An IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR ENGRAVING LETTERS, MEDAILLONS, AND OTHER ORNAMENTS ON STONE OR METAL
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Jules Alexandre Alphonse Landa, of Paris,
Cour des Miracles, No. 6, Engraver, for the Invention of "An
IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR ENGRAVING LETTERS, MEDAILLONS, AND OTHER
ORNAMENTS ON STONE OR METAL."
Sealed the 25th June 1869, and dated the 29th December 1868.
PROVISIONAL, SPECIFICATION left by the said Jules Alexandre
Alphonse Landa at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with his Petition, on the 29th December 1868.
I, JULES ALEXANDRE ALPHONSE LANDA, of Paris, Cour des Miracles,
No. 6, Engraver, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "AN IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR ENGRAVING LETTERS, MEDAILLONS, AND OTHER
ORNAMENTS ON STONE OR METAL," to be as follows:→
This Invention consists of an improved machine for engraving letters,
medaillons; and other ornaments on metal or stone employed in con-
junction with certain new forms of type and composing sticks, whereby

page_text: a more perfect mode of operating is insured, while the use of very
complicated machinery is dispensed with.
The machine consists of a framing carrying a sliding frame for moving
backwards and forwards the material to be engraved, which motion is
effected by means of a screw spindle provided with a counting apparatus
for regulating the distances. Upon the sliding frame rests a sliding
table for moving the material to the right or to the left, which motion
is effected by a spindle carrying a sliding pinion in gear with a second
pinion on a screw spindle actuating the sliding table. The first-named
spindle is also provided with counting mechanism for regulating the
motion. Upon the sliding table is a turntable on which the object to
be engraved rests, and by means of which circular motion is obtained
for forming circles, arcs, rosettes, or other curved forms. Motion is
imparted to this turntable by means of a worm and worm wheel also
provided with counting apparatus. An upright portion of the framing
at the back thereof carries an arm adjustable in a vertical direction by
means of a screw spindle, and which serves as a support to a pantograph
apparatus, and adjusts the same according to the thickness of the
material to be engraved. In front of the machine is a long narrow type
table with flanges forming a shallow trough, which table serves either
itself as a composing stick or to carry the composing sticks containing
the type to be copied. For fixing the type directly in this table an
adjustable sliding plate is secured by a screw at one end thereof, while
for securing the composing sticks thereon set screws are provided in one
of the side flanges. This table is provided with slides working against
the faces of brackets on the framing and held by set screws, whereby
the table can be adjusted in its vertical position, according to the height
to which the point of the pantograph that has to work on it is set.
The brackets have a graduated scale marked thereon for this purpose,
and a graduated scale is also marked on the front edge of the type table.
The pantograph which is suspended by a light framing turning upon pin
centres on the before-mentioned arm projecting from the back of the
framing is provided with a diamond or steel graving point, situated over
the material to be engraved, and with a tracing point for passing along the
recessed type to be copied situated on the type table. This point is weighted
by means of an adjustable weight and rests upon a lever carried by the
pantograph, by which lever the point is raised from the type, while the
graving point is simultaneously raised in a similar manner by means of

page_text: a cord connected at one end to a pulley actuated by the lever, and at
the other end to a lever actuating the graving point. The composing
sticks to be fixed on the type table are either straight or curved; they
are marked with graduations, and the type are formed either of rect-
angular blocks for the straight composing sticks or of blocks with
rounded ends for the curved composing sticks, which latter type may
also be used in the straight sticks and be secured therein in a sloping
position by means of wedge-shaped spacing pieces. An adjustable form
of curved composing stick is constructed of two pliable steel plates held
in curved positions between the teeth of two adjustable toothed racks
upon a plate that is secured to the type table. For producing wave
lines or scrolls of any configuration, these are formed recessed upon a
plate capable of being made to slide longitudinally on the type table,
which is for this purpose provided at one end with a screw spindle
passing into a screwed bush on the plate. Other type of a rosette form
or consisting of concentric circles are also employed for producing cor-
responding designs on the material to be engraved. Block letter type
are also employed, in which the configuration of the letter is formed by
two bold lines a certain distance apart, while the filling in is produced
by fine lines close together and running one into the other, so that the
tracing point can be passed along the whole of them without being raised.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Jules Alexandre Alphonse Landa in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 29th June 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JULES
ALEXANDRE ALPHONSE LANDA, of Paris, Cours des Miracles, No. 6,
Engraver, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-ninth day of December, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in
the thirty-second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said Jules Alexandre Alphonse
Landa, Her special licence that I, the said Jules Alexandre Alphonse
Landa, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said Jules Alexandre Alphonse Landa, my executors, administrators,

