What Alldays are Building.
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A Remarkable Range of Industrial Vehicles, from a Three-wheeler to a Fivetonner, is being turned out at the Matchless Works, Birmingham.
The Alldays pleasure car has always been a model which has appealed to our, shall we say, commercial eye, from the point of view of its practical design with its obvious capacity for hard, steady work. It was, therefore, no surprise to us when we learned some years ago that its makers, the Alldays and Onions Pneumatic Engineering Co., Ltd., Matchless Works, Small Heath, 'Birmingham, had decided to manufacture commercial models.
Constantly Increasing Activity.
The problem of placing on the market a suitable range of industrial motor vehicles was obviously one to which this company could bring not only sound mechanical knowledge but that invaluable asset, design instinct, which means so much in respect of actual production. During the past few years we have not failed to record from time to time, and as opportunity occurred, the appearance of the various models which this Birmingham house has placed upon the market, and we have looked forward for a considerable while to making an opportunity to visit the works at Small Heath, and there to acquaint our-. selves more intimately with the facilities existing there for the productions of its machines and also with the actual range of models now being handled.
That this works has a capacity to tackle the many varied problems in the commereial-motor industry is perhaps best evidenced by the fact that already such radically-different types have been produced, and indeed put into successful operation, as for instanco three-wheeled pareelcars, five-ton wagons, of both the bonneted and the overtype patterns, railcars, tip wagons, and electric trolleybuses. Those who know the different requirements of even these few distinct models will realize that this constructor brings to bear no amateur efforts in. respect of its designs.
One day last week our representative paid a visit to the works at Small Heath, and was there courteously roceived by Mr. F. Sadler of the sales department and Mr. F. G. Meadows, works manager, and in being conducted round the works, every facility was afforded for the procuring of suitable photographs with which to illustrate this article.
Established during the Commonwealth.
The original business of the company was established in what sounds almost a prehistoric year nowadays, namely 1650, and it is to be presumed that in those days the principal business of the establishment was the carrying out of general smithy work. Until the construction of motor vehicles of all kinds was undertaken, the Alldays concern was principally occupied in the construction of pneumatic hammers, smiths' bellows, forges, etc. Now, however, the motorvehicle business has grown to such an extent, that we find a fine modern factory separately established at Small Heath for this branch of the business. We are not concerned for the moment with an account of the pleasure-car activities of the company, but will proceed at once to make brief reference to the various distinct commercial-vehicle models.
A Comprehensive Range of Models.
On an average as many as 30 vehicles of the industrial type alone are being turned out by this concern each week, 20 of which consist of the wellknown " Midget " light delivery vans. The smallest, model manufactured at this factory is named the " Expressodel " No. 1 parc.elcar. This is a three-wheel machine, fitted with a 7-8 h.p. water-cooled engine, arid w,. Lunderstand that 100-150 miles can be covered in a da). by this handy little runabout. Next in size is the Alldays " Midget " or light delivery van, which should be a boon to all tradesmen and similar users. It is designed to carry a load of six cwt., and the engine which is fitted is also water-cooled. Then follows the 12 h.p. two-cylinder model, which has a load capacity of 10 cwt. Numerous machines of this class are bring used as G.P.O. express-delivery vans. The next model in size is of 14 h.p., built to accommodate 15-ewt loads. This is a most useful type for travellers' use, aid forcarrying millinery, confectionery and similar artie.es. Then there is the 20 h.p. one-ton delivery van, fitted with solid-rubber tires, and this class ef equipment can be constructed either on the bonneted or overtype principle to suit the customer's requirements. The sixth type to be turned out at the Matchless Works is a 25-30 h.p chassis, which is capable of handling useful loads of 40 cwt.. We saw some very fine examples of coachwork in course of construction for mounting upon this class of machine, both of the box-van and the canvas-top variety. A three-ton machine, fitted with a 40 h.p. engine, is also built. The largest industrial equipment turned out by the Alldays concern is the 40 h.p. model, which is catalogued as a five-tonner. One of our photographs shows a bay in the erecting shop where these substantial outfits are being put through. The machine
shown in the foreground is one of three which are booked for aBombay firm. This order was clinched in spite of much competition on the part of various agents. Before going round the works, we were glad to carry out a detailed inspection of these five-ton models, and could see that. they are certainly built to withstand the hard wear of Colonial use.
