The spinning-machine, Fig. 929, like the roving-frame, is a " bobbin-and-fly " frame, and is made of such " pitch " or dimensions as the circumstances of individual spinners may lead them to eeleot. They generally contain 200-300 spindles. In arranging the spinning-room, care should be exercised to secure a sufficiency of space, so that no part will be crowded, nor the necessary movements of the operatives impeded. Should the latter be the case, it is certain that some duties will be neglected, to the injury of the establishment. Light and ventilation ought to be provided to a full extent : the former to enable the spinners to see with case whenever a thread has broken, or any other defect occurred ; the latter, on account of the danger to the health of the operatives if they are permitted to work in foul air saturated with vapour arising from the great quantity of hot water employed in the wet process of flax-spinning.
A flax-epinning machine consists of a strong rectangular frame, about 3 ft. broad by a length proportionate to the number of spindles it contains. The latter are mounted in two rails, the lower one carrying the apindle-footsteps into which the base or foot of the spindle is inserted and revolves, the upper one containing the " bolster " or collar in which the " neck" of the spindle is enclosed, and by which it is maintained in a vertical position. Each spindle carries a flier on the top, and is furnished with a small pulley called a " wharve." Longitudinally through the centre of the machine, extends a tin cylinder ; on the extremity of the shaft forming its axle, are fixed the driving-pulleys. Cotton driving-bands connect the cylinder and spindles, by which, motion is transmitted from one to the other. A traverse-rail, or "builder," having circular holes through which the spindles pass, is fitted to the machine in such a manner as to automatically rise and fall when the machine is at work. The bobbins are placed upon the spindles, and drop down until they rest upon the traverse-rail, which when at work carries them up and down to receive tho suc ceesive layers of rove from the fliers. The fliers are next screwed upon the tops. The latter, having been Several times already brought under the notice of the reader, need no further description. There ie no independent driving power required for the bobbin, the drag of the thread being sufficient to pull the bobbin round ; it lingers sufficiently behind, however, to take up the yarn as it comes from the rollers and is twisted by the revolving spindle. To retard the motion of the bobbin so much as is requisite to make it perform the function of winding on the thread with firmness, light bands are attached to the back of the traverse-rail behind the spindles, passed around the base of the bobbin, brought over the front of the traverse-rail, and allowed to hang down, having a small weight attached to the end. These are called " drag-bands." The friction or power exerted by
these bands is varied by means of a comb upon the front of the traverse-rail. When the spinning is commenced, and the bobbins contain scarcely any yarn, they develop comparatively little centrifugal force, and therefore require little check upon them ; as they fill, this force becomes greater, and the spinner has to advance the drag-band a groove or two upon the comb, so that it will increase its contact with the base of the bobbin, and exert a greater retarding power. The correct manage ment of the drag-band is important in flax-spinning, ae it is required to be accurately adjusted, to make good yarn and keep up the ends.
Within the past few years, a" spring self-acting drag-motion" has been introduced. It dispenses with the cord and weight, and, by a simple and ingenious arrangement, makes the dragging of the bobbin automatic, and keeps the necessary tension on each thread during the time the bobbins are being filled. The appliance consists of a peculiar angle-shaped metallic rod, arranged along the front of the traverse-rail or " builder." To this rod, are attached springs, one for each bobbin, the arms of which press against the bobbin, the pressure being regulated by means of a worm and ratchet-wheel. When the counts of yarn are changed, it is merely necessary to change the ratchet wheel instead of all the drag-weights, ae in the old method, which is an expensive system in both time and labour. The spinner is also relieved of all care of watching the individual bobbins, and is therefore at liberty to pay more perfect attention to the other portions of her work, or to take charge of an increased number of spindles.
The drawing-rollers of the spinning-frame are fluted, and composed or brass, in order to prevent oxidation through the presence of water necessary in the spinning process. The pressing-rollers are preferably of box, but several other woods are occasionally used.
The sliver-bobbins from the drawing-frame being placed in the " creel " or rack, the sliver is conducted from them into the hot-water trough, in which it is saturated, and then passes between the drawing- and pressing-rollers, by the action of which, the superfluous moisture is pressed out, and the sliver attenuated to the required extent ; on emerging from the " nip " of the rollers, it receives the twist from the revolving spindles, and descends through the holes in the thread-plate, whence it passes to the flier, and ie wound upon the bobbin in even layers by the rising and falling of the " builder " or traverse-rail. The bobbins having been filled, the fliers are unscrewed from the spindle-top; the set of full bobbins are "doffed" (removed) and replaced by another set of empty ones ; the fliers are again put in their places, and spinning is recommenced.