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Passing Comments

6th April 1940, Page 22
6th April 1940
Page 22
Page 23
Page 22, 6th April 1940 — Passing Comments
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Reslzing Pistons L`CONOMY is, or should be, Instead of Scrapping " the order of the day. This Them applies particularly to articles which, owing to shortage of materials or restriction on their use, may be difficult to obtain. Light-metal pistons are a good example. In this connection, Wellworthy Piston Rings, Ltd., of Lymington, has secured the rights for this country for a process known as "Koetherizing," which is widely used in America for resizing pistons; in fact, hundreds of sets have already been saved from the • scrap heap. It consists of subjecting chosen portions of the inside of the piston skirt to the peening effect of a controlled shot blast. This causes a slight increase of diameter, not only restoring the piston to its original dimensions, but rendering the surface denser. In fact, the work-hardening effect should definitely increase the fatigue strength. Incidentally, the service costs a fraction of that of new pistons, and is conducted on a four-hour basis. • Helping Those WantESIGNERS and mann ing Parts of Cast facturers of industrial and Iron other plant and equipment are finding themselves handicapped by shortage of, or delay in obtaining, certain ferrous and non-ferrous metals. To assist them, the ironfounding industry has organized itself by forming the Ironfounders' National Committee, Orchard House, Orchard Street, London, W.1. During the past 20 years much work hats been done to increase our knowledge of the range of materials known as cast irons, and many varieties have properties not generally associated with such materials. Almost

any metallurgical structure required can be obtained in a wide range of strengths, and B.S.I. specifications are available to users, particular examples being 321 and 786 of 1938. The industry has made great strides in continuous-production methods and in the precision of form and soundness of the products, whilst a variety of finishing processes is available. It is advantageous if inquirers can send prints of parts, with full details of the materials hitherto employed, service conditions, etc., also stating whether design in the alternative material must be a copy of the existing part, or whether a measure of redesign is permissible.

THE 25,000 employees of the Austin Motor Co., Ltd., have just been notified of the company's scheme for the purchase of National Savings Certificates, including the issue of 800 free certificates to be distributed by ballot amongst those who joined by April 2. The scheme is based on deductions from wages covering 30 weeks, and as many certificates as are required can be purchased immediately on the basis of 6d. per week deduction for each. Five hundred of the free certificates will go to employees in the motor works; the others to those at the shadow factory operated on behalf of the Air Ministry. The company is to purchase immediately certificates to cover the applications received, so That employees will benefit by the interest accruing from the date of purchase. This is a sound scheme and one which will undoubtedly be adopted by many concerns.

Austin Adopts Special Scheme for Savings Certificates . . . . ARPing and Carping THE ambulance officer of a When Experts Meet country town complains to Ignorance us that he is constantly handi capped by ignorant officialdom. The U.D.C., being empowered by the Home Office to spend £50 on an improvised ambulance, bought a 1930 chassis and sent it, without taking his advice in the matter, to be fitted with a " suitable" body. When the finished article was proudly handed over to him he was accused of "making difficulties" because he pointed out that it would not go because the "works" were clogged with grit (a handful was eventually extracted) ; exhaust fumes choked anyone riding inside; the exterior was painted a dirty grey, quite invisible in the black-out, and the interior was bare plywood ; it was scheduled to hold four cases, the driver and one attendant, but with three aboard the body rested on the tyres; the near-side back tyre was worn down to the canvas; finally, the toolbox was empty and there was not even a jack. Compensating f o r THE maintenance of the Siakage on German I German motor roads is a Motor Roads matter of interest at the moment. In the concrete type, where settlement has taken place near bridge abutments, a temporary surfacing of stone setts is provided. If sinkage continues, the setts are relaid about 0.4 in. lower than the adjacent concrete slabs, the level being rectified by a carpet of bitumencoated chippings. A similar surfacing is used to correct any settlement in the adjacent concrete, the slabs being raised to their original level only when settlement -is complete. Removal of the temporary surfacing is facilitated by placing on the concrete a thin intermediate layer of building paper with the upper surfac.e coated with bitumen. Filling

material under slabs consolidated with hand rarnmers and thin iron rods, the filling being completed by introducing sand by means of compressed air through holes bored in the slabs.


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