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 investigation into Bakelite moulding production methods and potential suppliers.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 39\3\ Scan116 | |
| Date | 30th June 1921 | |
| X. 3513 From BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} CJ. [crossed out] WOF. [crossed out] Md. [crossed out] Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} [crossed out] Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} [crossed out] BY3-P30.6.21. RE BAKELITE MOULDS. Referring to R1/C27621, on the above subject, it is agreed that the best method to adopt for producing mouldings is a steam press. Messrs. Lucas, during my visit to their Works to obtain information on the above, referred to a firm at Liversedge, known as Flemming, Birkby & Goodall Ltd., who are actually working on this type of material at the present moment. They appear to be a good firm to get in touch with, as they are responsible for all three sections involved in the process, namely:- (a) Production of the powder known as "Elo". (b) Commercial production of mouldings on their own premises for external orders. (c) They are agents for steam presses and machinery generally, as used in America for this work. In view of the foregoing we arranged for a visit from Mr F.E. Birkby of the above Company, who submitted a series of very well made mouldings produced in their "Elo" powder. Their methods of producing the moulding powders appear to be somewhat different from those used by the Damhard Company in making Formite, and as a result of this they appear to be entirely free from the question of indifferent mixing of the ingredients, which was very marked in some of the Formite samples. In addition, since they are responsible for all contd. | ||