Pantograph engraving machine and parts

Pantograph engraving, milling machine and accompanying parts, 1865, associated with geometric lathe by Bryan Donkin and Co., c.1821.

This machine was was constructed by Bryan Donkin and Co. in 1865, and its main purpose was to mill the bronze blocks which ultimately formed the interlocking compound security printing plates which were engraved with complex mathematical patterns by Donkin's 1821 geometric lathe (inv. 2008-26). Initially, the bronze blocks were cast bronze, but a better and more accurate fit between the two could be reached if they were milled instead. This machine was adapted from a planing machine previously used by Donkin in the construction of papermaking machinery. Thereafter, both machines, the lathe and pantograph, worked until the 1950s in conditions of closely-guarded secrecy.

The pantograph differs fundamentally from all other known machine pantographs; rather than the pantograph arm, or ‘scissor’ carrying a tool and stylus over the work piece and template, it performs the opposite function of moving the workpiece and template under the fixed tool and stylus. This scissor closely resembles the reduction mechanisms used by draftsmen and cartographers of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, further evidence of its early and unique development.

Details

Category:
Hand and Machine Tools
Object Number:
2008-27
Materials:
wrought iron, cast iron, gunmetal, steel (metal) and paint
type:
pantograph
credit:
Bryan Donkin Archive Trust

Parts

Pantograph engraving machine

Pantograph engraving machine

Pantograph engraving machine

Measurements:
overall: 1290 mm x 1740 mm x 1420 mm,
Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2008-27/1
type:
pantograph
Metal template with engraved scrollwork and lettering HYDERABAD ASSIGNED DISTRICTS on brass

Metal template with engraved scrollwork and lettering HYDERABAD ASSIGNED DISTRICTS on brass

Metal template with engraved scrollwork and lettering HYDERABAD ASSIGNED DISTRICTS on brass, 1889 (on pantograph)

Materials:
metal (unknown) and brass (copper, zinc alloy)
Object Number:
2008-27/2
type:
metal template
Spare arm for holding workpiece on pantograph

Spare arm for holding workpiece on pantograph

Spare arm for holding workpiece on pantograph

Object Number:
2008-27/10
type:
pantograph component
Box of pantograph parts and accessories: 4 long

Box of pantograph parts and accessories: 4 long

Box of pantograph parts and accessories: 4 long, 1 short template followers; 19 rollers; 2 half made collets; 16 collets/tools; 15 collets with cutting tools attached; 20 cutting tools; 4 stepped height-setting blocks; 9 height-setting blocks, various shapes; 1 x 5/6 coarse thread tap (hand-made); small square-thread lead screw; high-speed steel radius cutter in block, marked T1117 for BD 310/DA/O; hinged metal part marked SIMMS, and loose screw attachment; latch lever; universal joint with small gear, bronze; gear wheel with handle; gauge?; shaft with universal joint; 7 miscellaneous metal bits

Materials:
metal (unknown) , steel (metal) and bronze (copper, tin alloy)
Object Number:
2008-27/11
type:
pantograph parts
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Box of various pantograph parts

Box of various pantograph parts

Box of pantograph parts: 2 hardened steel spindle bushes; mild steel cover for spindle; 2 end plates for steel cover, with felt washers; trial of script on metal oddment; screw plate made from old file; 3 floor wedges; 5 steel clamps; 2 square spanners; half-made part jig for movables; height limiting block; cardboard box of bits; box of miscellaneous bits

Materials:
steel (metal) , cardboard and felt
Object Number:
2008-27/12
type:
pantograph parts
Bag of metal borders for dies

Bag of metal borders for dies

Bag of metal borders for dies

Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2008-27/15
type:
dies
Oval template, wooden script plate attached

Oval template, wooden script plate attached

Wooden template, oval, with metal lettering and wooden script plate attached, for Hyderabad Residency Copying Fee die 1878-1941

Materials:
metal (unknown) and wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
2008-27/16
type:
templates
Template, oval, metal script plates attached

Template, oval, metal script plates attached

Wooden template, oval, with metal script plates attached (for border and spares), 1875

Materials:
metal (unknown) and wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
2008-27/17
type:
templates
Template with metal border design for Hyderabad die

