From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
The licensing and production process of Lead Bronze Bearings with the Allison Engineering Company.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 173\2\ img100 | |
| Date | 9th February 1934 | |
| To HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from RHO LEAD BRONZE BEARINGS Acting on instructions contained in cable from Derby, dated February 5th, I handed to Mr. Gilman, President, Allison Engineering Company letter confirming that negotiations for Manufacturing License of Lead Bronze Bearing by The Allison Process should be proceeded with. Before handing the letter over to Mr. Gilman the general position was discussed and I obtained his assurance that every facility would be given to me so that Allison Process could be thoroughly investigated. Further, since resources of General Motors are now at Allison's disposal, facilities for the investigation of bearing materials are available in their laboratories. The development of bearings during past year has been rapid. It was therefore agreed that we should be kept fully informed of any improvements in bearing materials or production methods which may be developed. Mr. Gilman also stated that should difficulties arise in production of bearings which could not be overcome, he would undertake to send one of his experts to Derby to investigate. With these points decided the only course was to hand over the letter. When the contents of letter were disclosed, Mr. Gilman called a conference, five of his technical experts who had been engaged in producing, testing and development of bearings being present, and instructions were given to all that I should be permitted to have free access to the factory for the purpose of thoroughly investigating the process. Mr. Gilman then left to attend an important conference at St.{Capt. P. R. Strong} Louis, on Aircraft development. The Allison process consists of casting bearings by static or pouring method, material being heated by an Ajax Northrup high frequency furnace installation which keeps the metal in vigorous agitation when heated, a special form of crucible being employed which provides for the drawing of molten metal from bottom, using perfectly clean metal when casting. Full particulars will, however, be obtained, and in order to avoid delay so that production may commence on exactly similar lines as process developed by Allison, I have arranged to obtain furnace complete with crucibles which are now on order and should be delivered in near future. | ||