ROPE-MAKING 



715 



In order more effectually to obtain correctness in the formation of cables and large 

 cordage, Captain Htiddarfc constructed a laying machine, which has carried his 

 inventions in rope-making to the greatest perfection, and which, founded on true 

 mathematical principles, and the most laborious calculations, is one of the noblest 

 monuments of mechanical ability since the improvement of the steam-engine by 

 Watt. By this machine, the strands receive that degree of twist only which is 

 necessary, and are laid at any angle with the greatest regularity ; the pressure is 

 regulated to give the required elasticity, and all parts of the rope are made to bear 

 equally. 



The following description of one of the best modern machines for making ropes on 

 Captain Huddart's plan, may be useful to the reader : 



1724 



Fig. 1724 exhibits a side elevation of the tackle-board and bobbin -frame at the head 

 of the ropery, and also of the carriage or rope-machine in the act of hauling-out and 

 twisting the strands. 



Fig. 1725 is a front elevation of the carriage. 



Fig. 1726 is a yarn-guide, or board, or plate, with perforated holes for the yarns to 

 pass through before entering the nipper. 



Figs. 1727 and 1728 are side and front views of the nipper for pressing the rope- 

 yarns. 



a is the frame for containing the yarn-bobbins. The yarns are brought from the 

 frame, and pass through a yarn-guide at b. c is a small roller, under which the rope- 

 yarns pass ; they are then brought over the reel d, and through another yarn-guide 

 e, after which they enter the nippers at v, and are drawn out and formed into strands 

 by the carriage. The roller and reel may be made to traverse up and down, so as to 

 regulate the motion of the yarns. 



The carriage runs on a railway. /,/, is the frame of 1725 



the carriage ; g, g, are the small wheels on which it is 

 supported ; k, k, is an endless rope reaching from the 

 head to the bottom of the railway, and is driven by a 

 steam-engine ; m, m, is a wheel with gubs at the back of 

 it, over which the endless rope passes, and gives motion 

 to the machinery of the carriage. is the ground-rope 

 for taking out the carriage, as will be afterwards described. 

 On the shaft of m, m, are two bevel-wheels, 3, 3, with 

 a shifting catch between them; these bevel-wheels are 

 loose upon the shaft, but when the catch is put into either 

 of them, this last then keeps motion with the shaft, while 

 the other runs loose. One of these wheels serves to com- 

 municate the twist to the strand in drawing out ; the 

 other gives the opposite or after-turn to the rope in 

 closing. 4, 4, is a lever for shifting the catch accordingly. 1726 



6 is a third bevel-wheel, which receives its motion from ^__ 



either of the other two, and communicates the same to the j^j?"in (:; v = T^' 

 two spur-wheels 6, 6, by means of the shaft x. These ^-^ ' '''" 



can be shifted at pleasure ; so that by applying wheels of .^^ -i M 



a greater or less number of teeth above and beneath, 1"27 (@) f 1728 



the twist given to the strands can be increased or di- (^J 



minished accordingly. The upper of these two commu- 

 nicates motion, by means of the shaft o, to another spur-wheel 8, which working 

 in the three pinions above, 9, 9, gives the twist to the strand-hooks. The carriage 

 is drawn out in the following manner : On the end of the shaft of m, m, is the 

 pinion 3, which, working in the large wheel H, gives motion to the ground-rope 

 shaft upon its axis. In the centre of this shaft is a curved pulley or drum t, round 

 which the ground-rope takes one turn. This rope is fixed at the head and foot of the 



