274 REED'S PAPER-DRYING APPARATUS. DESCRIPTION OF A PAPER-DRYING APPARATUS EMPLOYED AT THE IMPERIAL PAPER-MILL OF PETERHOFF, IN RUSSIA, INVENTED BY MR. WILLIAM REED. Dear Sir, I send you an account of a paper-drying apparatus, with a plan to scale, which has been in work here night and day for upwards of four years, and with the help of a boiler of little more than two-horse power, dries the paper well, and as fast as two machines can make it at the rate of 25 to 30 feet per minute. As I never saw or read of a description of a drying-machine, and seldom two people contrive a thing the same way, I am induced to present this account to the mechanics of England; hoping there may be something new about it. My director having heard of a machine being made in England for this purpose, asked me to make one I accordingly set to work, and, with the assistance of a machine paper-maker, produced the apparatus of which the following is a description. The large perspective view I leave to speak for itself; the particulars which follow are to be considered as referring more particularly to the other drawings.* B exhibits the elevation, consisting of 8 steam-rollers of 13 inches diameter; No. 1 is the paper-machine dry-press cylinders (so called in the trade to distinguish them from the other eylinders). The paper on leaving the machine in the wet state is put through the first pair of steamrollers, marked No. 2, which have a lever-weight on each end. This pair of stout copper cylinders requires to be turned very true; the upper one is 7 inches diameter, and covered with a felt drawn on very tight. We found that the lower roller, though ever so smooth, soon acquired a crust of fur, but I applied a steel blade fixed in a cast-iron frame for the purpose of scraping it, called by machine-makers The "large perspective view" we have been obliged, owing to the smallness of our page, to divide into two parts, one of which only we give this week. The other half, with the rest of the sketches referred to, shall be given along with the conclusion of this article next week.—— the Doctor. If requires, however, a little cleaning once a fortnight with pumice-stone and water, which is. soon done without removing the roller out of its place. The under roller having not only its own weight, but that of the upper roller loaded with? lever-weights, I found that turning on friction-wheels was far before any other mode of bearing. I had a small frame with two small frictionwheels on the top roller with the lever-weights attached. The frictionframes, No. 2, are of iron, and set on a double-bridge piece C. No. 3, (an elevation of steam-press rollers) is of iron, as before. When on the wood-. en frame the wet and steam caused aa twisting, and there was no keeping the steel knife, or doctor, close to the cylinder. The weight on the upper felt-roller may be about 3 cwt, or more; the use of it is to take out the machine felt-mark. The remaining rollers are just wide enough for a man's hand to get between them for passing the paper under and over the rollers till it arrives at the fifth roller, where the endless felt begins, marked No. 4. It is then led on to the reel, which, as well as the drum-roller, No. 5, for driving the rollers and felt with the strap, No. 6, has a good stress on the paper when dry, and can turn the whole of the rollers except the first pair, which are driven by a strap at each end and riggers fixed on each end of the machine-cylinders, marked No. 1, (but seen better in the plan A.) The method of admitting steam from the boiler is by two-inch iron pipes under the machine, from which rises a leaden pipe with a two-inch cock, marked No. 11, for stopping or starting. On one side of the machine there runs a stout leaden pipe," No. 7, wherein the stuffing-boxes (containing the copper elbow pipes) are soldered. On the end of the cylinder at which the steam enters I have a steel end turned to a hollow sphere, and a corresponding brass end on the copper pipe to fit, which is kept up with a bridle and wedge at starting, as when cold the valve is nearly one-eighth of an inch apart (as represented at D, No. 8.) The cast-iron bearings for the light or thin ANNIVERSARY OF THE LONDON MECHANICS' INSTITUTIÓN. copper rollers are merely screwed to the machine-frame, marked No. 9, having a pin for tipping up the end of the clarionet-valve, (so called from being formed like the best metal keys of that sort, a likeness, however, which I did not find out till after I had them at work,) but having the valve fixed on the edge of the cylinder. We thus get rid of all the condensed water, having a trough to take it back to the feed-head of the boiler, under the machine-room. (To be concluded in our next.) Dr. BIRKBECK opened the business of the evening by an animated address. He began by justly remarking that the friends of the diffusion of knowledge would hail the prosperous existence of the lastitution, which had passed through six years of perils and evil prophesyings, with feelings of exultation and delight. The Institution had inflexibly adhered throughout its triumphant career to the great educational purposes for which it was, at its commencement, unreservedly announced to be founded. Dr. Birkbeck then congratulated the meeting on the favourable opinion now generally entertained of such institutions, and referred to the only two examples be had lately met with of any observations having been made against