Industry Inputs

[lrjanzen]

I was looking to model a machine tool manufacturer (like Brown and Sharpe) on my model. I get that large crates of lathes and drills come out, but what goes in? Do they take raw steel and re cast it? Coal? I was hoping there might be someone who has worked in a factory like that. The Brown & Sharpe building still exist in downtown Providence RI. It was a very large concern at one time. I am planning on extending the concept to some other companies that used to make the spinning machines and looms for the textile mills. I figure box cars go out but can't figure out what comes in.

I couldn't decide if this went in this forum or the prototype.

 

[danddhud]

I didn't realize they(Brown and Sharpe) made machine tools(Milling machines and Lathes, etc.), not saying they didn't? I used to think of them as a company that made measuring equipment(Calipers, micrometers, etc.). I would think it might be bar or plate steel for one going in? They might cast things there? Sorry I don't know more.
Dean

 

[JCitron]

They would need:

Raw steel
Sheet metal
Coal
Sand

The coal is for the forge and smelter, and sand is for the casting if they cast parts. Sheet metal would be used for covers and stuff, and the raw metal of course would be melted down to whatever was being forged and cast.

 

[Kennilworth]

Hi

Other raw materials would be pig iron for producing cast iron components, brass for bushes and bearings and possibly a small amount of scrap. Don't forget some timber for crating up the finished products.

In the early days many large concerns would carry out all the processes on site but if it is to be a more modern factory then these days many components are outsourced and would come in ready made for final assembly in the factory.

Regards

Brian

 

[lrjanzen]

Thx All!
Danddhud: Yes B&S was significant producer of precision machinery. You might find the book "The Perfectionist" by Winchester an interesting read. It is a modern history of how the pursuit of every more precise measurement created the modern technology. Below is an image of "The Foundry" as it is called in Providence. It sits across the street from the state capital. Well, actually, today it is across the I95 freeway. If you look at the image below You can see the size of the place. From a modeling point of view the whole agree would be great and I have thought about doing it. First you have B&S. The Providence Union Station (old one) is about 200 yards from the front of the capital. Huge yards just beyond that. Next in the image you can see a yard below the factory. The long building is the old food/fruit docks. About one block to the left in the image Would be the old Alco locomotive works! And right behind that would be 3 or 4 textile mills. Sunset Mills is the only one that I can think of out of my head. There is abandoned trackage all over the Olnyville area. One could probably 1:1 the area on 3 or 4 base boards. sorry. You got me started on industrial history... If you can tell it is a passion of mine.

John and Brian: What sort of car would bring in the raw steel and pig? My time frame is pre-WWII so the modern supply chain would not be used yet for them. it is raining today and I might head down to the RIHS and skim through the B&S files. They have all the old company records there.

 

[JCitron]

This might be helpful.
https://www.aar.org/article/specialized-freight-cars-deliver-construction-materials

I would think that the raw steel arriving as sheets would come in gondolas. If they also got pellets, than that would be in hopper cars, usually small ones too not only because of the period, but also due to the weight, and if they forged their own tools, they would need coke too which is made from processed coal and that would arrive in hoppers as well.

The company and pictures were familiar when I read this last night. Looking at the photos nailed it! I worked in this building after it became an office park called The Foundry. The company I worked for had an office setup there and I would commute down once or twice a week to cover the tech services for them. Where the freight yard is today, is now the interchange between US 6 and I-95 and some newer generic industrial buildings.

There were signs of former rail yards and other rail-related stuff all over the place and of course I noticed it right away. My fellow coworkers were 1000% clueless when I mentioned it.