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 use of insulating materials like bakelite and ebonite for electrical production.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 39\3\ Scan034 | |
| Date | 15th March 1921 | |
| To EFC. from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to CJ. c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to PN.{Mr Northey} c. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} c. to Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} c. to Wd.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} c. to Works Committee. X.3573 X.1699 RE ELECTRICAL DEPARTMENT. X.3513. X.2494. X.1109. X.2505. X.4287. Though much can be done at the present time, and from time to time, by modifying the design of the electrical equipment, it is absolutely imperative for us to look upon the electrical production in the following light. (1) It is of the first importance for the above department that we have a convenient source or means of obtaining mouldings in insulating material. You will remember that the parts designed by us for the distributor, coil case, and for endless of small parts on switches, etc. we intended to be mouldings in insulating material that have a fine finish in the moulds. It appears that ebonite can be so moulded, and we are sure that highly finished mouldings can be obtained in bakelite and that bakelite is suitable for nearly the whole of our insulating pieces, and for many other purposes about the car - I give the following list :- (a) The three pieces of insulation at present on our distributor. (b) The coil case and cover. (c) The steering wheel covering. (d) Distributing board moulding. (e) Change speed lever knob - 20 H.P. (f) Brake lever handle. and apparently many other similar parts in either red or black bakelite. In fact this material seems to be of such universal application in connection with this department that we should require little else of insulation, except a small amount of porcelain and mica, and perhaps stabalite for rubbing surfaces, if we do use a jump spark distributor. (2) The stabalite insulation is the insulation required where there is any rubbing, such as in a magneto distributor, but I understand the parts made in stabalite at present cannot be obtained direct from the mould with a high finish and require a good deal of handwork, and require to be of simple form so that it can be turned easily. Contd | ||