CHAPTER XII.THE RING SPINNING MACHINE.

(366) The term Ring Spinning is applied to that process by which yarn is spun by means of a machine in which a spindle, revolving in the centre of an annular ring, is used. The ring is formed with a flange or bead over which aCshaped clip or “traveller” is sprung, being drawn round the ring by the yarn during the revolution of the spindle. It is from the use of such a “ring” that the system has been named. The difference between mule and ring spinning is mainly that between continuous and intermittent work. The ring frame is the successor of the throstle, as it was called, in which the twisting was conducted by the aid of a two-armed flyer, formed with a curl at the end of each arm, through one of which the yarn passed on its way to the bobbin. The flyer was fixed on the end of a vertical spindle, and the bobbin was super-imposed on it, resting on a rail having a reciprocal traverse, flannel washers being placed between the flange of the bobbin and the rail to give the necessary drag to the bobbin. Generally, the principle of the throstle is similar to that of the roving frame, when allowance is made for the fact that the bobbin is not positively driven. As it is not now in extensive use it is unnecessary to describe it in further detail, but its general construction can be easily understood if a spindle and flyer be substituted for the spindle and ring in the succeeding description.

Fig. 186.J.N.

Fig. 187.J.N.

(367) Referring now to Figs.185,186, and187, the mechanism will be easily understood, and, as described, is common to most machines made at present, the illustrations being those of the machine as made by Mr. Samuel Brooks. Fig.185is a front, Fig.186an end view, and Fig.187a transverse section of the machine. A detached and enlarged view of one spindle and its necessary roller stand and lifting mechanism is given in Fig.188. The roving bobbinsBare placed in a two-height creel, and are conducted to the three lines of rollers carried by the standA. From the front roller the roving passes through the wire eyeE, fixed in a wooden board known as the “thread board,” to the ringF, which is held by a suitable clip on a rail extending the length of the frame, and known as the “ring rail.” The thread boards are hinged, and can be simultaneously thrown up by the leversIand their connecting rods, which are worked from the end of the frame. The spindleCis, as shown, self-contained, and is fastened into the “spindle rail”Gby a nut. The top rollers are weighted by a stirrup, leverH, and weightM, ordinarily but not invariably. The spindles are driven by bands from the tin rollers in the centre of the machine, and the cop or spool is built by the reciprocal traverse vertically of the ring rail. The ring is approximately of the section shown in Fig.188, and has slipped on to it the traveller. Without stopping to inquire at present the precise action of the latter, it is sufficient to say that the yarn is passed through the traveller on its way to the bobbin, and it isevident that as the ring is raised or lowered the yarn will be wound on the corresponding portion of the spindle. Specially referring now to Fig.186, the vertical reciprocal motion of the railGis obtained from the camE, which is keyed on the same shaft as the wheelD, driven by the wormA, which derives its motion from the main shaft. Each revolution ofEdepresses the lever in contact with it, the weight of the ring rails and their attachments keeping the cam and lever in contact. The chain attached to the axis of the wheelDis thus unwound from a pulley, which being fixed on a longitudinal shaft causes the latter to rotate. On the shaft small pulleysHare keyed, to which the ends of chains, the other ends of which are attached to the lower ends of vertical rods or “pokers” sustaining the ring rail, are fastened. It is a common practice, instead of usingthis chain arrangement, to key levers on the shaft, the free ends of which come under the feet of the pokers. An arrangement of this character is shown in Fig.202. The rotation of the shaft obtained in the manner described raises the ring rail, the descent being obtained by gravity, but is regulated as to speed by the shape of the camE. As this reciprocal movement is only about 13⁄4to 2 inches, while the length of the cop or spool spun is five or six inches, it will be seen that the ring rail must be slowly raised and a fresh starting point at each lift of the rail be obtained. This is effected by means of a ratchet motion automatically operated by the rise and fall of the lever. The rotation of the ratchet wheel is communicated through a train of gearing to the wheelI, and the chain connectingIandHis thus wound on to the former and from the latter. In this way a limited rotation of the shaft to whichHis attached is effected, and the lift of thepokers commences gradually at a higher point. This elevation of the ring rail is of course a very slow one, but it is always taking place, and the result is that a thoroughly well built cop is obtained.

Fig. 185.J.N.

