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).
Design and manufacturing considerations for various automotive components including starters, steering, batteries, and clutches.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\F\April1921\ Scan22 | |
| Date | 11th April 1921 | |
| To HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} & DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} from E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} -4- E4/G31/3/21 Contd. (15) "GOSHAWK II" STARTER. The thread for the Bendix pinion should be without much surface cut too deep so as to get out of contact. This should avoid the fault of the "Marmon" which fails to start due to stickiness if left out all night. (16) "GOSHAWK II" STEERING BOX. The steering box support on "Goshawk II" can be steadied at its inner end from the engine. The design should be altered on these lines. (17) BATTERIES. The scheme whereby the battery is composed of separate cells with bolted connections unified by a light box for the purpose of lifting the battery about must not be departed from. Referring to the sample cells brought by Mr. Hives, the Tudor has a recess in the centre of the cover which is likely to become very dirty, and is therefore undesirable. The individual cells should be separate, and the cover should be sealed to the container after the manner of the "Exide", so as to enable the plates to be withdrawn from the container easily. Mr. Royce sees no objection whatever to the Exide scheme of construction. From the models examined the Tudor is condemned. We have now to consider the C.A.V. (Willard) DeMartis, and the Exide. (18) ECONOMY OF MANUFACTURE. The following remarks were made by Mr. Royce in connection with the above – (a) Die castings - These are very necessary for economy, and are progressing satisfactorily but too slowly in our own Works and various parts of England. (b) Insulation Mouldings.- Mouldings of insulation consisting of bakelite and stabilite (the latter being required for the track of the distributor) are all badly wanted. Then we want pottery which, if it is necessary to go abroad, we can buy from France. It is absolutely essential to have "Bakelite" mouldings made in the Works, or a good supply from outside, if we are to have an electrical department. (c) Sheetmetal pressings - Sheetmetal pressings are being used increasingly in R.R. designs, but there appears difficulty in obtaining supplies, due possibly to these being large in variety, but small in quantity, owing to our small Output. Mr. Royce suggests that we must be prepared to order large quantities, say, a year's supply of many of these parts. (d) Drop forgings - Drop forgings more nearly to size and better finish and better machine work are wanted to avoid handworker. (e) Limits of tolerances and clearances. - If these are preset after the experimental work is fitted up by an intelligent enthusiast, erecting by assembly and not by fitting should be possible and it should result in considerable economy. (19) CLUTCHES. - For all work on clutches we should now use raybestos or ferodo equivalent without cement, rivetted with hollow rivets to the clutch plates. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} [STAMPED TEXT] RECEIVED 11 APR 1921 6. D.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} | ||