page_text: of which is in the plate C. The two pinions having the same number of
teeth the movement given to the shaft 3 is communicated to the screw 7
in a very convenient manner. D is the turning plate for obtaining
circular movements to form radial lines, circles, small oval or variegated
devices, and is operated and controlled by the quick-threaded screw 8
furnished with a spring rack and tooth g; E is the bracket supporting
the pantograph and its apparatus for suspension and motion; this
bracket rises and falls in the vertical slide 10 by means of the screw 11,
which is worked by a crank, placing the pantograph at the exact height
necessary for bearing on the plan to be engraved; F; horizontal sliding
plate for the purpose of regulating the position of the graduated, com-
posing apparatus and the carriers. under the engraving tool; it is on this.
sliding plate that the work to be executed is placed. The types are fixed..
by means of an adjusting plate 12, working in a channel in the sliding:
plate F by means of the set screw 13. This slide is raised and lowered
by means. of the two standards G, G, having a foundation or rest through
which a sliding bar is passed in order to prevent any deviation. The
divisions are marked on the base block H, H, carrying the slide bar and
regulating the height. The security of this arrangement is. effected by
the side screws 14, 14.. H, H, are the base blocks referred to for carrying
the sliding plates which serve for the movement of the standards G, G ;
I is the vertical suspending shaft of the pantograph for keeping the same.
in a horizontal position; J, the pantograph. The bearings and turning
of the pantograph in the bracket E are provided by the pointed steel
screws 15, 15. K, the diamond for engraving (this may be replaced by
a steel point if required); it is raised and lowered as in all pantographs.
L, the pointer entering the hollows or spaces of the types, to follow their
shapes, and to communicate movement to the diamond cutter K; it is
raised out of the types by the lever 16, which by a thread or cord or
band raises the diamond at the same time. This pointer being loaded
with a weight which forces it to rest in the hollows of the types may
ascend or descend; a screw 17 on the weight 18 fixes it at the desired
height. M, cam or screw with a graduated head and its bearing and
seat; this cam screw, which serves to move the types analogous to those
of Fig. 7, serves only for lines which cross each other..
Description of types and carriers, Figs. 3 to 10, Sheet 3.-Fig. 3,.

page_text: Fig. 4, graduated carrier with types around, above, and beneath. This
form of types permits, as will be seen, of disposing them at a greater or
less inclination according to taste and object; the angular or inclined
arrangement requires spaces of angular forms. The form of these types
is indispensable to enable them to enter the curved carriers.
Fig. 5, fixed curved carrier (they may be of different curves). These
carriers are mounted on a band ✗ which enters the slide F, Fig. 1,
secured in position by the screw 13.
Fig. 6, curved carrier for all lines, composed of two slides furnished
with teeth T, of two flexible steel bands U, of a plate forming a table V,
and a band X to enter the slide F, Fig. 1. The slides T in approaching
each other bend the bands U and give them all the curves necessary.
Fig. 7, plate entering the slide F; this plate is grooved out at each
end, in these grooves screw guides enter to form a slide; the right-hand
end carries a journal or bearing N in which the screw cam M is worked,
which serves to move this plate in lines only; the other movements are
made by the screws 1 and 7, Figs. 1 and 2. On this plate are cut straight
and undulating lines which serve ordinarily for the basis of work, bills.
of exchange, borders, water lines and other combinations of lines. The
old machines for engraving made for this description of work can only
produce curves running in a half circle. With this application, alto-
gether new, further progress is made; the most excentric curves can be
produced (8, 9, 10, 11,) which formerly it was impossible to produce.
Fig. 8, type for flowers. These may vary infinitely, each of them
giving, by the combinations of the machine designs of continually new
form (see the description).
Fig. 9, circular type formed in concentric lines. The concentric
lines may be replaced by undulating lines. The same arrangements
serve for ovals,
Fig. 10, types for fine lines, letters. The Drawing completely shews
the general form or outline of the letter, and the finished Drawings the
work which should produce the black lines and complete the letter at
its exit from the machine. The reduction to a fifth or less so brings
these lines together that they form one continuous space or engraving
under the action of the weakest bite of acid. This' means may equally
be employed without varnish and without acid by using a cutting
diamond weighted sufficiently to give a strong line.

