THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



[July 1, 1916. 



New Machines and Appliances. 



AUTOMATIC TIRE FABRIC LOOM. 



THE prominence that pneumatic tires have given to certain 

 fabrics has resulted in many improvements in the looms 

 on which building fabric is woven. The question of in- 

 creased production has been fully considered in the design and 

 construction of the loom shown in the illustration, which em- 

 bodies the latest improvements in machines of this type. 



These looms are generally equipped with automatic shuttle 

 changers so that changing by hand is eliminated. The maga- 

 zine carries six or seven shuttles filled with weft, and when the 

 yarn on a bobbin is exhausted the shuttle is automatically 

 thrown out and a new one substituted so that the loom con- 

 tinues to run without stopping as is necessary with the older 

 .types of looms. 



There are various claims as to the percentage of production, 

 ■but, broadly speaking, the average on each loom is from 80 to 

 '90 per cent of a theoretical production of 100 per cent; more- 

 over, the automatic loom is said to give better production and 

 the cloth is woven more perfectly. This loom, therefore, is a 

 decided improvement over the older type, where the filling or 

 weft is changed by hand. Ordinarily, with the automatic loom. 

 the amount of waste is less, referring particularly to the amount 



of yarn left on the bobbins, because the automatic feeder can be 

 set so that a very small amount is left. As the yarn used in 

 tire fabrics is very expensive, the question of waste is a very 

 essential matter to guard against. 



The looms are made in various widths from 48 to 90 inches. 

 As there has been some demand for long lengths of fabric 

 during the past year, the looms are equipped with an attach- 

 ment so that a roll of cloth 125, 250 and even 500 yards can be 

 rolled up in the loom as woven. Most of the tire fabric is made 

 from combed Sea Island or Egyptian yarn of the very best 

 quality and weighs 17^4 to 1714 ounces per square yard. The 

 number of picks per inch is usually 23^ to 23^, and the fabric 

 must be woven very carefully and free from knots. 



The looms are particularly heavy and in a way similar to 

 the duck loom, the widest weighing approximately three tons. 

 The speed is usually from 128 to 100 picks a minute, according 

 to the width; the wider the loom the slower the speed. They 

 are driven by belt or by motor, and a great many of the newer 

 mills are equipping with individual motor drive, which is a 



desirable advatitage. (Crompton & Knowles Loom Works, 

 Worcester, Massachusetts.] 



A NEW 16-TON DUPLEX VULCANIZING PRESS. 



Increased production and economy in floor space are the special 

 advantages claimed for the Duplex vulcanizing press shown in 

 the accompanying illustration. 



It is specially designed for tire 

 manufacturers, to be used in patching 

 slight defects in non-skid casing 

 treads ; however, it is readily adapt- 

 able to the manufacture of a variety 

 of small mechanical rubber goods. 



This press is built for 1,500 pounds 

 accumulator pressure and develops 

 15 tons on each side. The rams are 

 5 inches in diameter with a 4j4-inch 

 stroke, and spring returns or "pull 

 backs." The platens are 12 by H 

 inches, with 4}/^-inch mold space and 

 are connected by swing joints and 

 chambered for steam. Plain flat 

 platens can be furnished if desired. 

 Each side of the press is operated in- 

 dependently and continued by pat- 

 ented single pressure quick operating 

 valves. 



The weight of the machine is 1,450 

 pounds and it occupies a floor space 

 of 36 by 34 inches. Height over all 

 i'5 6 feet 7 inches and height of the platen from the floor is 3 

 feet. [Metalwood Manufacturing Co., Detroit, Michigan.] 



PREMIER ELECTRIC VULCANIZER. 



Tire repairing on the road, or, for that matter, in the garage, 

 is exceedingly simple, safe and sure, according to the claims made 

 for the Premier electric car repair vulcanizer. This handy little 

 device can be used in making repairs on casings and inner tubes 

 with ease and facility. Attach the wires to the storage batteries 

 or a 110 -volt 

 lighting circuit 

 and after pre- 

 paring the 

 tube or casing, 

 clamp on the 

 device and 

 press the red 

 button shown 

 in the illustra- 

 tion on the side 

 of t h e vulcan- 

 izer. When the 



vulcanizer develops sufficient heat to cure the repair, an auto- 

 matic temperature control instantly shuts off the current. 



The apparatus weighs but two pounds, and the standard 

 equipment includes a tool for holding open the cut when pre- 

 paring a casing, scissors for cutting the Para rubber gum, a 

 tube of quick curing cement, a piece of emery cloth for cleaning 

 and roughening the rubber, and wax papers to place over the 

 repair to prevent the vulcanizer from sticking. The vulcanizer 

 is fitted with a connecting cord and a durable chain for clamp- 

 ing to the work, the whole outfit being packed in a neat con- 

 tainer. [Premier Electric Co., Chicago, Illinois.] 



