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).
Observations of manufacturing methods, inspection processes, and general plant conditions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 137\5\ scan0191 | |
| Date | 8th December 1937 | |
| -2- RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}/EC.4/DB.{Donald Bastow - Suspensions} 8.12.37. contd. We were however, very impressed by the simplicity of the loading of their jigs particularly on drilling, where the parts are secured in position by means of cams and levers instead of nuts etc., generally used in our own factory, also the Pollard Multi Spindle heads were used wherever possible, we were told that these cost £12 per spindle which would appear very reasonable and should be further investigated for use on many of our parts. Other methods of production that appealed to us was the form grinding of ball end pins and the grinding of tapers on the Centreless Grinding machine, also the grinding of the two ball race diameters on pivots which were done simultaneously on the Churchill Plunge Cut machine, but we noticed on this job they were not obliged to clean up both shoulders. The Bronze Bushes C.A.V. Type in the pivots were pressed into position with .004" interference fit and then finally broached to size. All bushes seen had loose flanges which were simply a press fit on external diameter of bush, giving a very cheap job. The Progress system was investigated and the problem of such, is much simplified by the fact that large quantities of most parts keeps the machine running on the one job for weeks at a time, also the total number of different piece numbers is comparatively small. One in ten operation inspection is the rule principally with fixed gauges, i.e. 'Go' and 'Not Go' Plate, and Plug types, then a final inspection is carried out, but we noticed that the operators were not keeping strictly within the gauge limits. Generally speaking the plant was fairly modern, but apart from the key men, Youths or Trainees were principally employed, the total being in the region of 250, which includes 40 Inspectors or Viewers, many of the Operators were working two or three machines, therefore in view of the class of labour employed, and the low overheads it can be appreciated that the reduction in price over that quoted by Messrs. Dunlops is feasible. The shops are three separate buildings in different parts of Walworth, and are very dirty. A new building approximately 120ft x 120ft is projected for early erection adjacent to the Sutherland Place Works. RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}/E.Goodall Goodall S.Smith. | ||