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).
Letter from Benjamin Whittaker Ltd. discussing the supply and specifications of Mechanics Cardan Shafts.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 94\4\ scan0134 | |
| Date | 11th November 1936 | |
| 337. NEW YORK: 114/118 LIBERTY STREET PARIS: 8 RUE DU COLONEL RENARD, 17EME. BRUSSELS: 115 AVE. ADOLPHE BUYL, IXELLES TELEPHONE - HOLBORN 6024 TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS. "UBENWHIT WESTCENT LONDON" CABLE ADDRESS. "UBENWHIT LONDON" ESTABLISHED 1909 Benjamin Whittaker Ltd. + MANUFACTURERS' REPRESENTATIVES + VICTORIA HOUSE, SOUTHAMPTON ROW, + LONDON W.C.1 + OUR REF: EJS/FC 11th November, 1936 YOUR REF: Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry{Shadwell Grylls}4/R Messrs. Rolls Royce Ltd., Derby. Dear Sirs, Mechanics Cardan Shafts We have to thank you for your letter of the 4th inst. from which we note that it would not be of any use for us to supply you with the joints only for test, as your chief interest lies in obtaining a complete propellor shaft which there is no necessity to balance at your own Works. As we have already advised you we cannot supply shafts which have been dynamically balanced. On the other hand we have for a great number of years supplied complete cardan shafts to some of the highest grade car manufacturers in this country and on the Continent of Europe, while the American factory for instance, supply Cadillac. These shafts have always given great satisfaction, the percentage of complaints being negligibly small. We suggest therefore, you might care to order one shaft made on these lines for your own observation and test. We used at one time to make up shaft assemblies for one client who specified that the shafts when completely finished must be perfectly straight, and run absolutely true on knife edges, with a maximum eccentricity of .001" at any spot, the shaft being not more than 1/2oz. at a radius of 1 3/8" out of balance, the tube being statically balanced separately, the internal bore being concentric with the outer diameter to within .003" (maximum eccentricity .0015"). These clients were content to change over to shafts produced in the ordinary way, some years ago, but if it would be of interest to you, we might be able to make up one shaft to this specification for your test. Yours faithfully, BENJAMIN WHITTAKER LTD., E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} Surman. Handwritten note: Y P3 prop shop Quotations and Contracts are subject to revision of Duty, Exchange, and to acceptance by the Factory, and to any delays arising from causes outside our control. | ||