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).
Gear cutting problems and the need for dedicated machine tools for the Experimental Department.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 144\4\ scan0008 | |
| Date | 26th January 1940 | |
| -2- Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}2/MH.{M. Huckerby}26.1.40. Gear cutting is a problem. In the period over which these figures were taken we were not producing experimental boxes. For weeks at a time, however, we have had two or three times as much gear cutting work as is shown here. In any case, the Experimental Dept. have no gear cutting machines. Therefore, if we do not have our own equipment, we shall have to rely on the Works. The dislocation of production due to breaking down for experimental pieces would be considerable, in fact we believe that we should have considerable difficulty in getting our work done. Also if a bomb fell in the right place in the Factory, our job would be stopped. One of the cost reduction jobs we have got to follow up is lapping instead of grinding gears which will keep our gear cutting machines busy providing experimental pieces for the lap. Briefly, if we are to be given a chance to work to the best advantage at the Clan, we think that the list of machine tools that we attach represents a bare minimum. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||