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Title: |
1873 Article-Haskin's Machine Co., Vertical Steam Engine & Boiler |
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Source: |
The Manufacturer and Builder, V5 #9, Sept 1873, pgs.193-194 |
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Insert Date: |
12/18/2014 10:41:49 PM |
Many year since, a special Act of the United States Congress allowed a set of "musket machinery" to be furnished by a Massachusetts firm to the government of Great Britain, the machinery being the duplicate of that furnished by the same firm to the United States government for use at the Springfield arsenal. Still later, this machinery was again duplicated for Great Britain; so that for many years the duplication of most parts of the English muskets was made by American machinery. A few years later, the renowned Hobbs of lock-picking notoriety established near London, England, a large manufactory of locks on the same general principle of duplication. Among its early productions were the locks used on the doors, drawers, etc., of the steam- ship Great Eastern. Still later, we find all producers of machinery who have a care for the quality and standard of their work, adopting the same general plan for the accomplishment of the desired result, so that now establishments with any pretension to accuracy must needs construct the various parts of their machines by mechanical means instead of by hand manipulation. So far has this improved system become necessary, that the first thing to be considered in designing or preparing to construct a machine, is to not only so design it that hand labor is avoided, but also to make a part of the designing the production of special tools, with which the various parts can be cheaply constructed, and by which the necessary accuracy and rapid duplication is rendered possible; in other words, he that would in this age succeed as a builder of machinery must necessarily make the various parts by special device, so that no two pieces, bearing the same designating number, can be practically different.
It is true the system has but recently been applied to the construction of steam-engines, and yet no mechanism needs more care in its construction. The engine of the Haskins Machine Company is made entirely on this plan. So far is the plan carried out, that when an engine is ready to be tested, no measurement with a rule has been made on it. Every part has been passed through a gauge, to determine its exact size, and, when found correct, placed in position without any hand labor being necessary to fit it, thus insuring a complete whole, made up of correct parts. The engine is then placed on the testing platform, where steam is applied, and, by the aid of the friction-brake and the indicator, its exact condition determined, and being determined, a war- rant of efficiency can be given accordingly. Every engine this company manufactures and sells, goes through this process, so that the standard of efficiency attained is a matter of necessity and uniformity, not chance. It is claimed also for this engine and the claim is well substantiated that, aside from this perfect system of manufacture, it has many points of excellence. One of these points is claimed to be its general outline. It will be noticed that all strains are met by straight lines, rather than curved ones, which are regarded as elements of weakness. The valves used on these engines are the piston-valves of Thomas S. Davis, long the superintendent and manager of the Jersey City Locomotive Works, which, though first constructed and patented some ten years since, have stood the test of time thoroughly and successfully.
On small engines, unless specially ordered otherwise, the valves are made to cut off at a point predetermined; on others, an automatic cut-off; controlled by the governor, is applied, insuring efficiency equal to the best.
For driving the valve, the usual eccentric is made use of, with the exception of its mode of construction and adaptation to this particular engine. It is made fast on the shaft, permanently, not with set screws or keys, but is made an integral portion of the shaft, and then on its periphery is shrunk a reinforcing ring, which can be replaced in case of accident to its surface. No place is left for any adjustment of valve motion. Every part is made the exact length desired, and pinned fast. No screw or nut can be changed to alter the desired results. Thus is the perfection sought permanently secured, for as soon as a change is allowed in the valve-motion of an engine just so soon are the results of the original engineering skill lost.
The main shaft-boxes are composition, lined with best Babbitt metal, and are made interchangeable. Their wear does not, therefore, affect the framing or lining of the engine. The connecting-rod and its pins are very large at the bearing points. The cross-head is provided with adjustable composition gibs of very large surface, and self-centering. The piston-rods, and all the parts which require it, are of the best steel.
A neat, and efficient plan of getting rid of drip-water from the cylinder, is peculiar to this engine. The device is contained beneath the jacket when in use the drip-water passes down inside the post and out at the base and it can thus be carried off to the sewer without in the least soiling the floor. The engine is of the class known as semi-portable, being so arranged as to make it all self-contained, without the objection of having the engine attached to the boiler, which is considered by the manufacturers a serious one. Particular care has been taken to have every part so placed that it can be got at to be cleaned or re- paired in case of accident. Engines from one to ten horse-power are built in this style when wanted. Sizes above ten horse-power are built and placed on independent beds.
The engines of this company are specially adapted for steam yachts, and in places where lightness and great speed are required, and yet at ordinary speeds are claimed to give as good results as the best. All boilers sold by this company are inspected and insured by the Hartford Steam-Boiler Insurance Company.
These engines are made up in lots of ten at a time, of a given size, so that thirty to fifty of from one to thirty horse-power, are constantly in process of construction.
Our illustration represents a semi-portable engine of four horse-power, manufactured by the Haskins Machine Company, Fitchburg, Mass., (who have their principal warehouse in New York City at 46 Cortlandt street,) all arranged to be self-contained, without the objection of having the engine attached to the boiler, which is a serious one. Particular care has been taken to have all parts so placed that they can be readily got at for exmination or cleaning. Engines of 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 horse-power are put up in this style when wanted. These sizes, and sizes above, up to 40 horse-power, are placed on independent beds when desired. |
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1873 Haskin's Machine Co., Vertical Steam Engine & Boiler
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