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).
Description of the Cambridge Universal Vibrograph instrument and its various configurations.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 138\2\ scan0063 | |
| Date | 19th January 1937 guessed | |
| CAMBRIDGE INSTRUMENT COMPANY, LIMITED, LONDON AND CAMBRIDGE. THE CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSAL VIBROGRAPH. This instrument, which employs the stylus-on-celluloid method of recording, is suitable for the investigation of all vibration problems, and by simple interchange of parts can be adapted for vertical, horizontal or rotational tests, or arranged as a portable unit in which the vibrations are communicated to the recording mechanism by bringing a projecting toe into contact with the vibrating body. The complete equipment consists of a number of units which are easily assembled as required for the investigation in hand. The primary unit contains the clockwork drive for the film, the recording stylus with linkage system, celluloid film, time marking stylus and a signal marking stylus. The time marker is operated by the clockwork mechanism and indicates 0.1 second intervals, missing each tenth interval to indicate seconds. Terminals are fitted for connecting the battery which supplies the current for the time marker and the signal circuit. Most of the adjustments to the instrument are carried out on this unit, controls being provided for film speed, stylus pressure and for centring the zero position. For vertical and horizontal vibrations a mass is provided mounted on a spring stirrup, and is attached to the recording unit. The complete unit is then mounted on a base, the mass being arranged for freedom in a vertical or horizontal direction as desired. Figure 1 shows the instrument arranged as a vertical Vibrograph and Figure 2 as a horizontal Vibrograph. For use as a Portable Vibrograph (Figure 3) the mass and the base unit are removed, a projecting toe is attached to the spring stirrup, the control spring slightly re-arranged, and a handle attached to the recording unit. With this assembly the projecting toe is slightly pressed on the vibrating surface, which can be in almost any plane. | ||