STEEL “ELECTRIC EYE”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19987, 12 July 1939, Page 14

STEEL “ELECTRIC EYE”

IMPROVING PRODUCTION PITTSBURG, June 1. The electric cell replaces the human eye in the first basic improvement claimed in 80 years of Bessemer steel making. Jones and Laughlin Steel Corporation to-day announced that development of the “Bessemer flame control” through the use of photo-electric cells to regulate converters making molten pig iron into steel. Since the discovery by Sir H. Bessemer of the manufacturing process in 1850. skilled eyes of workmen have determined by watching the flame when the impurities had been blown out of the hot metal to ensure uniform quality steel. For the last several years open hearth furnaces using pig or scrap iron have been the mainstay of the steel industry in the United States, outnumbering Bessemers more than 10 to one.

Experts say steel from an open hearth can be gauged more accurately by employing certain mechanical devices not applicable to Bessemers. Producers long have endeavoured to put Bessemer converters back into greater use for multiple reasons, mainly because they can manufacture a uniform stool with greater machinability and assure a wider market. The Besssemer produces steel in 15 minutes, while the open hearth requires 12 to 14 hours.

J. and L. researchers spent several years trying to supplement skill of the human eye with an invariable method that would not be affected by fatigue, inattention, poor physical condition or other variables.

Finally they developed the new flame control which they said operates with split-second speed and without the variables of the human eye, giving the industry for the first time scientific quality controls. Patents were applied for, details being withheld until later.