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).
Report following a visit to supplier Jonas Woodhead & Sons Ltd. regarding spring requirements and production.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 80\2\ scan0289 | |
| Date | 15th June 1920 | |
| R.R. 199 (250T) (SD676 19-7-17) MP180865 Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} from Wd.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to Ms. 98.F.e. COPY. EFC JUN 15 1920 Wd{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead}8/NJ14.6.20. X.3981 Jonas Woodhead & Sons Ltd., I visited these people on Friday laRECEIVEDst. I had already forwarded to them a list of the springs, both front and rear, which we shall require to balance up those which we have a surplus of, to enable us to equip the remainder required of the first 1,000 chassis. The total number of springs required is as follows:- Front springs-----113 Rear springs------143 The front springs are all of one poundage, namely, 1050 lbs. but the rear springs required are of six poundages, varying from 1800 to 2600 lbs. I gave Woodheads instructions that they were to give first attention to the following poundages or rear springs:- 1800 lbs. 2400 " 2500 " 2600 " They (Woodheads) are very anxious to learn the result of our tests of the new pattern of rear springs with parallel plates cut square with rounded corners and I promised that we would let them know this week and next week the results of our tests. Two experimental front springs without slots and nibs and with the plates ground all over are in progress and will be ready this week. One of these springs is 1100 lbs. and the other 1150 lbs. I was shown the leaves of one of the springs and certainly their appearance was very attractive. Woodheads explained that if we ultimately decide that all the plates of both front and rear springs shall be ground over all surfaces that the output will be limited; in fact grinding is at present the limiting factor at their Works. They suggested that as regards front springs we might be satisfied if the plates are buffed all over. This would be an improvement on to-days practice and would enable the output to be maintained. With regard to the testing of springs, Mr. Woohead mentioned that Darwick will have more to do than he can well manage when the number of rear springs which are now being Contd. | ||