202 



THE CIVIL ENGINEER AND ARCHITECTS JOURNAL. 



[Jl'NK, 



THE TWEEDDALE PATENT DRAIN TILE AND BRICK MACHINE. 

 Fig. 1. Tile Machine. 



These machines, the invention of the Marquis of Tweeddale. have recently 

 undergone very considerable improvements, and are now made to he worked 

 hy manual power, and are so portable that they may be removed and placed 

 in any part of the tile sheds or brick fields. Formerly the machines were 

 worked only by steam power, which in many cases was found to be highly- 

 inconvenient and expensive, as it was necessary to have the machines fixed 

 and the clay brought to them sometimes at a considerable distance. The 

 new machines, exhibited in the above engravings, can he worked by one 

 labourer independently of the filler and attendants to remove the bricks as 

 they are made. 



The machines act with great simplicity, yet with the utmost accuracy. 

 The one used for tile making, Fig. 1, consists mainly of two iron cylinders, 

 over which webs or bands of moleskin, or other suitable cloth, are made to 

 pass. By this arrangement the clay is pressed into a web of uniform thick- 

 ness, without adhering to the cylinders. It is then carried over a covered 

 wheel, slightly curved on the rim, and begins to assume the bent shape of a 

 draining tile; a tendency which is increased by several inexpensive but effec- 

 tual contrivances ; and the tiles are polished and finished by passing throuuh 

 three graduated iron moulds of horse-shoe form, as seen in the centre of the 

 machine, being at the same time moistened from a cistern on the top of the 

 machine. The tiles are then cut off, with mathematical accuracy, to such 

 length as may be required (fifteen inches being generally recommended as 

 the most profitable and convenient), and then they are conveyed to any re- 

 quisite distance by an endless web, and from thence are placed by two lads 

 on the drying shelves. Flat tiles, or soles, are formed in precisely the 

 same manner; except that they are partially divided into two portions while 

 passing through the moulds, the quantity of clav required for one draining 

 tile being the same as for two soles. The tile machine will make from 10 to 

 15 bricks per minute. 



The brick machine, Fig. 2, is on the same principle, but varied to suit the 

 different character of the article required. The clay is placed in a receiver or 

 " hopper" above the two cylinders; and it descends between them into a mould 

 or box, in such a way as to become perfectly formed and pressed into the 

 shape of a brick in the transit. By a recent skilful improvement, a series 

 of palate-boards is borne along by an endless iron chain ; and the adjust- 

 ment is so correct that at the exact moment of passing under the mould, 

 each hoard is lifted to receive the new formed brick as it is emitted fnm the 

 mould, and separated from the main body of clay ; the palate board then 

 drops again into its place with the brick, and is conveyed horizontally along 

 the web just mentioned ; hence it is removed on to barrows by the barrow- 

 men. 



It is not the least of the merits of both machines that, although acting 

 with the accuracy of clockwork, they are not liable to derangement ; and 

 that, while they are suitable for the application of steam or other power 

 when very large quantities are required, yet they are so simplified as to he 

 also within the management of a couple of common labourers, with the 

 assistance of two or three boys to remove tiles, or the like number of men is 

 the case of bricks. 



The quantity of articles produced is not limited by the machines, as they 

 will manufacture any number that can be conveniently taken away. The 

 general range is from 15 to 20 bricks or tiles per minute, when hand labour 

 is employed to work the machines. 



Several of these machines are now in operation in different parts of the 

 United Kingdom, and on the Continent. The principal portion of the bricks 

 for the rebuilding of that portion of Hamburgh destroyed hy fire, are, we are 

 informed, made by these machines. One of the machines may be seen at 

 the Company's wharf, Millbank, Westminster, near Vauxhall Bridge. 



