Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-08-25
DAILY KENHEEEc JOURNAL. SATURDAY AUGUST Is. 1894
ELECTROTYPE FOUNDRY.
Located On Bangor Street and Is
Doing a Big Business.
General Description Of the Process Of Prepar
ing EIecirotyps Plates.


Located on Bangor street. East side, i.
the only electrotype foundry in Augusta
and more lively place to visit viii be hard
to find just now. Everything in that es.
tablishment is black with dirt, that being q
noticeable feature of the place, even the
workmen, while in reality not of the Afri-
can race, yet during working hours make
an almost perfect representation. To the
person who worships clean hands, etc., while
at work this would not be the haven of de-
light.
The present owner, Ruel W. Carleton,
has worked up large business during the
year AID half that he has been proprietor.
He was born in Augusta and has always
lived here. at one time being superientend-
ent of burials. Since the suspension of
business of the E. c. Allen publishing
house Mr.. Carleton has bought several ma
chimes from the Allen Co. and m material for
his electrotype work.
In the building is all the machinery
necessary for making electrotype
plates and the power for running it
is derived from 20 horse power
boiler and - horse power engine. An
electric motor is kept in reserve, in case of
accident, when an immediate start would
be required to supply piece of work. In
this foundry the electrotype for the pub
fishing houses is made, and the process of
building it, while simple to look upon, is
intricate and demands a marked degree of
cAutiousness. While electrotyping is not
new art, nevertheless,to many of the jour
NAILS readers it may be Of interest to read
a brief description of the work as seen at
this foundry.
The form Of page for paper is taken to
the foundry all solidly locked in the frame.
1t is placed on slab and made level, after
which an impression of the type is taken in
melted beeswax. The wax is poured upon
a sheet of thin iron previous to taking the
impression, which is obtained by placing
the sheet containing melted wax upon the
type form and running it through presser.
After the imprint is made on the wax a
polishing process takes place upon the wax
form followed by building up under
meath. Little hooks of thin copper are
attached to tho side of the form.
In this shape it is taken to large sink and
there it is thoroughly cleaned. Iron dust
is scattered over the surface, upon which is
poured solution of blue vitriol. This gives
the wax type copper color and when
cleaned it is then taken to the battery where
the force of electricity is brought to hear
on the plate and hardening process takes
place.
The battery is large tank containing
sulphurous acid and copper sheets. The
inside of This tank is securely lined with
sheet lead. Across the edge of the tank on
the back side are two copper rods, these be-
ing attached to the electric motor. One rod
is above the other, this arrangement being
made so that the current passed through in
such manner as to produce the effect
upon the wax form, which will be ex-
planned. Copper rods extend crosswise of
this tank, one layer being above the other
and the upper layer of rods rests upon the
top rod that runs lengthwise Of the tank.
Upon the lower rods that reach crosswise
are attached sheets of copper and upon the
upper ones the wax form of the plate is
fastened. Both sheets are covered by this
solution of acid and when the current of
electricity is applied from the motor
the power is very strong and works
upon this copper sheet in such
manner as to produce deposit upon
the wax form, which serves as a hard.
ening process. A dozen of these forms can
be hardened in about three hours.
After it is taken from the tank it is
trimmed and passes to the man who ad-
justs the type so that all will be even. Then
it is polished and made ready to put upon
the press for printing. The description
given here is not in detail. but largely gen.
eral. III. t..
Five men are employed and there is not
moment of all the day for idleness. The
electrotype forms for the Australian ballots
have been made at this place. -.
.