In some instances they consist of a roller resting between certain
curved surfaces, which has but one position of stable equilibrium, and
that position the same, however the roller or the curved surfaces may
wear. A slight error in the motion of the principal parts would make
this roller for the moment rest on one of the curves; but, being
constantly urged by a spring, it would press on the curved surface in
such a manner as to force the moving piece on which that curved surface
is formed, into such a position that the roller may rest between the two
surfaces; that position being the one which the mechanism should have. A
greater derangement would bring the roller to the crest of the curve, on
which it would rest in instable equilibrium; and the machine would
either become locked, or the roller would throw it as before into its
true position.
In other instances a similar object is attained by a solid cone being
pressed into a conical seat; the position of the axis of the cone and
that of its seat being necessarily invariable, however the cone may
wear: and the action of the cone upon the seat being such, that it
cannot rest in any position except that in which the axis of the cone
coincides with the axis of its seat.
Having thus attempted to convey a notion, however inadequate, of the
calculating section of the machinery, we shall proceed to offer some
explanation of the means whereby it is enabled, to print its
calculations in such a manner as to preclude the possibility of error in
any individual printed copy.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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