The Iron Age 1938-03-24: Vol 141 Iss 12

gents, Closes nstru- for Crosse bourn com- tures, for ason, Los ding, unit, ment asks jump sion, uild- for and arch ders able nica Buffalo No. Horizontal Bending showing phantom view under- installation driving unit. highly- satisfactory and space saving arrangement. q q 7 q The photograph shows, more clearly than words, the shining smooth finish ELEPHANT BRAND PHOSPHOR BRONZE BUSHING bitten, two-fisted metal but save you the time, trouble and waste attendant upon ma- chining from scaly And, save tool upkeep, Twelve-inch bars come chined with 14.” plus There's plenty stock for machining, yet superfluous metal. Stock and price lists standard sizes yours upon request. obligation. 2—THE IRON AGE, March 24, 1938 = —_>-~<> NOLIN 4 4 ‘ is THE PHOSPHOR BRONZE SMELTING COMPANY THE IRON AGE, every Thursday the CHILTON CO. Office, Chestnut 56th Sts., Philadelphia, Editorial and Executive Offices, 239 39th St., New York, Act March 1879. Entered second class matter November 1932, the Post Office Philadelphia $6.00 year S., Canada $8.50, Foreign $12.00. Vol. 141, No. 12. | | | | | $17 it PHO FRITZ FRANK President J. H. VAN DEVENTER Editor Cc. E.WRIGHT J. A. ROWAN A. I, FINDLEY Managing Editor News Editor Editor Emeritus Machinery Editor Art Editor Metallurgical Editor Associate Editors JURASCHEK Consulting Editor RICCIARDI Washington Editor Resident District Editors Pittsburgh Chicago Cleveland Detroit Editorial Correspondents London, England Boston Hamburg, Germany Milwaukee San SANDERSON ASA ROUNTREE, JR. Toronto, Ontario Birmingham ALLISON Roy EDMONDS Newark, N. J. St. Louis TURNER Buffalo Owned and Published CHILTON COMPANY (Incorporated) Publication Office Chestnut and 56th Sts., Philadelphia, Pa. Editorial and Executive Offices 239 West 39th St., New York, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS MUSSELMAN, President FRITZ FRANK, Vice-President FREDERIO C. STEVENS, Vice-President JOSEPH HILDRETH, GEORGE GRIFFITHS, TERHUNE, WILLIAM BARBER, Treasurer JOHN BLAIR MOFFETT, Secretary JOHN VAN DEVENTER JULIAN CHASE THOMAS L. KAND CHARLES BAUR CARROLL BUZBY FAHRENDORF BAUR, General Advertising Manager DIX, Manager Reader Service Member, Audit Bureau Circulations Member, Associated Business Papers Indexed the Industrial Arts Index. Published every Thursday. Subscrip- tion Price: United States and Pos- sessions, Mexico, Cuba, $6.00; Can- ada, $8.50; Foreign, $12.00 year. Single copy, cents. ADVERTISING STAFF Emerson Findley, 621 Union Bldg., Cleveland Herman, Chilton Bldg., Chestnut 56th Sts., Philadelphia, Pa. Leonard, 239 39th New York Peirce Lewis, 7310 Woodward Ave., Detroit Ober, 239 39th St., New York W. B. Rebinson, 428 Park Bidg., Pittsburgh D. C. Warren, P. O. Box 81, Hartford, Conn. RON MARCH 24, United Front for America New Assembly Line Cast Composite Steel Operations Packard Steering Gear Cases Developments Presses Using Trucks Strip Handling Details Latest Steel House Blaw-Knox Granite City's New Strip Welder Automotive Industry Washington News NEWS CONTENTS Statistics Metal Working Activity Plant Expansion and Equipment Buying Products Advertised Index Advertisers Copyright 1938 Chilton Company — | | Vall ‘ ds] | val Pi) 1 | ~ | orial ndet Double defense against rust for less than per cent extra cost Beth-Cu-Loy galvanized steel sheets durable zinc coating backed rust- resisting, copper-bearing steel. According tests the American Soci- ety for Testing Materials, steel the com- position used Beth-Cu-Loy lasts about three times long ordinary steel, and twice long open-hearth iron, when exposed the weather. This means that even the protective coating gets damaged rust definitely retarded when Beth-Cu- Loy Sheets are used. This rust-resistance the steel base particular importance locations where sulphur-laden smoke creates extreme condi- tions atmospheric corrosion. The slight additional cost the sheets negligible the total cost the job. 28—THE IRON AGE, March 24, 1938 MARCH 24, 1938 ESTABLISHED 1855 Vol. 141, No. United Front for America JOHN VAN DEVENTER Editor, The Age ° ° accompanying article based upon address made Mr. Van Deventer before the Rochester, Y., Industrial Management Council March and also before the