duplicating these reducing conditions, inasmuch as the products of combustion are always of an oxidizing nature, and for that reason a highly reducing slag, such as is necessary in the electric process for the final purification, can not be main- tained. However, if we have oxygen available in the open-hearth, we will be enabled to maintain sufficient flame temperature by partial combustion of the gas, and in this manner make possible a highly reducing atmosphere in the furnace. Under these conditions a reducing slag may be made, and the bath cleaned of its oxides, producing a steel which will be equal in every respect to that made in the electric furnace. General Conclusions The foregoing study of the open-hearth process has convinced us of the following: 1. While the application of oxygen for combustion in the open-hearth will effect some saving in fuel energy, with our present refractories the saving will be in the form of a by- product and not of practical value. However, if we can prepare refractories which will withstand much higher tem- peratures, the application of oxygen to the process will be of great value, both in saving fuel and increasing materially the speed of the process. 2. That the application of oxygen for combustion with an idea of substituting cheaper fuel for the very expensive fuel used today is a field of particular promise. 3. Taken from the standpoint of quality of product, the substitution of oxygen for air in the last part of the process will enable us to make, in the open-hearth furnace, steel of electric furnace quality. 4. That the substitution of oxygen for the iron ore now used ag an oxidizing agent will not only give a higher grade product, but it will decrease the time required for the process by about 3 hours. United States Exports Among the 50 largest items of American exports in the first half of 1923, grouped according to value, there were five items of iron and steel products, seven of machinery, two of nonferrous metals, while coal and coke, considered together, occupy second position of the entire group, being exceeded only by raw cotton. Figured by quantity rather than by dollar value, the largest item of all of our exports, both in 1922 and 1923, consisted of coal and coke, which show more than double the quantity this year than was shipped last year. Exports not expressed in pounds included automo- biles, to the extent of 69,941 passenger cars and 11,578 trucks and buses in 1923, both being more than double last year’s figures. Locomotives fell off from 212 to 112, but agricultural tractors jumped from 3926 to 10,223, while freight cars at 7481 in 1923 were almost four times the 1957 of the previous year. During the first half of 1923 our best customer was Great Britain, with Canada, Germany, France, Japan, Cuba, Italy, Mexico, Argentina, Australia, Netherlands and China following in the order named. Each of these 12 countries took upward of $50,000,000 of goods. Our sources of imports in the six months, again carrying the figure to the $50,000,000 mark, were, in order: Cuba, Great Britain, Canada, Japan, Straits Settle- ments, China, Argentina, Germany, France, India, Mexico, Brazil and Chile. 4 ; ; 4s W ashing Limestone tor Blast Furnace Use Plant Electrically Driven from Quarry to Storage Bins and Almost Automatic Effort to Get a Flux Free from Dirt N response to complaints of dirty limestone from blast furnace operators, particularly those repre- sented in the Southern Ohio Pig Iron and Coke As- sociation, an installation of a washing equipment for cleaning the stone has been made at plant X of the Marble Cliff Quarries Co., Columbus, Ohio. The stone deposits of the company are, generally speaking, about 50 ft. in depth, and the fluxing stone ledges lie usually about 20 ft. below the surface. All stone above this depth is used as ballast and in road for the Trans vortation System Is rransmitted Through a Third Rail An ele t! illy oper ited T¢ er iz in prevents ns on the single- ic Ket portion ol line the bridge showr ipper Above The Loos- ened Stone Is Loaded into Dump Cars by Steam Shovels, the Fire- men of Which Spot th Empties and 1lso Deliver the Loaded Cars to the Main Line \ Right - The Operator of No. 2 Tower Controls the Movement of the Cars Loaded and Empties, for a dis- tance of Three- fourths of a Mile work. The stone is quarried by steam shovels, after be- ing blasted, and loaded into 15-ton dump cars for trans- portation to the crushers and washing apparatus. The system of transportation used is an indication of the economical processes evident throughout the plant, as only four men are required to operate the system from the stone ledge to the primary crusher. The transportation system used is the Woodford re- mote control system, electrically operated through a third rail. The line is double tracked with the excep- 736 a calla Pra. ‘eptember 20, 1923 After Being Scrubbed the Stone Passes Through Rins- ing Screens, Which Remove the Last Particles of Dirt from the Flux. Storage bins are located beneath this series of