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).
Visits to Gleason Works and Pierce Arrow in the U.S.A., detailing observations on gear manufacturing and vehicle development.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 179\2\ img206 | |
| Date | 4th February 1932 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} From Ha/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} (In U.S.A.). c. to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to D.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} c. to Sf. X55 X4588 4.2.32. We spent Tuesday at Gleasons Works. They have several new machines notably for grinding hypoid gears, high speed finishing cut (15 secs/tooth for our 40/50) and high speed roughing (5 secs/tooth). They have also automatic lapping machines. Their main line of development appears to be to build their machines more ruggedly so that higher cutting speeds are possible, and then simplify the feeding of them. They believe in lapping and burnishing even after grinding but consider that the nature of the movement given to the gears to get complete bedding is of vital importance when lapping. We spent Wednesday at Pierce Arrows, not expecting to see very much but as a matter of fact our visit was well worth while. You will remember that I tried one of their 8 cylinder cars on the track just over a year ago, and was not at all impressed by it. During the past six months they have produced two 12 cylinder models of 398 cu. ins. (6520 cc) and 429 cu.ins. (7050 cc.), respectively, and have at the same time improved the riding and steering of their cars enormously. I tried both cars on the road, and for the first time felt that a twelve cylinder unit was well worth while. Pierce Arrows buy out a large number of parts. They have concentrated their efforts on :- (1) Getting a smooth and flexible power unit. (2) Getting a good steering. (3) Elimination of intake exhaust and mechanical noise. | ||