An old engraving of the Great Steam Hammer at the Woolwich Gun Factory, London, England, UK c. 1875. It is from a Victorian book of the 1890s on discoveries and inventions during the 1800s. The 35-ton hammer, built by Nasmyth and Co, was used to forge guns for the British Navy. A steam hammer, also called a drop hammer, is an industrial power hammer driven by steam that is used for tasks such as shaping forgings and driving piles.
An old engraving of the Great Steam Hammer at the Woolwich Gun Factory, London, England, UK c. 1875. It is from a Victorian book of the 1890s on discoveries and inventions during the 1800s. The 35-ton hammer, built by Nasmyth and Co, was used to forge guns for the British Navy. A steam hammer, also called a drop hammer, is an industrial power hammer driven by steam that is used for tasks such as shaping forgings and driving piles. Usually the hammer is attached to a piston that slides within a cylinder. The concept of the steam hammer was described by James Watt in 1784, but it was not until 1840 that the first working steam hammer was built. In 1843 there was a dispute between François Bourdon of France and James Nasmyth of Britain over who had invented the machine. In the 20th century steam hammers were gradually displaced in forging by mechanical and hydraulic presses. Compressed air power hammers, descendants of the early steam hammers, are still manufactured.
Size: 4252px × 2873px
Location: Woolwich, London, England, UK
Photo credit: © M&N / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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