more Mergenthaler & matrixes
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jerme...@sbcglobal.net
Feb 9, 2007, 12:49:35 PM2/9/07
to linotype-...@googlegroups.com
US Patent office...
TYPE CASTING MATRIX AND SPACING
Where the "hair lines" come from . . .
The brass matrices, being relatively soft, are also
damaged in the normal operation of the line casting machine. As the matrices
fall into the assembler box of the machine, they strike the side of the matrix
that is already in alignment in the assembler box. This causes small amounts of
brass to be chipped off the side bearing of the matrix resulting in a concavity
in the bearing side thereof into which the molten lead flows during a subsequent
casting operation and results in a hair line being formed in print made from a
slug of type cast in the machine with the damaged matrix.
NOTE: When purchasing a font of matrixes. .
. if at all possible. . . cast all mats on longest measure
possible
and pull a galley proof. The "hair lines"
will show on the proof. Sometimes you can use a brass brush to
remove the hair lines from
between the face of the letters. If that doesn't work, I would NOT purchase
the font.
If you are buying mats you must have a
machine that can produce slugs, Right?
Best to cut a deal with seller that
you will cast and pull a proof for inspection before paying any
$$'s.
and more if
interested:
starts with hot metal composition.... and
proceeds to desk top publishing.
In 1971 era while working for
State Of Wisconsin I engineered the building/creation of
a photo composition system. First one
that paginated complete pages of composition.
Running heads, dictionary headings,
counters, hyphenation, running feet, footnotes and more.
happy reading,
wisjer
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