THE MECHANICAL WORKMEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18455, 19 July 1923, Page 6

THE MECHANICAL WORKMEN.

CONVEYORS AND ELEVATORS, JOHN CHAMBERS AND SON'S EXHIBIT, ' i A peculiar and interesting phenomena is displayed for the- benefit of visitors at tho Auckland Winter. Show in the exhibit staged by Messrs. John Chambers and Son, Ltd; Primarily tho display; is one of conveyors and elevators as an example -of the modern handling of goods and included in the exhibit is a Sirocco high pressure blast • fan used for blast furnaces. This machine, which is electrically driven, delivers a volume of air at the rate of 80 miles per hour and is of sufficient capacity to supply 20 forgo.fires. This type of fan is also used for ventilating mines and buildings where an artificial current of air is necessary. It is fitted with an ingenious fan wheel which develops a very high rate of efficiency as the result of the elimination of friction to the utmost , possible limit. This particular fan on view is equipped with a special funnel from which a tremendous current of air escapes. An Association football placed in this current at about three feet from the funnel jremains in the air unsupported, and is a standing puzzle to onlookers. . The sagacity of engineers in solving the problem of the economical handling of case goods is revealed in' a no less interesting fashion by the arrangement of con\eyors and elevators at the exhibit. Tho slat elevator built up on a Jeffrey roller link chain compels attention. By the erection of this device in industrial or commercial plants goods may be carried from the factory to the delivery floor, from one floor to another, or from the wharf shed to the ship's side. The roller link chain device red noes friction to a minimum and makes for the easy handling and transport of goods, the ballbearing sprocket wheels over which the chain moves adding to the ease with which the device may be operated. A motor driven reduction gear ensures perfect control. In conjunction with the elevator is the Mathews gravity conveyor, which in actual practice takes the goods and transports them to any desired position by the force of gravity and without manual or other power • being required. All the rollers in this conveyor are double ball-bearing, enabling the device to work smoothly and with the most efficiency. No firm handling quantities' of case goods can afford to overlook these British made aids to economical working.