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 Kelsey-Hayes Wheel Company regarding wheel design, tooling costs, and drawing specifications.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 159\7\ scan0303 | |
| Date | 14th May 1941 | |
| PLEASE ADDRESS ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO THE COMPANY Handwritten notes: Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} / Bastow 1375 File in Wheels General. KELSEY-HAYES WHEEL COMPANY LTD DIRECTORS J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} C. MAHANNAH, U.S.A. CHAIRMAN. GEO. W. KENNEDY, U.S.A. H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} LEWIS, U.S.A. ORIGIN BRITISH. WM. F.{Mr Friese} NEWBURY, F.C.I.S. G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} BIRD, ALTERNATE DIRECTOR. COMPLETE AUTOMOBILE WHEELS BRAKES STAMPINGS AND PARTS DAGENHAM DOCK, ESSEX 14th May, 1941. TELEPHONE: RAINHAM 420,1,2,3 AND 4 CABLE: KELSEYS, DAGENHAM DOCK TELEGRAMS: KELSEHAYES, DAGENHAM DOCK Messrs. Rolls Royce, Ltd., DERBY. For the attention of Mr. W. R.{Sir Henry Royce} Robotham. Dear Sirs, We thank you for your letter dated the 2nd of this month and we enclose Drawing showing sections of the reinforcements as requested. In answer to the query in the third paragraph of your letter we would state that though these experimental tools cost £300 they would not be suitable for production in any large quantities. The reason this tool cost is involved at this stage is that the greater offset (1.65 instead of 1-1/8) does not produce, in our opinion, a very satisfactory wheel unless you decrease the depth of the portion carrying the bolt bosses since there is a limit to these proportions, unless the thickness of the material used is substantially increased which would also increase the weight of the wheel. On your drawings RG.{Mr Rowledge}2347/8 you have made this change which is a good feature as far as the wheel is concerned, but it does mean that our existing production tools are not suitable for producing this depth (.531), also the bolt bosses are different, which necessitates new punch and die inserts. We shall be pleased if you will please forward to us a further copy of your Drawing No. G.B.4026. Thanking you. Yours faithfully, KELSEY-HAYES WHEEL COMPANY, LIMITED. A.{Mr Adams} Inglis. Chief Engineer. ENCL. | ||