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  • Browse:Hand-cranked Type-Casting Machine
  • Hand-cranked Type-Casting Machine
  • Detail
    • Function / Purpose:
      The hand-cranked type-casting machine was used in early times for casting movable type from lead alloys. When cranked by hand, it poured molten lead into matrices to form lead type used in typesetting. The machine consisted of a lead melting pot and hand mold. The melting pot contained molten lead heated by burning coal, and the hand mold could be fitted with all kinds of matrices. Cranking the machine opens the sprue and pushes down on the piston. Molten lead was injected into the character molds, creating lead type.
    • Characteristics:
      The hand-cranked type-casting machine was invented by the American D. Bruce in 1838. This particular model was used by the Chungnan Type Foundry, founded by Mr. Chu Wan-chin in the 1930's during the Japanese Colonial Period. The foundry used a model refined by the Japanese in its early years mostly for casting large lead movable type. As the hand-cranked type-casting machine had no cooling system or trimming device, it had to be cooled by wiping with a damp cloth after each run. The tang and four sides had to be manually trimmed as well, making the process a lot more labor intensive compared to typing on a keyboard today.
    • Dimensions:
      L:71.00 cm X W:59.00 cm X H:143.00 cm
    • Classification:
      Movable type printing
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