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).
The pricing and sourcing of B.50 pistons, comparing options from Light Production with internal manufacturing.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 112\1\ scan0023 | |
| Date | 22th December 1937 | |
| Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} c. RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} 1044 along with Policy 836. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}9/R.22.12.37. B.50 PISTONS. We have discussed the question of price reduction on the B.50 with the Light Production people. They have agreed to supply pistons complete with rings and gudgeon pins exactly to our specification for 9/9d each. They agree that they are going to make practically no profit on this piston. We should like to know whether we think we can compete with this figure on the present R.R. piston if we employ plain cam grinding and tool up for larger quantities? We ask this question because we knew there is little to choose between the aerolite and R.R. piston from an efficiency point of view, and, therefore, we should like to start our tests by running the piston which we know is right for price. Incidentally, during the discussion, the Light Production agreed to reduce the price of the present 4¼ aerolite piston by 3/- per piston, a decrease of 22½% over their present figure. This is to be done without any alteration whatever to our present specification or to our Inspection requirements. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||