them, namely, Mr. Irving and Sir Humphry Davy. The latter, in his work entitled "Salmonia," had thrown out some doubts on the utility of imparting scientific instruction to the working-classes, which Dr. Birkbeck showed were uncalled for and unfounded. During the last year he did not know of more than two Mechanics' Institutions which had been established-one was at Oxford, and the other nt Newport Pagnell. Of that at Oxford, Sir Joseph Locke was Presi dent, and Dr. Daubeny, one of the Professors of the University, Vice Presi dent-and it had already attained a very great success. In conclusion, Dr.Birk 273 beck announced that they would proceed to the business of the meeting, which was to award two prizes, liberally given by Dr. Fellowes, for the best Essay and the best Machine, whether original or improved. He would first of all call on Mr. Toplis, one of the Adjudicators, to read the Report they had made. Mr. TOPLIS then read the following Report: : "Report to the Committee of the London Mecha nics' Institution on the Adjudication of Dr. Fellowes's Prizes for the Year 1829. "We, the undersigned, being appointed adjudicators of the prizes given by Dr. Fellowes to members of the London Mechanics' Institution, having duly examined and compared the several models of machines and essays sent in for coinpetition this year, do concur to award the prizes to the inventor of the model marked; and to the writer of the essay bearing for motto spes nou fracta.' At "On no former similar occasion has the task of the adjudicators been so highly gratifying as on the present one, which has brought to them the elating conviction that the enlightened views of the generous founder will not, cannot now be disappointed. Talent is elicited from amongst the members of the London Mechanics' Institu tion, which school has furnished to them the means-and adequate means-for its culture and development. "The machine for which the prize on this occasion is awarded, is professedly for the object of cutting buhl-work, with more facility and accuracy than by the means heretofore in use. It admirably effects its object, and it will do much more; for its use will not be limited to the circumscribed object which its inventor has designated. By this invention, that invaluable engine the lathe adds to its multifarious uses. by simple and not expensive contrivances, the rectilineal reciprocating action of the straight. edged saw. The advantages and extensive applicability of such a movement, directed with a precision which the hand could never ensure, the workman will at once appreciate. The inventor has accomplished his object-a novel ap plication in mechanical power to an established brauch of manufacture, by means sinple, ingenious, cheap, and efficacious. "On the subject of the competing essays, the adjudicators have to applaud the change which has this year been made, of limiting all the competitors to one subject. Their respective inerits are inore fairly brought into comparison. -The matter proposed to be treated in the present competition is of more difficult investigation, than were the subjects which the writers had the choice of on former occasions; but it has, notwithstanding, found amongst us minds ready to cope with, and sufficiently vigorous to master all its difficulties. The present prize essay is a performance of which the Institution may be proud. The writer of it has shown the hand of a master. He has treated his subject amply, and investigated it profoundly. His conceptions are lucid, his method logical, and his enunciations perspicuous, concise, and ele gant. The essay comprises all that is essential of theoretical investigation and practical illustration on an instrument of great philosophical importance and diffused social utility. "Amongst the competitors we could but select two; and this is the only circumstance which could tinge our labours with regret; for amongst those who are not chosen are several who, though unsuccessful, are far from undeserving. The prize essay is ran very close; and the competi 276 ANNIVERSARY OF THE LONDON MECHANICS INSTITUTION. tion amongst the mechanists affords a gratifying The two persons to whom the prizes Mr. M'Duff, who had been a turner at Dunkeld, afterwards a cabinet-maker at Perth, and is at present employed in some large establishment in London, was then called forward to receive the prize for the best machine. The machine itself was produced, and Mr. M'Duff cut out very rapidly some beautiful specimens of pieces for inlaying. It consists of the application of a very fine saw, fixed perpendicularly to a common lathe, and made to move with a very rapid up and down motion, by the action of the foot. The object to be cut out by the saw preserves the true horizontal position like things placed in a lathe, so that the work cannot be otherwise than true. The machine is susceptible of a great variety of applications; cutting dissected maps in pieces, for example, and Mr. M'Duff cut out of a map of the globe, with extreme precision, the whole American continent. In making inlaying work, two pieces of different coloured woods are placed together, and the instrument is so perfect that both are cut out at the same time, and one then fits the other. By this very beautiful machine buhl-work may now be done in a few hours, which, without it, required weeks of close and careful labour; and the machine is so simple that any person capable of turning can successfully