ruling-machine

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A machine used by engravers for ruling in flat tints, etc. The cutting of the lines is done by a tool with a diamond-shaped point. Mechanism for spacing and for lifting the cutting-tool when the carriage which supports the tool is to be shifted in its parallel ways are the other features of the machine.
2. n. A machine used for ruling parallel colored lines upon writing-paper, or upon paper for the manufacture of blank-books; a paper-ruler. Fountain-pens with mechanism for spacing and for drawing them simultaneously upon the surface to be ruled, or in some cases endless bands (each a fine thread passing through coloring material) arranged so that a part of each band is brought into contact with the paper to be ruled, mechanism for spacing the lines, intermittent feed for the paper, and mechanism for lifting the ruling-bands from the paper when the latter is fed forward are characteristics of such machines. In ruling columns on pages for blank-books ruling-pens are employed.
3. n. A machine used by lithographers for cutting lines on stone to be printed on paper to take the place of ruled lines in lithographed bill-heads and other blanks.