LINOTYPE MECHANISM
By Alvin G. Swank and
Raymond Means
Published by
SWANK AND MEANS
729 N. Bosart Ave.
Indianapolis, Indiana
COPYRIGHTED 1924
PRINTED IN U. S. A.
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Preface
Changes and improvements on the Linotype have beenfrequent in the past, and will probably continue to be so inthe future. For this reason students, operators, machinists,and owners should keep themselves posted on all matterspertaining to the Linotype. The only way this can beaccomplished is by reading, studying, and observing. Allbooks, pamphlets, or trade journals dealing with printingshould be carefully read, and the articles pertaining to improvementson typesetting machinery should be carefullystudied. Pamphlets or trade journals will either be discardedor lost; whereas a book will be placed on the desk,bench, or in the pocket of the one who desires to be wellinformed of things dealing with the machine. Frequentreading or reference will refresh the memory on minorpoints forgotten or overlooked.
This book has been produced as an endeavor to furnisha much-needed text or reference book for the aid of theLinotype student, the user, and the experienced worker.Simple terms, which will enable the student to grasp thefundamentals quickly, have been used throughout the book,but when the name of a part is necessary, the catalog nameis used. No illustrations are used, as the book is intendedfor use where the actual machine is available for study,and the parts may be seen. The main parts of the machineare listed with a description of their action and function.Mechanical troubles that are common to the Linotype arementioned, together with helpful suggestions for theirremedy. All adjustments necessary to the proper care ofthe machine are listed. The user of Linotypes will find helpfulhints as to the care and adjustments of the machines.
In the schools using machines, this book will fill a long-feltwant. It is the first attempt to write a text book ofthis nature that can be used in lesson form. The classschedule will lead the student to a systematic study of themachine. The text matter is so arranged that the studentis led in a natural way through the things he should knowfirst. With the schedule arrangement the instructor isenabled to arrange his mechanism classes at any hour or asmany hours as he desires.
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THE KEYBOARD
The linotype keyboard is power driven and mechanicallyoperated, the operator merely touching the keybuttonlightly to get a matrix. The keyboard and escapementmechanism consists of ninety-one mechanical units, or seriesof levers, escapements, and cams—one series for each key onthe keyboard.
The keyboard consists of the frame; the keylevers,extending through the slots to the back of the keyboardframe; the keylever fulcrum rods, which are the pivot rodsfor the keylevers; the keybars, that groove into the rearend of the keylevers; the keybar bank