Improvements in Methods of, and Means for, Making Matrix-bars for Line Casting Machines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Aug., 1897-Accepted 18th Sept.,
1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Methods of, and Means for, Making Matrix-bars for
Line Casting Machines.
I, WILBUR STEPHEN SCUDDER, of Brooklyn, Kings County, State of New York,
United States of America, Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
―
This invention relates to the manufacture of matrix-bars or plates designed for
type composing and line casting machines, particularly such matrix-bars as are
employed in what is known as the monoline composing machine.
Matrix-bars of the character alluded to have already been manufactured by
electro-deposition of copper or other metal, but according to the method or order
of procedure set forth in this patent, independent or separate dies require to be
individually assembled, relatively to the recessed edge of a matrix-bar blank,
which is attended by difficulties, and results in a greater or less number of
imperfect matrix-bars. The assembling of a number of dies or metal types which
have been separately cast multiply inaccuracies to a considerable extent, which
will be obvious when it is considered that the variation of one four thousandth
of an inch will be multiplied say twenty four times in the manufacture of matrix-
bars, each having a plurality of intaglios in one edge, as is necessary for the
monoline machine above referred to.
The chief objects of my present invention are to improve and simplify the
manufacture of matrix-bars having intaglio characters formed in metal which
is electrolytically deposited in recesses in the edges of the bars; to avoid in-
accuracies in the completed matrix-bars and to secure from type-bars, each formed
as an integral structure with relief characters, any desired number of matrix-
bars, which will bear accurate reproductions in intaglio of the relief characters
and will be positioned with exactness and therefore be perfect in every respect
if the type-bars are perfect, which is rendered possible by my invention.
The invention also has for its objects to avoid the presence of disconnected and
independently movable dies or types in connection with matrix-bar blanks during
the production of the intaglio characters by electro-deposition of metal; and to
provide a new system wherein the cameo or male characters by which the intaglio
characters are produced in the matrix blanks are practically an integral structure,
susceptible of being handled or manipulated in substantially the same manner
as a single type character, without possibility of one character becoming dis-
arranged, moved or shifted independently of another during the process of
producing the electro-deposited intaglio characters.
These objects are accomplished as hereinafter described and claimed, reference
being had to the accompanying drawings in which:-
Figure is a side elevation of a primary master-matrix blank, forming a part
of my invention.
Figure 2 is a similar view of a part of the type or die holder.
Figure 3 is a similar view, shewing the completed type or die holder properly

page_text: connected with the primary master-matrix blank, preparatory to producing the
intaglio characters in the edge of the blank by electro-deposition of metal.
Figure 4 is a similar view, shewing the completed primary master-matrix from
or by which the relief characters of the type-bar, best seen in Figures 5, 6, 8
and 9, are produced in a casting machine.
Figure 5 is a similar view, shewing the type-bar properly connected with a
matrix-bar blank designed to be provided with intaglio characters in one edge
and to be used in a type-setting and line-casting machine, as the monoline.
Figure 6 is a similar view, shewing the appearance of the parts represented in
Figure 5, after the copper or other metal has been electrolytically deposited.
Figure 7 is a similar view of the completed matrix-bar.
Figure 8 is a detail side elevation of the type bar from or by which any required
number of matrix-blanks such as shown in Figure 7 may be produced, and
Figure 9 is an edge view of the type-bar.
In order to enable those skilled in the art to make and use my Invention, I
will now describe the same in detail referring to the drawing, wherein the
numeral 1 indicates a primary master matrix-blank, consisting of a rectangular
plate of brass, having in one edge a series of recesses 2 constructed in any manner
suitable to receive and anchor the copper or other metal deposit, as will hereinafter
appear. This blank is also provided near one end in the edge, containing the
recesses 2, with a notch 3, to engage with a type or die holder composed preferably
of a lead plate 4, having its ends formed as thickened pillars or posts 9, between
which one surface of the plate is constructed by suitable milling tools, with
transverse grooves 5, designed to receive the dies or cameo type bodies 6. The
grooves 5 are exactly spaced in their distances apart, and are of uniform depth.
The dies or cameo type bodies bearing the characters which it is desired to
reproduce, are placed in the grooves 5, in the required order of sequence, and
when the relief type faces are properly aligned, which is easily accomplished,
the dies or cameo type are secured in a fixed position relatively to the plate by
waxing, soldering or otherwise. This type or die-holder is then connected to
the primary master-matrix-blank, as shown in Figure 3, a gauge-lug 7 on the edge
of the type or die-holder entering the recess 3, in the edge of the blank 1, thereby
placing the faces of the cameo-type in proper relation to the recesses 2 in the
blank, with respect to the length of the blank and of the type or die-holder.
