IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PREPARING STEREOTYPE PLATES FOR THE PRINTING MACHINE
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR PREPARING STEREOTYPE PLATES FOR THE PRINTING
MACHINE." A communication from abroad by Auguste Hippolyte Marinoni,
of Paris, France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd October 1880.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PREPARING STEREOTYPE
PLATES FOR THE PRINTING MACHINE." [A communication from abroad by
Auguste Hippolyte Marinoni, of Paris, France.]
This Invention relates to apparatus for preparing flat or curved stereotype plates
for the printing machine, that is to say, for trimming, cutting, bevelling, routing,
and countersinking or piercing the stereotype, and the Invention consists essentially
in mechanical means, whereby every part of a flat or curved stereotype may be
brought under the action of a rotary tool whose axis is normal to the surfaco
operated on for performing the operations of routing, counter sinking, or piercing
the stereotype to receive an electrotype or engraving, or whose axis is inclined
towards the surface of the stereotype for routing, cutting, and bevelling, thus
differing from all means or machines hitherto used in which the tool when the
stereotype rotates is an ordinary lathe tool, or when the stereotype is fixed is a
rotary tool or burr having its axis of rotation parallel to the surface operated on
The apparatus or machines of this Invention for performing these operations
mechanically may be considerably varied in construction; and in order that the
Invention may be more readily understood I will proceed to describe it with
reference to the accompanying Drawings, in which I have represented, as an
example of the many possible arrangements, a machine for preparing a curved or
cylindrical stereotype.
Figure 1 is an end elevation; Figure 2 a front elevation, and Figure 3 a plan of
the machine. The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in the different
Figures.
A, cylinder on which the stereotype is mounted; it has longitudinal and circum-
ferential grooves which serve to clear the point of the tool; B, curved stereotype;
c, worm wheel keyed on the cylinder axis; d, worm gearing with wheel c, and

page_text: squared at its extremity to receive a crank handle for turning the cylinder;
e, revolving cutter mounted with vertical adjustment in a slide rest ƒ sliding on
ways g, along which it is moved by a screw shaft h; i, i, i, band pulleys.
The stereotype to be prepared is fixed on the cylinder A, so that the part to be
cut lies over one of the circular grooves in the cylinder or beyond the end of the
cylinder. The edge of the plate is brought up to the rotary cutter, and the cylinder
is rotated by the worm gear until the stereotype is completely cut across. The
form of the rotary tool e varies according to whether the edge is to be eut square
or bevelled. By turning the cylinder as above mentioned the stereotype is cut
crosswise. If it is to be cut or bevelled longitudinally. it is fixed so that the part
to be acted on by the tool lies over one of the longitudinal grooves in the cylinder,
the tool is brought up to the edge of the stereotype, and the cylinder remaining
stationary, the slide rest carrying the tool is moved along to the other end of the
plate. These two operations may be repeated as often as necessary if the stereotype
is to be divided into several portions, and it can thus not only be cut and bevelled
in two directions at right angles to one another wherever required, but by the
combination of these two movements of the cylinder and the slide rest it may be
cut and bevelled in any direction, which is a great advantage over machines now
in use which only operate across the plate. Moreover, as the combination of these
two movements enables any portion of the stereotype to be readily presented to the
action of the tool, it may be employed for routing or deepening the blank spaces
instead of doing this by chipping in the usual way, besides bevelling and deepening
the blanks or margins separating the pages.
By this machine the stereotype can be routed more rapidly and with greater
precision than by chipping, and the stereotype can also be countersunk or hollowed
out to any desired depth, or pierced completely through for the reception of a sniall
electro-type or block which is nailed, screwed, or otherwise fixed in place. Thus
the stereotype may be hollowed to correspond exactly to the thickness of the
electrotype or engraving, the sunk surface being perfectly true and parallel with
the rest of the stereotype. Similarly for a small stereotype which may require to
be changed, and which is of less thickness than the large one, or if of the same
thickness or height the larger stereotype may be similarly pierced with a through
opening to receive it, and in either case the tool is so arranged as to under cut the
sides of the hollow or opening in order that the small stereotype may be dovetailed
therein and firmly secured without other fastening.
I would have it understood that the combined movements at right angles to one
another above referred to may be imparted either to the stereotype or to the tool,
or the one to the tool and the other to the stereotype, as above described.
To adapt the machine above described for preparing flat stereotypes the cylinder A
is replaced by a carriage moved on ways by a screw shaft at right angles to the
screw h, so that the same combination of movements is obtained.
I have repre-
sented this arrangement in Figure 4, in which A. is the carriage for the flat
stereotype B. The remaining letters indicate parts similar to those described in
reference to Figures 1, 2, 3.
The operations of cutting, routing, and counter sinking may be performed by an
arrangement of machine different from those described and represented, for example,
a flat stereotype might be placed in a drilling or shaping machine on a bed having
two movements at right angles to one another, and if necessary a circular motion,
also to bring the stereotype under the action of the rotary tool. The same machine
might also be used for curved stereotypes by placing on the bed a cylinder capable
of being turned like that of the machine shown.
The Invention also relates to improved forms of tools which are hollowed inter-
nally for the clearance of chips. Figure 5 shows in elevation and end view different
forms of tools of this Invention.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
21st April 1881.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PREPARING STEREOTYPE
PLATES FOR THE PRINTING MACHINE." A communication from abroad by
Auguste Hippolyte Marinoni, of Paris, France.
