I.R.T.E. Visits Thornycroft Works N EARLY 40 members of the Institute
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of Road Transport Engineers visited the Basingstoke Works of Transport Equipment (Thornycroft), Ltd., on June 15.
Their appetites had been whetted by a pleasing gesture made by the company. This was to send every potential visitor a brochure, specially printed, for the occasion, with the name of the Institute on the front and a map showing the location of the works, whilst inside were a programme, details of the works and other items of interest including a plan of the inspection route, a list of engines and chassis in production or projected, and illustrations of recent deliveries.
Much of the morning was occupied in making the tour, but after luncheon those who wished to stay could ask questions and see any particular items which interested them, Lunch was presided over by Mr. R. F. Newman, a director, accompanied by Mr. Roger Thornycroft, also a director, and Mr. G. B. Small, publicity manager.
The president of I.R.T.E. had visited the works on several occasions, and he was not surprised to overhear remarks from other members as to the splendid equipment in the shops, and the obvious attention paid to the most upto-date machines, measuring instruments, and various devices to improve and expedite production, but it would require several days of close inspection to discover all the items of interest.
For instance, there is the Herbert Preoptive capstan lathe, which speeds up the cut as the diameter of the material decreases: This process can he adjusted as required. Then there is the equipment for coating gears and other parts with hot dip plastic.
It is known as the Gloscoat process, produced by Glostics, Ltd., of Gloucester, and distributed in the United Kingdom by J. M. Steel and Co., Ltd., 36, Kingsway, London, W.C.2. On cooling, which is rapid, the article concerned is covered with a tough coating which protects it, not only from corrosion, but from being bruised during movement in the shop or in the stores. The coat can be cut and stripped Off clean in a moment. It is then remelted for further use.
The visitors were also impressed by a Herbert Ca.rbicut lathe which treats 65-ton steel almost as if it were butter, and this without any lubricant or coolant. One of the secrets of the successful use of this machine is to break off the swarf into short lengths.
Great attention to detail was found in the boring of crankcases for the strip bearings. The tolerances are 0.0004 in. on each diameter and 0.001 in, • on the whole length of 40 ins. The bearings themselves are, of course, inserted without boring. To prevent any whipping of the bar as the result • of its own weight, the crankcase is held in a jig and bored vertically.
Every chassis is now sprayed with aluminium paint, but even here, thought is displayed, because after spraying, it passes complete into a large drying oven with the temperature carefully controlled to avoid heat which might damage the more vulnerable parts. Not only does this heating speed up the process, but it also completely dries out all the electrical gear. One man can do all the spraying for a large output. Were it not for the oven, several would have to be employed.
No time is wasted with cylinder castings having faulty measurements. Each block goes into a special jig in which are datum holes and plungers, and if it does not register it is rejected before any Useful work on it is carried out. Incidentally, the cylinders are bored and honed before the liners are inserted. These liners are carefully ground, and to achieve this rapidly they are carried on a two-line rest and the face of the wheel is so trimmed that they automatically feed themselves through, the rotation being effected by the grinding wheel. Of course, a constant check is kept upon their diameter.
Many members congregated around the famous petrol-injection engine, the basis of which is a Thornycroft oil engine. The petrol is injected immediately above the inlet valve so that it rushes in with the air stream, and ordinary sparking plugs, deeply recessed into pockets, are employed. This engine provides a means for concentrating greatly increased power into a limited space. It also appeals to those who may prefer a petrol unit of great efficiency.
These are merely personal observations on a visit which all enjoyed, and probably other members saw many further points worthy of note.