screens, from which the stone is loaded into rail- road cars for shipment to the blast furnace tion of the portion crossing a bridge about midway be- tween the quarry and the crusher. When the car is filled with stone by the steam shovel, the shovel fire- man, who also spots the cars for loading, by means of a push button located on the shovel, starts the car on its way to the crusher. The fireman of the shovel usually controls the movement of the cars for a dis- tance of 150 ft., though this distance depends on the location of the shovel, and he delivers them to the main line, where an operator in a tower, located where he can secure a view of the entire quarry, takes charge of THE IRON AGE 737 Car Dumper at the Primary Crusher The car reversing cam is shown at the left The Scrubber Oper- ates Similarly to a Tumbling Barrel The bucket elevator carries the stone to the rinsing screens the loaded car for a distance of about one-quarter of a mile. He in turn delivers the cars to the second tower- man, who handles it for a distance of about three-quar- ters of a mile. The importance of this man’s position is evident when it is said that it is his duty to handle the cars, both loaded and empty, over a bridge 350 ft. long, which is only single tracked. To prevent any possible chance of a collision occurring on this bridge, reversing cams have been installed at each end. This prevents cars from either direction going upon the bridge unless re- ee SN a aN TEES, on 738 leased by the tower operator. Thus it is impossible for a collision to occur through lack of observation from the tower. A third tower operator handles the cars a distance of about 1000 ft., and as he is located directly opposite the primary crusher, he also operates the car dumper. When the loaded cars reach the dumper a cam arrange- ment automatically reverses them for the trip back to the quarry. An elaborate system of electrically con- trolled switches gives great flexibility to the movement of the cars, enabling the operators to keep four steam shovels, operating at distant parts of the quarry, con- tinuously supplied with empties. The first step in actually preparing the flux for blast furnace use is when the stone is dumped into the primary crusher, operated by a 200-hp. motor. Some pieces of stone weigh as much as 5 tons. The crushed stone drops upon a 60-in. rubber belt conveyor driven by a 75-hp. motor and is dumped into the main hopper in the screen house. From this hopper it is fed to two main screens, and the sizes between 8 in. and 4% in. drop into the bins built beneath. The larger pieces of stone pass over the screen to conveyors, and then through chutes to three smaller sized crushers to be further broken up. From these crushers the stone is picked up by bucket elevators and taken to a series of what are called re-screens, and the different sizes soon find their way to the proper bins for loading. The stone destined for blast furnace use is conveyed over a 30-in. belt conveyor to the washing plant. This conveyor is elevated about 30 ft. from the ground, and the stone enters a chute for the descent into the scrub- ber. The water for washing purposes is pumped into the chute at the same time as the stone. THE IRON AGE September 20, 1923 The stone and water enter the scrubber, a revolving cylinder 30 ft. long and 5 ft. in diameter, driven by a 100-hp. motor, at one end. On the inside of the serub- ber is a series of fins riveted to the casing for the pur- pose of forcing the stone forward to the discharge end of the scrubber; end the revolving action of the evlin- der, throwing stone against stone, tumoling over and over, and being forced forward, puts all particles of dirt into suspension in the water. The water from this scrubber is wasted away at the discharge end. The washed stone is discharged from the scrubber to a continuous bucket elevator, and is conveyed to a series of revolving, cone-shaped rinsing screens rang- ing from 1% in. down to “sand.” Flux stone sizes pass over the 1%4-in. screens. All stone passing through 14 in. is separated into smaller sizes and prepared for uses other than flux. Clean, fresh water is continually played on these screens, both inside and outside, and as a result, when the stone passes through and over the screens to the storage bins, it is free from dirt of any kind. The flux is then ready for loading into railroad cars for shipment to the blast furnaces. The sand ac- cumulated in the washing operation is conveyed into settling tanks, and from there by a bucket conveyor to storage bins. The entire plant, operated electrically and almost automatically, requires a minimum of workmen, From the primary crusher to the storage bins, the plant re- quires only fifteen men to operate it, and in this num- ber are included electricians, oilers, millwrights and crusher attendants. The plant has a rated capacity of 3000 tons of flux per 10-hr. day, but as high as 4200 tons of all sizes have been produced and shipped dur- ing this period. Portable Sandslinger Molding Machine A portable