The music arranged for the Emett Exhibition in Birmingham is now being uploaded to Soundcloud. Feel free to download but please acknowledge if you use it elsewhere.
https://soundcloud.com/rowland-emett
Monday 19 May 2014
Motive Power
The only failure we experienced amongst the Emett machines when we fired them up in the Gas Hall was the Hot Air Rocking Chair. Somewhat ironic as this is one of the simplest of the machines and would have been the last to be expected to misbehave.
The problem was the electric motor. When the machines came on in sequence, triggered by the controller, the chair sometimes worked, and sometimes didn't, depending on the position it had been in when stopped. We needed a new motor. The motor bolted to the underside of the seat said 'MR Supplies' on the label. Unfortunately MR Supplies no longer exist so we checked to see if Parvalux could help. All of the other machines, including the Nottingham Water Clock use Parvalux motors so they have a history in Emett machines. Looking up their address it turned out that Parvalux were based in Aston, only two or three miles from the Exhibition hall so the motor was removed and taken there, more in hope than expectation.
When the engineer looked at it he said it was actually a re-badged Parvalux unit and reading the serial number walked over to the microfiche. Pulling out a film and sliding it into the viewer he confirmed that it was one of theirs, that it had been bought in November 1967 and that he had the complete specification on file - I was quite impressed.
Unfortunately they don't still make exactly that motor. Unsurprising really as it is over 46 years old! They did however make an equivalent so we ordered one. Today it arrived and putting it side by side with the original motor it can be seen just how equivalent it is.
The problem was the electric motor. When the machines came on in sequence, triggered by the controller, the chair sometimes worked, and sometimes didn't, depending on the position it had been in when stopped. We needed a new motor. The motor bolted to the underside of the seat said 'MR Supplies' on the label. Unfortunately MR Supplies no longer exist so we checked to see if Parvalux could help. All of the other machines, including the Nottingham Water Clock use Parvalux motors so they have a history in Emett machines. Looking up their address it turned out that Parvalux were based in Aston, only two or three miles from the Exhibition hall so the motor was removed and taken there, more in hope than expectation.
When the engineer looked at it he said it was actually a re-badged Parvalux unit and reading the serial number walked over to the microfiche. Pulling out a film and sliding it into the viewer he confirmed that it was one of theirs, that it had been bought in November 1967 and that he had the complete specification on file - I was quite impressed.
Unfortunately they don't still make exactly that motor. Unsurprising really as it is over 46 years old! They did however make an equivalent so we ordered one. Today it arrived and putting it side by side with the original motor it can be seen just how equivalent it is.
Side by Side
The fixing points line up exactly and the spindle aligns nicely. Even the form and diameter of the spindle itself appears to match so the pulley wheel should transfer without too many problems. The only slight problem is cosmetic and the temptation is to give it a coat of black paint. Hmm. Decisions, decisions. After that, we just need to get in before the public and fit it...
More Shiny Things
The iron brackets supporting the copper petals around the edge of the sunflower are, at last, back from the platers. It has taken a lot longer than expected or promised. But it was worth the wait. If you look back at the photo posted on 27th March you will see one of the brackets after the layers of gold paint and grime had been removed. Now you can see that they positively shine with their polished copper plating. Just as Emett intended.
A plated bracket ready to re-join its petal.
The next task is to re-unite them with their petals. This is a task made easier because Emett stamped numbers in each petal and bracket. The bolts and brass-coloured flowers are ready. The replacement jewels are ready. We have the rivets and a rivet head forming tool. Unfortunately the wrong one, so we have another on order that should be with us mid-week. There is then the task of forming 72 rivets and that part of the job is done. Simple.
Saturday 10 May 2014
Emett Wrangling
There are many elements to the display of the Emett machines in a live environment. They will be on display for four months in Birmingham and any thoughts of leaving them running continuously were instantly rejected. The machines need to be cared for and maintained. When Rowland Emett was alive he took great pride in caring for his 'Things' and lavished attention on them regularly.
The Cloud Cuckoo Locomotive.
To reduce the time that they are actually moving the machines are all controlled centrally. They run to a pre-ordained sequence with pairs of machines in action followed by a pause, followed by another pair of machines...
Every 15 minutes the clock strikes in Cloud Cuckoo Valley and all of the machines are brought to life. At the same time they are accompanied by music. When all the machines are active it is a set of pieces by Thomas Arne (of 'Rule Britannia' fame) with a harpsichord and wind arrangement. When the individual pairs are in action it is a set of pieces written for mechanical clock by Haydn arranged for harpsichord, musical box and assorted percussion.
To achieve this level of coordination Professor Peter Wooliams has written control software that can be programmed to operate a series of relays and play the relevant music files. It is very flexible allowing for fine tuning and refinement of the sequences and is, best of all, simple to operate.
The Emett Controller in action.
Friday 9 May 2014
The Emetts are coming out to play.
The largest ever exhibition of the work of Rowland Emett opens tomorrow, the 10th May in Birmingham, England and is on throughout the summer until 21st September. This is a once-only opportunity to see this many Emett machines and artworks in one place. So head for Birmingham and see the Emetts in action.
Thursday 1 May 2014
The Bell
The bell that strikes the quarter hour on the Nottingham Clock stirring it into action has now been restored. Soda blasting and polishing has removed layers of gold paint and the body of the bell has been polished inside and out. The metal leaves at it's crown and on the bracket below have also been cleaned and repainted a metallic brass colour.
The bell before restoration.
The bell waiting to receive its final polish before lacquering.
Two other items that have received attention are the flowers that decorate the sunflower petals. These have been stripped zinc primered and brass painted. The jewels that were at the centre of the leaves have disappeared long ago and the ones that survived had been painted over with gold paint. These are now being replaced.
A petal flower
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