Quality and choice from the Powerhouse

13th September 1968, Page 71

13th September 1968

Page 71

Page 71, 13th September 1968 — Quality and choice from the Powerhouse

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Ford engines are built with the high consistency of precision that only Ford's unassailable technical skill and techniques can provide.

Unique facilities provide the finest and most comprehensive engine range

Ford's new Dagenham engine plant went into operation a little over three years ago. It is the largest and most advanced engine production unit in Europe, and it called for an additional investment of .E.20 It is a vast complex, occupying 44 acres of factory area—larger than the entire pre-war Ford works. It produces the wide range of Ford commercial vehicle and passenger car engines.

Automatic equipment worth £13 million

The new manufacturing equipment alone cost over £13 million-0 million of which was accounted for by the transfer line machining the new 'V' engine blocks. This system contains twenty-two separate transfer machines, all inter-linked by automated handling equipment. 200 operations are carried out at the touch of a button, and the entire line is operated by only 15 men. Quality of an extremely high standard is maintained automatically, and any possibility of human error is removed. There are 12 transfer lines in all, producing blocks and heads: they consist of a number of separate machines performing different operations, linked by conveyor. Components move automat ically from one machine to the next.

3-mile assembly line

When machining is complete, the light van and Transit engine assemblies are built up on mobile work benches which stretch for three miles through the plant. The 'power and free' conveyor system contains 1,800 limit switches, 16 miles of wiring, 34 main drive units and'can carry 1,120 engines simultaneously.

Highest precision, highest quality

The commercial vehicle diesel en gines, because of their size, complexity and variety, are assembled on fiat conveyors, under the same rigid controls. In the earliest stages of engine manufacture, iron specimens are analysed to one fifteen-thousandth of an ounce— less than the weight of a pin head. Tolerances of three-ten-thousandths of an inch are maintained on critical engine parts such as piston pins, connecting rods, etc. Master gauges check accuracy, eliminating chance of human error. Other gauges check the accuracy of the gauges themselves: measuring equipment capable of recording in micro-inches (millionths of an inch). Then, upon completion of assembly, every diesel engine is tested for 45 minutes under simulated working conditions. The Ford engine you buy is quality designed, expertly built and thoroughly tested.

By controlling the complete manufacture of the engine in this way, Ford makes certain that its engines are quality built through and through. Built to last. To do your job better.