Harry F Rochat Ltd

Albion Presses

 

We are currently developing the first Rochat Albion Press; our progress to date is noted below. We are hoping to design and build 3 sizes of Albion eventually. We propose starting with a 22 ½” x 16 ½” top platen. Further details of these machines will be posted as they are developed, along with pricing and build times.

If you have any comments regarding the sizes, styles of the new machines etc, please feel free to e-mail us with your suggestions.

Further details relating to the quality of our repairs, restoration and servicing can be found on the Repair, Restoration and Servicing pages. We occasionally have Albions for sale in our works, please refer to the Second Hand Page for the latest machines available.

We would be pleased to offer advice to private artists or institutions who intend on selling their Albion presses as we frequently have enquiries into the purchase of these machines.

Development So Far – 22 ½” x 16 ½”

March 2009

 

Accurate drawings of the machine are made. Keeping the level ‘scrap’ parts and patterns to a minimum is important and keeps the costings of the development of the machine to a reasonable level. Careful consideration to how the machine will fit together is done at the drawing stage to ensure that the castings, once machined, are correct, retain their strength and just slide neatly into position. Consideration at the drawing stage is also given to how each individual part will be machined.

Accurate drawings of the machine are made. Careful consideration to how the machine will fit together is done at the drawing stage to ensure that the castings, once machined, are correct, retain their strength and just slide neatly into position.

April 2009

 

The drawings are copied and sent to our Pattern Maker. The Pattern Maker is commissioned to undertake the works. Patterns started to be made.

The Pattern Maker is commissioned to undertake the works. Patterns started to be made.

June 2009

 

Test casting of the piston, harden boat, and bronze adjustment screw housing cast arrive in our works.

 

Tooling purchased and jigs made for machining parts. Machining started. Piston faces and slides machined. Platen holes drilled.

Test casting of the piston, harden boat, and bronze adjustment screw housing cast arrive in our works.  Tooling purchased and jigs made for machining parts. Machining started. Piston faces and slides machined. Platen holes drilled.

July 2009

 

More patterns start to be made.

Slight alterations are made to the patterns to ensure that the castings will be aesthetically pleasing and as close to the original design as possible.

More patterns start to be made. 

September 2009

 

Some of the small Albion parts are passed from the Pattern Maker to the Foundry for casting.

Some of the small Albion parts are passed from the Pattern Maker to the Foundry for casting. 


October 2009

 

Some of the castings are cast and sent to our works.

 

November 2009

 

Piston Slide Adjustment castings arrive.

The castings are machined and polished ready for fitting to the piston and staple.

Piston Slide Adjustment castings arrive.  The castings are machined and polished ready for fitting to the piston and staple.