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).
Point-by-point report detailing proposals and responses for addressing a component failure and making design improvements.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 2\B002_X168\ 00000001-page053 | |
| Date | 20th March 1915 | |
| R.S.S. 654. (OVERALL BRAKES) Handwritten: Final Report Sent C W J 20/3/15. (1). Test the material of the broken ones to find the elastic limits which may be low owing to material or defective heat treatment. (1). Experimental Dept. instructed to do this, and are sending them to Sheffield for examination. and test for elastic limit and analysis of material. (2). Improve the material if possible for further supplies. (Handwritten: I am not blaming anyone and I do not want anyone to defend himself.) (2). This will have our strict attention. (3). Reinforce the section at the point of failure. Get the Forgings from the best possible market for quality such as Vickers. (Handwritten: Design. (next move.)) (3). This has always been done for supplying cars on road, and we are getting name from Vickers. (4). Lower the stub to the centre of the joint - this can now be done owing to the raising of the frame. Shorten the joint. Improve the lightening bore inside the stub by drilling deeper and reamering to a better section. Push ahead with the special axle for the wire wheels, raise the whole axle and put less dip on the front horns, alter the back shackles to make a level spring. This will carry the whole axle and spring about 1/2" further from the road surface. (4). This is being done by Mr. Spinney. Tools are being made for correct boring, and (handwritten: add) reamering of lightening hole. (Mr. Whitehead). Mr. Spinney drawing out 2 front axles, one for wood and one for wire wheels. Handwritten: 163 / X247 (5). (Handwritten: Cancel) the screw adjustment on the cross steering tube. Introduce the set-up spring buffers lately suggested. These two alterations should be done immediately. (5). This is (handwritten: is) now in Experimental Dept. suggestions being carried out. Await their report. (6). I think that it is advisable to consider seriously making these alterations to cars already made, providing that the tests shew that these buffers lessen the maximum stresses. (6). This will be carried out if Experimental Dept. find successful. F.H.R. | ||