Monotype 0.4-Inch Matrix Corner Burr Removal Machine

Made:
1957 in Redhill
0.4" Edge Burring after cutting down

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0.4" Edge Burring after cutting down
Science Museum Group
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Matrix corner burr removal machine, Plant No. 2120, made by The Monotype Corporation Ltd., Salfords, Redhill, Surrey, England, 1957. This machine is part of the equipment used in the production system for 0.2 x 0.4-inch Monotype matrices. Mounted on bench with machines Nos. 1294, 1868, and 1296.

This machine is one of many used in the process to make a 0.2-inch (0.51cm) or 0.4-inch (1.02cm) matrix. Some of the machines were designed at the Monotype factory in Salfords, Surrey, and other machines were purchased and adapted by Monotype.

There were 82 separate processes needed to transform a designer’s drawing of a letter, figure, punctuation or symbol into a piece of Monotype metal type for printing. A pantograph was used to trace and cut the letter from a copper pattern into a piece of steel called a punch. After being hardened, the punch was driven into a piece of bronze using a crank press to produce a matrix. The finished matrix was ready to go to the Monotype Composition Caster where molten metal was pumped through a mould against the matrix to produce a piece of type.

Details

Category:
Printing & Writing
Collection:
Monotype Corporation Collection
Object Number:
1995-1605
Materials:
steel (metal), copper (metal), brass (copper, zinc alloy) aluminium alloy, glass, leather, plastic (unidentified) and bakelite
Measurements:
overall: 105 mm x 770 mm x 700 mm,
overall (bench): 890 mm x 2160 mm x 790 mm,
type:
machines