Answers to Queries.
Page 19
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The Difference Between Turret and Capstan Lathes.
[1939J " ENG1/VSER " (Sussex), writes :—"I am the proprietor of a fairly old-established business, manufacturing a speciality which has come into considerable demand with the progress of the commercialmotor vehicle. I am modernizing my workshop plant, and taking up the manufacture for myself of small screws, bolts, pins, rollers, etc. My business is a mechanical, but, not an engineering one. I have come to the conclusion that, modern centre-lathes will answer my purpose, with the addition of two turret or capstan lathes, and here is the difficulty. Can you explain the precise difference and advantages of the turret and the capstan lathe respectively? "
ANSWER.—The difference tends to become less with almost every machine manufactured. The turret calls for a certain amount of skill from the operator, whereas the capstan is an automatically-set machine which only calls for the various lever and handle movements to be made in correct rotation. The turret lathe is generally fitted with screw-cutting, sliding and surfacing attachments, and is supplied with a. turret fitted on the bed of the lathe to hold from four to sixteen tools. Fairly-heavy work, such as cylinders, pistons, slide-valve bodies, pulleys, and so forth, is commonly produced on a turret lathe. The other machine is of lighter calibre. The capstan consists of a slide bolted on the lathe bed, which is itself fitted with an auxiliary slide on which the capstan head is mounted. The tools of the capstan are all set, and locked in position by stops when in use. These machines are adapted for lighter work such as plain and screw studs, small bolts, terminals, thread chasing, etc., and for the smaller accurate fittings so much used in modern industries. Both machines are designed primarily for repetition work, and must be kept fully employed if they are to show a. profit.
The Possibility of Taxicab "Extras" Registration.
[1940,1 " TOXOPFIOLITE " writes :—" IL seems to me that, with all this bother about the registration of ' extras,' which even the Home Office Committee does riot seem able to settle satisfactorily, or at any rate promptly, there should be some possible method of effecting such registration mechanically. With all the ingenuity that has been expended on the rest of the mechanism of a shassis, it is almost unbelievable that no satisfactory attempt has so far been made to secure mechanical control of the extras.'
"I may be quite simple in this matter, but I should like to know from you if you are aware of any actual attempt to couple the hinged extra-passenger seats to the ' extras' registering mechanism on the taximeter? As alternatives to such a method, I would suggest that for all practical purposes it would be sufficient to register taxicabs only to carry two passengers, just as in the old hansom days. If more people want to travel at any time, they should take more cabs. This would involve no loss of revenue to the owners, with perhaps the exception of the owner-driver, and it would entirely abolish
the disputes as to the charges in this respect. Extras for luggage,' I think it is admitted. could suitably be left to the driver for his trouble. If these extra seats must he retained, why should not each seat be fixed with a little counter that would record the number of times it is pulled down into position for the accommodation of the extra rider? The owner could then compare the number of times this seat was pulled down with the number of sixpences that bad been recorded, and prosecute the men who did not register a sufficient amount."
ANswER.—Attempts have been made, by means of mechanical connection, to record the use of the extra
seats direct on the taximeter. Objections to such a method are : the fact that this presupposes that no passenger, once having occupied his extra seat, is at liberty to rise therefrom without being charged another 6d. if he sit down again ; such a method has been in operation in this country, in the provinces, but it has been found that so many complaints and disputes arose from its use as to the supposed accidental derangement of the connecting lever or wire, that it was abandoned.
We think there is much to recommend the licensing of two-seater cabs only. The loss would not fall on the owner, unless he be a driver-owner, and there should be a saving on petrol and tires.
The method of fixing a counter to the extra seat is objectionable from the fact that passengers with a, turn for practical joking would be at liberty to spend the whole time during which they were riding as ordinary passengers working one or more of the seats up and down, and thus recording an alarming total against the driver.
Petrol Storage and Distribution.
[1941] " QUART MEASURE writes :—" I read with interest your article on the Shell spirit-storage depot, and noted your reference therein to the very complete arrangements that have been made for distribution a. n d measurement of the liquid fuel_ I shall be glad if you will give me some slight description o f the actual measuring de
be one of the latest forms of this sort." to which n s tallation of
ANSWER.You will have read in the article 0180 j tanks, and is from there lifted to overhead distributing tanks. Thence it passes to the supply mains, which run through the can-filling sheds. These supply mains have a number of vertical measuring cylinders attached to them at intervals, and these cylinders, which are conically ended, are carefully calibrated each to hold two gallons ; a small displacement screw, which is lead sealed, is attached to each one. This sealing is, of course, effected after the net capacity of the tank has been carefully regulated. A gauge glass, for measuring the head of petrol that is standing in the overhead tanks, is fitted above this cylinder. A three-way cock is installed below the cylinder, and this serves alternatively to fill the measure, or to release it through the filling pipe into the can. The arrangement is perhaps best shown by the sketch which we have had prepared and which is reproduced herewith.
The measuring device of the Shell Storage plant at Fulham.