Template with metal border design for Hyderabad die

Wooden template, oval, with metal border design for Hyderabad die, 1896-1950

Materials:
metal (unknown) and wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
2008-27/18
type:
templates
Metal template, marked 'Bombay Stamp Office'

Metal template, marked 'Bombay Stamp Office'

Metal template, open centre, with border scripts and BOMBAY STAMP OFFICE, 1869-71

Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2008-27/19
type:
template
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Template, pierced pattern for bottom plate

Template, pierced pattern for bottom plate

Metal template with pierced pattern for bottom plate, Hyderabad Court Fee, 1889-96

Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2008-27/20
type:
templates
Template, with pattern for bottom plate

Template, with pattern for bottom plate

Metal template with pattern for bottom plate, Hyderabad Court Fee, 1889-96

Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2008-27/21
type:
templates
Curved metal Frame

Curved metal Frame

Curved metal Frame

Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2008-27/23
type:
frame
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Metal plate from Pantograph engraving machine

Metal plate from Pantograph engraving machine

Metal plate, approx 11” x 12”

Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2008-27/24
type:
metal plate
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Metal oval in two halves

Metal oval in two halves

Metal oval in two halves

Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2008-27/25
type:
templates
Metal rectangle with oval hole

Metal rectangle with oval hole

Metal rectangle with oval hole

Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2008-27/26
type:
templates
Interlocking shapes for template die base

Interlocking shapes for template die base

Metal interlocking shapes for template for base of die

Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2008-27/27
type:
templates
Wooden lettering on irregular board –IGH- ANNAS

Wooden lettering on irregular board –IGH- ANNAS

Wooden lettering on irregular board –IGH- ANNAS

Materials:
wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
2008-27/28
type:
templates
Wooden lettering –R-E RUP--- --GT –NNAS

Wooden lettering –R-E RUP--- --GT –NNAS

Wooden lettering –R-E RUP--- --GT –NNAS

Materials:
wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
2008-27/29
type:
templates
Two templates for script, on irregular board

Two templates for script, on irregular board

Two templates for script, on irregular board

Object Number:
2008-27/30
type:
templates
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Wooden template IN on wooden board

Wooden template IN on wooden board

Wooden template IN on wooden board

Materials:
wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
2008-27/31
type:
templates
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Wooden template with lettering FIFTEEN RUPEES

Wooden template with lettering FIFTEEN RUPEES

Wooden template with lettering FIFTEEN RUPEES

Materials:
wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
2008-27/32
type:
templates
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Wooden template with lettering THREE

Wooden template with lettering THREE

Wooden template with lettering THREE

Materials:
wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
2008-27/33
type:
templates
Wooden template with lettering ONE RUPEE

Wooden template with lettering ONE RUPEE

Wooden template with lettering ONE RUPEE

Materials:
wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
2008-27/34
type:
templates
Assorted templates for scripts

Assorted templates for scripts

8 assorted templates for scripts

Object Number:
2008-27/35
type:
templates
Box of rings, borders and parts

Box of rings, borders and parts

Box of six rings (for movables); four ovals for borders and two parts

Object Number:
2008-27/36
type:
pantograph parts
Interlocking pair of oval metal templates

Interlocking pair of oval metal templates

Interlocking pair of metal templates, oval, for top and bottom plates of oval die

Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2008-27/37
type:
templates
Interlocking pair of oval metal templates

Interlocking pair of oval metal templates

Interlocking pair of metal templates, oval, for top and bottom plates of oval die

Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2008-27/38
type:
templates
Metal stamp ‘The address only to be written on this side’

Metal stamp ‘The address only to be written on this side’

Metal stamp ‘The address only to be written on this side’ in English and three scripts

Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2008-27/39
type:
stamp
Wooden demonstration die

Wooden demonstration die

Wooden demonstration die with remains of print attached

Materials:
wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
2008-27/40
type:
dies
Jig with cut out patterns of die top plate

Jig with cut out patterns of die top plate

Square metal jig with cut out patterns of top plate of die, 1889-96

Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2008-27/41
type:
jig - tool
Jig for four oval top plates

Jig for four oval top plates

Square metal jig to carry four small oval top plates

Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
2008-27/42
type:
jig - tool