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 costs and savings of different rear axle types, comparing semi-floating and fully-floating designs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 161a\1\ scan0002 | |
| Date | 4th July 1939 | |
| - 2 - BY.4/G.4.7.39. Mr. Reid has compiled the figures for each part, which can be referred to by Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} forthe cost of any specified part, the times being based upon what one might call "normal working conditions", i.e. conditions which would obtain in another factory. REAR AXLE. A great deal of discussion took place round the rear axle, mainly on the point which had been raised by Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} at the previous Meeting, as to how much the semi-floating axle is likely to be compared with the fully floating type. In considering this, it was plain there were two actual conditions to consider :- (a). The cost of a universal axle of the semi-floating type as compared with the continued use of the existing axles for Bentley V.{VIENNA} (first 300), and Wraith, bearing in mind that tools existed for both the latter type of axle. (b). What saving would be likely to accrue if a fully floating axle design for use on all units was compared with a similar universal design of semi-floating type of axle. In the case of (a). Mr. Reid was asked to allocate to the two axles the cost of tools which would be scrapped without being adequately used, i.e. the allocation per axle for tool service not utilised. This would indicate a saving, if any were likely to be made, by replacing the two axles by the universal semi-floating type. Now in regard to the actual saving, it is clear that the difference between the two types of axle (that is, the semi-floating design and the universal fully floating design) lies only in certain pieces at the wheel end, mainly the hub and the wheel, the figure which has been given me as representing the saving in these parts is £3. 11. 7d. This figure has been arrived at by Les.{Ivan A. Leslie} as the special parts are in each case bought out. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} | ||