FLAX MILLS.

Southland Times, Issue 1240, 22 April 1870, Page 2

FLAX MILLS.

All engaged in the flax trade have reason to complain of the frequency with which certain parts of the machines get out of repair, or rather, we might say, wear, out, or break. The beaters on the face of the drum, generally of the same material aa the dram itself — cast iron* — have been found unequal to the rapid and heavy concussions to which the operation subjects them. The result is, that they soon *' chip" in the face, and instead of striking the leaf with a smooth, even surface, give a rough jagged -blow', most destructive to the fibre, tearing and chewing it, instead of bruising it evenly from butt to point. Another difficulty was the indentation of the face of the rollers themselves, caused by the Bevere friction of the beaters. After a michine has run awhile, the centre of the rollers, at the point where the leaf receives the action of the drum, may be seen hollowed out to such an extent that a good length of the tail, or thin end ) of each blade, passes through almost untouched. To remedy, or counteract these defects, the j Messrs Hay and Mjntiplay have for some time been trying a number of experiments, and, a day or two ago, we were shown, in their machine shop, Esk-street, two new mills, which they anticipate will Btand the work required of them. These machines have been partly manufactured on their own premisss, and partly in Melbourne, to their order. The improvement* made are chiefly these : In the first place, the beaters have been made separately, of the best description of cast steel, let into the face of the drum in the process of casting, and as firmly fixed there as it the whole were one solid piece. The second improvement consists in the blow of the drum being taken off the rollers altogether, and transferred to a steel plate immediately in front of and below the under .roller, so fixed that it can be easily removed in the event of fracture, and a new one substituted. The idea of the plate is not, we believe, new, but the mode of its fixture has been simplified, and the superiority of the metal of which it is made is expected to effect a great saving in time, hitherto lo3t through breakages. Several other minor improvements have also been effected in bearings and gearing, so that on the whole the machines bear an appearance of strength and finish, which augurs well for their success in working.