Abstract
Marked progress is being made toward grouping finishing-plant machinery in series or in ranges. This, among other important advantages, eliminates intermediate handling. Range drives may be divided into three classes:
1 Adjustable-speed motors, which include direct-current constant-voltage equipment, direct-current multi-voltage equipment, and alternating-current equipment.
2 Constant-speed motors or mechanically driven shafts, speed adjustment being obtained through such a device as the mechanical variator.
3 Adjustable-speed steam-engine drives.
Range drives prove advantageous in many combinations, from cloth in the rope form to cloth in the open form. Examples are given.
The successful operation of finishing machinery in ranges is dependent upon the attainment of certain advantages, such as elimination of in-between losses, improved uniformity and quality of product, saving in power and maintenance expense, and saving in executive work.
There are also certain possible disadvantages, such as the present market tendency toward a multiplicity of small lots and varied styles, and the demand for samples. Range speeds are limited to that of the slowest member, breakdowns tie up production, additional building construction is necessary to accommodate extra length, operating losses due to cloth damage in earlier processes continue unnecessarily through subsequent processes, and there is somewhat greater initial expense.