The Progressive Stages.
Having acquainted our readers with the range of models put through, we will now detail the impressions which were gained while we were conducted round the works. We first visited the rough stores, where castings are received from the foundry, situated at the company's Great Western works near by. The castings for the various models are stored in bins which are grouped according to each type of machine going through, and each group is given a works index number. The machine shops are particularly well equipped, and about 300 tools of various kinds are in constant use. As far as possible, the machines are laid out in such order that there is the least possible delay in transferring the component parts from the site of one operation to another. We noticed several up-to-date machines for splining, broaching, gear-cutting, cam-forming, and cylindergrinding ; one of our illustrations !shows a Heald grinder at work.
The machinist, before commencing operations, is supplied with a docket, by means of which he draws the various castings from the rough stores ; the docket also has to be produced for obtaining the workingdrawing from the stores, so that there is no possibility of getting out a wrong print. Each machining process 15 viewed in the proper sequence which necessitates finishing the component part. that is taken to the view room in order to be examined. The different processes are also checked over together with what is termed a master card, so that there is no possibility of any tooling operation being omitted and haying to be found out by the fitter. Also, the fact that the operations on these master cards are first set out by the works foreman, ensures that no individual process can be performed out of order.
High Degrees of Accuracy and Finish Maintained.
As evidence of the high degree of accuracy which obtains in the machine shop and tool-room, all gauges are tested on a Newall limit-measuring machine before being given out. This delicate instrument is -kept under a glass case in the office of the works superintendent, and by it errors in measurement to so fine a degree as 100th part of a 1000th of an inch may be detected.
Before building up the various chassis, a working docket is issued to each fitter concerned. This docket enables the man to draw from the finished stores
built-up units such as the engines, gearboxes, changespeed-control mechanism, back axles, and frames, which go to make the completed machine. It might here be mentioned that, before any engine is taken to the stores, it has to undergo an exhaustive test.
From the erecting bay, the chassis have to pass through a three days' road trial, during which all necessary adjustments to conform to the working conditions of the vehicle and also to ensure economical fuel consumption are carried out. Upon a satisfactory report from the foreman of the department, the machines are delivered to the body-building section. In order to have a positive check upon all processes, from the handling of the smallest casting right through to the finished model, a schedule sheet for each batch of machines put through the works is kept under the direct supervision of the works manager, anti should a delay occur in the routine or sequence of operations in the producing of any one type of machine, he can, upon referring to the schedule sheet, see in an instant what particular department is holding back the output.
Only the Best Quality of Materials Used.
The raw materials used by the company are of the finest quality procurable, all the shafts and parts subjected to torsion being made out of nickel-chrome high-tensile steel. Case-hardening and grinding to suit 'different compositions of steel are carried out to a high degree of perfection. The company also possesses its own shot-blasting and polishing plant. As regards the body-building section, nothing but the best seasoned timber is utilized, and some of the bodies undergo 17 coats of painting and varnishing before completion.
Twice each month, a meeting of the officials of every department is held, presided over by Mr. Aildays hirn at which suggestions and general progress are discussed, the director, of course, holding the. casting vote, on any point raised.
From our own observations we could see that each vehicle turned out by the company is substantially built, and that its design is suited to the particular industrial purpose for which it is intended. The fact that tho company's output of Colonial models is
constantly increasing will prove these remarks from an Overseas point of view.•
Before leaving the Matchless Works,, we felt bound to express our admiration of the system which prevails throughout the establishment enabling so diversified a range of machines, from the handy little parcelcar up to the comprelien.sive five-tonner, to be manufactured, side by aide, as it were, without confusion being caused during their construction.