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).
Clarifying supply information and standardization issues with the American division regarding thermostats and Monel metal gauze for petrol filters.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 18\6\ Scan154 | |
| Date | 7th July 1920 | |
| -2- give the information, owing to the lack of knowledge of certain points by which to specify the items. This stricture applies only to Monel Metal Gauze for the Petrol Tank Filter. 1. THERMOSTATS. In regard to the question of Thermostats, Mr. Olley knew more about this position than any one person at Derby, and we consider that it is quite wrong to convey the impression that he accidentally discovered on his visit in January, that a thermostat was required. As a plain matter of fact, Mr. Olley had an LoC Drawing supplied to him direct from West WitteringHenry Royce's home town, before even the Production Department at Derby knew the scheme was even proposed, and he also received direct instructions from London to obtain sylphon tubes, before Derby knew that the tubes were definitely required. The whole facts of the case go to show that the American attitude was responsible for the adoption of the Thermostat, and we are quite satisfied that all necessary information was supplied to America, as soon as it was available. We actually wrote to America, in our memo D12/P.22.5.20 as soon as there was any idea that the Thermostat was likely to be standardized, and since the fully signed Standardization Sheet was only received in the Drawing Office on the 12th inst. it means that America were warned three months before the Standardization Sheets were sent, that this particular feature would be required, and in addition, since America themselves pushed the Thermostat, to suit American conditions, we cannot agree that there was any lack of information in the hands of the American Company, as to how to deal with this particular feature. We are certainly of the opinion that this instance shows that America are not out to try and keep in line with progress, but are prepared to sacrifice quality to production, on quite inadequate grounds. 2. MONEL METAL GAUZE FOR PETROL FILTERS. By's memo OI/G7.7.20 on the above matter, again shows that although D.O. were not aware of the fact, America were responsible for pushing the piece which they now state they were left in the dark about. The material in question has only just been standardized, and the only reason why we did not cable instructions to America was that we had to obtain from the makers, the exact designation by which the class of material we require was known, as otherwise America might have obtained an entirely different material in regard to its service, and the gauge of its constituents, from that being supplied to Derby. The information is now to hand, and has been supplied to America in the usual way. | ||