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).
Letter from Benjamin Whittaker Ltd. discussing the design and manufacture of universal joints with swaged tubing.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 148\4\ scan0034 | |
| Date | 3rd October 1933 | |
| X484 NEW YORK: 114/118 LIBERTY STREET PARIS: 38 RUE TORCY 18EME BRUSSELS: 115 AVE. ADOLPHE BUYL IXELLES TELEPHONE - HOLBORN 6024 Benjamin Whittaker Ltd. + MANUFACTURERS' REPRESENTATIVES + VICTORIA HOUSE, SOUTHAMPTON ROW, LONDON W.C.1. TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS: "UBENWHIT WESTCENT LONDON" CABLE ADDRESS: "UBENWHIT LONDON" ESTABLISHED 1909 OUR REF RB{R. Bowen}/MWD GRY{Shadwell Grylls} YOUR REF. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls}12/KT Messrs. Rolls-Royce Ltd., DERBY. Derbyshire. Attention: Experimental Dept. 3rd. Oct. 1933. Dear Sirs, Mechanics Universal Joints. We have to acknowledge and thank you for your letter of the 29th. ultimo, and note your criticism of the swaged tubing shown on our Drawing 1202-S. We do, of course, admit that a tube with swaged ends is less likely to be in balance than a parallel tube, and we have in the past experienced difficulty in this connection, especially when the amount of swaging was more than 3/4" on the diameter. Against this we have had experience of thousands of shafts running in Europe giving perfect satisfaction at maximum working speeds between 2000 and 5000 r.p.m.. One great advantage a swaged tube has is that it improves the appearance of the shaft and obviates the somewhat clumsy appearance of a shaft which has relatively large diameter tubing. We have had cases where important Automobile Manufacturers have specified that swaged tubing must be used, and in order to have it have specified and paid for a larger diameter tubing than was necessary for the actual speed and length of the shaft. Their sole reason was the enhanced appearance of a shaft with swaged tubing, and we must say that we agree with their view point. Purely from a practical point of view swaged tubing is only resorted to when necessary, as it enables the Factory to have a relatively small number of stub shafts and weld yokes. In some cases, as in small joints with large diameter tubing, swaging becomes impracticable owing to balancing difficulties, and in such cases it is common practice to weld a collar on to the weld stub, so as to increase the diameter. We could do this for a sample shaft for you if required, but if you were producing these shafts yourselves you would, presumably, have the weld collars on the stub shafts and rear yokes made the required diameter to suit your tubing. We should naturally require your instructions on this point. [Stamp] OLYMPIA NOV. 2-11 COMMERCIAL MOTOR TRANSPORT EXHIBITION OUR STAND No. 220 Gallery | ||