(368) The history of the ring frame is interesting, and keeping in mind the fact that a stationary annular ring is an essential feature of a machine of this description, no earlier date than 1828 can be assigned to it. In that year a patent was granted in the United States to one J. Thorp, who invented a ring somewhat resembling that in Fig.201. The ring was in two pieces, and a groove was thus formed in which a solid hoop was placed. The yarn was conducted between the two rings, and was drawn round the periphery of the hoop by the pull of the spindle. In the next year a patent was taken out in the United States by Messrs. Addison and Stevens, in which the first mention is made of a traveller. The first patent taken out in this country was by Messrs. Sharp and Roberts in 1834, the next by C. de Bergue in 1836, and after that by J. G. Bodmer in 1837. In 1847 Messrs. John Platt and Thomas Palmer took out letters patent for spinning cops on a spindle similar to a mule spindle by the aid of a ring and traveller, a task which is not even yet accomplished. After this date nothing was done in this direction for some time, and inventors in this country appear to have dropped the subject, while in America it received much greater attention, and was finally brought to a successful conclusion there.

(369) In the year 1866 Messrs. J. and P. Coats and Messrs. Clark and Co., both of Paisley, and both having mills in America, introduced into this country short sample ring frames for the purpose of twisting sewing cottons, and in February 1867, Messrs. J. and P. Coats ordered from Messrs. P. and J. Mc.Gregor, of this city, eight sample frames of 238 spindles, each for doubling purposes. In May of the same year Messrs. Clark ordered from the same firm a sample frame, and during that and immediately succeeding years many repeat orders were executed by Messrs. Mc.Gregor. Messrs. Wm. Higgins and Sons, of Salford, also made machines on the American pattern for the same firms, and for the United States. In June, 1867, Messrs. Mc.Gregor made for Messrs. Knowles, of Burnley, a ringspinningframe, all those previously referred to being for doubling, and in October, 1869, they made for Messrs. John Dugdale and Bros., of Lowerhouse, near Burnley, fourteen frames of 364 spindles each. The author is not aware of any earlier actual use in this country on a large scale of ring frames either for spinning or doubling. At the latter end of 1872 Mr. James Blakey, a representative of Mr. Samuel Brooks, paid a visit to the United States, and there investigated closely the use which was being made of the machine. It is extremely probable that shortly before this time accuracy of workmanship was being better attained in the manufacture of these frames, and at any rate therenaissanceof this as a spinning machine began about 1866. Mr. Blakey very fully studied the machine in its original home, and he became so imbued with a belief in its possibilities that he advocated its modern use with great earnestness to Mr. Brooks, who, being convinced of the future success of the machine, began its manufacture with considerable energy, and soon established a large business in it for doubling sewing threads. It was not however until the difficulties arising from the use of the ordinary spindle were overcome that the machine became unequivocally successful. This special point need not now be enlarged on, as it will subsequently be dealt with in detail. It is worth noting, however, that the first extensive use made of these frames was for doubling and not for spinning.

(370) The general description and history of the machine just given will convey a fairly accurate idea of its development, and the details of the machine can now be dealt with. The drawing rollers being common to all spinning machines no further description than that given need be furnished; but a reference to Fig.188will show that the roller stands, the thread board mechanism, and the relation of the spindle and ring are the chief points requiring explanation. It will be convenient, therefore, to consider these details in their order, and afterwards to deal with a few special points arising. As will be noticed, the roller brackets A are formed so that a line drawn through the axes of the rollers is at an angle with the horizontal. This has been found to be absolutely essential in order to obtain good work, and for this reason. It has been noted, and is well known, that the number of turns per inch put into the yarn depends on the relative speed of delivery of the rollers, and the revolution of the spindle. Now, in order to ensure that the twist shall be put in the entire length of yarn from the spindle to the rollers, it is essential that no portion of it shall be held in any way by any part of the mechanism, but should be quite free to receive the twist from the spindle to the nip of the front rollers. But if the rollers were in a horizontal plane, a certain portion of the yarn would be pressed against the bottom roller for about a fifth of its circumference. This is detrimental, because the twist cannot run up to the nip of the rollers, but is remedied by giving the roller stand the inclination referred to. In a lesser degree the same evil arises if the yarn passes through the wire eyeEin the thread board at too acute an angle. To obviate this, it is now the practice to adjust the bracketsAso that the nip of the front rollers is almost vertical to the spindle. The amount of the inclination of the roller stand varies according to the class of yarn to be spun, and whether the rollers are self-weighted or are pressed downwards by saddle and weights. If, for instance, weft is being spun, the number of turns per inch being less in this way than in warp or twist, and the yarn being correspondingly softer, the inclination is about 35°, while in the case of twist it will vary from 25° to 35°. Different makers alter this inclination to suit different requirements, and there are variations existing in it from 5° to 35°, but the angles given are usual ones. The thread boards are arranged, as described, to be lifted simultaneously by means of a lever, this being necessary when the frame is being doffed or stripped of its bobbins when the latter are full, the doffer being thus enabled to give a straight lift to the bobbin and avoid any straining of the spindles.

