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).
Fractured Gleason Bevel Gears and a quality dispute between the Derby and Springfield locations.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 49\1\ Scan293 | |
| Date | 1st April 1921 | |
| 13612 To Mr. Manning from Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} To OY. HS {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} 5/LG5.4.21. With reference to Gleason Bevel Gears. As I mentioned in one of my previous letters, I have seen samples of fractured Gleason gears where the case hardening is carried practically right through the tooth. I have seen your memo. in reply to the cable sent by BY. {R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} It is not clear in that memo. whether you have actually fractured gears to see the depth of the case hardening or whether you have simply relied on etching. The people on this side are taking the case up strongly and say that they are not fit to be used. From samples of gears which I have been shown, I would agree with them. I have cursed them heartily at this end for not sending to you immediately, samples of the broken gears which show the faults plainly. I am very very anxious that you should not give a chance for them to say on this side that you are agreeing to using inferior quality materials at Springfield to what we agree to at Derby. It may happen of course, that only a certain batch of these gears had faulty treatment; perhaps those which you have out there are quite alright. It will do a tremendous lot of harm for Springfield to stick out that the Gleason gears are satisfactory when it can be proved definitely to R. {Sir Henry Royce} that they are not satisfactory. I strongly recommend that you ask for samples of fractured gears (which Derby consider faulty) should be sent to you so that you can take the matter up with the Gleason Company. I think you could point out that this is what should have been done in the first place. I do not agree at all with the policy which has been adopted on this side. I think they are getting Lawyers to write letters or some such silly nonsense. I have insisted that the Officials at Springfield would not agree to putting anything on the car which was less in quality to the Derby standard and that any misunderstanding which has arisen is because you have not had the facts placed before you, before. I do trust that you will deal with this matter tactfully. Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} R.R.358A.(100) 7/18. H. {Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} S'H. {Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} Ld.(S.O.) 10-1747. | ||