Design and Simplicity. Have Retrogressed
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By R. T. Smith, M.I.A.E. (Pye Transport Group) S0 much-has already been said concerning the suggested co-operation between .operator, and manufacturer that it is difficult for me to add much that is hew. However, what I write may emphasize my view that the idea is a sound one, but as to how it can best be formulated is a matter for further consideration. There appears to be no question but that there is a great shortcoming in the industry. Many manufacturers do not know what we, as engineers, require, and I am certain that all road-transport engineers . have had so much experience themselves in-this connection that any words of mine could do little to emphasize the ' need for improvement in this direction.
I am Convinced of the soundness of the suggestion, first put forward by the Editor of "The Comtnercial Motor," and later others, including Mr. C. Courtney-Cramp, for the inauguration of some operating engineering body to advise and assist the manufacturers, and I believe that they would welcome such help. There are so •thany types of user, all asking for something different, and the maker tries to give them what he thinks they require. His great difficulty is to ascertain what they really want.
Different types of vehicle are necessary for various purposes, and the questions of first cost, maintenance cost and economic running arise, but, in my opinion, far too , many models are produced, and, frankly, I do not see why their numbers should not be cut down. It is time that the manufacturers were given a very definite idea that we, as engineers who are responsible for the economic. operation of vehicles, demand that something,. be done to obtain a higher. degree of standardization.
It would be unwise here to go too fully into detail, hut, as a start, I might suggest cutting down the number of different types of road wheel, steering wheel, fuel tank, . brake drum, lamp, certainly nuts and bolts, and even radiators. I could mention a dozen 'more such items which could well be standardized 'and thus avoid a terrific waste of material, labour, energy and thought.
Once a start be made, the rationalization of units and other parts would follow, and this without, I venture to say, in any way removing the individuality of design or that competition which is recognized to be essential.
Personally, I think design andsimplicity have gone back
ward instead of forward. As a practical operator, I contend' that the vehicle of to-day is nothing like so " getat-able " as 'were those in the early days. We are getting greater complication, and it is becoming almost impossible to obtain access to certain parts, even to lubricate them,
to say nothing of carrying out a repair. Take as an example the original A.E.C.B" type bus of over 25 years ago. In this there was not a unit which could not be changed in under 90 minutes, and I believe that this model was as reliable as the present machine. The excuse often'offered, that there is no need to ma.ke Parts so easily accessible because of their extreme reliability, is so much nonsense.
It is my opinion, therefore, that we must develop some means for pressing home the urgent need for standardization, simplicity of design and fewer models.
There have been suggestions 'that the smaller operator would not be prepared to accept certain models desightd to meet the requirements of, say, a panel of road-transport engineers.' 1 contend, however, that this man would be the person to benefit most, because he would obtain a e machine much more simple to maintain an& possibly, cheaper. Whether the efforts we are now making will cause some crganization already in existence to get busy—perhaps strengthened by a better representation of transport engineers—or whether it will be better to inaugurate some new body, such as that to which I have already referred. is a matter which should receive censideration at the conclusion of this series of articles ; but whatever be decided, I have one hope—that the subject will not be allowed to
drop. -