(371) The chief feature is, however, the relation of the spindle and ring to each other, and their special construction. It is essential that the spindle should be so fixed in its sustaining rail as to be truly vertical, and when its construction is dealt with it will be seen how perfectly this is obtained. The ring must be attached to the ring rail so as to be absolutely concentric with the spindle, and on the actually efficient performance of this duty depends very largely the success of the machine. Bearing these two points in mind, it will be convenient to deal first of all with the special construction of the spindle. As would naturally be expected, the first form used for this purpose resembled a throstle spindle without the flyer, or a mule spindle, but eventually the shape adopted generally was that which is shown in Fig.189, the bobbin being also very light. A good many modifications took place, but in every case the bobbin was pressed on to the spindle above the top bearing or bolster. In 1870,however, Mr. J. H. Sawyer, of Lowell, Mass., patented the spindle bearing his name, and which was introduced into this country under the name of the “Booth-Sawyer.” The main principle of this form was the provision of a means by which the top bearing was carried up inside the bobbinB, thus sustaining it at a higher point than had been before possible. Referring to Fig.190the bolsterAis formed as a hollow tube extending upwards from the rail, and having at the upper end a phosphor bronze bush, which acts as the bearing. A spiral groove is formed in the bolster by means of which the oil, being fed atCand held in the chamberD, is carried upwards so as effectually to lubricate the spindle. Special provision is made for the footstep, and both bolster and footstep are supplied with covers. The Booth-Sawyer spindle is beyond doubt an efficient one, and constituted a very great advance on those previously used. The position of the top bearing was higher than in any previous form, and it does not require any long comment to demonstrate the value of this improvement. It must be noticed, however, that it is necessary to oil every day, and that there are two bearings which are fixed in rails quite independently of each other. In spite of these defects, however, the Booth-Sawyer spindle has done, and is doing, excellent service in this country and elsewhere, and so far as output is concerned, is quite equal to any other spindle in the market.

(372) As has been previously stated, the most essential point in the successful construction of a ring frame is the preservation of the exact concentricity of the spindle and ring. If this is destroyed a very detrimental effect is produced, and it does not need to be pointed out that where there are two bearings to a spindle each of which is attached to a different rail, the difficulty of preserving a correct vertical alignment is very great. For these reasons the introduction of the Rabbeth spindle into this country by Messrs. Howard and Bullough about the year 1874 led to its wide adoption, and the practical supercession of the Sawyer, and gave a great impetus to this system of spinning. The principle of the Rabbeth is that of the Sawyer so far as the position of the upper bearing is concerned, but it has the further merit of being entirely self-contained. The latter feature was not new in the annals of British invention, but it was never thoroughly worked out nor made a success in this country until the firm just named took up the Rabbeth spindle. Students who desire to take up the history of this subject, can refer to a patent granted to William Wright in 1836, and also to one obtained by David Cheetham in 1857. The Rabbeth is entirely self-contained, its construction being that illustrated in section in Fig.191. The spindleBrevolves in a case or bolsterCmade of cast iron, which acts as a bearing for the spindle both at its upper and lower portions. The bolster is formed with a flange, as shown, and is accurately turned and bored all over. It has its shank screwed with a fine thread, so that when passed through the hole in the spindle rail, it can be firmly fixed in position by the nut shown. As the underside of the flange is quite square with the hole in the bolster, it follows that the spindle rail being planed on the top, the bolster caseCwill be in a perfectly vertical position. The spindleBis borne by a bronze bush atC, and by the footstep atF, the case being recessed so as to form a chamber containing such a quantity of oil that the necessity for lubrication more than once in six months is obviated. Fitting on the spindle is a sleeve with a warve or grooved pulley at its lower end as shown atE, the sleeve being bored with a conical hole and being tightly pressed on the spindle. The driving band passes round the warve and thus rotates the sleeve and consequently the spindle. A brass cupDis placed on the lower part of the sleeve, into which the foot of the bobbin is pushed, the upper part fitting the spindle as shown atA. In thisway the bobbin is positively driven, and the pull of the band being low down, the spindle can be run at a high speed with great steadiness. The sleeve is prevented from lifting by the hookG, which is carried in a small specially balanced frame suitably pivoted so as to allow of the sleeve being removed easily when required. This device is a patented one of Messrs. Howard and Bullough’s, and is one of the best for the purpose. Various modifications of the Rabbeth spindle have been made, including the Dobson-Marsh, which provides for a readier means of oiling by taking off a cap at the lower end of the spindle and thus allowing the dirty oil to run away, this necessitating pumping out in the Rabbeth. In all essential features the Rabbeth may be taken as the best type of self-contained spindle, in which the spindle proper is sustained by rigid bearings, and one of its chief merits is that it can be readily adjusted so as to be quite true with the ring. As a matter of fact this was practically the only advance noticeable in the Rabbeth over its predecessors, and was not perceived even by its inventor until after spindles made under his first patent had been working some time.

