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What the I.A.E.
Page 80
Page 81
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Stands For
Technical Information, Research, and Repair Certificate Scheme Amongst the Services Afforded to Members and Affiliated Concerns of the Institution of Automobile Engineers
By A. J. HANCOCK
President of the Institution of Automobile Engineers IHAVE been asked to answer the pertinent question, "How does the I.A.E. help the commercial-vehicle industry?" and I am pleased to avail myself of the opportunity offered by the Editor of dealing with the matter in this Special Show Issue of The Comm,erciett Motor. The general activities and outline history of the Institution of Automobile Engineers, and its influence as a professional engineering body, must be well known to all senior executives in the industry and to a number of their engineering staffs, but some readers may not be aware that the I.A.E. will, next year, complete its 30th session, having been incorporated in 1906 under the founder-presidency of Col. R. E. Crompton. Its membership roll has persistently increased, in spite of a regular stiffening up of the conditions of membership, and the total has now reached a figure that automatically establishes the Institution as a representative power whose official opinion carries weight.
D22
The I.A.E. Proceedings, which contain, to date, over 460 technical papers, and the public discussions on them, are an index of the progress that has taken place in the many technical aspects of the design and manufacture of motor vehicles. The Proceedings are a permanent record of the vitality that has always been evidenced by the I.A.E. council in its task of keeping members in close touch (as the Articles have it) " with the progress of engineering science as applied to mechanical locomotion."
I have sometimes heard comments on the following lines :—" There can be no doubt that the I.A.E. fulfils a definite purpose for the private-car industry, but does it vitally, cater for the commercial-vehicle man and his problems? " This is an excellent leading question and I will deal with it by enumerating and commenting upon some of the activities of the Institution that,lo my mind, answer this query most conclusively. In addition to personal members, associate members, graduates, etc., an innovation was introduced some four years ago under which British manufacturers of vehicles or components, and operators, became eligible for membership as affiliated manufacturers or affiliated operators. This procedure has been arranged so that such concerns may receive the confidential reports and technical services issued by the Research and Standardization Committee. There are thus two considerations to be taken into account in answering our leading question ; namely, the value of the I.A.E. to the private individual engaged in the commercial-vehicle industry and to the affiliated manufacturers or operators. Quite apart from these aspects, there is the I.A.E. repair certificate scheme, which will, in a few years' time, I am confident, have created an indelible effect for good.
First, let the case of the personal member be considered. Throughout the years since 1906, the fundamental groundwork of the Institution's activities has been, and still is, the organizing of discussions on topics of vital interest to automobile engineers, and the publication of technical literature to keep members in touCh with developments in the industry. The efficiency of this procedure as an educational method is demonstrated by the fact that it has stood the test of time with the most senior professional societies and institutions throughout the world. The reason for this is, of course, that hearing an eminent man lecture upon. a subject and having the subsequent opportunity of asking him questions, makes a much greater impression on the average mind than does any amount of textbook reading.
50 Papers of Commercial-motor Interest.
Such being admitted, the obvious question that follows is " What proportion of the papers read is of interest to the commercial-vehicle man? " The consolidated index to I.A.E. Proceedings shows that of our 460 papers read to date, 50 of them have dealt with commercial or public-service vehicle topics, -whilst the subjects dealt with by a number of the remainder have been of a general automobile-engineering character and thus could be claimed to be of value to the commercial and private-vehicle man alike.
The development of the high-speed oil engine has been watched most keenly during recent years by all engineers, and this subject has been dealt with in no fewer than 19 LA.E. papers since 1928.
Members cannot travel tong distances to evening meetings, and for this reason the council has authorized the establishment in Great Britain, outside London, of eight local senior centres and seven graduate branches, as well as two overseas centres in New Zealand and Australia respectively. This method ensures that a large proportion of the membership is "in touch" with Institution activities. The remainder of the membership has to be content with I.A.E. technical literature, but this can be claimed to be generous in its quantity. There are 10 issues of the Journal per a/MUM, which, besides advance copies of the papers to be read at meetings, include an abstract for the month of the technical literature of the world, a correspondence section and reviews of new technical books. At the completion of the 'session, a bound volume of Proceedings is issued to members, which incorporates the complete discussions on the various papers read at all the meetings.
It can be claimed by the council, therefore, that every effort is made to keep the personal member fully acquainted With latest engineering, practice in the industry. The argurnetitts s'trengtheiaed at this stage by the following list of subjects Of papers that appearin
the programme for 1935-36, all of which are of direct interest to the commercial-vehicle engineer :—Automobile foundry work ; ball and roller bearings; carburetter and carburation ; crankshaft design ; cylinder material and finish from the user's point of view, as distinct from that of casting manufacturers ; Experimental bench testing of petrol engines; inspection; lubrication ; needle-roller bearings; rotary valves; symposium on the railcar ; undue cylinder wear in internal-combustion and steam engines ; white-metal and bronze bearings.
In addition to receiving Proceedings, such services as a library, data sheets, statistical information regarding the industry, advice on training for junior members and an appointments bureau are available to members, in addition to such "social" events as visits to works, centre dinners, etc.
Important Research Work.
I wish now to refer to the research work that is being sponsored by the Institution. The I.A.E. research and standardization committee was established some four years ago, with a view to initiating research of a cooperative nature for the good of British makers and operators who would support its work financially. From the outset, enthusiastic co-operation has been forthcoming both from the Government, through the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. In 1931, comparatively few concerns became affiliated manufacturer members, in order to receive the confidential research reports, but in 1935 there are some 144 affiliated manufacturers and 20 affiliated operators. This fact demonstrates conclusively that the work is deemed to be of importance and well carried out. Eighteen British commercial-vehicle and engine makers have affiliated (a high proportion of the available number), and a number of suppliers of components to the " heavy " side of the industry.
Such fundamental researches are being undertaken as :—Causes of cylinder wear, valve-seat wear, brake facings and brake squeak, big-end bearings, causes of excessive oil consumption, mixture distribution, road impact between wheel and road, piston temperatures, cast materials for crankshafts, and problems associated with deep-drawing qualities of steels.
These matters cannot be said to refer more to one section of the industry than to another and, without fear of contradiction, it can be claimed that work of outstanding importance has already been accomplished.
The Repair Certificate Scheme.
The I.A.E. repair certificate scheme is, first, intended to provide repair mechanics with a qualification as an incentive to learn more about their daily jobs and thus to become more proficient, and, secondly, as a safeguard to the motoring community, in providing that sound workmen shall be instantly recognized by the distinctive badges that they wear. Naturally, wholehearted support has been forthcoming from the manufacturers, the bodies representing the private motorist and the educational authorities. A number of mechanics has already been test6c1 and has received certificates and badges, arid now time alone is necessary in order that a sufficient number of repair badges may be seen up and down the country to make the scheme of universal value.
In these days of compulsory inspection of commercial vehicles, it is necessary only for an astute executive to be given a hint as to how his difficulties of obtaining a renewal of his licences may be decreased and he will be "on it." I have utmost confidence in recommending this scheme to the commercial-vehicle engineer.