Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-05-25
AUGUSTA PRODUCTS DISPLAY FEATURES AN
INTERESTING PROCESS OF ELECTROTYPING

stituted in this city in 1890 by Anton
Denim. who in 1893 was forced to
sell because of ill-health. The plant
was purchased at that time by Reuel
w. Carleton, and in 1907 Mr.. Jackson,
the present owner, was admitted to
partnership with Mr.. Carleton. In
August. 1925. Mr.. Carleton retired
from the business and Mr.. Jackson has
since conducted 1t as sole owner.
The process, the theory Of which
can be told in few words. is that an
impression of the type and cuts from
which it is desired to make the cleo
! trotype is first made in an especially
prepared wax or in lead, depending
upon the kind of work which is re-
CURED This form is made by hy-
draulic pressure, which is measured in
tone to the square inch, and the form
IS then placed in prepared bath
where by electrolysis, or the action of
an electric current deposit of pure
copper or Of nickel this also depend
ing upon the kind of work that is re-
quired) forms upon the wax or lead
and takes the impression of the form.
This is then stripped from the form,
and being very thin is backed up with
white metal" such as type Is made
, from, and after being given the fin
ishing touches Is ready to be placed
upon the press.
There are many different minor pro-
cesses, however, upon which determine
the success or failure of the electro
which is being made. For instance,
after the wax form has been made un-
der heavy pressure 1t must be coated
with graphite, as wax itself Is not q
conductor of electricity and it is es-
sential that every part of the front of
the plate shall have it's coating of
| graphite, else from the places which
are not coated the electric current will
not pass and the copper will not form.
making the shell absolutely worthless.
Four Color Printing
In printing in colors it is necessary
to print but one color at time so that
for what is called a -four color job"
four separate printings are necessary.
These are usually in black, yellow.
red and blue, and each printing re-
quires a different electro. The artists
proof is first photographed by the use
OF certain filters" which will only re-
cord upon the plate the one color
which the electro will carry and a reg
ular cut is made by the pkoto-engrav-
ers. This is process which is done
at the Augusta Engraving Company,
and the electrotype foundry does not
begin it's work until all OF the process
from the artists proof to the finished
engraving has been carried out.
Then the electrotype foundry takes
the engraving, makes the impression,
and carries it through the process stat
ed above. In the case of engravings,
or what is known as half tones, the
lead process is used and then pres
sure of from four to six tons to the
square inch is exerted in making the
lead mould. The pressure required by
the wax is considerably less. Wax is
used wherever there Is ordinary type
to be duplicated, as the white metal of
which the type is made would not wit
stand the extremely high pressure re-
quired for the lead forms.
Electros are used particularly be-
cause they are very hard and will wear
much longer on the presses than will
the softer type made of white metal
They are also easier to handle if it is
necessary to ship them to a distant
point, and cnce made here g no dam
ger that they will become upset and
the type misplaced as sometimes hap
pens to ordinary type locked up in
the printers form or Chase"
Particularly is this an advantage to
the Northeastern Press, situated
! across the street from the Kennebec
Journal office. Here text books re-
quiring the most accurate and pains
taking work are "set up" and after
being corrected for error are sent to
the electrotype foundry where an cleo
tro is made. This is proof read and
I then the electro is sent to the print
'ers who are to get out the book. with
the surety that the fini fcd book will
be absolutely correct and that no err
rors will have crept into it after it left
the hands of the electrotyper.