THE CANTERBURY FOUNDRY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1663, 19 June 1879, Page 3

THE CANTERBURY FOUNDRY.

During the paßt few weeks considerable additions have been made to the already extensive range of buildings known as the Canterbury Foundry. The litest of these is a brick boiler shed, 250 x 60, roofed with galvanised iron, in which it is intended to carry on the operations of boiler-making, &,!., and also to concentrate the shearing, bending, and other machines. A large amount of shafting has been put up, bo as to run these machines. Yesterday the first trial was made of a recent addition to the machinery resources of the establishment, in the shape of a hydraulic rivetting machine. The operations of this machine are very interesting to watch, as the work is done with such ease and precision. The machine itself is connected with a hydraulic pump capable of exertiDg a force of twenty-five tons closing power. Shortly described, without technicalities, it consists of two iron uprights, one of which has a moveable arm, horizontally placed, and worked by means of a lever connected with the pump. Opposite to this on the corresponding upright, is a projection similar to the one just referred to. Both of these are hollow, which forms the rivet heads. In order to rivet a boiler it is suspondcd by a chain tackle from a block in the roof of the shop, so as to come between the two projections, bringing them opposite the holes alrvady drilled for the reception o£ the rivet. The red hot rivets are then placed ic

arm moves forward, pressing against the stationary one, thus closing the rivet in an incrodibly short space of time. lb is intended to arrange machinery so as to supersede the chain holding the article to be rivetted, and also to have a kind of tramway upon which the very large iron girders, of which a number are turned out in the foundry, can run, being gauged off bo as to come opposite the moveable arm. The work which formerly occupied six hours can now be done in about three-quarters of an hour. Altogether the machinery worked well, considering that it was the first time it had been tried. Amongst other things recently completed at the foundry may be noted a large eurf boat, 36ft. in length, by lift, beam, for the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, and several cranes for the railway department. _________