Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-09-02

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until it is thoroughly dry. for IL it
were streams of very hot water falling
upon contained any moisture. an in
ferior product would be the result. In
grow darker in different degrees. and
the difference in the quality of the
product is here more distinguishable
to the inexperienced eye than at any
time during its manufacture.
When thoroughly dry the material is
taken to a machine similar to the one
last described, in which 1t is thoroughly
ground up and mixed. The cylinders are
kept hot by steam during the mixing
process and while in the heated condi
ton the several chemicals. in powder
form, are added. 1t is necessary in The
manufacture of rubber for tires, that the
products should have just the proper con
sistency. 1t must not be too hard, or IT
will crack; 1t must not be too soft, as II
will not wear. The chemicals needed 10
give the caoutchouc the proper require
ments for rubber tires and the proper
tons in which they are used are carefully
guarded secrets by manufacturers, and
the means resorted to by the different
manufacturing firms To learn the secrets
of rival firms are often desperate. as the
following example will attest:
Shortly after the Victor rubber tire fac
tory of Springfield. Ohio, began opera
tons. a man who had all the appearances
of a country greenhorn visited the place
He asked for a pass through the factory
and 50 clever was his mpersonation o.
the part that he assumed that the super
intendent gave him the pass with scarce
ly a question. He went about the ma =
chinery with an expression of lamb like
innocence and genuine wonderment. The
foreman was suspicious, however, ana az l
not like his looks. he laid plan. hop
ing 10 catch him OF his guard. Handing
the supposed innocent a chunk of rubber,
h. asked:
do YOU think that is as good az tho
piece YOU just examined"
The grrcnhorn did not know
TRY ii ana see." suggested the fore
! man. at the same time handing him j
knife.
The man drew the blade between his
lips and that was enough for the foreman.
That will do" he cried ''out YOU 60,
and mighty quick. A man who knows
enough to wet a knife before trying 70
cut rubber has been in a factory before =
And out the man went.
The mixing Of the chemicals with the
unfinished product ut first causes disin-
tegration and the separation Of the ma .
terial into shreds. but union is speedily
re -esta blished. and the mass again be
comes homogeneous and retains its PHI
ability and is to be used with the canvas
on the elasticity after cooling. The rub
Der which is to be used with canvas on
| the under side of the tire goes next to the
calendar. machine which has three CYL
inderS, the middle one running two or
| three times faster than the outside ones.
This cylinder produces great friction.
which is utilized to force the rubber into
| the canvas, which is run through with il.
1t completely fills the meShts Of the fab
| ric.
The material which Is to be used for
| the tire proper goes 10 an ingenious tub
| ing machine, not large. but Very powerful
| in operation. The rubber is thrown upon
| a large screw. confined in a strong steel
case. In the revolution Of the screw the
material l. forced toward one end. which
| is an exact mould Of the proposed tire
| In going to this aperture the mass passes
| over two small pins or mandrils. which
make the holes for wiring the tire onto
the wheel
After passing through the moulds the
tires are cut into the required length ana
taken to the vulcaniZers. They are then
placed in long receptaces fitted on long
carriages and covered with heavy lids.
The holes for the wires are preserved b.
means Of stiff wires run through the tires.
Securely fastened in these carriages the
tires are run into the Vulcanzer, when
one large hollow cylinder heated 10 Il very
high temperature by the steam. The rub
Der is confined in the vulcanizer for sew
eral hours until the true vulcan.zati3n, or
union of the caoutchouc and sulphur.
which is one of the chemicals mixed with
it, takes place Cooling then takes place
ana the wires running through the tires
are forced ont 10y pneumatic pressure.
The tires when newly made are dark,
almost black in appearance. but in time
they become a peculiar grey hue. Tn"
machinery used in rubber tire manufact-
urc Is very expensive and is only made III
two factories in America.
owing to the advance in the price %
caoutchouc. the price Of the finished tire
has not grown less. Notwithstanding tn \
increased facilities for its manufacture.
The pneumatic tires for automobiles cost
about 500 each. and they are not gua"
anteed. They may last for only fifteen
minutes, or they may stand hard wear
for three months. The large, heavy. solid
tires used on fire engines are attached by
four instead of two wires and cost about
$50 each. With ordinary usage. they
would probably last several years. The
prices for the different sizes of two wire
tires. complete with the steel band 70:
applying them. in which. in the tire trade
is called the channel, are as follows the
prices given being for four wheels:
a-nch tread 5 81. %
u inch tread, 1890
] inch tread 800
+, rs inch tread, 800
Ia inch tread. $50
rs inch tread. 500
IL inch tread, $500
Ia inch tread. 100 o.
Ia inch tread 1000
| = inch tread. 1S5. 90
2i2 inch tread. 10. 90
The cost of -rubbcring the old chan
nels is as follows, for set Of four wheels: