NEW SAFE WORKS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 506, 13 May 1909, Page 5

NEW SAFE WORKS.

Mr. G. Herbert Chubb, a director of Messrs. Chubb and Sons Safe and Lock Co., Ltd., London, who is at present paying a visit to New Zealand, informs us that their new factory at Wolverhampton is now nearing completion, and Will be opened -in October next by the Lord Mayor of 'London (Sir G. Wyatt .Truscott).The intention of the firm is ultimately to concentrate their works altogether at Wolverhampton, and it is hoped that tho drafting of thoir men' from their principal factory'.in London may bo begun,during the present year. The first instalment of the works covers approximately an' area ■ of 60,000 ; square feet. Regarding the general structure, a feature of special note is. that portion in. which it is intended to manufacture strongrooms of considerable heights. This portion .consists of n bay, 275 ft. long, having a span of 40ft., which will allow for practically any size of strongToom to be constructed. At the commencement it is proposed' to convert 'the . end of the bay into a temporary iron store, which will bo served by an electric travelling crane fitted with magnets, suitable for unloading plates and bars. The traveller, which runs on' one of the two gantries stretching the full length of tho high bay, will bo capable of picking up a number :of plates at once; and dropping them singly wherever required. Attention has throughout been paid to labour-saving devices. Large machines are supplied with mechanical hoists, and the overhead mono-rail system is being fitted wherever advisable. The machines i are all motor driven,, some being connected in groups, the larger ones having independent motors of their own. . Among the machines, which include high speed drills, planers, etc., there is a heavy edge-planing machine, made by Joshua Buckton, for machining plates either singly, or in piles, the plates being, hold 'in position by hydraulic power,, and tho tools having a cutting speed in both directions of 10ft. per minute. To drive the machine an independent motor of 20 h.p. is employed. A medium-sized Atassey pneumatic hammer is being installed'in tho smiths' shop, to which iB geared an independent motor, with a direct pinion drivo. Electric power is being obtained from tho Wolverhampton Corporation.