Rolling machine

A machine for glazing or “milling” paper, used by hotpressers and cardboard and paper-makers. The paper is passed through twice in some, and is then said to be “double milled.” Bookbinders use a rolling machine to press their books and dispense with the old standing-press. A rolling machine for hotpressing printed paper in a very expeditious and effectual manner, has been patented by a Mr. Gill, and is now manufactured by Messrs. Furnival & Co., of Manchester. The cylinders are kept perfectly clean from the “set-off” ink, so that the sheets may be hot-pressed as soon after printing as required. The cylinders are made of chilled metal, cast hollow, for the purpose of allowing the introduction of steam to heat them. The cleaning apparatus is contained in troughs arranged under the cylinders, which are placed side by side, the pressure being given by compound levers The troughs are partially filled with alkaline fluid, and in them are arranged a series of absorbent cleaning pads, made of sponge covered with calico. The troughs are placed on stands so that they can be raised or lowered at pleasure by suitable mechanism. When in working position the cleaning pads, saturated with alkaline fluid, press on the cylinders. As quickly as they revolve the printing-ink “set-off” on metal is reduced into a “soap-and-watery” fluid. This is perfectly scraped off, and the cylinders kept quite bright, clean, and dry by a piece of vulcanized india-rubber, clamped along the edge of the trough, so arranged that when the edge wears, a small piece maybe cut off and the scraper pushed forward, so as to last a longtime. The paper is fed in at the top between the cylinders, and delivered at front of bottom. Metal springs, pointed, pressing against cylinders, peel off the paper whenever a sheet has a tendency to stick to the metal. Double-royal sheets may be put through at the rate of about 1,200 per hour, and smaller sheets more quickly in proportion to size. Printed paper in web may also be passed through it. The cleaning apparatus maybe easily removed altogether in a few minutes, and the machine used for hot-calendering unprinted paper. The chilled-metal cylinders give a beautiful surface to the paper.