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).
Use of ball bearings with spring rings for the Wraith Gearbox to reduce machining costs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 8\11\ 11-page021 | |
| Date | 23th April 1936 | |
| Handwritten: Grylls Any comments Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}- Handwritten: 628 X1041 ROY.{Sir Henry Royce} C.E. Des. Dept. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/fm. P/HDY.{William Hardy}2/HP.23.4.36. Wraith Gearbox - Ball Bearings with spring rings to retain outer race. With regard to the proposed use by us of bearings of the above type with the object of saving machining cost by the deletion of the lip in the housing usually provided to locate the bearing, we attach copies of letters sent recently by Messrs. Hoffmann and Ransome & Marles. It will be seen that it appears that either of these makers will supply these spring ring bearings. In the case of Hoffmann's they would be specially made for us as they have so far not made any bearings of the type but in the case of Ransome and Marles they are already making some of the normal standard sizes with the spring rings. One of the important considerations seems to be the price, and to have something definite about this it is suggested that the Order Office should ask Messrs. Hoffmann to quote for the supply of say two sizes in which we are at present interested. The sizes are 35 x 80 x 21 and 1" x 2.5" x .75, of which there would be two of the former per car and one of the latter, and quantities would be as required for the combined outputs of the 25/30 and Bentley cars. Would you kindly make this enquiry for us, also asking at the same time the prices of standard bearings of these sizes in the same quantities for the sake of comparison. It would appear that in any case the bearings with spring rings will be special in that they will only be used by us to begin with at all events, and as far as Messrs. Hoffmann are concerned particularly. We shall, therefore, have to offset the machining advantages we gain with the usual drawbacks attached to special bearings, such as for one, the reduced flexibility as regards deliveries. Ransome & Marles appear to be nearer to standardisation of the spring ring bearing than Hoffmann's | ||