C/oth-drying Machinc.—As during the process of gigging the cloth is kept wet, it must be dried after the nap is sufficiently raised. For this purpose there is employed a machine known as the "cloth-dryer" (p1. 49, fig-. 4), which when in operation is closed up with the exception of a suf ficient opening for the entrance and the exit of the cloth. The cloth is drawn into and guided through the machine by two endless chains, one on each side, as seen in the illustration. In these chains are inserted medium-sized steel pins, which catch into the selvage of the cloth and hold it taut, its travel in the machine, between pipes heated by steam. The cloth, which is run in at the upper front of the machine and leaves at the bottom of the rear, will, by its own weight and on account of its dry condition, liberate itself from the pins when leaving the dryer.
the removal of the greater portion of adhering water the cloth, if very wet when leaving the gig, is first put into a hvdro extractor, which consists of a cylindrical kettle of sheet copper fastened to a vertical spindle. The sides of the kettle are perforated with numerous small holes. The motion is imparted by twd horizontal driving-shafts, revolving in opposite directions, which by means of friction-wheels cause the spindle to rotate at great speed. The frame in which the driving shafts rest is screwed to a trough enclosing the kettle. By placing the wet fabrics in the kettle and revolving the latter at great speed the cen trifugal force produces the well-known effect of pressing the fabrics against the sides of the kettle and forcing through the holes in the sides the adhering water, with the exception of a fractional portion, which has to be removed by evaporation. The water collecting in the trough enclosing the kettle runs off constantly through an aperture on one side. Figures
6 and 7 (pi. 38) illustrate two styles of hydro-extractors. Figure 6 shows an improved centrifugal hydro-extractor. This machine is extensively used by silk-dyers. The extractor has a vertical engine attached to the side, which operates the vertical spindle fastened to the cylindrical kettle by means of cone-pulley friction. Figure 7 is another form of machine, operated by means of a direct-acting steam-engine, which is clearly vis ible in the illustration. This machine is in general use with cotton- and woollen-manufacturers, and is capable of the heaviest work.
Process: cloth, after leaving the drying-machine, is run through the brushing-machine, though special fabrics—such as chinchillas, whitneys, montagnacs, etc.—which require no brushing or whose face would be injured thereby are not brushed. Figure 5 (fii. 5o) illustrates a brushing-machine and its mode of ope rating.
The commonly called the "shear" („6/. 48, fig. 2), receives the cloth after it has left the brushing-machine and gradually evens the nap raised by the gig. The cutting is done by quick-revolving sharp steel knives, called "blades," which make about one thousand revo lutions per minute.
and the fabric is finished on the shear it is again brushed and forwarded to the pressing-machine. Figure I (fit. 5o) is a single-bed press; Figures 3 and 4 (fii. 48) show a double-bed press; Figure 3 shows the press with pressure applied, and Figure 4 shows it with pressure removed. After the cloth is pressed it is measured and then rolled, when it is ready for market. Figure 3 (pi. 5o) illustrates a cloth-measuring machine, and Figure 4 represents a combined cloth-meas uring and winding machine.