page_text: All writings may be worked in the same manner. English and round
hand, which by reason of the lines uniting the letters of the same word
cannot be designed in the same way (as the sketch only), ought to be
composed by the old process of typography, that is to say, by the
separation of the letters (Didat's process).
I have given to the lines which are made full or black the arrangement
of raised or fine lines, because this arrangement permits of working front
one end to the other without raising the pointer. But I propose to provide
for all arrangements of parallel lines, cross lines, undulations, or others
which are used for the same purpose. With these type carriers and the
machine the following results may be obtained in all sizes and positions
desired-1st, engraving of letters; 2nd, medallion work, escutcheons,
and ornaments to be reproduced many times, and all work difficult to
execute in very minute dimensions; 3rd, the engraving called mecha-
nical, obtained more perfect than hitherto and without a special machine;
4, a special engraving which is only possible with my apparatus, and
which will be of great use in safety engraving for bank notes,
DESCRIPTION OF THE WORKING,
When it is required to work on varnished or polished plates
(lithographic stones, copper, steel, zinc, &c. a blunt diamond is used,
lightly weighted; if (for lithographic stone only) the work is done
without varnish it is necessary to employ a diamond cutting on all
sides, and more weighted than in the preceding case. In one as in
the other method of work the diamond should be perfectly central,
that is to say, the point should be constantly in line with the point
which follows the types and the suspending pivoted points of the
pantograph.
Composition of Writings and Ornaments, Escutcheons, or Medallions
which accompany them.-A sketch is to be made on paper, according to
the selection of types; this sketch indicates simply the position of the
writings and accessories; it is then transferred on to the stone or plate
to be cut (for clearness of description I use the word "stone"). The
stone is placed on the table D and the pantograph is put to the required
scale of reduction; the writings are then composed line by line with
selected types, either in the slide F or in one of the carriers; the
measure or scale on the slide and the carriers serve to regulate the
length of the lines. If the set form of the types do not reach the desired

page_text: dimensions the necessary interval between each or between the words is
adjusted; this composition besides is made as in typography. The types
thus set are fixed by the plate 12; this being done the stone is placed
so that the transferred tracing becomes parallel to the composed types;
the three screws 1, 3, and 8 render this operation very easy, one has
only to lower at the same time the pointer L and the diamond K, and
to conduct the pointer L through all the hollows of the composed line
(sketch and fine letters) to obtain a completely finished line. The
process is the same for all the design; then the edge of the stone is
coated with wax, and aqua fortis is applied in the usual way. The upper
lines are brought very near together by the reduction to a fifth or less.
The biting of the acid enlarges them and joins them to produce the
black parts of the letters or ornaments.
Undulated Work, Water Lines, and Wave Lines.-A waved plate is
placed on the slide F. Fig. 7, with its guides, the stone is put on the
table D and brought into position, the pointer L follows the waved line
selected, and the pointer is raised; this first line being obtained the
stone is moved by means of one of the screws 1 and 3, and sometimes
by both according to the combination of work to be obtained; a second
line is then traced and the screws 1 and 3 are employed again, and so
on until the completion of the work. When it is desired to obtain very
strong lines the stone should only be removed very little in order that
the second line should touch the first; lines of all thicknesses can also
be made. The work in straight lines is done by causing the hollow
tracing in straight lines on the type plate to follow the pointer L, Fig. 7.
I can then by these means make the black lines of a bill of lading or an
engraving as well as the fine lines. This machine being calculated to
dispense cutirely with engraving by hand is required to perform this
latter work although so apparently unimportant. The waved or undu-
lating lines being reduced to all dimensions by the pantograph, much
more numerous combinations can be obtained than by the ordinary
means.
Radial Lines.-When the waved or undulated lines are to be made as
radii from a centre it will be necessary to replace the plate, Fig. 7, with
the slide F by the screw M entering the cam N; the pointer L is placed
in any part of the undulated line which will determine the centre of the
radial lines; the stone is then placed in the centre of the turning
plate D, and as for other work the line to be reproduced is made to

