MOTOR CAR PLATES

Hokitika Guardian, 25 January 1928, Page 1

MOTOR CAR PLATES

OUTPUT OF THREE TONS A DAY. Fifteen thousand motor-ear numberplates a day, representing three and a half tons of steel, is tire average output of the Precision Engineering Company, which is at present operating op the contract. Working three shifts a day for five weeks, the machines have used up all hut about hyp of the piig inai lot of seventy tons of fiietaj. The steel, arriving in crates qf large sheets, is first cleaned, then cut to the required size, aftpe ffjiiglf >t I s fad >!’ to a big automatic press, J)'}iich, V vl 't|' f tread of a hundred tons, stamps put the numbers. The rough brown plates are then immersed in a cleaning hath, after which they receive their first coat of the base enamel. A two hours’ journey through an oven at 300 degrees’ fahrenheit seems them emerge dry to receive their second coat. They are again baked for two hours, and then by passing along a belt under a white enamel-covered roller, the raised portions receive their white tacingswhieh contrasts well with the maroon background. After going more slowly yet through another baking oven, they are copied and packed in boxes, to be dispatched to their various districts*