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A Test Match in Miniature
I N a calendar that contains many official functions, it is not easyto ensure the spontaneous enjoyment of members of a trade association on social occasions. One such body, the important National Association of Furniture Warehousemen and Removers, proved that they at least had solved the entertainment problem, when the East Midland area played hosts recently, to their West Midland colleagues, at Overstone Solarium, near Northampton.
Their solution was an entirely British one—a country house and parkland as setting, an excellent lunch and tea, armchairs in the shade for members' wives, and a cricket match such as will never be seen at Lord's with the umpire unanimously elected on the qualification of not being at all conversant with the rules. The result was a crushing victory for both teams, the scorers amicably agreeing to differ.
The afternoon was a refreshing example of how to perform one of the functions of a trade association— that of promoting the welfare of members—and of doing it as cheerfully as possible.
The Old Helps the New
WHO would think that even a well-known concern TT m our industry would have much to do with a radio telescope? Yet in connection with this form of equipment at the Jodrell Bank Experimental Station near Macclesfield, Cheshire, Kirkstall Forge Engineering, Ltd., of Leeds, have played quite an important part by supplying two devices for applying the braking effect on the reflector assembly. To meet the requirements, two pairs of-heavy-duty axles of the type they produce for large road vehicles are employed.
Each pair has four Dunlop-tyred wheels which make contact with a steel-plate track on the outside of the reflector bowl. Thus, by applying the wheel brakes by remote control, the wind power on the reflector can be precisely countered. A jacking system brings the wheels into contact with the track and the axles, of course, remain static, while "the road" moves.
The mounted axles can be likened to an overturned lorry with its wheels in the air. The control A30
cabin of the telescope is freely suspended from the reflector structure so that it should always hang vertically, but it is also subject to movement caused • by wind and, to obviate any swinging tendency, a _ Kirkstall Forge brake is embodied in the suspension mechanism and is controlled from the cabin. It is of interest to reflect that this most modern conception has been aided by a concern which was founded about 700 years ago.
The " telescope " will scan the heavens for sound, as provided by radio waves from stars and other bodies, some of which may have ceased to exist as such, possibly thousands of years ago. It may also be able to follow the movements of any man-made " planets."
Perkins Pump Overhauls
J\ LL fuel-injection equipment fitted to Perkins " Perpetuity reconditioned engines is completely overhauled in a special department set aside for the purpose, at the makers' Eastfield factory.
For testing fuel pumps and their components, there are 10 U-type Hartridge machines, pressure spill phasing machines, others for testing elements, highpressure-testing equipment and a delivery-valve testing unit. Reconditioned pumps are expected to give trouble-free operation for over 100,000 miles, and carry the same guarantee as new units. The company are generally able to give a 24-hour service under the Perpetuity scheme for any item of injection equipment ever used on their engines, whilst for engines produced in the post-war period even speedier service is usual.
Reconditioning of injection pumps is carried out in stages by specialists, and it is interesting to note that at least 75 per cent. of the operators on the injectorreconditioning section are registered disabled people. The present output of the section is 400 atomizers per shift.
An entirely separate section of the same department covers the inspection and sub-assembly of all new injection equipment used on Perkins engines. About 300 pumps, 1,500-1,800 injectors and their auxiliary equipment pass through this section each day.
Archer and Starter
INTERESTING demonstrations of the Simms • Tensec hand starter for oil engines, such as those on agricultural tractors not fitted with electrical equipment, were held at the Royal Show on the company's stand.
On two days Christine Archer, of the well-known Archer " family " of broadcasting, using this interesting device started two engines in succession after a dozen or so turns of the starter handle. Hundreds of witnesses, including a representative of The Commercial Motor saw that this task obviously required efforts well within her capability.
The starter is completely enclosed, is compact, and the multiplication gearing for speeding up the rotor is of such sound construction that it should last for many years. It will have a particularly important application abroad, especially where wages are low, for in cases of electrical equipment being used, there have been many thefts of batteries—these being in great demand for small lighting sets installed in their huts by those who appreciate this blessing of civilization.
Unbreakable Breaker Strip
TROUGHS of broken glass, upright axe heads and even rifle bullets which rapidly deflated normal tyres on heavy vehicles, were shown last week, in a film, to have no effect upon the new U.S. Royal Fleetway tyres.
The secret lies in a special breaker strip introduced between the rubber tread and the rayon carcass. It consists of 40,000 twisted strands of high-tensile-steel wire in two crossing layers bound by tough rubber. This strip lies parallel with the tread and is claimed to make the tyre run 20-30 degrees F. cooler and, provided that the rayon casing is undamaged, any remoulder can recondition these tyres without difficulty.
As the wire shield forms an essential part of the tread, it is not subject to inflation stresses, and as it obviates ruptures, serious cuts and groove cracking it should give great operating economy and length of service.
This product is offered in sizes ranging from 7.00-20 to 11.00-20. In the 9.00-20, 14-ply tyre the additional weight is about 4 lb.