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).
Visit to Jonas Woodhead Ltd. in Leeds to discuss a cheaper, post-war, fully lubricated spring design.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 154a\2\ scan0360 | |
| Date | 1st July 1941 | |
| To: Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GB. c. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Clm.{D. D. Clapham} Ev{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}/JD.{J. Draper - Frames} Ev{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}/DB.{Donald Bastow - Suspensions} VISIT TO JONAS WOODHEAD LTD., LEEDS. Purpose of Visit. The object of this visit was to take up the question of a cheap version of our fully lubricated spring for use after the war. Woodheads were represented by Mr. T.H.Sanders, (their technical director) and their designer. Queries raised by Woodheads. After an inspection of our spring drawings, Messrs. Woodheads asked a number of questions. They were :- 1. Will we permit speared leaf ends instead of drawn? This will save .25d per leaf end. We do not object to speared ends providing the springs work and wear well. 2. Will we allow a reduction in the number of clips? Past experience has shown that it would be unwise to reduce the number of clips. 3. Will we change the central eye at the front end of the senior range to an offset eye? We will not do this because it will alter steering geometry. 4. Will we reduce the number of types? The way this can be done was indicated in Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GB.5/SW.25.6.41. 5. What is the thin leaf just below the main leaf? It has not been possible to find any other reason for this, other than that it is there to make the load and rate correct. Lubrication. The following questions and suggestions were made by Woodhead's on lubrication. 1. The concavity of leaf steel 2.25" wide and up to .375" thick is .001" to .006" per side. In view of this, are lubrication grooves needed? We think they are. 2. The use of integrally formed lubricators at the ends of each leaf. This would put upwards of 20 grease gun points on a car with centralized chassis lubrication. It was rejected immediately. -Continued- | ||