type Sandslinger molding machine of particular interest to general jobbing shops has been added to the line of the Beardsley-Piper Co., 312 Union -ark Court, Chicago. Unusual flexibility is an outstanding - feature claimed. The jointed arm has a radius of 10 ft., and if a mold is too large and the operator cannot reach or cover the entire flask being rammed, the machine may be lifted and placed in a new position and the ramming finished. It can be used on molds of any size and will ram to a depth of 10 ft. It is said to be used economically on pit jobs or any flask or pit con- taining from 5 cu. ft. of sand up to the largest molds, and ram 10 cu. ft. or 1000 Ib. of sand per minute, ram- ming all that three men can shovel. The velocity of the sand varies with the class of work. It is claimed that the machine will not wear or damage the pattern, as the first sand out of the ramming head covers and protects it. The machine is_ electrically driven and compressed air is not required. A hydraulic leveling de- vice incorporated in the base is said to permit of quick leveling-up as soon as the machine is placed on the floor. The sand is shoveled into a hopper and carried by the vertical bucket elevator to an oscillating riddle. Scrap, gaggers and other refuse in the sand work to the front of the riddle and are delivered to a chute and finally into a scrap box mounted on the arm. Riddled sand is deposited on a hopper on the impeller arm and is car- ried to the impeller head by a conveyor belt, the im- peller head discharging the sand into the mold by cen- trifugal force. The impeller head, which is the vital part of the machine, not only throws sand at high velocity but forms it into wads or compressed handfuls preparatory to projecting it into the flask. Three sep- arate motors are used, one for the impeller head and belt conveyor, one for the riddle, and one for the bucket elevator. On Aug. 9 the Ford Motor Co. produced 7225 cars and trucks; on Aug. 11, 7236; on Aug. 13, 7270. Each, in turn, was a new high record. Assigned Car Order Case Postponed WASHINGTON, Sept. 18.—The Interstate Commerce Commission has again postponed the effective date of its assigned car order, delaying it this time from Oct. Unusual Flexibility Is Claimed for this Portable Type of Molding Machine, Which Has a Jointed Arm with 10-Ft. Radius and May Be Moved from Place to Place During the Ramming of a Large Mold. It will ram depth of 10 ft. 1 to Nov. 1. It is understood that the reason for this action was to permit the commission an opportunity to give further study to applications for reopening of the case. Among those who have sought a rehearing to a are iron and steel producers who own private railroad cars. iahieeoenes President Coolidge’s Tariff Policy White House Will Follow the Limited Inquiry Plan of President Harding—Commission Expected to Begin Work Abroad at Early Date BY L. W. WASHINGTON, Sept. 18.—Having resumed hearings ler the flexible provisions of the Fordney-McCumber ict, following its summer recess, interest is being mani- sted as to when the Tariff Commission may author- investigations abroad under these provisions. It ad been expected that such authority would be granted fore the commission began its recess, but, for some ason as yet unexplained, such authority has not been en. Disturbed economic conditions of Europe have been ntioned as one cause for the delay, but this has not en accepted as an entirely adequate reason. It has en pointed out that conditions in Europe have been far from normal ever since the armistice, but despite hat fact it had been originally intended to begin in- stigations abroad under the flexible provisions. An- ther reason for the delay, which is given a great deal credence, is the change in the Administration rought about by the death of President Harding. The mmission is said to have been about ready to author- ze investigations abroad, but was compelled to aban- don the plan because of the unexpected death of Mr. Harding. The result was that the commission faced an entirely new situation. After a rather heated dispute between two groups in the commission, although state- ments of the commission have sought to deny there was any serious difference of opinion, the late President Harding had mapped out a program upon which the commission should proceed. President Harding’s Position Mr. Harding took the view of the group headed by Chairman Marvin of the commission that the latter was not empowered to open wide without limitation any or all schedules of the tariff act with a purpose to making investigations upon its own initiative and recommend- ing any changes that it might feel were justified. It was the Culbertson group which had conceived the idea that the commission did have such a blanket authority and this variance of view in the commission became so pointed, according to reports that apparently are well founded, that it was taken before Mr. Harding, and was settled by him. With the commission given to understand its limi- tations, it had proceeded to follow out the