use it. In bestowing the prize on Mr. M'Duff, Dr. Birkbeck said he hoped he would go on perfecting himself in knowledge, and in applying that knowledge to other equally useful things. He had already benefited his country by the invention of a skilful contrivance of great importance; and in the career Mr. M'Duff was pursuing, he (Dr. Birkbeck) was quite sure that be should never have occasion to use the language of the dramatist to him, and say, "Hold, enough."' Mr. BROUGHAM then rose to address the meeting, and was loudly welcomed. It was unnecessary, he said, to preface what he should propose to them with any remarks; they had so long enjoyed the inestimable benefits conferred on them by the Founder of the Institution, through the six years in which his labours had so largely contributed to promote the prosperity of the London Mechanics' Institution, that it was not necessary for him to call on them to testify to Dr. Birkbeck their respectful and affectionate attachment; it was due to him not only from the members of all the Mechanics' Institutions, which had grown up rapidly into importance in this country, but even from the members of those which were rising up be'yond seas. Something had been said about the few institutions which had of late been founded, but this probably arose from a want of knowledge of what ANNIVERSARY OF THE LONDON MECHANICS' INSTITUTION. must say that it possessed all the qualities of a great invention. It was so simple that any body might use it, and so plain that it was easily understood. Every man in seeing it would instantly comprehend it, and wonder that it had never been discovered before; but he could say that it had not. This was the characteristic of all great and useful inventions. He had seen a great many instruments and smachines, and hardly ever saw one that was at once more effi@cacious and more simple. He did not wish to trespass longer on their attention, but he could not avoid giving vent to the great admiration he felt at seeing the fundamental principles of the Iusti tution so steadily kept in view, and at beholding such beneficial results from them. He had nothing further to add, but that they should all tender a testimony of their affection and respect to their worthy and excellent Chairman. (Great applause.) had been done; and he regretted that a correspondence had not been carried on between the parent institution and the other institutions in the country. Perhaps, however, this was hardly to be expected, as the officers of the Institution had various duties to perform, with which such a correspondence might interfere; but he hoped that in another year means would be found for carrying on such a correspondence by another institution, which would enable them next year to give an accurate, and detailed account of the progress and state of such institutions throughout the country, and to announce that several new ones had been founded. Though "unwilling to trespass on their time, he could not avoid expressing the extraor"dinary gratification he felt at witnessing the talents, the industry, and virtue, which had been brought under their notice that night by the successful candidates for the prizes. If any body thought that scientific education did not "give strength to virtue, and energy to talent, what had passed before them must put to flight all such notions. Such an education did not distract the attenation of mechanics from their proper avocations. There was Mr. Poole; he bhad neglected no duty; he had absented himself from no employment that was necessary to secure his personal independeuce, the first object at which e every man ought to aim; and while he lad continued at his labour, he had so accomplished himself in the abstruse and difficult and sublime science of mathematics, as to produce a work which 6 would do honour to a Professor of Mathematics. The persons present must be sensible that no departure had been *made from the principles on which the Institution was originally founded; and what had then taken place was a satisfactory test of the soundness of those principles on which all such institutions had been established. He had cast a glance over the Essay, and he perceived that Mr. Poole had used the integral calculus: indeed, it was not possible to enter into the investigation of the very 100 difficult problems of the pendulum with the fluctional calculus; and the indiviidual who had made himself so accomplished, had not taken one hour from his occupation. Mr. Poole had taken hours "from sleep; and he (Mr. Brougham) would venture to say, not frequented places of idle amusement and of drunkenness. He was a highly-gifted and a highly meritorious individual. With respect to the mechanical contrivance. which had been submitted to them, he t Mr. BROUGHAM put this motion, which was carried by acclamation, Dr. BIRKBECK briefly returned thanks. Mr. SPRING RICE said he was not willing to trespass on their attention; but he could not, taking, as he did, a sincere interest in the welfare of the Institution, and being, perhaps, the only Irishman present who could bear testimony of the use of its example in Ireland, avoid answering the call which had been made on him to give them some information on the subject of Mechanics' Institutions in Ireland. It was in the North of Ireland, particularly, that the influence of their example had been most beneficial. An institution had been established at Belfast, at Dublin, at