The edge of the type or die-holder is also provided at or near each end with
opposite gauge-lugs 8, which embrace the edge of the master matrix-blank 1 and
position the two parts sidewise, whereby it is possible to exactly register the faces
of the cameo characters of the types or discs 6, with the centres of the recesses 2
of the blank 1. The blank 1, and the type or die-holder are now connected
together, in any proper manner, as for instance, by tie wires 10, and they are 4
insulated by waxing or otherwise, except at the recesses 2 of the blank 1, and
the cameo characters of the types or dies 6, the dotted lines Figure 5, indicating
about the parts which are not insulated by waxing. The connected parts are
then suspended in a proper bath, as for instance by a wire 21, and the relief
characters of the type or die-holder, are exactly reproduced in intaglio in the 4
master-matrix blank by electro deposition of metal. By this means I produce
the primary master-matrix 12, best seen in Figure 4. Accuracy is essential
in producing the primary master-matrix, as from it the large number of circulat-
ing matrix-bars employed in the type-setting and line-casting machine are
obtained, as will hereinafter appear, and any deviation or error in the manufacture 5
of the primary master-matrix will appear in the circulating matrix-bars.
master-matrix bar 12, shown in Figure 4, presents in intaglio form the required
The
characters, one in juxtaposition to another equally spaced, and exactly in a
centre line running longitudinally thereof. This master-matrix is then employed
in any suitable casting machine, such as a line casting machine, to obtain the 5
type-bar 13, having on one edge the cameo or male characters 14, and at each
end transverse, thickened pillars or posts 15 provided with three projecting gauge-

page_text: lugs 16, 17, and 18. This type-bar is connected with a matrix bar blank 19,
as represented in Figure 5, which blank is positioned lengthwise by the gauge-
lugs 18, and sidewise by the gauge-lugs 16 and 17, in such manner that it is
possible to exactly position the faces of the cameo characters, of the type bar 13,
relatively to the bottoms of the recesses in the matrix-blank 19. These parts
connected together in this manner are then insulated by waxing and are suspended
in a suitable bath, so that when the circuit is closed electro-deposition commences,
from both sides, and the copper or other metal is gradually built up in the recesses
and about the cameo faces of the relief characters on the type bar 13.
The parts,
as they are taken from the bath, will appear substantially as represented in
Figure 6, the portion 20 being the excess of the copper deposit, which is removed
by suitable milling tools or otherwise, after which the parts are separated and
the completed matrix-bar 22 shown in Figure 7, is the result.
The ends of the type bar 13 are made in the form of thickened pillars or posts,
to secure a greater quantity of metal at these points, as compared to the central
body of the type bar. I find that this construction counteracts the tendency of
the metal to shrink, which naturally follows the cooling of a cast solid line of
type characters such as a type-high printing bar. The thickened pillars or
posts effectually hold the body of the type bar between the posts and avoid irregular
shrinkage. The pillars or posts of the type bar are also cast with the projecting
gauge lugs 16, 17 and 18, which serve as before stated to position the matrix-
blank 19, lengthwise and sidewise, relatively to the type bar, so that in the com-
pleted matrix bar 22, the required characters are in juxtaposition to one another,
are equally spaced and are exactly in a centre line, running longitudinally of the
bar. The matrix blanks 19 are carefully prepared from suitable metal, preferably
brass, which is found to be the best working material, although other metal may
be employed. In connecting the matrix-blank 19 with the type-bar 13, the
two parts are squeezed together until the matrix-blank comes squarely to rest
against the type bar, it being understood that the cameo types on the bar 13,
have been cast the proper height, or the height suited to the desired depth of
the intaglio characters in the completed matrix bar Figure 7.
A very important part of my invention resides in the fact that the several cameo
or relief characters by which the intaglio characters in the matrix-bars are repro-
duced, are practically an integral structure, susceptible of being handled or
manipulated substantially in the same manner as a single piece or a single type
character, without the possibility of one character becoming disarranged, moved
or shifted independently of another during the manufacture of the electro-deposit
intaglio characters.
Another important part of the improvement resides in the construction of the
type bar 13 with the positioning gauge-lugs 16, 17 and 18, by which the matrix-
blank is positioned lengthwise and sidewise and another feature of importance is
the thickened pillars or posts by which irregular shrinkage of this cast type bar
is effectually prevented. I am able by this means to reproduce by this type bar
any required number of matrix-bars, each of which will be provided with accurate
and perfect intaglio characters, exactly spaced and positioned on the edge thereof
relatively to its centre line, thereby obtaining by simplified means type high
printing bars presenting such accuracy in the location and formation of the
intaglio characters that the high perfection desired in the printing art where line
casting machines are employed is rendered possible while all the difficulties
attending prior methods for this purpose, particularly those methods which involve
the assemblage of independent dies or cameo types in producing each matrix-bar
are avoided.
