Alloy Body Construction Stage by Stage QYSTEM AT1CAL LY illustrating
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and ■ ...) describing every stage in the construction of a light-alloy bus body, the July "Development Bulletin" of Aluminium Laboratories, Ltd., is a publication of the utmost value. Labelled photographs illustrate the complete cycle of operations, from the fabrication of components to the assembly and finishing of the vehicle as carried out by King and Taylor, Ltd., Godalming.
The design of the full-fronted 38seat single-deck body, mounted on a Foden chassis. was prepared by Aluminium Laboratories, Ltd., and was made as straightforward as possible to suit the resources and facilities of a small coachbuilder. It is to this class of manufacturer that the booklet is of
the greatest value, for it serves as a complete guide in the production of lightalloy bodies.
Not only are stages in production illustrated, but the assembly scheme is shown in chart form, and the specification and dimensions of the sections and panels used are given together with the quantity of material required. The materials have been selected to suit the stresses of their particular position in the body, but the numbers of sections and sheet thicknesses used have been kept to a minimum.
The booklet lists the suppliers of all components from rivets to seat frames and gives the chemical composition and mechanical properties of the materials used, as well as drawings of the sections.
Further instruction for the bodybuilder wishing to manufacture lightalloy bodies especially for shipment in the knocked-down condition is provided in a booklet issued by Metal Sections, Ltd., Oldbury, Birmingham. Entitled "A Bus in a Box," the publication describes the various materials produced by the constituent companies of Tube Investments, Ltd., and emphasizes the possibilities of prefabricating bodywork.
Typical examples of bodywork incorporating framing by Metal Sections, Ltd,, seating by Accles and Pollock, Ltd., and panelling and extrusions by T.I. Aluminium, Ltd., are illustrated. Photographs also show a 33-seater bus packed in two boxes requiring only 175 cubic ft. stowage space.