File:The Civil engineer and architect's journal, scientific and railway gazette (1839) (20467355339).jpg

Title: The Civil engineer and architect's journal, scientific and railway gazette
Identifier: civilengineerarc06lond (find matches)
Year: 1839 (1830s)
Authors:
Subjects: Architecture; Civil engineering; Science
Publisher: London : (William Laxton)
Contributing Library: Northeastern University, Snell Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Northeastern University, Snell Library

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202 THE CIVIL ENGINEER AND ARCHITECTS JOURNAL. (Jl'NK, THE TWEEDDALE PATENT DRAIN TILE AND BRICK MACHINE. Fig. 1. Tile Machine.
Text Appearing After Image:
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.

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