(373) During the past few years, however, a new type has been introduced, of which there are now several examples, and which is rapidly superseding all others. Everyone is aware of the tendency of a rapidly revolving body, such as a humming top a little out of balance, to assume such a position that its axis is out of the perpendicular while its revolution is going on with absolute steadiness. The high rate of speed which is attained with ring spindles, running up to 11,000 revolutions per minute, produced as might be expected, a certain amount of vibration which it is desirable to avoid. Consequently, a spindle was produced in America to which the designation of the “top” or “elastic” spindle was given, and which was, while held in a long bearing at the top of the bolster, free to move at its foot until it found its position of steadiness. It was found, however, that the changes of position when the balance was disturbed were so abrupt that it was necessary to restrain the movement to a certain extent.

Fig. 189.

Fig. 190.J.N.

Fig. 188.J.N.

Fig. 191.J.N.

Fig. 192.J.N.

Fig. 193.J.N.

(374) In Fig.192a spindle known as the “Whitin Gravity” is illustrated, being made in this country by Mr. Wm. Ryder, of Bolton. The spindleBhas fitted on to it the sleeveA, made shorter than usual. OnAthe warve is formed, as well as a conical shoulder on which the lower end of the bobbin fits tightly. The bolsterChas the usual screwed shank, and passes upward into the sleeve. A noticeable feature of the Whitin is the employment of a loose sleeve in which the spindle fits, and which has an external diameter at the pointDabout1⁄500inch less than the internal diameter of the bolster at that point. The lower part of the sleeve is recessed so as to pass over a nippleGformed in the bolster, the size of the sleeve being such as to allow of its adjustment in any direction. On the top of the nippleGa small pad of corkFis placed, the object of which is to limit by its friction the movement of the sleeve and spindle, and also to absorb vibration. The bolster is recessed so as to form a cavity surrounding the tubeD, in which the oil is placed, finding its way to the spindle by means of small holes bored inD. The spindle does not, therefore, as in the Rabbeth, revolve in oil, and any sediment which may be in the latter is allowed to settle in a cavity or recess at the footH. The Whitin can be run without any difficulty at very high speeds. Another spindle in which this principle is used has been largely adopted, and is known as the “Ferguslie.” The inner sleeve in this case has freedom of oscillation, which is controlled by a barrel-shaped spring placedround the upper part of the bearing. It may be noted that the lower end of the inner sleeve is quite free, and that the entire control comes from the spring at the top. There are many other forms of this type of spindle, Messrs. Dobson and Barlow, for instance, employing a cork cushion in lieu of a spring. Mr. John Dodd, of Messrs. Platt Brothers and Co., Limited, has patented the spindle illustrated in Fig.193, which the author is informed is running at a very high velocity, and giving very good results. The spindleAis carried in a tube or bolsterD, formed with a rectangular nippleCat its lower end, in order to prevent its turning with the rotation of the former. The spindleAis formed, as shown, of a special shape, beingstrengthened above the top of the bolster, so as to be stiffened somewhat where the bobbin fits. The main arrangement of the bolster case, sleeve, etc., is similar to the Rabbeth, but the bolster case extends upwards a little above the bolster, and on the spindle a collarBis formed, by which the oil which works up above the top ofDis thrown off so as to catch on the bolster case and run down again into the chamber which is formed at its lower end. The oil passes through holes in the tube, thus providing for an efficient lubrication, and the tube is so fitted into the case as to be a little less than its internal diameter. It is probable that in workingDwill be constantly surrounded with oil, which will form a pretty effective cushion. At any rate it is found that high velocities can be attained with this spindle, combined with complete steadiness. In Fig.194(see p.249), the “Bee” spindle, which is the invention of the late Mr. George Bernhardt, of Radcliffe, is illustrated. This gentleman gave a good deal of attention to this special class of spinning machines, and was the inventor of many useful appliances in connection therewith. The chief feature of the Bee spindle is the formation of the bearing in the shape of a long tube, which can be withdrawn from the bolster case and emptied of oil without disturbing the spindle. The tube is held in position by a bayonet catch, and can be withdrawn and replaced in a very short space of time. If desired, the tube can be arranged to rotate as it is acted on by the revolving spindle, but this is not essential. The use of a withdrawable tube is a very valuable feature in principle, and is worth favourable consideration. In passing it may be stated that the adoption of spindles with elastic bearings has led to a shortening of the driving sleeve, and a reduction of the height of the top bearing, as a comparison of Figs.191and192will show.

