Two measures (the length and the width) are required to be cut for each set of cards: 1st. The sheets of pasteboard are required to be trimmed one way in sufficient number for the length of the cards. 2d. Each trimmed sheet is afterwards separated in strips of the required width.
The oldest method for stamping cards, now only occasionally used, consists of two perforated steel plates, between which the blank cards are placed, and the required holes stamped by hand by means of punches. It will easily be seen that this method is not up to the present advanced times, hence various machines have been introduced for arranging the punches. Among those most generally used are:
I.--Dobby Card Punching Machines. II.--Piano Card Stamping Machines. III.--Repeating Machines.
These machines, illustrated by Fig. 1., (W. P. Uhlinger, builder), are used for stamping cards for the smaller Jacquard machines, technically termed “Dobbies.” They are of very compact build, and operated by belt-power. The whole card is punched at one revolution or stroke. The rack on top of the machine holds the design. The punches for peg-holes and lace-holes are immovable, while the key punches act independently, at the will of the operator. Jacquard cards for these machines are generally composed of the strongest pasteboard, and require a very strongly constructed machine.
These are operated in two ways, by the belt or foot-power. There are two kinds of each: “French index” and “American index.”
Figs. 2 to 11 are drawn to one-half the actual size of the “Uhlinger Card Stamping Machine.”
Figs. 13, 16, 17, 18, 19 are drawn to one-quarter the actual size of the “Royle Card Stamping Machine.”
Figs. 2 and 13 (_E_, _F_, _G_, _H_,) represent the top view of the head (cover taken off), the twelve holes for holding the punches for one row, also the large hole for holding the peg, _P_. Each punch works vertically, and is guided by a key for stamping the hole.
Fig. 14 illustrates the punch (actual size) as used in the “Royle” machine: _a_ to _b_ = 3/4 inch; _b_ to _c_ = 2-7/8 inches; 7/32 inch diameter of punch, _d_ to _c_.
Fig. 15 illustrates a corresponding key: diameter of key 3/16 inch, _d_ to _e_; diameter of head, 3/8 inch, _a_ to _b_; _c_ is the hole for inserting the pin which holds the spring. The length of the keys vary from 1-3/4 to 2-1/8 inches, according to the position they occupy in the machine. The punch and key of the Uhlinger machine are shown (one-half of actual size) in Figs. 4 and 5.