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).
Introduction of a new gearcase and side levers, detailing testing, manufacturing timelines, and production strategy.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 69\3\ scan0260 | |
| Date | 10th June 1925 | |
| -2- Wor{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}4/M10/6/25. test or delivered. Of the remaining 100, 50 are 75% finished machined, the remaining 50 being castings without machining. (2Y) (Q) After receipt at Derby of the drawings for the new gearoase how many chassis would have to be made with the present gear case before the new gear case could be introduced, without interruption of output? (A) After Mr.Royce and the Experimental Department are satisfied, when the 10,000 miles is completed and the standardisation sheet signed, that these alterations are suitable for manufacture, Works would need eight or nine weeks after receipt of instructions to proceed, to introduce these new parts on chassis. (3) (Q) This is asking whether the new side levers, gearcase and sub-frame are such departures as would render 10,000 miles trial necessary before ordering material etc. We further note that you do not wish us to manufacture in parallel with running of 10,000 miles, and that material should not be ordered until this test is successfully completed. (A) I suggest, in answer to question 3, and the general position, that it is difficult and wellnigh impossible to give an exact date when these could be introduced. The better scheme would be for us to urge with all possible speed experimentally, and later decide date of introduction to manufacture. We could further, and this I intend to do, unless we hear to the contrary, go as slowly as possible, consistent with maintaining output, with gearboxes, this job largely being in our own control, and we need not cast gearboxes only in sufficient quantities to maintain output. We could also carefully regulate the supply of parts effected by the change re side levers. ROO | ||