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).
Manufacturing challenges for die-cast steering wheels and evaluating alternative suppliers.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 38\1\ Scan155 | |
| Date | 30th January 1925 | |
| X 5465 PY. from ROY.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} ROY{Sir Henry Royce}1/MG30.1.25 Die Cast Steering Wheels It seems to me we must face the fact confirmed by Mr. Owen, of the Birmingham Aluminium Castings Co.Ltd (who is recognized as one of the leading authorities in the Aluminium Die Casting world) also Mr. Collyer, of Messrs. F.H.Adams Ltd, that our present 40/50 HP. Steering Wheel, as designed, is a very difficult proposition to produce as a Die Casting in alloy to our Specification. Meantime I have told the Birmingham Aluminium Castings Company we cannot consider the use of any such Steering Wheels except to our specification, and we cannot entertain same in their 9% to 10% Copper Alloy in which they submitted proofs. They are continuing their experiments; but the object of this note is to draw your attention to the difficulty of producing these Steering Wheels to the present design in our standard alloy - which difficulty I understand is also experienced in our own Shops in making them in sand. Do you not think this would be a suitable opportunity to again press the use of the Dover Wheel on the 40/50 HP. Chassis - which would obviate so many of our troubles. The Dover Company certainly have risen to the occasion well, and seem to have got over all their casting difficulties; and in a communication to hand this morning they state they propose to advance their price only some 5/- per Wheel - the net result being we shall be buying finished 20 HP. Dover Wheels at a price equal to that we shall be paying Silvertown for the covering alone of the 40/50 HP. Wheel. You will recollect the Dover Company are quite prepared to make Wheels to any section or diameter we require. ROY.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||