PROGRESS OF RESEARCH ON MOTOR MATTERS.
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The Lines of Investigation Being Pursued on Behalf of the Motor Industry by the Motor Research Association.
THE RESEARCH Association of British Motor . and Allied Manufacturers has now completed
• its third year of operations, and has issued its third annual report. Belonging to the Association as members are the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd. ; Arrol-Johnston, Ltd. ; Associated Equipment Co., Ltd.; Crossley Motors, Ltd. ; the Daimler Co., Ltd. ; Halley's Industrial Motors, Ltd. ; Humber, Ltd. ; Karrier Motors, Ltd. ; the Rover Co., Ltd. ; Standard Motor Ltd. ; John
I. Thornyeroft.and Co., Ltd. ; Vauxhall Co.,otors, Ltd. ; Wolseley Motors, Ltd. ; whilst the associate members are the Clyde Alloy Steel Co., Ltd. ; Thos. Firth and Sons, Ltd: • Wm. Griffith and Sons, Ltd. ; Hadfields, Ltd. ; H. M. Hobson, Ltd. • Vickers, Ltd. The president of the Association and chairman Of the council is Mr. H. C. B. Underdown, whilst the other members of the council are Mr. A. E. Berriman, Lt.-Col. J. A. Cele, Mr. H. M. Hobson, Sir William Letts, Mr. Arthur J. McCormack, Mr. R. W. Maudslay, Mr. J. W. Mills, Dr, T. Blackwood Murray. Mr. T. C. Pullinger, Mr. T. Thornycroft, Mr. L. Walton, and Mr. S. 'Whyte, the head of the staff and director of research -being Mr. H. S. Rowell, O.B.E.
Although the Association has been in existence three years, the year ended March 31st, 1923, represents but the second full year of its active existence,
much of the time having been expended in improving the equipment and organization, and in initiating various investigations which will necessarily extend over some time. It is considered that the year now entered upon will he still more favourable for, the prosecution of the work for which the Association exists. Much useful apparatus is now available, and the staff is able to grasp more fully the problems and .needs of members, whilst members themselves are cooperating, in some cases, in a very gratifying manner. The research-work on suspension has been greatly advanced, the principles having been set out in a very complete form, and work being put in hand to make clew, the relative importance and applications of the principles. A.pa,per on the subject has been read by the director before the Institution of Automobile Engineers, and a further report on friction in _ laminated springs has been issued to members.
Research on carburation is now progressing, a report of much interest having been recently issued. Some of the leading snring-ntraifacturing ciWe'llis are included amongst the associate members, and a sub-committee of spring makers has been formed which is prosecuting research of interest and value to the spring trade and also the motor-vehicle manufacturers.
In addition to the larger subjects upon which the main efforts and energies have been concentrated, a number of less onerous investigations has been carried out. Confirmation has been found for the work on gearbox noise conducted more than two years ago. Other work which has been conducted has dealt with the effect of varying intake, air temperature on engine performance ; the balancing of engines; aluminium pistons ; the silencing of engines and the testing of silencers ; engine lubrication; gearbox efficiency ; cast-iron cylinders research ; corrosien of aluminium alloys ; connecting rods, etc., etc.
A very important side of the work of the Association is the issue and distribution of important abstracts of papers in the technical and scientific journals. Co-operative research was instituted by the Association in conjunction with other Research Associations, matters thus coming up for investigation including die-'castings, hood materials, etc.
The Association is in a sound financial position, and during the year £5,000 has been invested in the 5 per cent. War Loan. It is of great use to members by giving special technical advice and information, and, of course, the advantages of these services are reciprocal and manifold. Where possible, the services of the National Physical Laboratory are utilized, 'becauge of the existence there of expensive apparatus: specialized skill, and ample experience. Co-operation 'between manufacturers and the Association in research must be of extreme value to the in-. dustry and to those who purchase its products, one of the advantages of a co-operative research association lying,in its continuity of work and in the impersonal attitude adopted towards all questions.
It is very significant that only 13 concerns in the motor trade should be giving their support to the Association. One would have expected greater cooperation in the industry, for the purpose of meeting the competition of foreign manufacturers. There is unquestionably much good to be effected by an interchange of ideas and knowledge.