COTTON-SPINNING 



971 



The annexed Table exhibits the relative velocities of the different cylinders and 

 rollers of tho carding engine, which, however, are not invariable, but may bo modified 



554 



according to circumstances, by changing the pinions ef, Jig. 552, and uf according to 

 the quality or length of the cotton staple. 



Fig. 554 is a plan of the card and the fleece, 

 where h is the cylinder, n is the funnel, u 

 the pressing rollers, and h' the card-ends in the 

 can. 



Figs. 555, 556 may be studied in order to 

 facilitate the comprehension of these complex 

 machines. Fig. 555 is a plan : F is the maiu 

 cylinder ; M M is the doffer knife or comb ; G, 

 the carded fleece hemmed in by the funnel a, 

 pressed between the rollers b, and then falling 

 in narrow fillets into its can. Fig. 556, x L are 

 the feed rollers ; A B, the main cylinder ; c D, 

 the tops ; E F, the doffer card ; M N, the doffer 

 knife ; d, b, c, the card-end passing between 

 compressing rollers into the can a. 



Fig. 557 is a carding-engine without top-flats, being entirely covered with rollers 

 and clearers. This kind of engine is very well suited to the preparation for the lower 



555 



556 



and lower medium ' counts ' of yarn. For finer descriptions, the use of ' flats ' or ' tops ' 

 is almost universal. 



The same Jig. (557) will serve to illustrate one of the most modern forms of carding 

 engine, if the reader will suppose two additional rollers placed under the licker-in ; 

 all three rollers being of the same size, clothed alike and revolving in the same direc- 

 tion, in close proximity to each other and to the main cylinder. This engine known 

 as the Patent Automatic Carding Engine, is made by the patentees, Messrs. W. 

 Higgins & Sons, and Messrs. Hetherington & Sons. Its action is as follows: 

 The cotton is delivered by the feed rollers to the licker-in as usual ; but before 

 it reaches the main cylinder it is brought into contact with and is carded by the 

 intermediate roller, which allows only the carded portions of cotton to pass through 

 to the cylinder, the larger masses being taken hold of by the intermediate roller, and 

 carried forward until they are brought into contact with the bottom roller, which 

 still further cards and separates the fibres of cotton, allowing an additional portion to 

 be delivered to the cylinder, the remainder being taken on by the bottom roller and 

 likewise deposited on the cylinder. Thus, instead of the cotton being delivered in flaky 



