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).
Meeting notes discussing cost reduction, sub-contracting, and design modifications for various car components.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 30\1\ Scan244 | |
| Date | 21th November 1938 | |
| -2- sub-contracting of work. Other people's prices are invariably higher than our own costs. If we are content to accept other people's designs such as Lucas electrical equipment no doubt we can purchase cheaper but it is most unlikely that Lucas can make to our design at less than our own factory cost. Opinion generally was that the material cost could be reduced by careful attention being given to design and specification and E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} will consult all concerned in order to get the most out of this. Simpler Operations. RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} suggested that much can still be done to simplify machining operations and E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} will seek the advice of all those who are qualified to give assistance in this direction. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} said he realised that this advice should be sought in the early stages of design and not after the completion. P.III Costs. The estimated cost of P.III. was discussed and Sft.{Mr Swift} said his department had examined the drawings in detail and the estimated cost came out at 15% more than the cost of P.II but that he considered this 15% could be knocked off by the provision of jigs, tools and fixtures in order to further reduce fitters' time and by improved processes and design modifications. RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} said he was of the opinion that P.III. can be produced for the same cost as P.II. in the early stages of manufacture and that as experience is gained the cost might be reduced by as much as 20% below. Forgings. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} said the possibility of eliminating the machining of forgings apart from their fitting surfaces by a final sizing operation in forging dies is being investigated on such parts as connecting rods. Brakes. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} proposed to delete the separate brake shoes of the hand brake and will have the job looked into. Belt driven dynamos were discussed but considered to be undesirable. Shutters. It was decided to make up a sample set of dummy radiator shutters a la{L. A. Archer} Packard. Bonnet. Also to produce a sheet steel bonnet for comparison with our standard construction the Packard being used as a model for gauge, etc. | ||