Cork, and at the city with which he was more immediately connected (Limerick), and they were all sensible of the great advantages derived from the Parent Institution. It would be in bad taste were he to trespass longer on their attention, and he would therefore only propose the resolution which had been put into his hands. The Hon. Gentleman concluded by moving this resolution : "That this Meeting has heard, with the highest satisfaction, that the silent and ordinary, operations of the London Mechanics' Institution have fully realized the expectations of its Founders, in the beneficial influence it has produced on individuals, as well as its obvious tendency to improve society at large.' The resolution was carried by acclamation. Mr. HUME, in moving the next resolution, observed, that every man must 278 ANNIVERSARY OF THE LONDON MECHANICS' INSTITUTION. be sensible of the value of that information which such institutions were calculated to afford, and he should have been very glad to have had an opportunity of acquiring such information. There was no sort of institution which better deserved the support of Government, even according to its own views, for Mechanics' Institutious would increase the revenue. The country depended on trade and manufactures, and such inventions as they had beheld would increase the trade and improve the manufactures of the country. One Hundred years ago buhl was a most costly work, but it might now be obtained, as they saw, at a small expense. He did not ask the Government to encourage such institutions, but he regretted that it had not, when it was in the habit of encouraging other institutions, extended more countenance and protection to Mechanics' Institutions, which were admirably calculated to increase the ingenuity and resources of the country. Mr. Hume concluded by moving the following resolution, which was unanimously carried : "That as a living engine by which the best interests and the purest feelings of man may be eminently promoted, this Institution deserves the greatest encouragement from all who have themselves felt the benefits of education, and who desire either their own welfare, or the intellectual or moral improvement of others." Mr. TooKE then moved "That the cordial thanks of this Meeting be given to Dr. Fellowes, for his great liberality in instituting the prizes presented this evening, as well as on former occasions, the effect of which has been to afford the most indisputable proofs of the intellectual resources possessed by the members of the Institution." Which was also carried by acclamation. Dr. BIRKBECK, in acknowledging, for Dr. Fellowes, this mark of approbation, informed the Meeting that Dr. Fellowes had stated that he was the proprietor of several presentations to the London University, and that he should always bave some to offer to such members of the Institution as, having gained prizes at it, had an intention of following up their studies at the University. Such an offer would be an encouragement for them to follow up their studies, and it was a valuable addition to those prizes Dr. Fellowes already bestowed.. Thanks were then voted to Dr. Birkbeck for his conduct in the chair. Dr. BIRKBECK, in returning thanks, said it was only necessary that Mechanics' Institutes should be sufficiently known to insure them that support to which they were entitled. It was only necessary that their effects on the conduct and welfare of individuals should be seen, to put an end to the fears and apprehensions which were yet felt by a few persons, and place them on a proper footing in the minds of the community. In them there was no danger; on the contrary. they were a national benefit, and were calculated not only to extend the happiness and increase the welfare of individuals, but to augment that skill and that knowledge which were the true supports of the national power. (Great applause.) We are sorry to be once more obliged to expose the gross delusion which it seems to be now the stated business of the Anniversaries of this Institution to practise on the public. The grand object of the proceedings which we have just reported is to hold forth to the world that the "London Mechanics' Institution" is in an excessively prosperous condition. The Presi dent, Dr. Birkbeck, affected to be almost overcome by "the feelings of exultation and delight" with which be reflected on the "triumphant career" and " prosperous existence" of the Institution. And the resolution which was put into the hands of Mr. Spring Rice to move, solemnly declares that "the silent (silent with a witness!) and ordinary operations of the "London Mechanics' Institution" HAVE FULLY REALIZED the expectations of its founders." We have many reasons for wishing this were all true, but we grieve to say it is positively all fudge. The Institution is not in any light in which it can be viewed, either "triumphant" or 66 prosperous," and considered as a Mechanics' Institution-in which character alone it solicits distinction-it is now, and has been for some time, on the very verge of ruin. We were foremost amongst its "founders"-its "earliest effectual projectors," to use Dr. Birkbeck's own words - (see his Inaugural Address, published at length from the original manuscript in the 66 Mechanics' Magazine," vol. i. p. 418.) and for ourselves we must solemnly declare, that so far from its having "fully realized" our expectations, it has falsified them most lamentably. |