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).
Need for improved rig testing equipment and facilities for aero engine and chassis development.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 155\3\ scan0101 | |
| Date | 22th December 1936 | |
| [Handwritten] To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from HFS. Swell? Do we get our share of G.R.T.? from this proposal Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 1325 [Typed] HFS.A/CR.{Mr Cra???ster / Mr Chichester}22.12.36. RIG TESTING EQUIPMENT. The question of rig testing is becoming one of vital importance to the Department and it is imperative that immediate steps be taken to augment existing equipment in order to cope with the ever-increasing programme of rig tests in connection with both aero engine and chassis development. Adj. is arranging shortly to transfer the Lead Bronze Dept. to Osmaston Road, and we are very anxious that immediately this is done, the Rig Testing Dept. shall be organised on lines which will make it a valuable asset, not only to the Experimental Dept., but to Production also. At the present time, it is possible to deal only with experimental work of vital importance, and it is impossible to maintain contact with Production in the manner which is desirable in order to assist them with their particular problems, to test actual Production units at regular intervals over the full range of operating conditions and to establish more definitely the limitations of the various units on a production basis. Normally, only one or two units are produced and tested experimentally, and these, taken as the basis for performance under production conditions can be very misleading. With improved facilities, it would also be possible to undertake unit testing on behalf of the chassis side of Production. The number of auxiliary units is being increased with each new design, and development has been intensified to such an extent that it is impossible with present facilities to keep pace with all the rig testing this involves. It should be appreciated, also, that during the past four months, 300 hours rig testing conducted on miscellaneous experiments, has been covered by Air Ministry contract, this being actual running time exclusive of preparatory work and static testing. A further extension of 250 hours has been granted in addition to a separate test of 200 hours to cover installation rig tests at Hucknall. Development is hampered due to the fact that apparatus is limited and must therefore be dismantled and re-erected, and driving motors transferred from one rig to another according to the demands of the moment. Consequently, only the barest | ||