THE WAUPACA COUNTY POST

July, 1915

 

CEMENT SEWER PIPE

 

Waupaca Sand and Gravel Company Operate Second Plant in United States.

 

            What may well be styled an infant industry is now in operation in this city and promises to develop and grow until it will be counted as one of the leading assets of the city.

            The cement sewer pipe factory was built by the Waupaca Sand & Gravel company last spring and the second cement sewer pipe machine in Unites States was installed here.  The sand and gravel are thoroughly mixed and the proper proportion of cement added and mixed by machinery.  The mixture is conveyed to a hopper in the machine and the proper amount is dropped into a mould that stands on end.  A shaft on the lower end of which is clamped a core the size of the inner diameter of the pipe that is being made is rotated very rapidly and as it slowly rises from the bottom of the mould it exerts great pressure upon the inner surface of the composition that will be a section of sewer pipe when the mould is removed.  It requires eight or more men to operate the machine at full capacity which is about 2,000 feet of six-inch pipe in a ten-hour day. The company made 1,558 feet of ten-inch pipe in nine hours one day though 1,500 feet  in ten hours is considered to be the capacity of the machine.

            This machine has moulds for making 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 18, 20 and 24 inch pipe.

            The fresh made pipe must be handled quite carefully and must be kept moist as it hardens to add to its strength.  While the gravel does not show on either outer or inner surface of the pipe it is found to be present when a pipe is broken and is so strong that the stones will break instead of being loosened from the cement.

            The first of these machines was set up at Kansas City, the second at Waupaca, the third at Sioux Falls, Iowa, where the machine is manufactured, and the fourth plant is now ready for operation in Milwaukee.  Oscar Nelson of this city went to Milwaukee today to superintend the Milwaukee plant for a few weeks.

            Mr. Whale informed us that the sewer pipe about the yards represents about $5,000 in labor and cement and of this amount a large proportion is for labor.  The manufacture of this cement sewer pipe is a very interesting process and must be seen to be fully appreciated.