Technological and Heritage Analysis of a Singular Screw Press from the early 19th Century of the Museum of the Royal Factories of Riópar (Spain)

Abstract

Screw presses were machines widely used in various industrial sectors at the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century, among which the minting of coins stands out. In the Museum of the Royal Factories of Riópar (Albacete, Spain) there is a unique screw press, built in Paris at the beginning of the 19th century by the Delalande. Due to its structure and characteristics, it seems that its drive has been modified on at least two occasions, going from an initial design of a flywheel press with manual operation by several operators to the type of friction spindle with hydraulic wheel drive, for, to from 1940, be operated by an electric motor, as corresponds to its current configuration. Due to its age, characteristics and excellent state of conservation, this press is considered to have an important patrimonial and technological value. In the present work, we will proceed to the study of this screw press and the evolution of its typology throughout the two centuries of its existence. Its digital modeling is also considered, as well as the simulation of its operations. A comparative study of this press will be carried out with others of a similar structure, available at the Museum of the “Real Casa de la Moneda” of Segovia (Spain) and at the Museum “Casa de la Moneda” of the Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre (National Mint and Stamp Factory) in Madrid. Finally, it should be noted that this year marks the 250th anniversary of the creation of these Royal Factories, during the reign of Carlos III.