Monotype Matrix Monocular Optical Depth Testing Instrument

Made:
1937 in Redhill
Matrix binocular optical depth testing instrument

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Matrix binocular optical depth testing instrument
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Matrix monocular optical-mechanical depth testing instrument, Plant No. 1293, made by The Monotype Corporation Ltd., Salfords, Redhill, Surrey, England, 1937. This instrument was used in the production of Monotype matrices to measure the depth of letter characters.

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:
1995-1541
Materials:
steel (metal), aluminium alloy, leather, copper (metal) and brass (copper, zinc alloy)
Measurements:
overall: 340 mm x 180 mm x 310 mm,
type:
machines