1862 London Exhibition: Catalogue: Class 7.: Kirkstall Forge Co
1641. KIRKSTALL FORGE COMPANY, THE, Leeds, and 35 Parliament Street, Westminster, S. W.
Naylor's single or double action steam hammer.
Obtained Prize Medal for railway wheels and axles, Class 5, Exhibition, 1851; also Honourable Mention, iron and steel, Class 1.
NAYLOR'S PATENT SINGLE OR DOUBLE ACTION STEAM HAMMERS.
The valuable improvements developed in these hammers, also the great advantages and capabilities which they possess over all others that have hitherto been invented, are the following:—
STEAM HAMMERS which have hitherto been constructed involve the same general principle of being lifted by steam pressure, and falling by gravity, the effect of the blow being dependent on the weight of the hammer, multiplied by the height of its fall.
The greater the distance it falls, consequently the greater the force of the blow, the slower is the speed of working. The great practical drawback to the more extended application of steam hammers, has been the impossibility of obtaining sufficient speed or quickness of stroke.
The advantages of the DOUBLE-ACTION STEAM HAMMER for forging are its being capable of working up to 200 strokes per minute (when required), which is from three to four times faster than any steam hammer hitherto constructed. The power can also be more than doubled, instantaneously, and as rapidly altered. The adjusting valve gearing also allows of instantly changing the length of stroke, and force of blow, by altering the position of the sliding wedges.
It is completely under the control of the hand gear, which is easy to work in any position. The rapidity of the stroke obtained by it is particularly advantageous for forgings requiring a great number of blows, by finishing the work at one heat, and saving both the fuel required: for the second heat and the deterioration and waste of the iron.
This principle of hammer is also adapted for riveting wrought-iron bridges, girders, ship-building, etc.