606 



CALICO-PRINTmG 



motion. Fig. 351 represents a 12-colour printing-machine of Mather and Platt; A, 

 the bowl or cylinder ; B, copper printing rollers on mandrels ; c, wooden furnishing- 



rollers, (one nip only shown in section) ; D, copper colour box, (one nip only shown 

 in section) ; E, blocks or journals for carrying the mandrels and copper rollers, the 

 blocks being adjustable by screws for fitting the pattern ; F, setting-up screws for 

 giving the pressure of copper rollers on to cloth being printed ; G, framing of machine 

 with nips or horns cast on in which the blocks work ; H, the white cloth to be printed 

 running from batch through machine and thence to drying apparatus ; i, grey or 

 intermediate cloth ; K, blanket or back-cloth. The cuts here given with the excep- 

 tion of fig. 348 do not show any gearing or connection with the motive power, as to 

 show this effectually several more drawings would be required, and the arrangement 

 will naturally suggest itself to those conversant with mechanics. 



The system of turning cylinder-machines, patented by Mr. Joseph Leese, possesses 

 several advantages. In this plan a small high-pressure oscillating engine is attached 

 directly to the axis of the large cylinder, thereby dispensing with the heavy gearing 

 and shafting required when machines are turned by a largo stationary engine ; 

 the machine printer also has perfect command over the speed of the machine, and can 

 fit the pattern, when it is turning very slowly, with more convenience than on the 

 usual system. On this system also machines can be put down in any portion of the 

 works, and are independent of the stationary engine. 



This system of turning is now employed in most modern print-works, or where new 

 machines have been put down. 



Four-, five-, and six-colour machines, similar to the above, are now at work in many 

 establishments in Lancashire, which will turn off a piece of 28 yards per minute, each 

 of the three or four cylinders applying its peculiar part of the pattern to the cloth as 

 it passes along, by ceaseless rotation of the unwearied wheels. At this rate, the 

 astonishing length of one mile of many-coloured web is printed with elegant flowers 

 and other figures in an hour. When we call to mind how much knowledge and skill 

 are involved in this process, we may fairly consider it as the greatest achievement of 

 chemical and mechanical science. 



The printers of goods intended for hangings, which are generally of elaborate floral 

 designs, employ machines capable of printing from 10 to 20 colours at once. These 

 machines are necessarily of very large dimensions. Fig. 352 is an ond-viow of a 

 20 -colour machine, made by Messrs. Gadd and Hill, of Manchester for Mr. Kay, of 



