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).
Feasibility of using cast steel crankshafts, detailing manufacturing issues and comparing them to forged crankshafts.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 148\5\ scan0193 | |
| Date | 3rd September 1937 | |
| To BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} & Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} From RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} c.c. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}4/MJ.3.9.37. CAST STEEL CRANKSHAFTS. Referring to RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}/SB.{Mr Bull/Mr Bannister}1/MJ.2.9.37 on the above subject, during my visit to Sheffield on Thursday last the 2nd. inst., I visited Messrs. Ambrose Shardlow who produce Crankshafts for various Motor-Car Manufacturers and in conversation it was mentioned that they have recently finished a Contract for the machining of Ford semi-steel Crankshafts Castings which were supplied by Fords, Dagenham. Messrs. Ambrose Shardlow were pleased to get rid of the work because of the additional handling involved owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the Castings, which during the machining processes revealed blow holes and meant that the castings were returned to Dagenham for the purpose of correction which was done by a form of Welding, and in some instances Soldering. From an investigation Messrs. Ambrose Shardlow have carried out on the question of Cast Steel Crankshafts it is claimed that they are producing forged Crankshafts at a much lower cost mainly brought about by the unsatisfactory castings and additional cost in handling of the former. It was also stated that reports had reached Shardlows of the failure of a number of Cast Crankshafts in service. Therefore having regard to the Manufacturing difficulties which are likely to be encountered, apart from whether the Cast Steel Cranks would be reliable in Service, it would not appear to be an economical proposition to change over to this type of crankshaft. Incidentally, Shardlows produce 12 HP., 14 HP. and 20 HP. Vauxhall Crankshafts in 3 1/4 hours, which includes Forging time, and the Price charged to Vauxhall for their 12 HP. and 14 HP. Crankshafts is £3. 14s 6d. each. For the small type crank the Price is £2. 14. 0d. RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} | ||