Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-04-18

WOOD CARVING BY MACHINERY. There
seems to be no limit to the adaptability of ma
chlnery to the arts, whether for manufacturing
or decorative purposes For machine carving
several different processes have been devised;
none OF which appear to be so simple or really
artistic as the one latest announced the object Of
which is to impress upon wood, by eharring it,
any design however elaborate. This process
may be described substantially4as follows:
This object is effected byengraving the design
upon the face of hollow iron cylinders, the lines
forming the design being left raised as in wood
engraving. According to the kind of work re-
qulred, the cylinders vary in size, from a diam
eter Of few inches to above two feet The CYL
nder is liked on an axis, and adjusted by means
OF screws and a lever to the proper distance
from another cylinder, which is not engraved
To make this adjustment correctly and to secure
the uniform rotation of the engraved cylinder
one end is closed, except the hole into which the
axis is screwed and few holes to secure the free
circulation of air. Two gas pipes are passed
into the engraved cylinder; through one of these
gas is supplied and it is ignited the Jets being so
placed that they play against the sides OF the cyl
lnder. second pipe, also perforated with holes
in the sides, is supplied with air by means of a
rapidly revolving fan By this means a power
iul blast is urged upon the gas flame, aud a
most energetic blow-ppe is formed The gas
flames, which played at first steadily against
the side, now sweep with roaring noise the in.
terror OF the cylinder, which, Notwithstanding
the mass Of metal, can be rapidly made red hot
throughout by its action.
The cylinder being sufficiently hot a smooth
board is pushed between the two cylinders, and
subjected TO considerable pressure. BY this the
design, which is upon the roller, is pressed and
burnt into the timber, every line being faithful
ly and deeply marked. Plank after plank passes
on through the rollers in steady Order so that
in comparatively short time many hundred feet
may be thus impressed with the pattern on the
cylinder.
Where there is continuous pattern as for
mouldingS, the cylinder is small, and is, of
course, with every revolution repeating itself.
Where ornamental panels are required, the cir
conference of the cylinder is the length of the
panel, and boards of the same length are regu-
larry passed through, every one Of them receiy-
ing repetition Of the pattern. The heat Of the
cylinder can he regulated with very great nicely,
by turning the gas on or of, and by, adjusting
the supply Of air TO the blow-pipe
When the board has passed through the
eharrlng operation, il passes TO the workman,
VINO scrapes It down over the entire surface so
as TO Drug out the lights, and produce the best
enect. When this is accomplished, the surface
Is VANISHED or polished and the result is an Or
h haulental panel or moulding Of the greatest
beauty, aud OF remarkable permanence.
Whlte woods, as sycamore and lime, are EN-.
ployeo lor this work. IL is easy, also, by this
process, 10 give TO the less expensive varieties of
WOOD the peculiar characteristics of the more
expensive kinds; rosewood and walnut are very
exceilently initiated, and upon these again any
| pattern can be impressed
The advantages of this process aunear IN no
the facility and eheapness with which we can
| place on wood the most artistic designs. il Is
| not, Of course applicable TO the Introduction of
| q single specimen; but, where we have 10 reneat
the same design, with every repetition the price
] is reduced. The beautiful sepia, or chocolate