program and in doing so to authorize investigation abroad. But upon the advent of Mr. Coolidge as President, the com- mission is said to have been uncertain as to what his attitude might be. The President recently made it known that he was opposed to tariff tinkering and desired that business be not disturbed unnecessarily and made it plain that he would not authorize changes in rates under the flex- ible provisions unless investigations of the commission made it clear that revisions were thoroughly justified. President Coolidge’s Policy Not until last Friday, however, did it become known at the White House that President Coolidge proposes in effect to follow the program of Mr. Harding with respect to limitations of the commission. It was clearly indicated that President Coolidge shares the view which was held by Mr. Harding that the commission has no authority to make wholesale investigations on its own initiative which would be equivalent to actual and com- plete tariff revision. At the same time, it was made known that President Coolidge is of the opinion that the commission does have authority to initiate certain investigations without waiting for the filing of formal 739 MOFFETT complaints by those who are seeking changes in rates under the flexible provisions. It is believed, however, that President Coolidge will look askance upon and will discountenance any efforts to initiate widespread investigations, but will insist that they be restricted entirely to studies and hearings that are shown by out- standing facts to have been well taken. It was made plain also that before initiating investigations the com- mission will be required to get the approval of the President. With this view of President Coolidge becoming known, it is believed that the commission in the near future will announce plans to begin investigations abroad. Among those which it is expected will be scheduled first are those relating to pig iron and Swiss files. It had been expected that these investigations would be under way by the first or middle of August. The domestic inquiry as to these two subjects has been completed. It is assumed that the investigation as to magnesite in which the applicant is seeking a reduction of rates, as contrasted with application in the pig iron and Swiss file cases, in which increased rates are sought, will not be undertaken abroad until after the domestic inquiry has been completed. For Higher Duty on Swiss Files Application for a higher duty on Swiss files was made to the commission by the American Swiss File & Tool Co., Elizabeth, N. J., through its president, P. F. Reichhelm. The Swiss File & Tool Co. particularly is desirous of better protection on the smaller size files, up to 6 in., according to the application. It is pointed out by Mr. Reichhelm that in 1920 total sales of agents of the company were $262,968.38. The entire product of the company was sold to E. P. Reichhelm & Co., Inc., thus relieving the producing company of the selling and administration overhead. At that time, the total over- head of the company, according to the application, was about 82 per cent. The president of the company stated that it was the belief of the company that it would be greatly to its advantage to sell direct to jobbers and therefore in 1921 the company became its own distributor. This in- volved the building up of the sales organization and executive expense, which it is declared, would have been out of proportion even if the sales remained at the 1920 figure, but the application says the sales in 1921 dropped to $107,521. The overhead with labor at part time is placed at 134 per cent. With the sales decreas- ing, the application points out, it became necessary to work on part time, which increased the burden. The petition adds: “All of this was suddenly imposed upon this organi- zation when the business depression reached its peak, but we feel we will be better off in the long run to sell direct to distributors even though we must temporarily suffer the penalty of carrying the added selling expense, because the signs already have indicated a healthy in- crease in our business.” Passing upon a complaint of the National Supply Co. of Pennsylvania versus the Baltimore & Ohio, et al., against a rate of 27c. on wrought iron pipe from Pitts- burgh to Mannington, W. Va., the Interstate Commerce Commission has ordered the carriers to reduce the rate to 19c. not later than Nov. 26. Reparation also was awarded. ' ; : a TE ha oe a 5 Be FT “NIE a peace: 740 THE IRON T-Slot Milling Machine Designed especially for the rapid production of T-slots in locomotive driving box adjusting wedges, the combination milling and drilling machine shown has recently been built by the Harrington Co., Phila- delphia. One side of the machine is equipped with a drill spindle provided with hand and power feed with auto- matic trip. Two holes on close centers are drilled in each wedge block, thus removing most of the meta! for the subsequent milling operation. The vertically adjustable table under the drill spindle