The Preparation of Plantation RubberMorgan, Sidney
Science
The Preparation of Plantation Rubber
Morgan, Sidney
Rubber
Finally, on the question of adequacy of machines, it must be pointed out
that an insufficient number of machines must result in a poor product,
since all rolls have to be used for all grades. Even with the greatest
possible care it happens that pale crepe is sometimes spoiled because it is
contaminated with foreign matter, resulting from the working of lower
grades on the same machines. This is one of the great arguments in another
direction for the installation of a scrap-washer.
In conclusion, the writers can only give their opinion that one must not
decide the question of adequacy by the number of existing machines, but by
the time taken each day in working off the rubber, providing one can be
satisfied that the best arrangement of the existing machines has been made.
IDEAL ARRANGEMENT.--As to what this best arrangement may be, guidance can
be obtained from the results of experience here given. It must be premised
that the output of any factory preparing fine pale crepe is limited by the
output of the smooth finishing rolls. Broadly, it will be recognised that
if there is any excess of capacity in a battery it should be found in the
smooth-roll machines. This sufficiency, or excess of capacity, may
sometimes be attained by an alteration in the gearing of the drive of the
rolls from the back-shaft, or by an addition to the number of machines. In
the former case, there are practicable limits of speed, beyond which the
second alternative measure must be adopted.
SPEED.--The usual speed at which the back-shaft travels ranges from 60 to
70 revolutions per minute. Taking first the macerating machines, the
intermediate gearing between the shaft and the rolls should give a driving
speed of about 20 revolutions per minute on the faster-travelling roll.
This is equivalent, with a 15-inch diameter roll, to a peripheral speed of
about 60 to 65 feet per minute.
The intermediate and smooth rolls can be arranged to travel more quickly,
but the maximum comfortable speed for proper feeding and control appears to
be about 25 revolutions per minute on even-speed rolls. In view of the fact
that the rubber at each successive machine becomes longer and thinner, it
will be seen that a smooth-roll machine could not cope with the output of a
macerator in the same period of time. If, therefore, the macerator is fully
occupied for the greater part of the time, an additional smooth-roll
machine must be installed, even though the existing one has been "speeded
up" to practicable limits.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account