Vaucanson's Drilling Machine
This is an innovative and beautifully-made machine, designed in the 18th century by Jacques de Vaucanson, and on display at the Musee des Arts et Metiers in Paris.
Its intended application is obscure. It was designed to drill small holes in a horizontal plane. The drilling head was guided horizontally and vertically and positioned by leadscrews. These were of fine pitch and were equipped with micrometer dials to allow precise positioning. The machine could therefore be used for what is now known as 'co-ordinate drilling'. The spindle was belt-driven and was fed into the work by turning a screw. It is possible that it was used for drilling holes for the automatic draw mechanism in his Loom, but it would seem to be overly sophisticated for that purpose.
Felix Rosat was responsible for the production of the drilling machine and of Vaucanson's Lathe.[1]
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ 'Scientific Instruments of the 17th & 18th Centuries and their Makers' by Maurice Daumas, translated by Dr Mary Holbrook, Portman Books, 1972, p.308