Summary
Rope Plaiting Machine manufactured by Thomas Barraclough & Co. Limited. New electric fittings have been added to the machine after its construction.
It was used by R.V.I.B. workers at Factory in Prahran until a Prohibition Notice was issued in 1989 which prohibited it's use because it was not fitted with guards to prevent injury through contact with moving mechanisms (under regulation 10 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Machinery) 1985). Tom Jennings, a worker in the factory, remembers it being a very noisy machine but not dangerous to use.
Physical Description
Large metal machine on iron frame. There are main iron supports at either side. On top is system of 8 vertical bobbins (some still with coir on) arranged in a figure of 8. Across the top of these, extending from one side of machine to the other, is a metal beam in the centre of which are 2 rollers with a metal shoot issuing form the front side to midway down the front of machine (through which plait is expelled).
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation from Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind (RVIB), 21 Jul 1993
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Manufacturer
Thomas Barraclough & Co. Limited, Manchester, England, Great Britain, circa 1900s-1930s
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Place & Date Used
Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind (RVIB), Prahran, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, circa 1900s-1989
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Inscriptions
Punched: THOMAS BARRACLOUGH & CO. LIMITED/ENGINEERS MANCHESTER. On small rubber belt: MADE IN JAPAN. On large rubber belt: DUNLOP Maxpower V-Belt.
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Classification
Medicine & health, Health organisations, Occupational therapy tools & equipment
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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overall dimensions
158 cm (Length), 84 cm (Width), 160 cm (Height)
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References
Malcolm Fraser - R.V.I.B. Factory workshop supervisor; Tom Jennings - R.V.I.B. Factory worker
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Keywords
Disability Organisations, Industries, Sheltered Workshops, Textile Manufacturing Machinery, Visual Impairment, Working Life