Draw′ing—frame.
1. A machine in which the slivers of cotton or other wool from the carding-machine are attenuated by passing through consecutive pairs of rollers, each successive pair rotating at a higher speed than its predecessors. The device was first invented by Leon Paul, patented 1738; and perfected by Arkwright, patent [744] 1769. It was called a water-frame, from the circumstance that Arkwright's machinery was driven by water-power. It was named a throstle from the brisk singing or humming sound made by it. See throstle. It is used in the process of doubling slivers (see doubler), and is indispensable in the bobbin-andfly machine and the mule (which see). The drawing-frame, disconnected with any spinning operation, is a machine to elongate the spongy slivers produced by the carding-engine, to straighten the filaments and lay them parallel. The drawing-frame is also used to equalize slivers by condensing a number into one (see doubling), and then elongating them so as to overcome special defects. Filaments which have become doubled over the teeth of the carding-machine are also straightened in the process of doubling and drawing. The drawing-frame consists of three pairs of rollers, the upper ones being covered with leather and the lower ones fluted longitudinally. The upper ones have an imposed weight, and the lower ones are driven by power, and carry those above. The rollers are driven with varying degrees of velocity; the second b, say, at a speed double that of the first c, and the third or delivery rollers a at a speed five times that of the second b.Doubling and drawing. |
2. (Silk-machinery.) A machine in which the fibers of floss or refuse silk are laid parallel, preparatory to being cut into lengths by the cutting-engine, to be afterwards worked like cotton. The order of the machines is as follows:— Hackling. filling-engine (which see). Drawing-frame; the filaments are held firmly by one end, and a comb travels over the surface to remove impurities and short fibers. Cutting-engine reduces the filaments to a staple about 1 1/4 inches in length. Scutcher. Cleanser and dryer. Carding-machine. From whence the staple is treated like cotton. See carding-machine; drawing; doubling; roving-machine; throstle; bobbin-and-fly frame, etc. See list under cotton, etc., p. 631.