NOVELTIES AT THE ENGINEERING _ EXHIBITION.
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Devices that Facilitate Manufacture„ Repair, Running, and Maintenance of Commercial Motor Vehicles.
THE FACT that the International Shipping, Engineering, and Machhiery Exhibition, now being held at Olympia, London, does not close until Saturday, the 22nd inst., enables us to draw attention to such further exhibits as seem. to us to be of interest to the manufacturer and user of motor vehicles; and to give time for those who are particularly interested in one or other of the novelties to attend the Exhibition and to examine the exhibits closely. In the following notes we deal with some of the items that seem to us to be worth such examination.
The Theoline storm-lamp. red shield consists of a "pair of shieldswhich can be fixed to any storm-lamp used for a rear light on a vehicle or trailer. These shields are made of a material which is almost unbreakable and non-inflarrirnable, and is translucent. Being red in colour, it shows a large patch of diffused red light, which is very effective as a warning to overtaking vehicles. The main object of the shield is to protect the glass of the storm-lamp from breaka.ge through stones, which are so often thrown up by the rear wheels. It is claimed for this material that it is not so easily rendered opaque through mud splashes as glass. Fig. 1 shows the shields, both fitted to a lamp and separate. These are handled by Messrs. Theo and Co., 6, Hatton
Giwden, Liverpool, and are shown by theist on Stand No. 48.
. A combined blow-lamp and solderingiren, which is also handled by the firm mentioned above, forms a very compact blow-lamp, the fuel for which is contained in the handle. The soldering-iron is instantly detachable, and can housed in either of the positions shown in Fig. 2. It Ls claimed for this device that, when used as a soldering-iron, it will solder overhead, as the flanie will prevent the melted solder froth gravitating from the point of the iron.
Wood in a Plastic condition is a distinct-novelty, but it is now a manufactured. product which seems likely to prove of use in many branches of the mbtor trade. It is particularly recommended for filleting of wooden patterns. In the making of wooden patterns, from which metal castings are to be, made, it is necessary that all sharp corners should be avoided, olherwise the metal, when cooling, is likely •to "suck in" Where two planes meet. The examples shown in Fig. 6 are patterns in which all corners have had a fillet added. to them so as to remove theiracuteness. Necol plastic wood is recommended for the filling in of such corners. It is also very useful for making up small parts which have been broken off patterns. It is put up in tins and resembles putty in consistency. When moulded by the fingers or by means of tools to any required form.it will soon harden and become like ordinary wood, with the exception of the fact that there. is no grain in it. This material is manufactured by Necol Industrial Collodions, Ltd., 62, London Wall, E.C.
Plymax is a combination of wood and metal in flat sheets. The wood core or centre is composed of the ordinary plywood or Venesta. This is faced on either one or both sides with thin metal, which is securely cemented to the wood. This combination should prove ideal for dashboards and many other parts of motor bodywork. It is very silent when used in the form of a panel. The edges can
be protected from damp, as shown in Fig. 4, which also shows methods of forming corners.. The metal usedfor the •outside is usually galvanized steel, but lead-coated steel is used in some cases. This material can be supplied in a bent form, but :we understand that it cannot be domed.
The R.A.K. hydraulic jack, shown in Fig. 7, is a very compact device, and will raise a weight of 7 tons to a height of 20 ins. A valve is arranged so that the vehicle can be slowly lowered, by allowjag the oil to escape gradually through a contracted aperture.
The Hilmor tube bender differs from others made for tube bending in .several details. Fig. 3 shows the operation of bending being carried oat. A former is used, again:A which Net the tribe to be bent. This former has a. groove in its edge which fits the section of the tube. A stop (I)) and a lever are used, much as in all other tube benders. One of the main differences is that the hollow-faced piece (Al does not travel along the tube, a roller (B) being provided to run along A, and so prevents any flattening of the tube. The numerous holes shown at C are each of different distances from the centre of the former on which the tube is being bent. By means of this arrangement, arid a plan which the makers supply, the exact degree of angularity imparted to the tube can be relied upon. In the case of a double bend or a set-off in a tube, these can accurately be caloulated by very simple means and the results relied upon, so saving the usual trial and error. This machine is useful for exhaust, water, and petrol pipes, which can in most cases be bent without heating or charging. The Skylux tune !milder is an extremely simple device, in which the tube to be bent is aim-ply placed in the tool as shown in Fig. 5, -and then laid on the floor, while the operator presses downwards until the required amount of bend is obtained. It is made in three sizes, the largest of which is claimed to be able to bend tube a la ins. diameter. This tool is handled by Skylux„ Ltd., 22, Great St. Andrews Street, London, w. 0. 2.
The Eland V block is a very useful appliance where square shafts have to be milled or where holes have to be drilled through a piece of work at right-angles to each other. Fig. 9 makes the device clear. A very simple means of chucking parts of motor work is also Shown in Fig. 8. In this arrangement the part to be operated upon is laid on a surface plate and a line scribed round it. At any convenient part along this line three centre-punch marks are made—one on one side and two on the other side of the part to be held. The part is then tuined upside down and placed between the centres of the device. This ensures the top surface being perfectly level for machining purposes. These appliances are manufactured by the Eland Engineering Co., St. John's Works, St. John's Road, 'Hampton Wick.
The machine shown in Fig.. 10 is a separator which extracts grease from wiping rags and cotton waste by mechanical means orilz., and without the use of chemicals. The materials to be cleaned are placed in the cage, and steam is introdaced in such a way that it seta up a very rapid spinning motion, which produces centrifugal action, and this, coupled with the heat of the steam, which melts the grease, effectually cleans the rags, which are then ready for immediate use. The oil can be recovered by a special settling and purifying tank, which forms part of the outfit. This installation is said to pay for itself in a short time, provided there is a sufficiently large amount of rags to be dealt with. This outfit is sold by Industrial Waste Eliminators, Ltd., 20, High Holborn, W.C.1.
The New-Matic Cushion is especially intended for use of drivers of commercial
lorries and similar vehicles. Its main feature is that it will not absorb damp, being made of spongy rubber enclosed in a waterproof casing. It is soft and comfortable to sit on, and is very light to carry about. It is handled by .Messrs. Theo and Co., of Liverpool.