My Invention is more particularly useful and advantageous in the manufacture
of matrix-bars each having a group or plurality of intaglio characters in one edge,
such as are circulated in the Monoline composing machine hereinbefore referred
to; but it is also useful in the production of matrices for other line casting
machines.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
1. The method herein described of making a matrix-bar, which consists in con-
structing a primary master-matrix, reproducing the character face thereof in
relief on the edge of a plate adjusting the relief character face to the recessed edge
of a matrix-blank, insulating these parts except where an electro-deposit is to be
made and electro depositing a metal to produce in intaglio in the recessed edge of
the blank the relief character face of said plate, substantially as set forth.
2. The method herein described of making a matrix-bar which consists in fixing
relief characters in a plate, adjusting this plate with its relief
characters relatively to recesses in the edge of a primary master-matrix
blank, insulating the parts except where an electro deposit is to be made, electro-
depositing a metal to produce in intaglio in the recessed edge of the master matrix
blank the relief characters of the plate to obtain a primary master-matrix, casting
from this master-matrix a type bar having relief characters, fitting the relief
characters of the type bar relatively to recesses in the edge of a matrix blank,
insulating these parts except where an electro-deposit is to be made, and electro-
depositing a metal to produce in intaglio in the recessed edge of the matrix-blank
the relief characters of the type bar, to obtain a completed matrix-bar bearing in
one edge a plurality of intaglios substantially as set forth.
3. In the art of making a matrix-bar, preparing a primary master-matrix, by
fixing relief characters in a plate having gauge-lugs, fitting a recessed blank to
said relief character plate through the medium of said gauge-lugs insulating the
parts except where an electro-deposit is to be made, and electro-depositing metal
in the recesses of the blank about the relief characters to reproduce the latter in
intaglio and obtain a primary master-matrix substantially as set forth.
4. In the art of manufacturing matrix-bars, a type bar having a solid line of
relief characters on one edge and provided with gauge lugs to position the type-
bar, lengthwise and sidewise, with relation to the recessed edge of a matrix-blank,
substantially as set forth.
5. A type-bar for manufacturing a matrix bar with intaglio characters,
consisting of a solid plate having on one edge a line of spaced relief characters
and gauge lugs to position said solid plate lengthwise and sidewise with its relief
characters in proper relation to the recesses in the edge of a matrix-blank in which
the relief characters are to be reproduced in intaglio, substantially as set forth.
C. The method herein described of making a matrix-bar, which consists in
obtaining a primary master matrix, by electro-deposition of metal from relief
characters of types or dies, casting a type bar from the primary master-matrix,
fitting this type-bar to the edge of a recessed matrix-blank and obtaining a
completed matrix-bar by electro deposition of metal in the recesses of the matrix-
blank, about the relief characters of the type bar, substantially as set forth.
7. As a means for manufacturing matrix-bars for a line casting machine, a
primary master-matrix obtained from relief characters fixed in a type or die
holder, and by which is cast a type bar bearing a solid line of relief characters
from which to reproduce intaglios in the recessed edge of a matrix-blank,
substantially as set forth.
8. The method herein described of making a matrix-bar, which consists in
preparing a primary master-matrix by fixing relief characters in a plate having
gauge-lugs, fitting a recessed blank lengthwise and sidewise relatively to the plate
through the medium of said gauge-lugs electro-depositing metal in the recesses of
the blank about the relief characters to reproduce the latter in intaglio and obtain
the primary master matrix casting from said master-matrix a type bar bearing a
solid line of relief characters, positioning this type by lengthwise and sidewise
relatively to the recessed edge of matrix-blank, insulating the parts except where
an electro deposit is to be made, and electro-depositing a metal to produce in
intaglio in the recessed edge of the matrix-blank, the relief characters of the type-

page_text: bar, to obtain completed matrix bar bearing in one edge a plurality of intaglios,
substantially as set forth.
9. In the art of manufacturing a matrix-bar for a line casting machine, a type
bar having a line of relief characters and gauge lugs on one edge and formed
integral at its end portions with thickened pillars or posts substantially as set
forth.
10. In the manufacture of matrix-bars a type or dye holder, consisting of a
plate, having spaced transverse grooves, and opposing gauge lugs on one edge, and
cameo types fixed in said grooves with their cameo characters located centrally
between said opposing gauge lugs, substantially as set forth.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.