has adjustable guides and variable stops to facilitate rapid drilling. The two strips on the table are adjustable sideways to the width of any wedge block. The block to be drilled is placed between the guide strips and pushed Two Tables, One for Drilling and One for Milling, Féature Milling Machine The combination This T-Slot provides rapid production back against the first adjustable end stop. This stop is adjusted so as to locate properly the first hole. Then the wedge block is pushed back against the second stop and the second hole drilled. These two holes can be seen at the right end of the wedge block on the floor at the left. The milling side of the machine has two parallel spindles, running at different speeds and driven by spiral gearing flooded with oil. The milling table has vertical adjustment and carries a compound table with movement, in and out, parallel to the axis of the spindles and also transverse movement at right angles to that axis. The transverse movement has power feed and automatic trip for stopping the feed at any predetermined depth. , A specially designed vise mounted on the table, holds the wedge blocks with a narrow edge uppermost. The sliding jaw is quickly clamped by a hand wheel and screw, an adjustable stop determines the depth of the T-slot and a clamp over the top of the jaws prevents the work from raising. The left hand spindle, rotating rapidly, drives a straight end mill and the right hand “spindle, rotating slowly, drives a T-slot cutter, so that both cut at about the same surface speed. The table is fed from left to right, the end mill first removing the metal left by the drilling operation and then the T-slot is cut in AGE September 20, 1923 as the work is fed toward the right-hand spindle. A base extension carries the belt-connected motor. This should preferably be of the adjustable speed type, to give a range of spindle speeds for cutting different materials. Four different feeds can be obtained by means of constant center change gears. It is claimed that the use of this machine materially reduces cost of production as well as increases the output per man- hour. The machine is so compact that comparatively little floor space is required. Works, Cranes, Celebrates Fiftieth Anniversary The Industrial Works, Bay City, Mich., celebrated its fiftieth anniversary with a convention and dinner at Bay City, Sept. 6, 7 and 8. Twenty-one members of the branch offices and agencies of the company were present at the convention. The dinner, which included the force at the plant, numbered more than 300. Each guest was presented a small booklet containing the his- tory of the Industrial Works from 1873 when the com- pany was formed to take over the shop of the Mac- Dowell Foundry Co. at Bay City, through the period of repair work on saw-mills and the galvanizing of salt well piping, the period of building engines, boilers, gang saws and circular saws, the development into marine engineers and later into builders of steam shovels for use on standard gage railroads, which was only a short step into the company’s present line of wrecking cranes and locomotive cranes. The booklet is amply illustrated with drawings of the company’s executives, the plant at various stages of its develop- ment and its cranes from the type of 1882 to that of 1923. At the dinner on the evening of Sept. 7, Everett C. Wood, the plant engineer, was toastmaster. Among the speakers were William L. Clements, president, who spoke on “Our Golden Anniversary”; Charles R. Wells, secretary and treasurer, whose address was “Fifty Years a Treasurer”; Steven Martell, blacksmith of the Industrial Works for the past 43 years, who spoke on “Our Plant 43 Years Ago”; Fred L. Wild, whose sub- ject was “Our Plant 24 Years Ago”; Walter B. Perry, superintendent, who described “Our Plant Today”; and Ernest B. Perry, general manager, whose address was “Fifty Years of Progress.” Industrial Builder of Locomotive Building Koppers Ovens Of the 711 new type ovens, for which the Koppers Co., Pittsburgh, took contracts since last fall, 37 al- ready are completed and in operation, these composing the plant of the Weirton Steel Co., Weirton, W. Va., and most of the remainder will be built and in opera- tion by next summer. The first of six units of 61 ovens each of the addition to the Clairton, Pa., plant of the Carnegie Steel Co. will be completed soon after the turn of 1924. The Koppers Co. expects to complete the 11 ovens it is building for the Battle Creek Gas Co., Battle Creek, Mich., around the first of Novem- ber; the battery of 33 ovens for the Columbia Steel Co., Salt Lake City, by next spring; the 61 ovens for the Republic Iron & Steel Co., Youngstown, in November; 19 ovens for the Consumers Power Co., Zilwaukee, Mich., in December; the addition to the plant at Lacka- wanna Works, Bethlehem Steel Co., 114 ovens, next spring; the 47 ovens for the Trumbull-Cliffs Furnace Co., Warren, Ohio, next summer; and the 23 ovens for the Diamond Alkali Co., Alkali, Ohio, next spring. After a shutdown of four weeks, during which ex- tensive improvements had been made to the plant, the blooming and bar mills of the Andrews Steel Co., New- port, Ky., resumed operations Saturday last. The plant of the Newport Rolling Mill Co. resumed on Sunday night. — Cn nn alte se Eugeenaee ae International Work in Testing Cast Tron Foundrymen’s Congress at Paris Takes Important Action —Chemical Specification for Pig Iron Favored —A European Malleable Association (By Cable) PARIS, FRANCE, Sept. 15.