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 policy for implementing design alterations in American production, referencing specific components.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 18\6\ Scan156 | |
| Date | 7th July 1920 guessed | |
| -4- 5. Coming now to Mr.Belnap's letter to CJ. of July 21st. dealing with the question of Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} and Sf. fixing when a change should take place, and stating when the alteration scheme in vogue is unsatisfactory, we consider the position is as follows:- (a) Any small alteration is left to the discretion of America, as to when they bring it in. (b) If an alteration in design is considered of great importance, and should be brought in even if some scrap is made, this is always insisted, and we certainly do not agree with the remarks made in the letter referred to, to the effect that alterations are sent across to America indiscriminately and that they are left to sort out the position for themselves. In regard to the question of pistons, the change was not one which should be brought in at the expense of scrapping pieces we had made, and in addition, it was assumed that since the changeover merely entailed two new rings, that this would unquestionably be incorporated in the American product from the first, but if it should so happen that America had produced pistons without the extra rings, then there is no reason why these should not be used up. To take another example, we supplied America with the modifications in design which had been made to the Starter Clutch on the Gear Box, and in these instructions, since failure had occurred in service, we were emphatic in the alteration that any existing parts made must be scrapped, and new parts produced to replace same. We are quite certain that full instructions do reach America through the usual routine, which should make it perfectly plain to them exactly what their attitude should be in regard to the parts, and that time elapsing between the alteration being made and drawings being supplied is an absolute minimum, which never exceeds 7 days, during which time sepias have to be obtained. It must of course be understood that the men who are working in America on the alteration question are all men who have been through the routine in our own works, and therefore understand perfectly well the atmosphere of the alteration question. (c) Whenever we have failures which occur regularly in service, on the one particular unit, it has always been R.R. practice immediately a new design is available, to make provision for dealing with the faulty part, and decisions are arrived at at Derby as to the importance of the piece failing. a report is then made on the subject, and CJ. and R.{Sir Henry Royce} definitely | ||