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).
Visit to Vauxhall to observe their latest test equipment and component endurance testing.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 127\4\ scan0150 | |
| Date | 19th June 1939 | |
| 797 To By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} c. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/Hdy.{William Hardy} c. Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls}3/MW.19.6.39. VISIT TO VAUXHALLS. At Olley's invitation AFM.{Anthony F. Martindale}, CTS.{C. Trot Salt - Carburation} and I visited Vauxhalls to see their latest test equipment. This was certainly very lavish. They have a large number of fatigue testing machines for most of the components of the chassis. For instance, there are rigs running two gearboxes back to back, 4 axles at a time, the axle differential, continuous cornering on an axle, continuous cornering on a wheel, the Sagenaw steering test, various lesser items such as continuous slamming of door locks. We gleaned a few endurance times considered requisite for production - Thermostats 60,000 alternate immersions in hot and cold water. Fan Belts. 20 hours at 4,000 r.p.m. (engine). Wheel. 35,000 revolutions at load equivalent to .5g corner. Vauxhalls now use no retaining arrangement for the wheel bearing, relying entirely on the press fit of the inner race. They have had a few come loose. As regards synchromesh rattle, Olley said that Vauxhalls have used the loose cone arrangement for 4 years and that nearly every American car now has it. None of them rattle and he suggested attacking our trouble at the clutch centre or by alteration to the transmission stiffness. We discussed with Olley crown wheel size. They are using a 7" spiral lever on all cars up to 14, and are having designed for them in the States a 6" hypoid which they think will do the same work. They have promised to let us know how successful it is when they have tried it. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} | ||