Early Machine Tools [antikvár]

, • ¦ ( _ M ' ' ' ¦ ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ; Introduction A machine tool is a machine designed to cut or shape metal or other substance, and by its action replaces the skill and strength which would be necessary to carry out the same operation manually with the aid of a hand tool. Skill applied in the original design and construction is reproduced in the work done by the machine and the application of mechanical means of controlling the position of the cutter in relation to the workpiece makes it possible to fashion objects without the skill which a craftsman would need to carry out the same task by carving or filing. Indeed such machines as the Bersham boring mill (10), which was built in 1775, could do work with an accuracy then unattainable by any other means. The application of power provided by the horse, the water wheel, and later by the steam engine made it possible to machine objects of great size beyond the capacity of a man using his own muscle power. The high speed of working with power-driven machine tools and the utilisation of skill built into the machine made possible manufacturing processes which would not otherwise have been economically practicable, as exemplified by Bramah's machine tools (11 ) specially designed for manufacturing his patent lock. It was claimed that Brunei's block-making machinery (13) operated by 10 men did the work of 110 skilled blockmakers. This booklet illustrating exhibits in the Machine Tool Collection of the Science Museum traces the development of machine tools from quite primitive lathes to machines which begin to have a