(375) The ring, the use of which gives its name to the system, is made of the form shown in the drawings, and varies in diameter from 1 inch to 5 or 6 inches, as required, 2 inches being a very common size. The diameter is, of course, determined by the counts being spun, the cop or spool produced being larger in proportion to the coarseness of the counts. A table of the ordinary sizes employed will be found at the end of this chapter. The important points in a ring are its perfect circularity, smoothness of surface, and hardness, three features which tax the energies of manufacturers to obtain at the prices paid for these articles, Formerly rings were produced out of iron of good quality, which was formed into a hoop and perfectly welded, but latterly steel has come largely into use, and it is the practice to obtain the blank without a joint. The rings are in some cases milled, and in others turned and bored to the required section, and are subsequently case-hardened. A large percentage of the soft rings fail in the case-hardening, and the production of a perfect article is only possible with a proportion of the blanks dealt with. In the great majority of cases the ring is made single—that is, with one bead only (Fig.195)—but Messrs. Thomas Coulthard and Co., of Preston, produce a double ring, shown in Fig.196, which can be reversed when needed. This firm provide a special holder for their ring, which is fitted on to the rail, and is also formed with a vertical arm or projection which knocks the fly off the traveller as the latter revolves. The fly is—as explained—the collection of loose fibres which are thrown off from the surface of the yarn in its passage to the spindle, and which if left adhering to the ring or traveller increases the drag and causes breakage. It may be repeated here that cleanliness is a most important feature, and requires constant attainment if spinning is to be conducted successfully. A special lubricant is provided for the ring and traveller, ordinary oils being useless.

(376) The travellers are, as previously mentioned, made of aCshape, but this is not invariable, and are of various weights to suit varying circumstances. There are two standards of weight used in manufacturing travellers in this country, one known as the Scotch and the other as the United States. The Scotch standard probably derived its name from the fact that it was originally, and still is, manufactured in Paisley, by Messrs. Eadie Brothers. The difference between the two lies in the size of the bow for fine numbers from 1/0 to 3/0—used in spinning 28’s counts yarn and finer. The smaller bow is used in the Scotch standard, and it enables a thicker steel to be used, giving greater strength to the traveller and preventing it being pulled off the ring so easily. Thus, in spinning 32’s, a number 2/0 to 3/0 Scotch standard can be used, whereas the number in United States standard would be 3/0 to 4/0. For fine yarns a light traveller is necessary, while for coarse counts or strong doubled yarn a proportionately heavier one is used. A good deal depends, however, on the quality of cotton used, good Sea Island, for instance, enabling yarn to be spun with a traveller three or four sizes heavier than that permissible with inferior cotton. The diameter of the ring used, the number of twists per inch, and the speed of the spindles are among the things which influence the choice of the traveller used. It may be said that, although definite rules are made as to the weight of traveller used for certain counts under fixed conditions, a careful overlooker can make a vast difference in the production by selecting the exact size of traveller best adapted to particular yarns.

Figs. 195 and 196.

