Carding engine, 1800-1830.

Carding engine made by Strutts of Belper, Derbyshire, England, 1800-1830:- one hand stripper; one hand grinder; one lap of cotton.

Carding engine made by Strutts of Belper about 1830:- one hand stripper; one hand grinder; one lap of cotton. The purpose of this machine was to loosen, disentangle and straighten the cotton fibres prior to spinning. This machine, which came from Jedediah Strutt's (1726-1797) mill at Belper in Derbyshire, was constructed between 1800 and 1830 and resembles earlier machines made by Richard Arkwright (1732-1792), except that the framework is larger, and comprised of iron not wood. Cotton is fed by fluted rollers onto the fast-moving large cylinder and carding takes place between it and the first and third small rollers, from which any waste is 'recycled' to the main cylinder. The cotton is finally stripped by a reciprocating comb and funnelled into a container for removal to the next stage of the production cycle.