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).
Cost comparison and quality assessment for manufacturing vs purchasing Fixed Radiator Shutters for the Bentley 'M' series.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 148\5\ scan0227 | |
| Date | 24th November 1937 | |
| To BY & Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} [Handwritten in red: 126] RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}/SB.{Mr Bull/Mr Bannister}1/LS.24.11.37. STEADMAN [Handwritten: hcln/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/500] FIXED RADIATOR SHUTTERS - BENTLEY. The question of manufacturing the Dummy Shutter assembly proposed for Bentley 'M' series as an alternative to purchasing complete from Marstons, has been carefully considered, and the following costs arrived at :- R.R.Cost. Marston Cost. Material £ 13. 3d. Labour. £ 11. 6d. Charges. £1. 3. 0d. Tool Cost £1. 5. 0d. (Tool Cost of £250.) (spread over 200 ) (chassis 'M' series) __________ ___________ £3. 12. 9d. £3. 13. 6d. (No Tool cost.) It will be observed that after including tool charges no appreciable saving is to be gained by producing this unit at R.R. furthermore few, if any, of the tools would be adaptable to Bentley III, and we therefore consider it advisable to purchase the assembly complete from Marstons. The Dummy Shutters supplied for Experimental purposes show signs of cracking where the vertical slats are flanged over at each end and should the flange break away or the rivetting fail the slat would rattle badly, and finally come adrift. Whilst it is admitted that rattles do occur with the present shutter mechanism, there is no possibility of failure, and it is therefore considered that the design of the Dummy Shutter Unit requires careful attention before going into production. In addition it will be necessary to hold the Makers to a high standard of Chromium Plating in order to avoid any risk of Sales complaints on the grounds of appearance and general finish. RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}/S.Bannister. [Signature: RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}] | ||