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).
Manufacturing difficulties and costs associated with adding grooves to steering worms.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 106\3\ scan0334 | |
| Date | 1st October 1935 | |
| [Handwritten] X550 [Typed] To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} & Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} o.{Mr Oldham} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}1/ETM1.10.35. CHASSIS STEERING. Referring to your conversation regarding production of steering worms. It will be recalled that some four or five years ago many difficulties were encountered and in accordance with Wor{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}'s instructions an investigation was conducted, as a result of which the grooves in steering were deleted and a more efficient steering was produced with a substantial reduction in production costs. The fact that steering troubles disappeared and were not again reported until recently proves that the investigation referred to was successful; therefore if it is intended to restore the grooves it will have the effect of again increasing manufacturing costs. The grinding of steering worms is a difficult process, but the introduction of grooves would make the process more difficult owing to the broken surface of the worm and the pronounced localised bedding that would result, the solution of the problem is correctly manufactured threads with full bedding steering nuts. It is intended to repeat the investigation into steering troubles which will resolve itself into overhaul of manufacturing equipment. [Handwritten] F.J.H. We should cooperate with R.H.C. and try and arrange a check test - to keep production on the rails if once they get right again. Lm | ||