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).
Outstanding new units and the development status of a one-piece crankshaft.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 124\2\ scan0200 | |
| Date | 5th July 1940 | |
| -2- Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/CTS.{C. Trot Salt - Carburation}4/JMS.5.7.40. The following new units were outstanding to the shop: B.40. No.1 (75 m/m) B.40. No.2 (75 m/m) B.40. No.4. (3.50 ins) B.60.No.10. (75 m/m) B.60.No.9. (3.25 ins) B.60.No.12. (3.50 ins) (Wilcox Rich tappets). B.60.No.13 (3.75 ins) Note. These had been agreed to by Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} at a meeting recorded in Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}1/ML.13.4.40. Also, at this time, the following units were in a stage of progress, and would have been the next to be received on test. B.60. No.5 (3.50") B.60. No.6 (3.25") (For new Ripplet chassis) B.80. No.8 (3.25") (Patterns completed & passed to the foundry) Note. All the preceding units have been covered by specifications either issued by Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/HH or compiled by RH{R. Hollingworth}/CP. General Development. For the purpose of recording briefly the development stage (in the rationalised programme) reached on individual assemblies within the engine, each assembly is taken separately. CRANKSHAFT. This item has reached a most interesting stage, which can best be described as follows: For some considerable time Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} has been endeavouring to get tried all in one piece, the obvious combination which goes to make a crankshaft which embodies the methods adopted by all other automobile manufacturers, without impairing its duty and efficiency. Briefly, this combination comprises .4 carbon steel, Integral balance weights, machining only on working surfaces and plugs instead of our more costly oilers (in the journals and pins). We were robbed of a fair test, right at the start, see memo By/NS.{Norman Scott}8/M.G.18.4.39. by not being allowed anything less than .5 Carbon (Spec.S/HC.2051) because (as stated) "Steel of .4% Carbon could not be heat treated to give the physical properties or the hardness required". In all fairness, this has to be recorded, because "required" in engineering, follows the trial and should not precede it. Continued. | ||