Horizontal boring machine with adjustable head, tailstock, etc of conventional type. Fitted with world's first numerical control system (made by British Thomson Houston) with punched cards for determining position of boringhead depth.
Made by Kearns. Used at British United Shoe Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
This horizontal boring machine is a very early example of a British numerically controlled machine tool. It is the first numerically controlled boring machine. It was built by H.W. Kearns & Co. Ltd, of Broadheath in Altrincham. Although it began as a standard boring machine it has been fitted with a numerical control device. The control system was developed by British Thompson Houston to automatically position the cutting tool. A series of punch cards were inserted into the control panel of the machine. They provided the co-ordinates for the drill bit, and the machine automatically followed the instructions. The manufacturers claimed that it halved the time taken by a manual boring machine to complete a specified job. This machine was used by British United Shoe Machinery Co. Ltd of Leicester to make machines for the boot and shoe industry.
One horizontal borer, with adjustable head.
Made by Kearns, used at British United Shoe Manufacturing Company Ltd
One tailstock for kearns boring machine. BUSM plant number 3984. Has no drill bit attached.
Made by Kearns, used at British United Shoe Manufacturing Company Ltd.
One main table, and quatering table for the Kearns Horizontal boring machine.
Made by Kearns, used at British United Shoe Manufacturing Company Ltd.
One numerical control system for Kearns Horizontal Borer.
Made by British Thomson Houston, used at British United Shoe Manufacturing Company Ltd.
one automatic co-ordinate setter, used with numerical control panel for Kearns Boring Machine.
Made by British Thomson Houston Company Limtied. Used at British United Shoe Manufacturing Company.
Card punch, for creating cards to operate Kearns NC boring machine. Kept in wooden box, with 'kearns' makers marks on it.
Manufactured by Kearns.
This machine created punch cards to be used with the numerically controlled Kearns horizontal boring machine. (Acc. No. 1979.16) It was made by International Computers & Tabulators Ltd of London. An operator punched holes into the card using the keyboard, which has keys numbered 0 – 9. The holes were encrypted instructions providing the machine with the co-ordinates to automatically guide the cutting tool into place. To give the cards a longer life in the factory they were made using special oil-resistant card. Documentary evidence indicates that while men operated the boring machines, women operated the card preparator.
control panel of kearns boring machine.
made by metropolitan vickers ltd.
