The Works Of Messrs. Schneider And Co.

86 MESSES. SCHNEIDER AND CO.’S WORKS. and even four, ingots may be charged simultaneously. When hot, the same apparatus carries them rapidly, at a speed of 48 metres (157 ft.) per minute, on brackets from which they are lowered to the feed-rollers which convey them to the miil. The ingots are received hot from the steel works in special trucks divided in three compart- ments, each closed with a cover (Figs. 207 to 209). The ingots are taken out of the trucks with tongs suspended from a steam crâne ; they are laid horizontally on a slab. From this the charging device takes them, three at a time, to the furnace. Armour-Plate Mili.—This rolling miil, of which a general view is given in Fig. 210, is worked by the same reversing engine that drives the blooming mili above described, and is placed on the other side of the engine. It has been in operation since 1886, and consista of a in more detail by Figs. 211 to 214, which also show the foundations. The average speed of the rolis varies between 26 and 34 revolutions per minute. The i'apidity with which the rolling and the reversing actions are effected, enables plates 23 metres (75 ft. 6 in.) long, 1.150 metres (3 ft. 9f in.) wide, and under 5 millimétrés (-/iy- in.) in thickness, to be produced. The following sizes have often been rolied in this miil : 8 metres x 2.200 metres x 6 millimétrés (26 ft. 3 in. x 7 ft. in. x f’ß in. füll). 18 metres x 2.770 metres x 30 millimétrés (59 ft. 0 in. x 9 ft. 1 in. x in.) The chief operator is placed in front of the train, and after each pass sets in motion the small vertical re- versing engine which works the roll-setting screws by Fig. 210. General View of Armour-Plate Rolling Mili. pair of horizontal roils of cast iron. The following are some particulars : in. ft. in. Length of roils ... 3.000 9 10A Diameter of rolls .950 0 37| Normal distance between roils .600 0 23j Extreme distance between rolls .750 0 291 The two main pinions are placed near the engine, the lower pinion being keyed on the engine shaft. The cast- steel skafts connecting the pinions to the roils, are 5 metres (16 ft. 5 in.) in length, the top one being balanced by a hydraulic ram. The original diameter of the cast-steel pinions is 1.050 metre (3 ft. in.) and their length between bearings is 1 metre (3 ft. in.) ; each pinion is in two parts with double-helical teeth of .183 metre i*1-) pitch. The coupling ends of the pinions and roils are .500 metre (19in.) in diameter. This millis illustrated means of a belt. The dimensions of this engine are the following : Diameter of steam cylinders .165 ni. 6£ in. Stroke of pistons .300 m. in. Maximum speed 180 revolutions 180 revolutions per minute. per minute. This engine is fitted with toothed-wheel gearing of two different ratios, which are thrown in gear alternately. A quick motion is given when the rolling is commenced, and for slacking back the roll-setting screws ; this gives a travel of 11 millimétrés (T% in.) for five revolutions o£ the engine ; the slower motion, given when rolling is nearly at an end, produces a travel of 1 millimétré (.039 in.) only, for five revolutions of the engine. For the last passes, pressure can also be given by hånd, with a small wheel placed on the second shaft of the engine ; one and a half turns of this wheel give a travel of 1 millimétré