The Linotype machine ( LYNE -? - type ) is "line casting "Machines used in printing are sold by the Linotype Mergenthaler Company and related companies. It is a hot metal typesetting system that throws metal type blocks for individual use. Linotype became one of the mainstay methods for organizing types, especially small body text, for newspapers, magazines and posters from the late 19th century to the 1970s and 1980s, when largely replaced by phototypesetting, offset lithography printing and computer letter settings. The name of the machine derives from the fact that it generates all the lines of the metal type at once, then the line-o'-type , a significant increase over the previous industry standard, ie, Ã, manual, letter by letter using a stick array and drawer letters.
Linotype machine operators enter text on a 90-character keyboard. Machine assembly matrix , which is a print for letter form, in one line. The assembled line is then cast as a part, called a snail, of a metal type in a process known as hot metal arrangement. The matrix is ​​then returned to the type of magazine from which they came, for reuse later. This allows for quicker compositions and compositions than the original hand compositions where the operator places a pre-printed glyph (metal letters, punctuation or spacing) at a time.
The engine revolutionized the font settings and especially newspaper publishing, thus allowing a number of relatively small operators to set the type for many pages every day. Prior to Ottmar Mergenthaler's discovery of linotype in 1884, the daily newspaper was limited to eight pages.
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Linotype machine consists of four main parts:
- Magazines
- Keyboard
- Transmission mechanism
- Distribution mechanism
The operator interacts with the machine through the keyboard, composing the lines of text. Other parts are automatic; they start as soon as a line is actually composed.
Some linotype machines include paper tape readers. This allows text to be types-to-pair via telegraph channels (TeleTypeSetter). It also allows some tape perforator operators to prepare paper tape for processing by a single linotype machine, essentially separating the typing speed of the operator from the operating speed of the linotype machine.
Design
Matrix
Each matrix contains the form of a letter for one character of a typeface; that is, certain types of designs in certain sizes. The shape of the letters engraved on one side of the matrix. For sizes up to 14 points, and in multiple matrices of 16 to 24 points, the matrix has two uppercase letters, normal and additional positions. The normal position has an upright (Roman) shape of the given character, and in the additional form, Italic ) of the character will be used, but it can also be a thick form or even a completely different font. The machine operator can choose which of the two will be thrown by operating the Magazine section
The magazine section is part of the machine in which the matrix is ​​held when not in use, and released when the operator touches the keys on the keyboard. This magazine is a flat box with vertical dividers that form "channels", one channel for each character in a font. Most major magazines have 90 channels, but for larger fonts only carry 72 or even 55 channels. Additional magazines used on some machines typically contain 34 channels or, for a magazine carrying larger fonts, 28 channels.
The magazine has a certain typeface; that is, certain types of designs in certain sizes. If different sizes or styles are required, the operator will switch to a different magazine. Many Linotype engine models can store multiple magazines (as many as four) available at a time. In some cases, the operator can switch to a different magazine by raising or lowering the stack of magazines with a crank. Such a machine will not allow mixing of fonts in a single line. Others, such as Model 9, allow random mixing of text from up to four magazines in a row.
Escapement
In a linotype machine, the term escapements refers to a mechanism at the bottom of a magazine that releases the matrix one by one when a key is pressed on the keyboard. There is a breakdown for every channel in the magazine.
Treatment and lubrication
To keep the matrix smooth throughout the machine, it is necessary that the oil is not left near the matrix path. If oil is found in the matrix path (due to careful care or excessive lubrication of adjacent parts), it combines with dust, forming a chewy substance that is eventually deposited in the magazine by the matrix. The most common result is that the matrix will not be released from the magazine at its usual speed, and almost always generates a letter or two that comes out of sequence in assembler - a "transposition matrix". When these machines are used on a large scale, it is not unusual for the operator to set the type at a rate of more than 4,000 ems per hour, with the fastest operator capable of exceeding 10,000 ems per hour (about 10 to 30 words per minute in current units this) so that careful lubrication and regular cleaning is essential to keep these machines operating at their full potential.
