III. Repeating Jacquard Pattern Cards by the Positive Action Repeater.
If several sets of cards of one design are required for starting a corresponding number of looms, and the first set has been produced by the “piano machine” exact duplicates can easily be obtained at small cost to the manufacturer by the “Repeating Machine.” This machine is built by Messrs. John Royle & Sons, Paterson, N. J., and is illustrated by Fig. 25 in a perspective view.
Fig. 26, p. 94, represents the front elevation of the throat-piece through which the cards that are to be cut pass, the carriage on which it is supported, and the mechanism employed for imparting a rising and falling motion to the carriage.
Fig. 27, p. 95, is a vertical longitudinal section of the upper portion of the machine.
Fig. 28, p. 95, gives a perspective view in detail of portions of a selecting-needle and key-wire and a lever connecting them.
Fig. 29, p. 95, gives a view in detail of the mechanism employed to turn the pattern cylinder.
The cards to be duplicated (_N_, _N_, Fig. 26, p. 94,) are arranged upon the card race-arms (_M_, _M_, Fig. 26,) in the same manner as upon a loom. The uncut or blank cards, having been previously laced together, (_E_, _E_, Fig. 26), are piled in the rear at the base of the column, and thence passed forward through the machine, and delivered finished in front.
The perforating of the cards is performed by a vertically reciprocating die, (_D_, Fig. 26), and a set of punches (_C_, Fig. 26,) carried in a fixed punch-head, and capable of being pushed upward when such movement is not prevented. The cards commonly used are of a size to receive 600 holes, and hence that number of punches are required.
The cards (_E_) to be cut are drawn over a “reel” or “idler” (_F_, Fig. 26,) at the back of the machine, and thence pass through openings in the base frame to the front of the machine, and over a square cylinder having a step-by-step rotary motion. By each quarter turn of this cylinder, the chain of cards is drawn forward sufficiently to bring a new card in the die. By the rising movement of the die (carriage), which takes place as soon as the intermittent feed of the cards has ceased, the card in the throat of the machine is carried up against the lower ends of the punches, and is cut or perforated by all such punches as have their upward movement prevented by the keys; while such punches as are not arrested by the keys are carried upward, and do not puncture the card. The pieces of card cut off fall through a throat or opening in the carriage (_F_, Fig. 27,) into the hollow base frame, (_A_, Fig. 27), and can be taken out at the door, (_A_, Fig. 26).