—The four days’ technical ssions of the International Foundrymen’s Congress, -hich was held under Government sanction, ended to- ay. The attendance was large and the meeting, with ts accompanying exhibition, was a pronounced success. Visitors were in attendance from eight different coun- es, the American delegation numbering 30 persons. At the opening session on Wednesday Director L. .e of the Government Ministry of Technical Instruc- on, presided. On the platform were presidents of four itional associations: E. Ramas of the Association lechnique Fonderie de France; G. H. Clamer of the \merican Foundrymen’s Association; Oliver Stubbs of he Institution of British Foundrymen, and M. Leonard the Belgian association. There were the usual greetings and responses, Presi- ent Ramas making the opening address. The principal aper of the morning was on molding sand and the itter part of the session was given up to a discussion nn the testing of cast iron. A resolution advocating the beginning of international work on specifications was seconded on behalf of the eight nations repre- sented and adopted unanimously. Thursday’s technical session was in English, papers on testing and on molding sand being presented by members of the American Foundrymen’s Association and the Institution of British Foundrymen. There was also a discussion of the desirability of adopting chemi- ‘al specifications for pig iron. A resolution advocating the use of such specifications was carried unanimously. The technical session of Friday, Sept. 14, was given up to papers and discussions on malleable castings. One outcome of this session was the formation of a Euro- pean malleable asseciation, which will deal with tech- nical but not commercial questions. The closing session this morning had before it the apprenticeship question and the proposal for the prepa- ration of an international dictionary of foundry terms. The Minister of Technical Education presented medals to the association presidents in attendance, also prizes to exhibitors and to apprentices in the foundry schools. The exhibition, which was located in the Govern- ment trade school building, was on a large scale and was highly creditable. There were educational exhibits of patterns and castings, and in the equipment section molding machines and sand treating machinery were shown in operation. The registration of exhibitors reached 450 and there were 1500 visitors. Visiting ladies were entertained by a committee which took them to many points of interest in Paris. The closing ban- quet was a memorable occasion. The American party scattered soon after the convention, the greater part taking the tour of Belgian battlefields. The organization of international testing work, the resolution favoring the adoption of chemical pig iron. specifications, and the organization of the European Malleable Association have been commented on as the outstanding features of the congress. What American Foundrymen Saw in Great Britain (Special Correspondence) LONDON, ENGLAND, Sept. 5.—On the afternoon of Aug. 28 the American foundrymen’s party entrained to Sheffield, where they were met by a reception com- mittee of the Sheffield foundrymen and brought to the Royal Victoria Hotel. The evening was spent in get- ting acquainted as also in meeting friends gained by correspondence. At the Hadfield Plant On Wednesday morning, Aug. 29, the party was motored out to the Hecla works of Hadfields, Ltd. Sir Robert Hadfield had come down from London especially for the visit and with P. B. Brown, the managing direc- tor, received the visitors and showed them about the great plant. The principal products are manganese steel castings up to 35 tons in weight, entering into all kinds of industries, high grade steels for drilling and cutting purposes, crushing machinery parts, shells, guns, etc. The works, covering a great acreage, are peculiarly well laid out, with large buildings admirably lighted and with equipment driven electrically and of advanced types. The word quality is written all over the establishment in its best sense, for the record of good work produced, even during the war stress, is un- surpassed, After seeing the electric furnaces at work, observ- ing the action of the great shell piercing press, the railroad crossing and frog shop, the rolling mills for fine steels, etc., the party was entertained at lunch, with Sir Robert presiding, and giving an address of welcome and an explanation of the principles involved 741 in the plant development. The usual toasts were drunk, responses being by President Clamer of the