Specialized Shows
Page 61
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Hit B.I.F.
WHETHER or not Mr, J. I. Yates, chairman of the management cornmince of the hardware section of the 13ritish Industries Fair, was right in his statement to journalists, last Friday, that the Fair could be the most important in Europe, and in his forecast that it would increase in value to Brita industry, the reduced number of stands at Castle Bromwich this year provides evidence of the counter-attraction of more specialized exhibitions.
Moreover, it is freely admitted on many of the stands that the machines do not include a number of new models that are ready to be announced because it is thought it will be more appropriate to demonstrate them later at other exhibitions.
Some manufacturers, however, have obviously considered that a generalengineering fair gives the best opportonitv of displaying new products, and interest is not lacking. The Fair opened on April 23, and will continue until May 4.
A new universal joist, demonstrated by Garringtons. Ltd., has applications to a very wide variety of vehicles and machines, and is suitable for large-scale production. Developed by Garringtons to the design of the Ministry of Supply, it has constant-velocity characteristics and, because its contact surfaces have a large area in relation to the torque transmitted, it should have a long wearing life and be capable of operating with the minimum of lubrication. Ministry of Supply four-wheel-drive vehicles equipped with the joint have covered many hundreds of thousands of miles.
The drive is transmitted through three pairs of flat-faced swivel pads, freely mounted in semi-circular slots, and the joint is fully self-centring. The range of angularity is up to 38° and the lOss of torque capacity with art increase in the angularity is relatively small. For example, a 5-in, joint operating at zero angle can transmit 6,000 ft..-lb., and the torque is reduced to 2,700 ft.-lb. at 35°.
The joint will be marketed at a highly competitive price, and although offering the greatest advantage for driven wheels that arc also steered it is eminently suitable for the propeller shafts of conventional commercial vehicles and cars.
Originality of detailed design is also shown by Shelvoke and Drewry, Ltd.. who exhibit the prototype of a dieloading machine with a novel means for loading that has obviously other applications. The machine has a flat platform which is equipped with moving bolsters, actuated by chain and hydraulic motor. The heavy load is drawn onto the platform by means of a wire cable and is removed by the direct thrust of the bolsters.