Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-05-19
INDUSTRIAL STANDARDS
PRODUCTS OF ALL FACTORIES MADE
ON SIMILAR SPECIFICATIONS.

Standardization For Engines, Dynamos
Box-Cars and Steam-Pipe Flanges-
Long Struggle For Uniformity of Rail-
way Gauge.
The principle Of standardization, the
adoption of uniform systems Of meas
urements and units, is being extended
to more and more branches Of engi-
neering and the mechanic arts. The
recent reports Of committees appointed
by various technical societies to adopt
standards In lines that had hitherto
been without them show plainly how
strong the general tendency is in this
direction. Especially has this been
true in this country, and even British
authorities have testified to the impor-
tance of this fact in giving to Ameri-
can manufactures the prominence
which they enjoy.
One of the most recent systems Of
standards adopted is the standardiza-
tion Of engines and dynamos, drawn up
by q committee Of the American So
ciety of Civil Engineers, and the Amer
lean Institute Of Electrical Engineers,
which made its final report in Decem-
Der. Dynamos and electrical genera
tors and the steam engines that drive
them are made usually by different
companies and have to be connected
and fitted together when in place. The
committees report recommends stand
ard dimensions for the armature bore,
the engine shaft that Is to fit 1t, the
space occupied on the shaft, and the
keys and holding-down bolts. These
are worked out in the table for genera
tors of seven different capacities from
twenty-five to 200 kilowatts.
Another report on standard of
much interest to railroad men is that
of the committee of the Master Car
Builders Association, recommending
dimensions for standard box-car,
twelve feet six and three-quarter
inches high at the caves, and with Its
floor four feet from the top Of the rail.
AS the last number of the Engineering
News has pointed out, the detailed di-
mensions recommended conform to the
general requirements as to inside meas
urement and capacity, adopted in Octo-
Der by the American Railway Associa-
tion.
Still a third system of standards
adopted In the past year is for the ex-
ira heavy flanges on steam-pipes. This
was drawn up by committee appoint
ed by representatives of about ten lead
In n, n 7, II 2 q ot,,rarc of ctaon .ninoc Tho
schedules which apply to all sizes Of
pipe from two to twenty-four inches,
went into effect on January 1. Twen-
ty-six firms, including the National
Tube Company, adopted them, and
three others gave notice that they
would supply them if desired by GUS
toners.
Standard steel rails have been rolled
by all the mills for years past, but
there is now a demand for revision Of
the standards in certain particulars.
This is being considered by the Ameri-
can Society Of Civil Engineers, and
will come up again before its Execu-
tive Board at the February meeting.
OF more significance than the mere
adoption Of standards is the general
favor shown them by manufacturers.
The report Of the Committee on Stand
ardlzation Of Engines and Dynamos re-
ported:
1--WE are glad to be able to repeat
what we have said in previous reports,
that the comments which have been
received are almost without exception
commendatory, and show not only a
willingness to adopt the committees
recommendations, but an appreciation
Of the work which has been DONE"
Likewise, the report of the Commit
tee on Pipe Flanges said:
1.-THE committees labors were very
much lightened by the hearty co-opera-
ton of all the firms with whom they
held communication, and the list of
firms mentioned, embracing the largest
manufacturers Of valves and fittings
in the Fest and West, shows the inter-
est taken in the subject"
In departments more familiar to the
general public the same tendency has
been manifested in almost countless
ways. The uniform sizes in shoes,
gloves and hats Of all makes, uniform
calibtes in all makes of rifles, shotguns
with interchangeable parts, and the
American watch, which does not Qike
the SWISS have to have every part
that is replaced specially made and
fitted by hand, are few examples.
1t is not generally realized that COM
plete uniformity of gauge on all the
American railroads was only secured
within the last fifteen years. Prior to
that time there were differences Of a
half-inch or more between some of the
roads. With the growth of electrical,
and especially inter-urban traffic, in the
last few years, street railway systems
are more and more adopting the stand
ard gauge which enables them to do
switching, If necessary, on steam rail
way tracks, and gives them more sta
BILE base for machinery than the old
narrow gauge. The distance between
rails which is standard here was intro
duced from England at the time when