A. F, A., and Mr. Brown of Hadfields, Ltd. On adjournment motion pictures were shown in the dining room of the works, illustrating many phases of the work done at the plant, particularly during the busy war days. The party was photographed and then taken across the dividing line into the great works of Edgar Allen & Co., whose specialty is in railroad crossings and track work, with large steel casting facilities for all classes of work. One of the special features was a sand stor- age with conveying systems for proper mixing and final milling arrangements for producing a molding sand suitable for the high grade work made. Steel from con- verters was poured at extremely high temperatures over the lip of the ladles, and this was made possible by the attainment of the highest degree of refractori- ness in the sand in the first place. The resulting cast- ings were notably smooth and clean as a consequence. Another luncheon was served, through the courtesy of the Allen company, during which Mr. Clamer, as president of the American Foundrymen’s Association, conveyed the thanks of the delegation to the officers of the Allen works. There was a brief response by the manager. In the meantime the ladies of the party had been entertained at tea by Mrs. T. H. Firth, at Prior Bank, one of the splendid homes of England. The rain, unfortunately, prevented taking full advantage of a motor run to the Derwent Valley Water Works. A formal dinner was given in the evening by the Sheffield and district branch of the Institute of British cee os eee an pol gee a wt 4 aa 742 THE IRON AGE Foundrymen. John Shaw, president of the district branch of the institute, served as chairman, and there were present as additional guests the Lord Mayors of Sheffield and Rotherham, as also Sir Robert Hadfield. After the usual toasts to the King and the President, V. E. Minich, New York, toasted the City and Com- merce of Sheffield, to which Lord Mayor W. C. Fenton responded. Sir Robert Hadfield then toasted the Amer- ican Foundrymen’s Association, President G. H. Clamer responding; and lastly Dr. Richard Moldenke toasted the Institution of British Foundrymen, to which Past President T. H. Firth of the institute responded. British vs. American Test Bar Practice Thursday, Aug. 30, was given over to a motor ride in the environments of Sheffield, visiting many points of interest. The American party left for Manchester Friday, Aug. 31, in the afternoon. In the evening Dr. Richard Moldenke addressed a meeting of the Sheffield branch of the institute, remaining behind the party for the purpose. He spoke on “American Foundry Prac- tice,” taking up present tendencies and methods of operation. The discussion that followed, in which Doc- tors Hatfield and Longmuir took part, among others, brought out several interesting facts. One was that English foundry iron blast furnaces were run very easy, seldom making more than 75 to 100 tons a day—often tapping out but twice in 24 hours and hence yielding high carbon and high quality metal. The analyses, day by day, were widely varying, however, and hence care- ful checking up of pig iron purchases was essential. Again, on the subject of specifications—particularly on the matter of test bars—the consulting engineers who were called in by the purchaser of castings had their own ideas on the subject and dominated the foun- drymen to an extent that would not always be tolerated in the United States. Hence the direct statement that test bars should represent castings, and consequently one bar is insufficient. This is entirely contrary to the American conception, which holds that the test bar simply gives the quality of the iron going into the castings and in no way represents the castings them- selves. This controversy will probably be the bone of con- tention at the Paris meeting of the foundrymen, as without some modification of the viewpoint of either side an agreement on an international basis will be impos- sible. Address by Doctor Moldenke Doctor Moldenke repeated his address before the Manchester branch of the Institute of British Foundry- men at the College of Technology, Saturday afternoon, Sept. 1, where another large audience of feundrymen and metallurgists met him. The discussion was just as animated as at Sheffield, and among other things brought out the fact that some of the foundrymen present agreed with the American viewpoint on the subject of test bars. There was a long discussion on rational cupola practice, desulphurization of cast iron, the abuse of shot in the cupola, fluxing, and many other topics such as are of equal interest in the United States. One interesting item came to light incidentally. The late Thos. D. West was born in Manchester, Eng- land, and the American party came to this city on an anniversary day of his birth. His son, Ralph West, of the West Steel Casting Co., Cleveland, a member of the party, was able to obtain a certificate of birth of his father, and located the old home. All the foundrymen of Manchester united in paying a tribute to the memory of this g