Keyboard and parts of writing
In the writing section, the operator enters the text for the line on the keyboard. Each keystroke releases a matrix from a magazine mounted above the keyboard. The matrix goes through the channel to the assembler where the matrices are lined side by side in the order they are released.
When a space is required, the operator touches the spaceband stop just to the left of the keyboard. This releases spaceband from the spaceband box. Spacebands are stored separately from the matrix because they are too large to fit in a magazine.
After enough text is entered for the channel, the operator presses the foundry lever installed in the right front corner of the keyboard. This will lift the finished line in the assembler between two fingers on the "delivery channel", simultaneously holding the catch holding it in position. The spring-operated delivery channel then transports the line to the casting portion of the machine, and uses a clutch that moves the casting and subsequent transfers to the distribution section. The operator is now finished with the line; remaining automatic processing. When the line is being cast, the carrier can continue entering text for the next line. Keyboard
The keyboard has 90 buttons. No shift key; capital letters have keys that are separate from lower case letters. The arrangement of letters corresponds to approximately the letter frequency, with the most frequently used letters on the left.
The first two key columns are: e, t, a, o, i, n; and s, h, r, d, l, u. Linotype operators often deal with typing errors by running the radius down these two lines, thus filling the line with the words of shao flu etaoin. This is known as "run down". Often it's faster to throw a bad snail than to fix the line directly in the assembler. Slugs with run down are removed after being thrown, or by proofreader.
The linotype keyboard has the same alphabet setting given twice, once for lower case, black button, on the left side of the keyboard, and once for uppercase, white button, located on the right side of the keyboard. The blue buttons in the center are punctuation, numbers, small caps and spaces with fixed widths. In proper keyboard operation, an experienced operator's left hand operates only spaceband keys and left-hand column keys. The operator's right hand brushed the remaining keys across the keyboard.
The keyboard buttons are connected by vertical pushrod to escapements. When the key is pressed, the appropriate escape is activated, which releases the matrix from the magazine. With one exception, each key corresponds directly to a channel in the standard magazine ( 90Ã, channel ). The only exception is the lowercase letters e : the letter is often used so that the 90-channel magazine actually has 91 channels, with two channels (two far left) both used for mail > e . Similarly, the magazine's 72Ã, channel actually has channel 73, with the leftmost two being used for lower case e . Alternate path releases the matrix alternately from the two channels e in the magazine.
On machines that support multiple magazines, there is a shift mechanism that controls which magazines are currently connected to the keyboard. In most machines, this is done by raising or lowering the pile of magazines.
Spaceband
In a justified text, the space is not fixed width; they expand to make all the lines equal width. On this linotype machine is done by spacebands. A spaceband consists of two slices, which are similar in size and shape to a matrix of types, one with a long tail. The wide wedge section is at the bottom of the tail, thus pushing the tail upward expanding the spaceband.
Due to its size, spacebands are not stored in magazines, but in the spaceband box and are released one by one by pressing the spaceband lever on the left edge of the keyboard.
Assembler
The matrix is ​​released from the magazine, and spacebands are released from the spaceband box, drop down to the assembler. This is the rail that holds the matrix and spacebands, with the jaw on the left end set to the desired line width. When the operator decides that the line is close enough, he raises the transmission lever at the bottom of the keyboard to send the line to the foundry part of the linotype machine. The remaining processing for that path is automatic; as soon as the end line is moved to the casting section, the operator can start compiling the next line of text.
Casting sections
The casting part of the machine is operated intermittently, when triggered by the operator at the completion of a line. Full casting cycle time is less than nine seconds. The motive power for the casting part comes from cloned drives that run large cams (the keyboard and distributor parts run all the time, because the distribution may take longer; however, the distributor's front ends its work before the next line of the matrix is ​​distributed). The construction of the machine is such that both the return of used lines to the magazine and the subsequent line composition can occur when the current line is being cast, enabling very high productivity.
