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).
The testing of five Gleason-type skew gear bevels for rear axles and a recommendation for their standardization.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 49\1\ Scan106 | |
| Date | 22th November 1919 | |
| BN. {W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} from EP. {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} E. {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} to EH. c. to BY. {R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to WOR. {Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} X 3612 X 682 EP {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} 8/F22.11.19. RE SKEW GEAR BEVELS FOR REAR AXLES. We have received, untested, 5 axles of the above type (Gleason). These axles having gone through the ordinary routine of axle testing, i.e. dynamometer test and then road test, would all pass through our stage as satisfactory axles for delivery, in fact they are a considerable improvement on the present axles. At least two of them I consider are excellent, the remainder very good. We are running these axles about as much as possible. The worst of the 5 was fitted on a test car with a covered body, which has been tried by various Officials, all of whom express their complete satisfaction as regards the noise of the axles, and it is a fact that this axle was the noisiest of the 5. We have also run one of these axles on the dynamometer under heavy load for 21 hours, after which it was found that the axle was still excellent as regards noise and this axle has now been returned to the Works for inspection. In view of the improved condition of these axles as regard noise, and absence of periods, also the fact that they have been able to be produced so as to give consistent results, I certainly recommend that they should be standardised. EH. reports that 7-CA has been fitted with a skew gear alxe for a considerable time, and must have been run at least 10,000 miles, the only weakness in this axle being the noise. As the obtaining of quiet axles is one of the chief obstacles in producing cars in quantities, and as the expense of doing so is at present colossal, and even when they are produced they are not as good in quality as the latest skew gear type axles, I feel that under these circumstances and from the experience we have already had, there should be no harm in standardising these. I consider we should take some immediate action to do this, should the inspection of the axle above referred to show it to be quite satisfactory. The 5 axles referred to are in our hands, but although passed as regards noise, cannot be passed for use officially until the type is standardised. I therefore await instructions on this matter before proceeding any further re. using these axles for deliveries. EP. {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} 1225. D 61-F91 '919. A S & L (LDD.) 2000 'N'H | ||