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).
Present and proposed manufacturing methods for the 'Phantom' clutch unit to improve interchangeability.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 66\4\ scan0034 | |
| Date | 29th October 1925 | |
| X8300 U. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. Mr. Coverley. SFT{Mr Swift}19/EMM.29.10.25. MANUFACTURE OF "PHANTOM" CLUTCH UNIT. Further to my note SFT{Mr Swift}1/EMM.30.9.25., we do not say that Flywheels and Clutches cannot be produced as independent units within the limits stated by Mr.Coverley and by following the operations outlined in his memo. We have already proved that. What we do say, however, is that it does not lend itself to a production job. It means the exercise of much more than average care and in addition it would appreciably add to our R.D.W.troubles. We say also that the proposition we make would be better from a Works' point of view and would probably satisfy the demand for interchangeability. The very fact of the rivetting of the bolts attaching the flywheel to the crankshaft, places too much responsibility on to the Works to guarantee that every one will be running true. This led us to believe that our proposed method would meet with your approval, and I would like to point out here how our proposed method is different from the present one. In the present method we machine the flywheel when attached to the crankshaft on the faces, as indicated by the arrows (See Sketch "A"); then the fitters attach the clutch cover, after which the crankshaft is again put into the lathe and the clutch cover machined, as indicated by the arrows (See Sketch "B"). In our proposed method we would continue with the crankshaft up to the state as shewn on Sketch "A" except that before the crankshaft is removed from the lathe, it will be passed by an inspector who will keep the operation to fine limits, and the clutch cover would be produced separately and completely finished within fine limits (See Sketch "C"). Crankshafts complete with flywheel as per Sketch "A" and clutch covers complete, as Sketch "C" would then be sent independently to the fitters and would be assembled by them. We then feel sure that we could guarantee interchangeability of clutch covers from one crankshaft to another. SFT.{Mr Swift} | ||