Video Parts (3)
This clip is Part 1 of a 3-part film.
MAKING A RUBBER TIRE Part 1
Description
The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: “The rubber tree grows in the wet tropical lands about the equator.” World map. “The rubber producing regions of the world.” World map showing rubber producing areas. “Wild rubber forests and cultivated rubber.” Location of each shown on world map. “The raw rubber goes largely to the United States.” Dotted lines on map leading to U.S. “Rubber is the latex or sap of a tree growing in the wet tropical region.” Natives of Ceylon tapping rubber trees - latex dripping into cup - native worker emptying cup into larger container - native men and women carrying large containers and buckets on heads, hanging from shoulder yokes, and in hands - women in native costume pouring latex from larger containers through screen into large vat. “There are many ways of coagulating or thickening the latex. Acetic Acid is most commonly used for this purpose.” Large chunks of coagulated rubber being cut from vat. “Rubber, when washed and rolled out into sheets of irregular surface, is called crepe rubber. In drying, the maximum surface is exposed to the warm rays of the tropical sun.” Long strips of crepe rubber hanging in the sunlight, strips being folded by women workers. “The raw rubber comes to the factory in mats and biscuits.” Workers unpacking mats. “The mats are of cultivated rubber from the island of Ceylon.” Worker peeling mats off of stack. “The crude rubber is squeezed between rollers to force out the dirt and impurities.” Strip of rubber coming out of rollers, wrapping around drum, rubber being cut off drum. “After washing, it is dried in vats of high temperature.” Stacks of rubber being rolled into drier. “The raw rubber is mixed with zinc, sulphur and lamp black to give it color and strength.” Worker putting ingredients into large pan - rubber being mixed with ingredients, winding onto roller, being cut off and remixed. “To start an inner tube a thin sheet of rubber is rolled about a metal cylinder.” Workers rolling rubber around metal tubes. “The tubes are vulcanized at a temperature of over 300°F.” Tubes being removed from vulcanizer. When removed from the vulcanizer the tubes are like rubber hose.” Workers pulling tubes off of cylinders. “The ends are joined.” “The valve holes are punched and the valve stems inserted.” Valves being inserted into tubes. “Each tube is air tested.” Tube being inflated. “The cotton for the casing is grown in Arizona.” Cotton field. “The cotton fabric is tested for flaws, thickness and durability.” Worker examining large rolls of fabric with magnifying glass. “The fabric is placed in a heavy press and the rubber forced into the cotton.” Rubberized cotton. “The rubberized cotton is cut into strips by machine and hand.” Strips being cut. “Building a casing by machinery.” Worker molding rubberized cotton into tire-shaped form. “Each layer is pressed into place.” “Inside of the mold is the tread design.” Casing lowered into mold. “The casing is shaped in a metal mold.” “The upper half of the mold is placed over the casing.” “A hydraulic press stamps the molds together, forming the tread design.” Molds moving along conveyor belt into press. “The casings in the mold go to a vulcanizer for heating.” Molds being placed in a vulcanizer. “Removing the vulcanized casing.” Casings being lifted from molds. “After final inspection and cleaning the tire is ready for the market.” Workers cleaning tire - truck moving over bumpy country road. “End.” “Ford Educational Library.” [1922]
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