Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-11-25

very satisfactory, two doing the work
of more than twenty men.
Change TO PiecewOrk.
One of the most important changes
in the processes of manufacture during
the year has been an extensive transfer
from day to piecework in the carpen-
ter and paint shops, resulting in re-
duction of cost varying from 70 TO oo
per cent, although the earnings OF the
men have been increased from 10 to
80 per cent as a result of the increased
output.
The machine shop has been operated
16 hours per day during practically the
entire year, using for that purpose two
shifts of machinists and machinists
helpers. 1t has been found necessary
to introduce number of new pro-
cesses to obtain that degree of accura-
cy and interchangeability OF parts re-
Quired in the manufacture OF the new
field artillery material. which has been
accomplished in a highly creditable
manner A hydraulic plant, consisting
of triplicate vertical pump and two
hydraulic presses. having capacity of
344 and LOO tons, respectively. has
been installed and excellent results OBJ
tanned with it in the forming of parts
having irregular shapes out of fiange
steel. The machining of the interior
Of the recoil cylinder is difficult and
complicated operation, due to the COM
paratively inaccessible surfaces and to
the accuracy of finish required. These
g.;
nicely that the maximum variation
from prescribed dimensions in many
cases does not exceed eight ten-thous-
andths of an inch. The axles for the
carriage, timber and caissOn are hOl-
low, with the bore larger in the middle
than at either end, and are made from
a single piece of forged steel. The
axles were at first purchased from pri-
vate manufacturers, but as result of
the improved methods adopted at the
arsenal they are now made for less
than one-half of the price for which
they were purchased in the market. An
unsuccessful effort has been made to
manufacture counter-recoil springs for
these carriages; experiments with that
end in view will, however, be con-
tinued.
Equipnents Turned Out.
The years output of equipments has
been equivalent of 10000 sets of horse
equipments, $4,000 sets of cavalry
mems equipments. 10000 sets of infan-
try equipments, harness for II field
batteries, and sundrv pack outfits for
mountain guns.
Over 1900 wOrkmen are now en-
ployed at this arsenal, and this number
will be gradually Increased during the
coming year as the small arms plant
is more fully operated.
To enable the field, siege and noun
tain gun carriages manufactured at
this arsenal to be proof fired. small
proving ground has been established
on the eastern end of the island. The
surrounding country is SO thickly set
tied that range firing cannot be had.
BY the construction of suitable butts.
however. all carriages can be safely
proof fired, thereby saving the cost of
their transportation to some other
point for that purpose, and familiariz-
ing the manufacturing personnel with
their performance.
The Small Arms Plant.
During the year 81 machines have
been installed. making a total of 1,155
machines in this plant. The fixtures,
dies, jigs, tools. ETC., required for the
completion of the plant are being
manufactured at the Springfield armory
and will be completed during the pres
ent calendar year. 1t being essential
that all parts of the rifles manufacture
ed at Rock Island arsenal and at
Springfield armory should be strictly
interchangeable, all gauges will con-
is anticipated that the installation of
this plant will be completed and that
daily output of 125 finished arms will
be obtained by or before June so, 1905.
A number of foremen, inspectors,
and skilled mechanics have been
either permanently or temporarily
transferred from the Springfield ar
mory to this arsenal, in order that their
experience and training may be utiIiz-
ed in starting machine operations and
in the instruction of inexperienced
men. OF the 80 component parts con-
tanned in the United States magazine
rifle, model of 1908, the machine oper-
atoms on three of the parts have been
completely installed and those on SO
partially installed.