Geometric chuck, 19th century.

Made:
1839-1900 in London
manufacturer:
Holtzapffel and Company
View of Alabone's chuck in the Mathematics Gallery, inv 1921-392. Shot on location, Mathematics Gallery. View of Alabone's chuck in the Mathematics Gallery, inv 1921-392. Shot on location, Mathematics Gallery.

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

View of Alabone's chuck in the Mathematics Gallery, inv 1921-392. Shot on location, Mathematics Gallery.
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

View of Alabone's chuck in the Mathematics Gallery, inv 1921-392. Shot on location, Mathematics Gallery.
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Compound four-part geometric chuck, by Holtzapffel and Co. with change wheels and accessories, in two mahogany cases; also special stand for operating, with fifteen designs drawn by the pen

Compound four-part geometric chuck by Holtzapffel and Co, with change wheels and accessories. The Geometric Chuck was invented by J H Ibbetson in the early 19th century for the purpose of producing intricate patterns. Generally used on lathes for ornamental turning, this is the only known surviving example of a four stage chuck. The movement of each stage is defined both by its speed of rotation and by the amount the centre is offset compared with the stage below. These two factors give each stage an epicycloidal motion which is superimposed upon the movement imparted from lower stages.

Details

Category:
Mathematics
Object Number:
1921-392
type:
geometric chuck, drawing machines and geometric chucks
credit:
Llewelyn Howell, H.