for the joints, stamp on the part number, drill the holes for the
screws or bolts holding the handles, cut the grooves for the sealing
compound, etc. The several pieces are then assembled and glued
together. The finishing touches are then put on, these consisting of
cutting the cases to the proper heights, sandpapering the boxes, etc.
The cases are then inspected and are ready to be painted.

A more recent development in case construction is a one-piece hard
rubber case, in which the jars and case are made in one piece, the
cell compartments being formed by rubber partitions which form an
integral part of the case. This construction is used in several makes
of Radio "A" batteries, and to some extent in starting batteries.

[Fig. 16 Exide battery case]

Asphaltum paint is generally used for wooden cases, the bottoms and
tops being given three, coats, and the sides, two. The number of coats
of paint varies, of course, in the different factories. The handles
are then put on by machinery, and the case, Fig. 16, is complete, and
ready for assembling.

Assembling and Sealing

The first step in assembling a battery is to burn the positive and
negative plates to their respective straps, Fig. 5, forming the
positive and negative "groups", Fig. 2. This is done by arranging a
set of plates and a strap in a suitable rack which holds them securely
in proper position, and then melting together the top of the plate
lugs and the portion of the strap into which they fit with a hot flame.

A positive and a negative group are now slipped together and the
separators inserted. The grooved side of the wood separator is placed
toward the positive plate and when perforated rubber sheets are used
these go between the positive and the wood separator. The positive and
negative "groups" assembled with the separators constitute the
"element," Fig. 3.

Before the elements are placed in the jars they are carefully
inspected to make sure that no separator has been left out. For this
purpose the "Exide" elements are subjected to an electrical test which
rings a bell if a separator is missing, this having been found more
infallible than trusting to a man's eyes.

In some batteries, such as the Exide, Vesta, and Prest-O-Lite
batteries, the cover is placed on the element and made fast before the
elements are placed in the jars. In other batteries, such as the U. S.
L. and Philadelphia batteries, the covers are put on after the
elements a