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AUTOGENOUS WELDING. The Worcester: Pressed Steel Co., Worcester, Mass., have just installed a plant for autogenous welding with the oxy-acetylene blowpipe flame. This is the only welding plant of its kind MAKING OXYGEN, in Worcester and the second in this country. : The Worcester Pressed Steel Co., following its progressive policy, quick- ly. appreciated the practical value of adding this welding process to its mod- ern equipment in the manufacture of high class pressed steel parts for auto- mobiles, bicycles and many special de- signs in deep drawing and cold forg- ing, requiring skilled mechanics and the best machinery. In this welding process, they employ oxygen and acetylene in a blowpipe flame for, obtaining the required heat. Each gas is generated in a separate ap- paratus and .conveyed through separate pipes to the blowpipe. The distinctive feature which has done the most to - AT WORK IN THE SHOP. make this welding process of wide commercial value is the introduction of .a means for producing oxygen. By combining this chemical product with water, chemically pure oxygen is as easily obtained as in uniting calcium "TAE Marine REVIEW carbide and water acetylene is liber- ated; the chemical reaction in each case being analogous. The oxygen generating apparatus consists of two lead lined generating chambers arranged: with a _ scrubber and settling chamber between. In making oxygen, one generator is filled with the required amount of luke-warm water to which one chemical charge is added. While this solution is being stirred with an agitator operated by a crank, provided for the purpose, a so- lution wt iron sulphate and water is added which acts as a catalyzer. In .the following chemical reaction, 6 Fe. SOiAq + 7, CAOCL:Aq -- CUSO.,Aq + 2 FE, (SO.)s Aq + CUSO.Aq + Fe, le ey CACE, +:3 CASO, "7: O: the oxygen, liberated, passes from the generator through the scrubber and THE BLOW PIPE, water sealed trap into the gasometer; from the gasometer, the oxygen is compressed to 10 atmospheres (47 Ibs.) with an air compressor into~ a pressure storage tank. It is then con- ducted through 3% in. from which branches of %4 in. copper piping lead to the blowpipe connec- tions. Reducing valves are arranged so the operator can-vary the pressure of the gas at the blowpipes at will. Each blowpipe is supplied with twenty-two different sized nozzles so the size and power of the flame are varied accord- ing to the thickness of the metal to be welded. The acetylene generator is of the water feed type, composed of a cylin- drical shaped tank, which serves as a gasometer and' regulator, connected hy three water supply pipes to three car- bide receptacles or trays, half cylin- drical in shape, each containing six compartments. Each tray holds about 12 lbs. of lump carbide. The acetylene is used under practically a uniform "'nects with the gasometer. '24 in. long and weighs 2-lbs. provided with two inlets which remain tinctly offensive to the smell. copper piping. by bringing pressure varying from 2.2 to 3 lbs. The pressure is obtained and maintained by gaso- a means -- well known. two meter, in' the as water levels" employing. the principle of the water column, which automati- cally governs the supply and pressure of the. gas, 1 of. 3. 1b6: ing. meter, the acetylene is conveyed through a 1 in. main pipe with one % in. branch leading to each biome iby connection, A feature of this steric appara- -- tus is a "safety valve" located between the blowpipe connections and _ the acetylene gasometer. a 1 in. pipe leading into and two 1 in. pipes leading out from a rectangular metal chamber. The inlet pipe con- conveys the acetylene to the blowpipes, the other vents to the outside air. The inlet and outlets are separated by a water sealed trap which prevents-- any possibility of ignition reaching the generator. and gasometer by burning back through the- Diver supply pipes. oe The blowpipe is of brass construc- 'tion specially designed on the injector principle' and carefully. - proportioned for its intended purpose. It is about It is entirely separate practically the entire length of the blowpipe and enter a mixing chamber with a common outlet at the point of combustion. Acetylene (GOH) isa hydro-carbon colorless gas of an ethereal odor when perfectly pure but, as ordinarily obtained, is dis- It. 'is Any pressure in excess -- escapes through a vent or © blow-off outside the generator build--- From the regulator and gaso- This consists of | One outlet -- WELDED CRANK SHAFT FORGINGS, also an endothermic (heat absorbing gas) nearly as heavy as air, having a density of 0.92 in. of air. calcium carbide (C.C2) in contact with water. The final chemi- cal reaction is indicated by CaC, + * It is obtained --