Page:On the economy of machinery and manufactures - Babbage - 1846.djvu/100

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(79.) is more remarkable, and yet less unexpected, than the perfect identity of things manufactured by the same tool. If the top of a circular box is to be made to fit over the lower part, it may be done in the lathe by gradually advancing the tool of the sliding-rest; the proper degree of tightness between the box and its lid being found by trial. After this adjustment, if a thousand boxes are made, no additional care is required; the tool is always carried up to the stop, and each box will be equally adapted to every lid. The same identity pervades all the arts of printing; the impressions from the same block, or the same copper-plate, have a similarity which no labour could produce by hand. The minutest traces are transferred to all the impressions, and no omission can arise from the inattention or unskilfulness of the operator. The steel punch, with which the card-wadding for a fowling-piece is cut, if it once perform its office with accuracy, constantly reproduces the same exact circle.

(80.) The accuracy with which machinery executes its work is, perhaps, one of its most important advantages: it may, however, be contended, that a