Older engines typically have 1/3 hp 850 or 1140 revolutions per minute motors directed to the main clutch wheel, the axle in engaging these wheels while the casting cycle is in operation. An external leather belt on this wheel runs a second axle-jack, which drives the distributor and matrix of the keyboard matrix and runs through additional belting from this shaft. Gas-fired pots, as in the illustration below, were most common in previous years, with thermostatically controlled pots (high flame when under temperature and low fire when rising to temperature), and then a second small burner to the mouth and throat warming, with a more modern installation running on a 1500 watt electric pot with a mouth and throat heater controlled by the initial rheostat (several hundred watts on an electric model). The temperature is appropriately adjusted to keep the lead and the lead metal thawed just before it is tossed. Newer engines, and larger engines over 36 EM The matrix size usually uses a more standard 1/2 horsepower motor after the v-belt became publicly used in the 1930s. The big machines also have what's called a 'double pot', with a larger gas burner, or a 2250-watt pan heater and a bigger mouth and throat heater. The most modern linotypes have thermostatically controlled throat and throat heaters, an increase in manual rheostat adjustment, or gas flame adjustment. The Linotype Company will even supply kerosene heaters and machine-operated axle ducts, locally without power.
The casting section receives the finished line from the assembler, and uses this to cast the type of slugs that are the product of the linotype machine. The casting part is automatic: once activated by the operator sending the finished line by raising the casting lever, a series of cams and levers move the matrix through the casting section and control the sequence of steps that produce the slug.
Casting materials are tin alloys (85%), antimony (11%), and tin (4%), and produce one slug casting cast capable of 300,000 impressions before the casting begins to develop deformity and imperfection, and the type must be thrown again.
Continuous heating of liquid alloys causes lead and antimony in the mixture to rise up and oxidize along with other impurities into a substance called "junk" that must be skimmed off. Excessive waste formation leads to softening of the alloy as the proportion of lead increases. The mixture should then be tested and the tin and antimony added back (in the form of a proportional special alloy) to restore the original strength and properties of the alloy.
Justification
From the assembler, the assembled line moves through the first elevator to justification vise . The visum has two jaws (1 and 2 in the illustration) that are set to the desired line width. Spacebands are now extended to justify the line. When the line is justified, the matrix fits tightly between vise jaws, forming a rigid seal that will prevent the liquid type metal from escaping when the line is thrown.
Justification is done by the spring ram 5 which gives rise to the spacebands tail, unless the machine is equipped with a hydraulically automated Star Hydraquadder or Linotype hydraquadder.
If the operator does not collect enough characters, the line will not correct correctly: even with spacebands extended along the way, the matrix is ​​not strict. The security mechanism in this paint justifies detecting this and blocking the foundry operation. Without such a mechanism, the result would be spraying from the liquid type metal that spurts out through the gap between the matrix, creating time-consuming chaos and possible danger to the operator. If a spray does occur, it is generally until the operator to take a bucket of hell and catch the tin that flows. It is so called because the bucket often "goes to hell", or melts, while holding a very hot liquid tin. Also, in relation to possible dangers facing operators, toxic lead smoke is possible, since they are the result of smelting tin ingots for casting.
Mold disk and pot
Cat justification holds the assembled line against the face of the print disc . The print disc has a rectangular opening corresponding to the width and thickness of the slugs (cast line) to be created. The printed liner goes into this slot for custom snail dimensions.
Behind the mold disc is a type of metal pans, which contain liquid metal type. The piston in the pot pushes molten metal into the pan, which forces the metal through the throat of the pan and into the mold, forcing it to stick to the matrix face. It has a character shape cut into it, so the result is a cast snail with the character shape of the line on its front face. The disc mold is sometimes water-cooled, and often cooled with a blower, to transport heat from the liquid metal type and allow the casting of the cast to fasten.