This Invention relates to apparatus for preparing flat or curved stereotypo plates
for the printing machine, that is to say, for cutting, trimming, bevelling, routing,
and countersinking or piercing the stereotype, and the Invention consists essentially
in mechanical means, whereby every part of a flat or curved stereotype may be
brought under the action of a rotary tool whose axis is normal to the surface
operated on for performing the operations of routing, countersinking, or piercing
the stereotype to receive an electrotype or engraving, or whose axis is inclined
towards the surface of the stereotype for routing, cutting, and bevelling, thus
differing from all means or machines bitherto used in which the tool when the
stereotype is curved and mounted on a rotary cylinder is an ordinary turning tool,
or when the stereotype is fixed is a rose cutter having its axis of rotation parallel
to the surface operated on.
The apparatus or machines of this Invention for performing these operations
mechanically may be considerably varied in construction, and in order that the
Invention may be more readily understood I will proceod to describe it with
reference to the accompanying Drawings, in which I have represented, as an
example of the many possible arrangements, a machine for preparing a curved or
cylindrical stereotype.
Figure 1 is an end elevation, Figure 2 a front elevation, and Figure 3 a plan of
the machine. The same letters of reference indicate the saine parts in the different
Figures.
A, cylinder on which the stereotype is mounted; it has longitudinal and circum-
ferential grooves which serve to clear the point of the tool; B, curved stereotype;
c, worin wheel keyed on the cylinder axis; d, worm gearing with wheel cand
squared at its extremity to receive a crank handle for turning the cylinder;
e, revolving cutter mounted with vertical adjustment in a slide rest f sliding on
ways g, along which it is moved by a screw shaft h; i, i, i, band pulleys.
The stereotype to be prepared is fixed on the cylinder A, so that the part to be
cut lies over one of the circular grooves in the cylinder or beyond the end of the
cylinder. The edge of the plate is brought up to the rotary cutter, and the cylinder
The
is rotated by the worm gear until the stereotype is completely cut across.
form of the rotary tool e varies according to whether the edge is to be cut square
or bevelled. By turning the cylinder as above mentioned the stereotype is cut
crosswise. If it is to be cut or bevelled longitudinally it is fixed so that the part
to be acted on by the tool lies over one of the longitudinal grooves in the cylinder,
the tool is brought up to the edge of the stereotype, and the cylinder remaining
stationary the slide rest carrying the tool is moved along to the other end of the
plate. These two operations may be repeated as often as necessary if the stereotype
is to be divided into several portions, and it can thus not only be cut and bevelled
in two directions at right angles to one another wherever required, but by the
combination of these two movements of the cylinder and the slide rest it may be
cut and bevelled in any direction, which is a great advantage over machines now
in use, which only operate across the plate. Moreover, as the combination of these
two movements enables any portion of the stereotype to be readily presented to the
action of the tool, it may be employed for routing or deepening the blank spaces
instead of doing this by chipping in the usual way, besides bevelling and deepening
the blanks or margins separating the pages.

page_text: By this machine the stereotype can be routed more rapidly and with greater
precision than by chipping, and the stereotype can also be countersunk or hollowed
out to any desired depth, or pierced completely through for the reception of a
small electro-type or block which is nailed, screwed, or otherwise fixed in place.
Thus the stereotype may be hollowed to correspond exactly to the thickness of the
electro-type or engraving, the sunk surface being perfectly true and parallel with
the rest of the stereotype. Similarly for a small stereotype which may require to
be changed, and which is of less thickness than the large one, or if of the same
thickness or height the larger stereotype may be similarly pierced with a through
opening to receive it, and in either case the tool is so arranged as to under cut the
sides of the hollow or opening in order that the small stereotype may be dovetailed
therein and firmly secured without other fastening.
I would have it understood that the combined movements at right angles to
one another above referred to may .be imparted either to the stereotype or to
the tool, or the one to the tool and the other to the stereotype, as above
described.
To adapt the machine above described for preparing flat stereotypes the cylinder A
is replaced by a carriage moved on ways by a screw shaft at right angles to the
screw h, so that the same combination of movements is obtained. I have repre-
sented this arrangement in Figure 4, in which A is the carriage for the flat
stereotype B. The remaining letters indicate parts similar to those described in
reference to Figures 1, 2, 3.
The operations of cutting, routing, and counter-sinking may be performed by an
arrangement of machine different from those described and represented, for example,
a flat stereotype might be placed in a drilling or shaping machine on a bed having
two movements at right angles to one another, and if necessary a circular motion
also to bring the stereotype under the action of the rotary tool.
The same
machine might also be used for curved stereotypes by placing on the bed & cylinder
capable of being turned like that of the machine shown.
The Invention also relates to improved forms of tools which are hollowed inter-3
nally for the clearance of chips. Figure 5 shows in elevation and end view different
forms of tools of this Invention.
Having described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner of performing
the same,
I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by the
herein before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
1st. The employment for preparing stereotype plates for the printing machine
of the mechanical means constructed, combined, and operating substantially as
herein shown and described, whereby every part of a flat or curved stereotype may
be brought under the action of a rotary tool whose axis is normal to the surface
operated on for performing the operations of routing, counter sinking, or piercing
the stereotype to receive an electro type or engraving, or whose axis is inclined
towards the surface of the stereotype for routing, cutting, and bevelling, substantially
as set forth.
2nd. The application and employment for preparing flat or curved stereotype
plates of tools hollowed internally for the clearance of chips, substantially as shown
and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto set
my hand and sool this Twont first day of Annil 4.
T