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).
Warning testers about high charges from supplier Metalastik Ltd. for experimental rubber-to-metal parts and suggesting alternatives.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 148\2\ scan0118 | |
| Date | 7th February 1939 | |
| All Testers 1260 Rm. {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} We think that testers should be warned not to buy Experimental rubber to metal parts from Metalastik Ltd., There have been several items which have been instructed from this firm, on the assumption that no tool costs would be necessary. In nearly every case, tool costs higher than any competitive firm have been charged. The following items are examples of their charges:- 3 Exhaust Silencer Blocks EX 32986 - £5. 16s.0d. 3 Heater Drives - £3. 12s.0d. Tool charges to Vulcanise rubber on to - £3. 2s.6d. Valve-cotters. In spite of these high charges for Experimental quantities, we should also like to state that their prices for production quantities are equally absurd, for example:- The Dynamo Drive to EXs 1143/4/5 in quantities of 500 would cost 3/7d. from Metalastik and 10½d. {John DeLooze - Company Secretary} from Leyland & Birmingham. Although Metalastik probably vulcanise rubber to metal to give 100% adhesion, we consider that Experimental supplies should be received from the firms which are more useful for production supplies, in order that we may develop our parts in conjunction with suitable suppliers. In many cases, quite good rubber to metal adhesion, can be obtained by simply painting the metal parts with solution made by the British Tyre & Rubber Co. Ltd., of Burton, and we suggest that this method should be used where possible, in cases where 100% adhesion is not imperative. Roy {Sir Henry Royce} /Les. | ||