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).
Digest of recent developments and techniques in automotive production and engineering.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 128\3\ scan0028 | |
| Date | 8th April 1939 | |
| 471 Production Lines Spotting die from roof panel draw punch in the Ford Tool and Die Shop Flame Cutting Valuable paper dealing with the technique of flame cutting by machine, delving into economic applications and production costs was presented at the recent convention of the International Acetylene Assn. Prime feature of the paper, “Economics of Machine Gas Cutting,” by G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} Deming, research engineer, Air Reduction Sales Co., is a mathematical analysis of all elements of cost, leading to a standard formula which can be used by anyone. The paper is much too comprehensive for treatment here, but we shall be glad to get you a copy that gives the story completely. Fundamentals Latest popularized technical treatise issued by the General Motors public relations department is an absorbing booklet entitled, “Electricity and Wheels.” It explains the basic theories and principles of electricity, gives significant dates of discovery and development of the science, describes the role of electricity in the operation of the automobile. Although intended for the layman, the booklet has much of interest to students and technical people who may be rusty on some of the fundamentals. Takes Coolants January issue of The Neoprene Notebook discusses an important application of Neoprene. Case in point is a hose connection carrying cutting fluid on a valve refacing machine where the connection is subjected to considerable flexing. Rubber hose stood up only a short time; Neoprene gave practically unlimited life. This is well worth investigating on other types of production machinery where flexible connections are essential. Styles Panels S. S. White intimates that the automobile instrument panel can be cleaned up and completely restyled by using flexible radio control. This would make it possible to locate the radio chassis in almost any convenient place in the front compartment without affecting the panel in any way. Which recalls the fact that one of our friends, a well-known stylist, has been commissioned to design some instrument panels for a prominent instrument manufacturer. What with the availability of new plastics and the activities noted above, the outlook is bright for a fresh treatment of the instrument panel for the year 1940. Climb Cut Climb-cutting, which is really a renascence of the little used practice of climb milling, is rapidly finding wide favor in current production. Best exposition of the practice in high production is found at Spicer, where the method was applied, with surprisingly good results, on gear equipment. More recently we found that a prominent manufacturer of heavy-duty transmissions had adopted the technique for hobbing gears, starting with a battery of new gear hobbers arranged specifically for this purpose. These people are getting superior quality of surface finish and accuracy coupled with an estimated increase of tool life of the order of 35 per cent. Wear Veto It took the piston manufacturers to focus attention on the wear-resistant qualities of certain types of metallic and chemical coatings. Such coatings now have been impressed into use on many parts of the engine and running gear units with unusual success. Coincident with the growth of applications of such coatings, it is of interest to note the use of oil and colloidal graphite treatment to provide self-lubricating quality for hard-to-get-at parts, as well as for surfaces where self-lubricating aids in break-in. Improved Seeing According to Industrial Standardization, February, 1939, an ASA committee under the leadership of the IES has prepared a tentative code recommending minimum lighting specifications for factories. Eventually, the ASA will draft a formal code based upon suggestions and criticisms of the tentative report. There are many advantages to be gained from better seeing which results from good illumination. Not the least of these are an improvement in quality, reduction in spoiled work, better productivity. For example, under good illumination it is possible to see an object about half the smallest size discernible under poor illumination. An increase in illumination from one foot-candle to a moderate level of about 20 foot-candles results in increasing the speed of seeing approximately three times. Copies of the report are available from the ASA headquarters in New York.—J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} Automotive Industries April 8, 1939 | ||