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 High Duty Alloys Ltd. regarding the manufacturing feasibility of a Bentley Bottom Half Crankcase in Magnesium.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 132\3\ scan0028 | |
| Date | 4th December 1934 | |
| Copy of Letter From: HIGH DUTY ALLOYS LTD. WCD/CS Dec.4th.1934 Messrs. Rolls-Royce Ltd. Derby Dear Sirs, Bentley Bottom Half Crankcase in Magnesium Reverting to your letter of the 27th November, and our reply of the 28th Nov, also your further letter of Dec.3rd, the Writer has had an opportunity of going carefully into the question of manufacturing the bottom half Crankcase, and with all the facts at his disposal, together with his knowledge of the Magnesium business as it is at the moment, he is of the opinion that it would not be possible to produce the casting in question to the dimensions specified, in production. We could certainly provide you with an experimental crankcase, or an experimental half dozen, but if asked to produce at the rate of 15 to 25 per week he is sure that difficulties would arise. Taking all things into consideration he would not recommend the manufacture of this Crankcase in Magnesium Alloy without you could agree to a nominal thickness of .1875 plus or minus .015. We are putting a good deal of research work into the Magnesium business in an effort to effect security in the manufacture of castings, and when we have reached this stage we will advise you. In the meantime, in view of the remarks above, we await your final decision. Yours faithfully, FOR HIGH DUTY ALLOYS LIMITED. Managing Director. | ||