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).
Cost analysis of using virgin versus scrap aluminium for chassis production.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 142\4\ scan0081 | |
| Date | 29th January 1937 | |
| To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Smth. 1202 Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Smth.8/JH.29.1.37. CHASSIS ALUMINIUM COSTS. We find that there are about 385 lbs. of aluminium in a Ph.III chassis, and about 200 lbs. in a Bentley or 25/30 chassis. At the following yearly rate of production. 250 Phantom III. 750 25/30 H.P. 600 Bentley. We should use 165 tons of aluminium per year in car production. On the present system, using virgin R.R.50 at £120(nett) per ton for all pieces, except for 30 tons of scrap material used on rocker covers and wheel cases at £45/ton. (this being the resale price for this scrap), the annual aluminium bill would be £17,550. The scrap material has been found to be very little inferior to virgin metal in physical properties, and could be used for Ph.III cyl. heads and crankcase top halves, (these being the pieces which have to be corosion proof). This would use up 24 tons per year, which is practically all the available scrap. Making the other pieces in L5 secondary material at £74/ton, except for the Bentley and 25/30 crankcase top halves which should be made in L5 virgin at £89/ton, the annual aluminium bill would be £11,980 - A YEARLY SAVING OF £5,570. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Smth. | ||