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).
Production delays and cost increases for Wraith frames from supplier Rubery Owens.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 8\10\ 10-page170 | |
| Date | 9th April 1939 | |
| To. By & CA......From RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}/TVT.{T. V. Turner} cc. to Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}/SS.{S. Smith} RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}/SS.{S. Smith}1/MC.9.4.39. 627- WRAITH FRAMES A visit to the works of Messrs. Rubery Owens Limited, Darlaston, was made on the 8th inst., to ascertain what progress was being made on the production of the 100 frames the first of which are now overdue. It does not appear possible that any deliveries will be made until the first week in May, as alterations to the frame drilling drawings and the necessity of altering the procedure of manufacture has considerably affected the programme, as the modifications to the jigs will not be completed until April, 22nd., although they are working through this week-end. Referring to the alterations to the frame drilling and cruciform etc., forwarded to Rubery Owens on March, 16th and March, 19th last, Mr. Sinnott informed us that the extra work involved necessitates an additional £2.10.0d. per frame being charged, plus a sum of £25.0.0d. for modifications to jigs etc. i.e. £1.16.0d. per frame for alterations sent on March, 16th, 14/0d per frame for alterations sent on March, 19th. We pointed out that in our opinion this was excessive and Mr. Sinnott has agreed to re-estimate the job before officially informing us of this increase, which brings the price of the frame up to £21.5.0d. On analysing the number of alterations etc., made to the Wraith frame since the commencement of the job, it is alarming to find that all the estimates and tools were made to drawings, which our design office must have known were incomplete, inasmuch as nothing was done until early in March of this year to clear up the drilling on the frame for the Bijur piping and conduit clips etc., as it is chiefly these additions which are responsible for the increase in price, actually over 50 holes having been added to each side member jig. We consider it will be necessary for someone to visit Rubery Owens at least once a week until the frames are on a satisfactory basis, otherwise considerable delay will occur to our production programme. RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}/TVT.{T. V. Turner} RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}/SS.{S. Smith} | ||