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).
Sourcing of Marles steering roller followers from Hoffmanns after Ransome & Marles were unable to fulfil orders.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 153\2\ scan0277 | |
| Date | 6th April 1937 | |
| To By. {R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. HS. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. RHC. {R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} c. E. {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. Roy. {Sir Henry Royce} 1300 Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /FJH. {Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer} 7/AP.6.4.37 MARLES STEERING ROLLER FOLLOWERS - 25/30. Messrs Ransome & Marles recently wrote to us to the effect that, owing to pressure of work resulting from the armaments programme, they were unable to accept further orders for steering rollers. We visited their general manager in an attempt to persuade them to change their minds but were unsuccessful. On Friday last we visited The Hoffmann Manufacturing Co. to see whether they would undertake the work. They expressed complete willingness to do so and are confident that they can deliver in the time available. Our present supplies for 25/30. will be exhausted by the middle of August, but the date we specified to them was the end of June. They are writing to us during the next day or so quoting a price and confirming that they will be able to supply our present requirements, and also the increasing number required should wraith wheel movement be standardised on Ph.III., and the Marles gear be used on B.III. We suggest that, should the quotation be satisfactory, we should order 200 rollers for R. {Sir Henry Royce} series from Hoffmanns. We have told them that we should require about 20 before the end of May so that we can rig test one and determine what preload we require in terms of their method of measurement, and also that all initial difficulties must be overcome and regular delivery commence by the end of June. The main points discussed and agreed with Hoffmanns were as follows:- (1) Roller F.61355/6 to be made entirely by Hoffmanns in S.82 material, case-hardened to a depth of 0.050 - 0.060. R.R. to supply bar material if necessary. This arrangement is exactly as was the case with Ransomes. (2) Inner races F.61283/4 to be supplied by us in the black hardened condition, all grinding to be done by Hoffmanns. We have recently started a standardisation Sheet No.550 for omitting the serrations in the bore of the inners. This would be of great assistance to Hoffmanns and we suggest that it should be introduced on R. {Sir Henry Royce} series. continued | ||