New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-27
DOCTOR OF MACHINERY.
APTITUDE FOR THE WORK Is EXTREMELY RARE
CURIOUS DEFECTS WHICH HE MUST
DISCOVER AND REMEDY.


DISCOVER AND REMEDY.
Among the multitudinous trades and professions
in New-York there are many which are entirely
unknown. even by name. to the general pubic
one OF the least known and most interesting is
that Of the expert in machinery. The work OF
machinery specialist is far higher than that OF
skilled engineer and many years OF experience and
special training are necessary to nj The expert Tor
his duties. There only about half dozen OF
these men In the country. one in every large city.
When anything goes wrong with machinery plant
OF whatever nature the cause of which the engi-
neer in charge. frequently the builder OF the
engines. cannot discover. the machinery doctor ls
called in Every chief engineer o; a big plant
may be called specialist so far as the machinery
under his charge is concerned, but the specialist
in machinery is an expert in engines of every
description
Though he has never the engine before he
rapidly diagnoses the case and prescribes remedy.
Just as doctor does for sick patient. The IN
strument most used by him is dentophone. which
consists Of thin steel rcd about foot long.
which he holds between his teeth and applies to the
head OF the cylinder To the practced ear Of the
expert every sound transmitted from the cylinder
tells a story. The working OF the piston In the
cylinder and. indeed OF the whole engine can
be heard distinctly in this manner by anybody. but
il takes expert to tel just what those sounds
mean.
heard In the cylinder OF The big driving engine in
a large spinning factory not long ago an expert
was called in determine the cause. Every
method had been tried 10 discover where the
trouble was but without avail. Bearings were eN-
amined the cylinder taken apart. and every
part well oiled AL TO purpose When the ex-
merit came he ira ed the mysterious knocking from
the cylinder along the piston rod crank shaft
and through the main shaft, away of among the
looms, where of the looms was found to be the
cause Of the trouble.
often an experts services are required in the
case Of synchron,zing looms. II all the looms In
big spinning factory happen to beat together. az
sometimes happens. the vibration is strong enough
TO bring the building down. For the same rea-
son soldiers always break step when gong over
a suspension bridge. for otherwise the measured
tramp of the many feet all striking the ground at
the same time would seriously cndanger the siruct-
ure The power OF sound is also enormous when
exerted in a particular way. Every substance IN
same pitch is caused near il considerable amount
Of vibration is prodnesd When the great sirs
which divide England from the Island of Anelesea
the whole structure. He happened while playing.
70 hold for considerable time a note which
CHANGED to be the keynote OF the huge bridge
structure The sound echoed along the vast tube
and re-echoed with ever-increasng force unui tho
whole bridge vibrated as If an earthquake was
by. instantly OWNED the cause. and stopped the
Part Of the business o; the machinery doctor
consists in arranging the distribution or looms
and other machinery that their working Will not
endanger the stability OF the factory Defects in
a boiler can also be instantly determined by the
practiced ear OF the specialist a plate in the
boiler is selected which is known to be in good con-
dition and ne takes mental note OF the pitch OF
the sound made when the plate Is struck with
hammer. All the other plates are struck In the
same way. and any which does not ring true
and conform TO the correct pitch, is examined ana
replaced A case Is record where a machinery
specialist was crossing the ocean and detected
GENERALIZATION in the centre of the shaft thereby
ayertiug what might have been serious accident In
midocean Measures were taken TO strengthen the
shaft in the place where the quick OF tn expert
detected weakness. and when the vessel was locked
mis- suspicious proved correct
Few men even with the most exhaustive training
can become experts at this business, as II requires
a marvellous Quickness of ear and delicate percei-
ton Of sound with which few men are blessed
Technical knowledge Is OF little avail OF Itself.
and fine engineer might be poor machinery
doctor. just great musician might make an
Indifferent piano tuner. Whoever a big mill is
erected specialist Is always consulted as to the
pacing OF the machinery. and his fee is generally
vol worth the expense and trouble which in
iudclous distribution OF machines may cause.