(377) Having thus described the essential portions of a ring spinning machine, some of the difficulties and principles of the mechanism may be dealt with. It is quite certain that the full theoretical reasons for the successful accomplishment of this work are not now forthcoming, but an approximation to them is possible. The actual spinning process is merely a twisting together of the fibres of any material by the rapid revolution of a flyer or spindle while the fibre is being delivered at a definite rate. In this case the twist is put in by the rotation of the traveller, which, as shown, is actuated from the spindle. As it has never yet been accomplished to take off the yarn from the spindle at the same rate as it is being wound on, it is necessary that the twisted fibre should be collected on the spindle or on a bobbin super-imposed on it. In order to do this, as was shown in ChapterX., it is essential that the eye or guide through which it is delivered to thespindle should travel either faster or slower than any fixed imaginary point on the spindle. The latter is the invariable rule with the ring frame, and it will be seen that as the bobbin is revolving at a quicker rate than the flyer eye, or in this case the traveller, it will take up the yarn and gradually wind it on to itself. Of course, in the case of a mule this does not happen, the winding arrangement being there altogether different. The amount of “lead” which the bobbin has should correspond approximately to the number of inches of yarn delivered by the rollers. That is to say, if the yarn is receiving ten twists to the inch, the bobbin should take up approximately, during ten revolutions, one inch of yarn. Now it is quite clear that if the velocity of the bobbin varies, the speed at which the traveller is pulled round the ring will vary also, but that, owing to the resistance caused by its weight and frictional contact with the ring, it will always tend to lag behind the bobbin. A little examination will show that the weight of the traveller is really the determining, or, at any rate, the most important, element in the case. As has been explained, the rotation of the traveller is caused by the pull exercised on it by the yarn. Now the velocity at which ring spindles are revolved is very great, averaging in ordinary cases at least 8,000 per minute. It is quite clear that a traveller rotating at that speed will tend by centrifugal force to fly outwards, and thus cause its inner lip or edge to press against the inside of the ring. Although it is quite true that this contact is only a slight one it exists, and constitutes one of the elements in the case. But it is also evident that the greater the weight of the traveller the greater will be the force that is exerted against the inside of the ring. While the author does not wish to do more than express his own opinion in this matter, there seems to be substantial ground for belief that the tangential pull on the yarn between the traveller and the point at which it reaches the bobbin will to a great extent counterbalance the tendency to fly outwards. It therefore seems probable that the reasonable explanation of the drag of the traveller is to be found in the resistance set up by its weight rather than by its frictional contact with the ring. This is the principle upon which travellers are made, their weight being carefully graded in order to suit various counts of yarn and velocities of spindles. There is another feature in which the weight of the traveller is evidently of importance, and that is its relation to what is known as ballooning.

Fig. 194.

(378) A glance at Fig.188will show that between the ring rail and the nip of the front rollers there is about ten inches of yarn, which, when it is being twisted, is held by the traveller and the rollers, and tends to fly outwards and assume a curved course, which from its shape is called a “balloon.” This is caused by the centrifugal action of the yarn and the resistance of the atmosphere, and leads, unless checked, to a serious loss of twist. In addition to this as the distance between the centres of the spindles is only 2 or 3 inches ordinarily, it is obvious that if this tendency is unchecked contiguous ends will come into contact and frequent breakages occur. The author was informed by Mr. Bernhardt that a careful trial made by him established the fact that, where the balloon is unchecked and allowed to attain its greatest size, the breakages are six and a half times as numerous as when its size is in some way limited. There are two methods of doing this, one by surrounding the spindle with a guard which prevents the balloon attaining more than a certain fixed maximum diameter, and the other by so adjusting the position of the thread board that the distance between the wire eye and thetraveller is such that not more than a certain sized balloon can be formed. It is a well known fact that a balloon is absolutely essential to good spinning, as its centrifugal action enables a lighter traveller to be used, and the drag upon the yarn is thus reduced to a minimum. The use of a heavy traveller undoubtedly will check ballooning, but the yarn will suffer, and therefore a well formed but not excessive balloon is of advantage. Mr. Brooks employs a plate (L, Fig.188) pierced with a number of holes and mounted on pokers, which gradually rise higher as the bobbin fills, so that the balloon is checked by the hole in the plate. Other makers, such as Messrs. Platt Brothers and Co., Howard and Bullough, and Dobson and Barlow, employ forked wire guards which serve the same purpose as the plates referred to. Fig.194represents the appliance used by Mr. Bernhardt, which is very effective and is worth attention. Instead of depending upon a guard of the character referred to, the ballooning is checked by maintaining a defined distance between the guide eyes and the ring rail. It is clear that as the latter rises, if the guides are stationary, there will be a greater tendency to balloon when the rail is at its lowest position than when at its highest. More than that, the attainment of the full diameter of the cop is followed by more ballooning than when the building is just beginning, and it is therefore advisable to slightly shorten the distance between the guide and the point of the spindle. The guides are in this case mounted on a rod borne by and attached to vertical pokersA. The vertical position ofAis determined by the camC, which is slowly rotated as building proceeds. The shape ofCis such that when spinning begins, the guide eyeAis about an inch above the nose of the bobbin, but gradually falls until within3⁄8inch ofthe same point, after which it slowly rises until the relative positions at the commencement and finish are as indicated by the dotted and full lines. The rise begins as soon as the cop is formed of full diameter, and one important feature in this invention is that the vertical reciprocations of the guide eyes are independent of, less than, although simultaneous with, those of the ring rail. It is certainly remarkable how effective this contrivance is in checking ballooning, and this without submitting the yarn to any injurious rubbing action. The size of the balloon is accurately checked, while at the same time it is as large as can be permitted under the existing conditions. The inventor stated that the effect of this arrangement is that a bobbin of 6 inch lift can be employed, where in other cases not more than a 5 inch bobbin could be used. The extra length of yarn so wound on is of great service in subsequent processes, giving rise to other advantages which are well known.

