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).
Conference report discussing production difficulties and methods for Aluminium-Tin alloy bearings.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 115\3\ scan0201 | |
| Date | 9th March 1938 | |
| 1020. To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from HPS.{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr} c. to Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/JWW. c. to Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Swdl.{Len H. Swindell} c. to Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Mths.{Reg Matthews} c. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} HPS.{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr}2/VS.{J. Vickers}9.3.38. ALUMINIUM-TIN ALLOY BEARINGS. In view of the difficulties experienced with aluminium-tin alloy bearings on Production and in the Experimental Department, a conference was held on Tuesday, the 8th inst., to discuss the present position. Present : Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} HPS.{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/JWW. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Swdl.{Len H. Swindell} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Mths.{Reg Matthews} HPS{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr}/JM.{Mr Morley} ---------- A.C.6. Alloy. With regard to the number of bearings rejected by Production owing to faulty material, it was stated by Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/JWW. that the present figure of approximately 70% would continue until the practice of producing bearings from billets is discontinued. In view of this it was decided that no experimental bearings will be run in the future unless produced in the correct type of die. A.C.9. Alloy. Every effort is to be made to put this alloy on Production at an early date, since the Foundry have now stated definitely that little or no difficulties will be encountered when manufacturing production quantities, and as regards casting scrap, sixty bearings have been produced, the total rejections being 20%. This figure, however, should be reduced when correct dies are available. The question of the most economical method of casting was discussed, and it was stated by Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/JWW. that from a production viewpoint the centrifuging process was preferable since the fettling operation could be deleted and, furthermore, owing to the absence of risers the number of bearings cast per melt would be considerably increased. In order to obtain experience with this alloy Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} agreed to carry out a 20 hour endurance test on C.17 engine unit fitted with thin shell Bentley type bearings centrifugally cast, and with main bearings in similar material, 50% of which are to be statically cast to within approximately .125 continued. | ||