As will be seen, the machine is compact, simple, efficient, and of great productive capacity, being capable of making 1000-1600 fathoms of rope a day, according to the size, twist and other circumstances that usually affect production. It is made in various sizes, to suit different require rnents ; wben larger ropes are intended to be made, say up to 60 threads, the form is considerably modified. In both sorts, the sizes of the ropes can be altered by the use of change-wheels.
Whorl the manufacture is more varied, it is usual to employ single machines, performing only one operation. The first of these is the stranding-machine, which may be either vertical or hori zontal. Fig. 1197 represents a vertical machine, technically called a "stranding-drum." It consists of 2 vertical bobbin-frames ; others contain more-4, 5, and up to 10. These creels may be made for any required nurnber of bobbins, aud usually contain 4-12. The bobbins vary in size, but a 12-in. barrel, and 12-in. diam. of head, is the size most often employed.
The creels a are fixed in circular plates b b' at top and bottom ; the top of the stranding-machine revolves in an iron bracket c, fixed to a beam d, which should be strong and perfectly firm, so as to prevent vibration. The bottom rests in the framework, the whole being actuated by gearing e. A register or "lay " -plate, perforated with as many holes as the creels will hold bobbins, receives the yarns, and delivers them evenly and regularly to the " stranding-die," a bell mouthed tube which compresses them and delivers the strand thus formed to the grooved pulley f, whence it descends to the " drawing-off gear," actuated by pecul iar gearing, the speed being regul ated by change wheels. The greater the speed of the draught, the less the amount of twist tho strand receives, and vice versel. It is next conducted upon a large bobbin or beam, on which it is laid in even layers by a traverse motion. When filled, it is ready for the closing-machine.
The etranding-machine will twist either to the right or left, as desired, and, by rneans of an indicator, measures the length tun d. Each machine is supplied with a variety of strand-tubes, and the nece,ssary claange-wheels for making different sizes of strands, as may be required. The thickness of the strand is varied by increasing or
diminishing the nurnber of yarns contained in, and also by changing the size or fineness. The machine should be strong, and carefully fixed, in order to produce good work, with an economical expenditure of power. The top of the machine generally extends into the floor above its base, in order to facilitate creeling operations ; a platform is also used for the same purpose.
Another form of the stranding-machine—the horizontal,—which possesses several advantages in the facility with which it can be worked, has of late years been coming into general use. It possesses a fixed creel, in which the bobbins can be renewed without stopping the frame, and may be varied in number to any extent. Its production is much greater, it being capable of running at a much higher speed; and the strand-tube, being fixed in an iron box, can be heated either by gas or steam, which polishes the strand to a high degree, and faoilitates the process of tubing " hard." Closing.— The hemp-rope closing-machine, which receives the strands from the former, and " lays " them into a rope, is also made in two forms, the vertical and horizontal. In the latter, Fig. 1198, the construction does not differ materially from that of the horizontal compound rope laying machine, Fig. 1196, except in its greater siinplicity, owing to having fewer operations to perform. The vertical elosing-machine, Fig. 1199, has a strong cast-iron frame, and three or four cast-iron frames or creels for the reception of the large east-iron strand-bobbins, containing the strand manufactured on the stranding-machine. These are caused to revolve by means of suitable gearing, both on their own axis and around the central vertical shaft, the top of which is secured to a strong beam in the building. This action causes the strands to come together, and close at the top of the machine, after which, the rope passes over a sheave or pulley, then down through the drawing-off gear, and upon tile coiling-reel, which portion, omitted from the illustration, is made adjustable both in width and diameter, to suit the various sizes of coils required to be made.