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 Lodge Plugs Ltd. discussing defects in steatite plugs and the supply of replacements.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 162\6\ img062 | |
| Date | 4th May 1924 | |
| X4425 EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} from Wd.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} [struck through] c. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} [struck through] c. to Mr. An. [struck through] Wd{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead}3/WJ4.5.24. Re Faulty Lodge Plugs. In reply to EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}9/H25.2.24, we have a letter from Lodge Plugs Ltd. dated 3rd inst. as follows:- "We are in receipt of your letter and very much "regret to hear that you are experiencing trouble with "our Model C. steatite plug. "From an examination of the sample plugs which you "have returned the defect is due to cracking of the "steatite insulator. This defect may be either due to "the plug being subjected to too great a heat, or to too "great a pressure being used in the manufacture of the "gas tight joint. "We think that the cracking in sample A.{Mr Adams} is due to "too great a heat, and in samples B. and C. to defects "in manufacture. "We have made a slight modification in our method "of manufacture, which we think will overcome the defects "illustrated in samples B. and C. "In accordance with your request we are sending to "you 3 plugs to replace the defective ones returned, and "also one dozen plugs to replace any other defects which "may occur. "It is possible that the dynamometer tests to which "you refer subject these plugs to rather greater heat "than would obtain from ordinary road usage, and we "should like you to test out another model plug which "will withstand considerably more heat than the model C. "steatite. To this end we are also sending you one dozen "of our model H3. detachable plugs. These you will find "will stand considerably more heat but are more "susceptible to soot or oil than the model C. but in "this respect we think you will find they will function "quite satisfactorily in your engines. "We await with interest the results of your tests "on these model H3. plugs." With this letter we received a blank invoice (free of charge) for 15 Model C. and 12 Model H3. plugs. Upon arrival of the plugs, same will be handed to EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} Wd.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} | ||