(379) So far the mechanism employed has been designed to spin on bobbins placed on the spindles, but there is another branch of the subject to which reference must be made. Although the attempt to spin on bare spindles was made so far back as 1847, this special method of spinning is not even yet completely successful, though it is quite true that many efforts have been made which have attained partial success. It may perhaps help to the understanding of the difficulties of the case to remember that weft yarn is most urgently needed in the form of cops. Now, yarn which is used for weft has many less twists per inch put into it than warp yarn, and is in consequence much softer and more tender than the latter, breaking with less strain, and being altogether more difficult to spin. It is, therefore, under conditions which are the most unfavourable possible that the attempt to spin on the bare spindle in ring frames has to be made. In forming a cop, the diameter on which the yarn is wound is constantly changing, and the largest diameter is only a little smaller than the internal diameter of the ring, while the smallest will be about3⁄16of an inch. Now, it will be easily understood that the drag exercised by the yarn on the traveller will be greater when it is being wound on the larger diameter than when on the smaller, it being remembered that the spindle is always revolving at a regular rate, and consequently taking up more yarn per revolution on the body of the cop than on the spindle. Thus, if a regular rate of traverse of the ring rail were adopted it is clear that at one point the yarn would be taken up too rapidly, or too slowly at another. In the mule this difficulty is overcome by increasing the speed of the spindles when the yarn is being wound on the nose. It is not possible to adopt any such method in the case of ring spinning, and the solution has been attempted by the adoption of a mode of giving a very quick traverse at the beginning of its downward stroke to the ring rail, so that less yarn is wound on at that point. Of course this difficulty more or less exists even where spools and bobbins are used, but it is not so acute as when only the spindle is employed. The speed of the traveller varies continually, being greater when the yarn is being wound on the larger diameter and less when on the smaller. There is thus a greater resistance when winding is going on at the nose, and breakages occur more frequently at that point. In addition to this there is the difference existing in the way the pull is exerted on the traveller at both points, which will be readily understood by a reference to Fig.197. It will be seen that the direction of the draught of the yarn is in the first case fromBtoC, and is an angular or tangential one, whereas in the second case the pull is fromAtoC, and is almost radial. As the yarn in proceeding from the rollers to the bobbin is passed through the traveller, it will be clear that while the revolution of the spindle will in the first case draw the traveller round the ring in the direction of the arrow, in the second case it will exercise no tractive power, or at any rate very little, on the traveller, tending rather to pull it against the ring. As the pointAis, however, constantly changing its position, a certain drag is given to the traveller, but it is a periodical one, for as soon as its position is altered the old conditions are again established. In this way the yarn is in a sense twitched or wrenched, and breakages occur in consequence. In addition to this difficulty there is another, arising from the different speeds at which the traveller runs, to which reference has been made. Owing to this difference more twist is put in when winding is going on at the largest diameter, and less when at the nose of the cop. Now, the latter place is where it is most wanted, owing to the increased drag, and as weft yarn is always more softly spun a decrease in the number of turns per inch is a fruitful source of breakage. The difference amounts to between one and two per cent, and constitutes really the chief difficulty to be overcome.

Fig. 197.J.N.

