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).
Unnecessary expenditure from production alterations, using the Phantom III Starter Motor as an example.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 142\3\ scan0117 | |
| Date | 1st February 1937 | |
| To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} and Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} From RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Wst. 1204 RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}12/MJ.1.2.37. ALTERATIONS. We are committed to unnecessary expenditure in connection with Chassis Production owing to alterations to assembly specifications after parts have been Standardised and it is considered that the Specification issued by the Expl. Dept. should be complete and be adhered to for subsequent Production. Phantom lll Starter Motors is an example of what this means. Alterations have recently been issued with regard to the travel of the starter pinion before the main current comes into operation. The travel has been increased from .475 to .575. Some 30 Starter Motors have been built with this alteration incorporated, now we are informed that the position is to be reversed and that the setting is to be to the original dimensions. This means that the Starter Motors referred to must be converted to the original setting, and introduces complications regarding the action which should be taken in connection with the Starter Motors which are being removed from Chassis at the various Coachbuilders. In addition the pinion tooth form has been altered with the object of improving engagement. This alteration it is understood is not considered to be necessary but has involved Production in a certain amount of scrap as the pinions which have been modified must be replaced. Therefore Experimental instructions should be made sufficiently clear to avoid the issuing of alterations during course of manufacture and should apply to all Chassis Sections. RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} | ||