HIGH EXPLOSIVE SHELLS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 69, 13 August 1915, Page 4 (Supplement)

HIGH EXPLOSIVE SHELLS.

HOW THEY ARE MADE. What are the high-explosive shells about which so much has been written and said? Where and how are they made? These are the mast interesting questions of the moment, as the demand for this, the very latest tiling in infantry warfare, far and away exceeds that for shrapnel or any other sort of shells. The shell is being made, ways the London '"Daily Mail," wherever tools and men capable of making it can bo found. Considerable machinery that has up to now been engaged in turning out other shells is being adapted to the making of the high-explosive 3in. 18pounder. By the courtesy of a scientifically and practically trained engineer who makes the machine tools with which the shell is produced we are able to give the following general idea of the processes by which it is created: The outer shell is constructed of very high tensile steel, which, to start with, is supplied in lengths measuring about 4ft. Gin. The first operation is to cut the blanks to their approximate length on either a sawing machine or a rotary cuttingoff machine. Next the ends are centred on either a centreing machine or a sensitive drilling machine with an attachment. The blanks are then mounted between centres in an engine lathe. Tho outside of the shell is turned up to the groove for a copper band and the nose end is formed either by a form tool or by form turning attachment. The fourth operation is to bore a chase for the remainder of the outside diameter. This last process is very suitable for capstan lathes, machines which are fitted with chasing saddles.

VOLUNTARY WORKERS. Next the base plug is fitted in position, after which the shell is bored out and finished at the bottom, and then recessed back and chased, and the thread portion is chased and finished with a sizing tap. The final operation is to form upon it waved ribs or copper binds by means of powerful presses, which impart to it the desired shape. Having been varnished by shellac, it is sent to Woolwich to be charged with its destructive contents. National factories somewhat similar to those being established at Leeds are to be started at Huddersfield and Keighley, where a large portion of the output will probably consist of the high-explosive 18-pound shells. A start at shell-making is to be made at Keighley very shortly, where, in premises formerly occupied by the Cundaill Gas and Oil Engine* Company, machinery is to lie fitted, and by a staff of 2-iO or 2")0 girls, recruited through tho Labour Exchange.