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).
Letter from Ferodo Limited discussing the differences between moulded and woven fabric clutch facings for Borg & Beck clutches.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 141\3\ scan0114 | |
| Date | 31th October 1932 | |
| X219 All Communications to be addressed to the Company. FERODO LIMITED TELEPHONE: 19 CHAPEL-EN-LE-FRITH (4 LINES) TELEGRAMS: FRICTION, PHONE, CHAPEL-EN-LE-FRITH. FERODO REGD. TRADE MARK BRAKE & CLUTCH LININGS CODES: WESTERN UNION FIVE LETTER EDITION, BENTLEYS COMPLETE & 2ND PHRASE, MARCONI INTERNATIONAL, LIEBER'S CODE, LIEBER'S LATEST CODE, A.B.C. 5TH & 6TH EDITIONS. CHAPEL-EN-LE-FRITH, VIA STOCKPORT, ENGLAND. October 31st 1932 YOUR REF. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 18/KT. OUR REF. FJF/WAC. Depots:- LONDON 222, TOTTENHAM COURT RD W. 1. ABERDEEN 26, GUILD STREET. BELFAST 8, 10 & 12, MONTGOMERY ST BIRMINGHAM 202, CORPORATION ST BRIGHTON 84, QUEEN'S ROAD. BRISTOL 19, PARK STREET. CARDIFF 39, CHARLES ST DUBLIN 120, UPPER ABBEY ST GLASGOW 70, WATERLOO ST LEEDS 25, HUNSLET RD LIVERPOOL 1-3, BERRY STREET. MANCHESTER 32, CATHEDRAL ST NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE WORSWICK CHAMBERS, 10, WORSWICK ST OFF PILGRIM ST Messrs. Rolls-Royce Limited, DERBY. For the attention of Mr. W.A.Robotham. Dear Sirs, We thank you for your letter of the 26th instant and referring to the friction facings on Borg & Beck clutches, as you are no doubt aware, this clutch was originally an American production and was fitted with moulded discs of VDM/20 type, for the reasons following:- 1. American manufacturers of friction materials have not developed woven fabric discs to anything like the same extent or quality that has been effected in this country. 2. The extremely keen competition in U.S.A. for the clutch business rendered it necessary to supply a complete unit at an extremely low figure. Therefore, as moulded discs are cheaper than woven fabric - where a cent or two difference in the price of a complete clutch means the loss or gain of a big order - the price of the friction facings is a matter of real importance. However, price is not really the first consideration. The fact is that when discs are attached to the driven plate of a clutch, the action of the clutch as a whole is smoother with moulded discs than with woven fabric, but when the discs are fixed to the flywheel and presser plate, the advantage is definitely in favour of fabric discs, both in respect of service and all-round performance. So far as RAD.13 material is concerned, the writer has no hesitation in stating that it is eminently suitable for working either dry or oil lubricated; 188 LBS/[]" | ||