When the casting is complete, the print disc changes three-quarters of the anticlockwise rotation clockwise into the ejector and the blade assembly . Ejector is a rectangular rod that pushes the slugs out of the mold opening in the mold disc. When emerging from the mold disc, the slug passes through a set of edge blades on the blade block, which trims every small deviation in the casting and produces the exact width and height slug desired. From there, the snails fall into the galley tray that holds the lines in the order in which they are cast.
Distribution mechanism
The most significant innovation in a linotype machine is that it automates the distribution step; ie, returns the matrix and the space tape back to the right spot in each magazine. This is done by distributors .
After the casting is completed, the matrix is ​​pushed to the second lift which pushes it to the distributor at the top of the magazine. Space bands are separated at this point and returned to the spaceband box.
Matrices have a dental pattern at the top, with which they hang from the distributor bar . Some teeth are cut; which tooth pattern is cut depends on the character on the matrix; that is, which channel in the magazine it belongs to. Similarly, the tooth is cut along the portion of the distributor's rod. The bar in the elevator has all the gears, so it will hold any matrix (but not the space tape, which has no teeth at all).
Distributor bar and gear encoding matrix
Since the matrices are carried along the distributor rod by the distributor screw, they will survive only as long as there are teeth to hold them. As soon as the matrix reaches the point where each tooth corresponds to the cut-away teeth in the distributor's bar, it is no longer supported and will fall into the matrix duct below that point.
The tooth pattern is a 7-bit binary code, with the deepest inner pair at the bottom of the notch being the most significant part. The codes are calculated from the left side of the main magazine. Code 0 (no gear) for spacebands, which are not brought to the distributor. Code 1 is skipped (no reason for this is given in the Linotype manual). Codes 2 through 92 are for 91-channel mainstream magazines, and the above codes are intended for additional magazines, if installed on the machine. The widest addition magazine has 34 channels, so the rightmost channel is code 125. Code 126 is not used.
Pi matrix
In typing letters, it is sometimes necessary to use rare or unclear characters so it makes no sense to assign them to a magazine channel. These characters are referred to as the character pi or kind ("pi" in this case referring to obscure printer terms associated with loose or spilled type). Footnotes, rarely used fractions, and mathematical symbols are examples of pi characters. On a linotype machine, the pi matrix has all the existing teeth (code 127, no teeth cut) so it will not fall off the distributor trunk and will not be released into the main magazine or an additional magazine. Instead, it runs to the end and into a flexible metal tube called pi chute and then marches on the sort stacker . From a pile of sorts, the machine operator can (manually) select the pi matrix and put it into the line being assembled as needed.
See also
- Ottmar Mergenthaler
- Monotype System
- Monotype Corporation
- Lanston Monotype
- Saguache Crescent
- Etaoin shrdlu
Note
References
External links
- Linotype: The Film - In Search of the Eighth Wonder of the World (Doug Wilson, 2012) is a feature-length documentary centered around a Linotype-type casting machine.
- "Farewell, Etaoin Shrdlu". short films about the history of Linotype and the transition to modern methods. New York Times, 2016-10-14.
- The Printing (Holmes Burton Film, 1947) documentary on linotype technology. in the printing industry
- Metal Types - "For Those Who Given the Type of Heat Metal"
- The Intertype Book of Instruction is a complete manual on the operation and maintenance of the Intertype linotype engine
- Linotype Machine at Woodsidepress.com
- Linecast landing service at linotypesetting.com
- Typesetting: Linotype vocational instruction film: partand part 2.
- 1/13/1894; The Linotype a Machine To Override Typesetting
- The Automated 1966 Controlled Electron (ACE) Linotype, Teletype, Intertype and more
- A linotype machine patent
- E-book "Linotype - Chronik eines Firmennamens" (in German); ("Linotype - Chronologie of Company Name")
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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