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).
Car production efficiency and technical improvements based on experiences in America.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 19\4\ Scan238 | |
| Date | 26th December 1930 | |
| SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} } FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}} (At Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence.) E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} } HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} } BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} } X9772 R2/M26.12.30. CAR WORK - MR. HIVES' EXPERIENCE IN AMERICA. First it shews the enormous amount of money and technical energy that the U.S.A. put into their productions. This is a great weakness in Great Britain which will have to be remedied if we are going on, even with our own firm which has much to be altered i.e. everybody must know their work and do it efficiently. We have not too many technical men, and a greater percentage of the establishment charged must be spent upon technical progress in perfection and performance and cost of production. Possibly the range of our work is too great, which makes our technical task too great or too costly. anyway we know we must produce in greater numbers per unit of time. We must weed out the inefficient and unprofitable ones from any cause whatever, and get better work for the money. I am sure we cannot stand the present tax upon our best workers. ACCELERATION. The difference seems due to valve timing or valve lift efficiency. it is sure to vary slightly in 2 such different models. I thought 25-EX. was not so good as 18-EX. or the new one (27-EX) which is to come here. This should improve with double top and twin carburetters. STEERING. One thinks that this will joggle if light - i.e. high geared and free from friction. in future we are hoping for better results by avoiding gyrostatic reactions which I think is the trouble, and can be reduced by parallel independently sprung front wheels. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||