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A History of Industrial Machine Tools
Industrial
Machine Tool Timeline
British - 1709 - 1830
1709 - Abraham Darby demonstrates that charcoal could be replaced by coke
found in coal.
1769 - James Watt - His steam engine's large cylinders posed a vexing
problem. They had to be precise in interior size so that steam could not
leak between cylinder and piston.
1775- John Wilkinson - invented the precision horizontal-boring machine.
Wilkinson's machine made efficient steam engines possible. The steam engine
cylinder could not be manufactured until machine tools had been devised
that were capable of producing accurate parts.
1797 - Henry Maudslay - developed the first engine lathe and developed
an improved micrometer.
1830 - Joseph Whitworth - invented a measuring instrument accurate to
a millionth of an inch and suggested standardization of screw threads.
American
- 1798 - 1907
1798 - Eli Whitney - successfully applied the Uniformity System of Production
using interchangeable parts. Secured a US government contract for $134,000
to produce 10,000 army muskets.
1818 - Eli Whitney -invented the first milling machine. Perceived the
need for an improved device to clean cotton and invented the cotton gin.
1818 - Thomas Blanchard - invented a copying machine for turning the stocks
of rifles, using a model to key the machine.
1843 - Elias Howe - invented the first sewing machine based on a lock
stitch which limited sewing to straight seams.
1851 - Isaac Singer - invented the first practical sewing machine. His
was the first machine to have a straight needle, foot treadle, and the
ability to sew curved seams.
1907 - Henry Ford - builds the first assembly line to build cars using
Eli Whitney's concept of mass production and interchangeable parts.
Machine Tool and Equipment Categories
Metalworking Machine Tools
Bandsaw | CNC | Drill | Grinding Wheel | Lathes
| Milling Machine
Metalworking Hand Tools
Calipers | Countersinks | Counterbores | Combination Square | Chisels
| File Gauges | Hacksaw | Hammer | Height Gauges | Machinist Squares |
Pliers | Punches | Taps and Dies | Wrenches
Metalworking Accessories
Collets | Cutting Fluid | Dial Indicator | Drill Bits | Knurling | Micrometer
| Pin Chuck | Vernier Calipers | Welding Tools
| Soldering Equipment
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