BAKER'S COMBINED GAUGING, MIXING, AND COMPRESSING CONCRETE MACHINE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6966, 15 March 1884, Page 6

BAKER'S COMBINED GAUGING, MIXING, AND COMPRESSING CONCRETE MACHINE.

We inspected yesterday "Baker's Combined Gauging, Mixing, and Compressing Coucreto Machine," whioh has boon recently patented in New Zealand by tho inventor, Mr. Robert Baker, manager Meehanios' Bay Union Sash and Door Company. One or two blooka of cement have been turned out by tho machine as specimens of the concreto niado by it, and tho mode of manufacture. Tho specimens are wall worth inspection. With a more powerful machine, blocks up to 30 tons could bo made. It is eminently a labour-saving machino, which is a great consideration, and suitablo materials for the manufacture of ooncrete are to be obtained in abundance in all parts of the oolony. Conoroto blacks are used on many of tho most important engineering works of our timos, and have boon found a most serviceable and economical substitute for stone. Blocks, landings, pavings, curb and channol, utc., oan be made, it. is stated, by tho process at from 50 to 90 por cont. less cost than Oamaru, Port Chslmorß, Ran gi to to, or Sydney stone, and for certain purposes aro equally suitable. In order that our readers may bettor understand tho process, wo givo the following description of tho machine • — The uiaoliino is comainod in a oompact and strongly-built frame, and consists of a cast iron * 4 receiver or pan," placed beneath a platform, on which is dopositod the material to be operatod on. Between tho receiver aud tho platform is a largo and poculiarly constructed horizontal wliool, or disc, of iron, worked by a clutch on a vortical shaft in the eentro ot tho receiver. This whcol is made to revolve, and tho operation of '• gauging," er measuring tho different materials in their proper proportions, is quickly and are accurately porformed. Xlio materials as thoy are " gauged" fall into the receiver, where thoy aro mixed by arms attached to tho vortical shafts. At tho same time receiving a regular and oven shower of water from a perforated iron tank, fixed to tho underside of the horizontal wheel, previously mentioned, tho materials are then passed from tho recoiver on either side, into a right and left set of chambers, whore thoy undergo a thorough niixiug and turning ovor, aud aro finally delivered, perfectly mixed concrete, into a mould beneath. The power for driving this portion of tho machine is taken from a counter shaft by a belt running on pulleys on a horizontal shaft over the receiver; this, by means of toothed wheels, rovolves .the vertical shaft which, at its lower end, gears with and sets in motion the horizontal shafts of the right and left sets of chambers. Between these chambers is another horizontal shaft driven direct froin the counter shaft; this*puts in motion a set of stampers or compressors, whioh efficiently deal with the concrete as it leaves the chambers, the bearings of this shaft work on vertical slides, tho whole rising as the material accumulates iu the mould beneath the compressors. Tho mould is fixed on a set of trolly wheels, running on rails spiked on to the top of the travelling bed, which is steadily movjng backwards and forwards beneath the chambers and compressors. When the mould is nearly full two compressing rollers are brought to bear and speedily brins; the concrete to a perfectly flat and level surface. The trolly containing tho block is then run ofi the travelling bed to a convenient placo to set and harden, another trolley and empty mould taking its place, and the operatiou repeated. From the time the material is tipped from the dray on to the platform until it emerges from the maohine—a perfect block of, we may say, artificial stone—it is not touched by hand. The quantity that can be put through in n day is estimated at from 1000 so '2000 cubic feet, in blocks np to SO cubic, or from five to six tons weight. It will also turn out landings and paving up to 42 feet; superficial and from 3 innhes to 12 inches thick. The machine cm also be economically employed whore large quantities of rough concrete are required. The machine is particularly compact, works at a slow speed, and is so arranged that tho man tending it has complete control over the various movements, and can readily regulate, start or stop the different operations, singly or simultaneously, at pleasure. .