(380) As this subject is one of some interest a few words may be profitably expended on it. There is some confusion existing as to the way in which the loss in twist should be arrived at. On the one hand it is contended that the number of coils made in one lift of the ring rail should be counted, and the loss of twist calculated from that. On the other hand, it is urged that the coils laid in a double lift of the rail should be taken as a basis. This is the view held by Mr. Charles Lancaster, of Manchester, who has given a good deal of attention to the subject, and with whom the author is inclined to agree. To arrive at a conclusion it is necessary to ascertain the smallest and largest diameter of the surface of the bobbin, calculating therefrom their respective circumferences. The mean of the latter will give the average length of yarn wound per revolution, and the difference of the two the relative loss in twist. Mr. Lancaster put this matter very clearly, and the demonstration may be given in his own words: “To prove this calculation measure the length of a ‘draw’—i.e., the yarn deposited in one up or one down motion of the ring rail—andmultiply by the number of turns per inch, count the number of coils in this layer of yarn (which represents the actual loss), and divide into total number of turns. Thus, if the up motion of the ring rail deposits 72 inches of 20’s yarn with 16·75 calculated turns per inch, then 72 x 16·75 = 1,206 ÷ 20 coils = 1·8 per cent of loss; and if the down motion deposits 178 inches of yarn with 16·75 calculated turns, then 178 x 16·75 = 2,981·5 ÷ 46 coils = 1·6 per cent, or an average of one up and one down motion of the ring rail of 1·7 per cent.”AOf course the finer the yarn spun the less the percentage of loss of twist.

(381) Whatever be the mode of calculation adopted, whether only the single or double lift be taken into account, the fact remains that there is a loss of twist, and that this is of most account when weft yarns are being spun. It being most desirable to spin these upon the bare spindle, so that they may be used in the shuttles, it will be seen that the subject is one of some importance. Various methods have been tried to overcome the difficulty, one mode being to take the yarn away from the nose of the cop as quickly as possible, but it has only been partially successful. Another, and more successful plan, is to form a special traveller, so arranged that the yarn in passing to the bobbin does not give a radial but a tangential pull to the traveller. The final form of traveller adopted by Mr. William Lancaster, who has tried a large number of shapes for this purpose, is arranged in this way, and to a certain extent frames made by him have been successfully used. The mode of construction adopted by Mr. Lancaster is shown in Figs. 198 and 199. In these the traveller is made at one end with an open fork, and at the other isCshaped, fitting the ring as shown in Fig.199. Referring to that figure it will be seen that the yarn is carried through theCshaped eye, and then round the foot of the open forkBto the spindleA. The result is that the point where the traveller rests on the spindle acts as a fulcrum, and the yarn exercises a pull on the end of the arm carrying theC, this portion of the traveller practically becoming a lever. In this way the direct radial pull upon the yarn is avoided, and the traveller is readily drawn round the ring. Its actual position on the cop is shown in Fig.198, whereBis the fork,Athe yarn, andCthe spindle. In this form a number of frames are working with considerable success.

(382) In Figs.200and201a special form of ring and traveller applied to a bare spindle is illustrated, these being made by Messrs. Platt Brothers and Co., Limited. The ringBhas a grooveAformed in it, in which a travellerDmade of the shape shown is placed. The traveller has a loop or hookEnear one extremity, and a second loopCnearer the centre. The yarn is first passed under the loopE, and then throughC, thus giving a drag to the traveller at the pointE, and causing it to travel round the groove. The loopClies close up to the spindle when the yarn is at the nose of the cop, so that the yarn passes at once on to the former. The machine so constructed has been in use for some time, and it is found possible to stop it with the ring rail opposite the extreme point of the cop and re-start it without any considerable breakage of ends. In considering this portion of the subject past experience will form a base on which to found future efforts. A combination of a rapid traverse of the ring rail with some means of avoiding the direct pull of the yarn might be effective, but the subject is one for experimental work and not theorising.

The latter is more likely to retard than aid in the solution of the problem. A differential speed of the spindles has been proposed, but no data exist by which a correct judgment can be formed. If by simple means an approximation to an equal twist can be obtained a great step towards the solution of this extremely difficult problem will have been made. The whole question is environed with difficulty and requires constant attention to a number of little points, but the advance made during the past few years is so remarkable that a good deal of hope can be entertained as to eventual success. In the meantime weft is being spun successfully on small wooden pirns which possess the great advantage of allowing the whole of the yarn to be unwound from them, and thus save the waste often made by “stabbed” cops. A frame for this purpose, made by Messrs. Howard and Bullough, is shown in Fig.202, and about 400 grains of No. 20’s yarn can be wound on each.

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