page_text: follow the point L by turning the table D by means of the screw 8 the
distance necessary for bringing the next radial line into work which
having the same centre as the first the table will be turned step by step
until a complete turn is made. During these operations the crossing of
the lines will not be obtained by the screws 1 and 3, as for waved work,
for the centre of the radii would be changed each time; it is necessary
then to advance the plate, Fig. 7; this movement is obtained by the
screw M, the head of which carries divisions, and which entering the
cam N move the plate Fig. 7. For straight radials there is no removal
of lines required. It is the screw 8 which spaces the lines, the pointer L
then following the straight tracing of the plate Fig. 7.
Floral Designs. A type, Fig. 8, is placed in the slide F, the pointer L
is put in the centre of this type, and the pantograph to its reduction,
the stone is placed in the centre of the turning table D, as for radial
lines, then the central zone of the design is made; to render this portion
agreeable to the eye the lines are crossed by turning the stone by the
screw 8, and thus all desirable modifications are obtained in this part of
the work, the next zone is then executed and also crossed, and so on
with the others. The screw 8 carries a regulator q which permits the
greatest variety of combinations, five or six types of different characters
being sufficient to obtain a considerable quantity of designs.
Circles and Ovals.-To make circles it is not necessary to place the
stone in the centre of the turning table which does not move during
the work. The type, Fig. 9, is fixed in the slide F, the point L placed
in the centre of this type; the stone brought under the point of the
diamond K; then the point L is drawn back until it comes in the
periphery of the circle required; the lines traced on the type are very
near each other to obtain all combinations, taking all its lines or every
second or third line. The reduction by the pantograph coincides also
with this method. Waved or undulating circles and ovals united or
undulated without crossing lines are obtained by the same means.
I claim my arrangement of machinery and principally the following
points which characterize it,-
1st. In the combination of the machine, the bracket E, and its slide
which elevates and lowe.. the pantograph.
2nd. The slide F which rises and falls, and which fulfils at will the
operation of graduated composing plate and carrier.

page_text: 3rd. The application of my apparatus to two entirely different kinds of
engraving, and which require distinct machines, that is to say, 1stly, the
mechanical engraving of writings, ornaments, medallions, etc., by means
of reproduced types of different sizes; and 2ndly, engraving called
machine or waved, by the use of special waved or undulating types which
the different elements of my machinery combine for producing all the
effects obtainable with wave line machines, and effects entirely new
which these types alone can give.
4thly. The undulated or waved types themselves.
5. The straight, curved, and graduated carriers applied to this
machine.
6thly. Lastly and specially, the types of rectangular and round letters
with fine lines to obtain the black parts of the engraving.
These types form the most salient feature of my Invention, and are
destined to change radically the process of engraving, since in giving
results of rare perfection from five to fifteen times more quickly than by
hand, they will permit of the production of special engravings, the work
becoming very easy of execution.
In witness whereof, I, the said Jules Alexandre Alphonse Landa,
have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of
June, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
sixty-nine.
Witness,
ALEX. PRINCE,
Office for Patents,
4, Trafalgar Square,
Charing Cross.
J. A. A. LANDA. (L.S.)