Monotype Lapping Machine

Monotype Lapping Machine Monotype Lapping Machine Monotype Lapping Machine

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Monotype lapping machine, used by Monotype Corporation

The Monotype lapping machine is the final stage in the matrix making process. Numerous matrices are cued up in a channel in the machine to be planed on two sides by two spinning diamond discs. They are then put through the machine again in order to plane the other two sides. Certain parts of the machine are lubricated by oil flowing over them. Each matrix is then checked to see that it fits exactly into a hand-held gauge. This ensures that they fit perfectly next to other matrices when an entire fount is arranged in a matrix case.

The planing of matrices to the correct final size can be done by hand, but the machine is still used when there are multiple matrices to be done. There are, for example, 255 matrices in a standard matrix case.

The machine occupies a room of its own at The Type Archive. It is the only one of its kind in the world.

Details

Category:
Printing & Writing
Collection:
Monotype Corporation Collection
Object Number:
1995-1506
type:
lapping machine

Parts

Section of Monotype Lapping Machine

Laps sizing machine, plant number 404. Used by Monotype Corporation. Unit 1

Object Number:
1995-1506/1
type:
lapping machine
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Rib for Monotype Lapping Machine

Rib for Monotype Lapping Machine

Rib 1 from Monotype lapping machine, used by Monotype Corporation

Object Number:
1995-1506/10
type:
lapping machine and component - object
Rib for Monotype Lapping Machine

Rib for Monotype Lapping Machine

Rib 2 from Monotype lapping machine, used by Monotype Corporation

Object Number:
1995-1506/11
type:
lapping machine and component - object
Rib for Monotype Lapping Machine

Rib for Monotype Lapping Machine

Rib 3 from Monotype lapping machine, used by Monotype Corporation

Object Number:
1995-1506/12
type:
lapping machine and component - object
Rib for Monotype Lapping Machine

Rib for Monotype Lapping Machine

Rib 4 from Monotype lapping machine, used by Monotype Corporation

Object Number:
1995-1506/13
type:
lapping machine and component - object
Rib for Monotype Lapping Machine

Rib for Monotype Lapping Machine

Rib 5 from Monotype lapping machine, used by Monotype Corporation

Object Number:
1995-1506/14
type:
lapping machine and component - object
Panel for Monotype Lapping Machine

Panel for Monotype Lapping Machine

Back panel (right) from Monotype lapping machine, used by Monotype Corporation

Object Number:
1995-1506/15
type:
lapping machine and component - object
Panel for Monotype Lapping Machine

Panel for Monotype Lapping Machine

Back panel (left) from Monotype lapping machine, used by Monotype Corporation

Object Number:
1995-1506/16
type:
lapping machine and component - object
Screws for Monotype Lapping Machine

Screws for Monotype Lapping Machine

Unit 7 Screws of Laps sizing machine. Used by Monotype Corporation

Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
1995-1506/100
type:
screws
Cover for Monotype Lapping Machine

Cover for Monotype Lapping Machine

Top Cover Over 1, 2, & 3 of Laps sizing machine. Used by Monotype Corporation

Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
1995-1506/101
type:
lapping machine component