An old engraving of Nasmyth’s steam hammer c. 1850. It is from a Victorian mechanical engineering book of the 1880s. A steam hammer (or drop hammer) is an industrial power hammer used for shaping forgings. The hammer is usually attached to a piston that slides within a fixed cylinder. Here two men lift the hot iron into place on to the ‘anvil’ under the hammer. James Watt described the steam hammer in 1784, but it was 1840 when 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 it.
An old engraving of Nasmyth’s steam hammer c. 1850. It is from a Victorian mechanical engineering book of the 1880s. A steam hammer (or drop hammer) is an industrial power hammer driven by steam that is used for tasks such as shaping forgings and driving piles. The hammer is usually attached to a piston that slides within a fixed cylinder. Here two men lift the hot iron into place on to the ‘anvil’ under the hammer. 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 to meet the needs of forging increasingly large iron or steel components. In 1843 there was an acrimonious dispute between François Bourdon of France and James Nasmyth of Britain over who had invented the machine. Bourdon had built the first working machine, but Nasmyth claimed it was built from a copy of his design. Steam hammers proved to be invaluable in many industrial processes. Technical improvements gave greater control over the force delivered, greater longevity, greater efficiency and greater power. A steam hammer built in 1891 by the Bethlehem Iron Company delivered a 125-ton blow. 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: 2953px × 3726px
Location: UK
Photo credit: © M&N / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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