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 Adamant Engineering discussing safety concerns regarding modifications to a steering gear component.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 153\1\ scan0034 | |
| Date | 2nd September 1937 | |
| Telegrams: “ADAMANT, Phone, Luton.” CONTRACTORS TO H.M. ADMIRALTY, WAR OFFICE & AIR MINISTRY. AD FORM 93. Telephone: LUTON 2662 (3 LINES). ADAMANT ENGINEERING COMPANY, LIMITED (Incorporating J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} C. THREADGOLD & SONS. Established 1878.) Engineers and Founders. SPECIALISTS in the DESIGN and MANUFACTURE of HIGH PRECISION TOOLS, JIGS, FIXTURES, etc. SPECIAL MACHINES, SPECIAL MACHINE TOOLS and ACCURATE PRODUCTION WORK. SOLE MANUFACTURERS and SALES AGENTS for the MARLES and MARLES-WELLER STEERING GEARS. Directors: F.{Mr Friese} G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} MATRAVERS, M.A. (CANTAB), A.M.I.MECH.E., A.M.I.E.E., M.I.A.E., M.I.P.E. O.{Mr Oldham} CARLTON SMITH, M.A. (CANTAB), F.I.S.A., M.I.P.E., Secretary. ALFRED SLATTER, M.I.E.E. J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} W. HAZEL, F.I.S.A. Your Ref. RM{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/FJH.{Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer}8/MH{M. Huckerby} Our Ref. FGM/IFW. Head Offices, Works and Design Dept.: DALLOW ROAD, LUTON. Messrs. Rolls-Royce, Limited, DERBY. Thursday, 2nd September, 1937. For the attention of F.{Mr Friese} J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} Hardy, Esq., Experimental Department. Dear Sirs, We are duly in receipt of your letter of the 31st August, reference as above, which has received our careful attention. In regard to the Cam shewn on the Sketch you sent with your letter and the modifications in diameter and length of same over the drawing we sent you, you will no doubt appreciate that in setting your standards in our Designs Department we have not in any direction increased the size above what we consider to be essential in the interests of safety, and it follows from this that the modifications you shew do introduce an element of risk which we cannot but view with some concern when applying to such an item as a Steering Gear. Of course, if the Roller is absolutely safe guarded from coming to the ends of the lock fixed inside the box then our objections immediately fall to the ground, but we cannot help thinking that you would be better advised to slightly increase say the length of the Drop Arm than to take the risk, however remote, which we believe is introduced by the modifications you have in mind. - one - | ||