Eastern New York Association Purchasing Agents March 24. deals with the steps which the author believes management must take counteract the "slow which spreading American industry and deal with its basic psychological cause which fear displacement through technological improvement. borrowing expression—a united front—from our left wing brethren, who are such apt phrase makers. not know anything that need more America today than united front. But not the kind which being imported from Europe. Over there, the united front for political action. have not had such thing here yet unless you can call the 46-state-Roosevelt land- slide 1936 that name. That, true, was expression mass dissatisfaction and the expression hope see ourselves legislated back state prosperity. How futile expect secure this political action have since learned unfor- tunate experience. The united front that going talk you about tonight different kind one. There employers, workers, investors and con- sumers common ground and for Iron Ace, Jan. 27, page 22. ° common purpose. The purpose making business better and then keeping good. When, January this year, launched this thought embryo be- fore the S.A.E. Dayton, Ohio,* said that employers and employees especially would well throw aside their non-essential differences and unite common ground for this mutually beneficial purpose making business good. illustrate what might done calling atten- tion what had not been done, propounded two series questions: one addressed labor and the other employers labor. labor, and particularly organized labor which articulate and influen- tial, asked why had not expressed itself regarding the corporate surplus tax act, since that act was held, outstanding deterrent business. and employment. That question was | | 4 | the American Labor, which, you know, February went record for the repeal the act. labor has already taken the first step toward the united front the common swered employers also put this ques- tion: What have you done point the practical solution the un- employment problem throw light upon the problem technological dis- placement, That question, course, could not promptly answered, but an- either the basic framework democracy the fundamental eco- nomic belief the virtue effort and efficiency. 30—THE IRON AGE, March 24, 1938 Tonight want pursue this ques- tion with you further, for mind the most important one that the management industry has before it. It’s far more important than the question how make profit. And not answered, there will profits. The American Slow Down Ever since the beginning our machine age, American industry has formula prosperity through ciency gains—more power, better ma- chinery, greater output per man hour, higher wages, lower prices. Every successful concern which has catered broad public demand has conscious- unconsciously followed that for- mula. Its application, America than any other land, has been responsible for placing enviable position among nations. forces which are working unison, but not combination. this movement has not attained front. hesitant hovering between phy scarcity and philosophy plenty. Part due the com- munist’s program wreck power our labor unions with their oO! over the plow handles there will turning back. 4 4 A ay fk or- has bo- on, his ted eir akes tion. Part it, and quite large part, too, due the mistakes and short-sightedness management. far the larger part, however, due the worker chology engendered the thought the ten million unemployed and the fear joining their ranks. psychology? The worker entitled his bogeyman well his employer. The employer’s nightmare pictures President who out away with profits. The nightmare pictures machine that out de- prive him job. Silly? Probably both cases. But remember, the important thing not whether not such beliefs are founded fact fancy. The im- portant thing that they exist. That this fear the machine exists the minds many our workers evidenced the “slow down” improved machines that occurring country. does not apply old machines much new ones. Here how works. inventor tool designer devises some improve- ment existing machine that will increase its productivity say per cent over those now use. The machinery builder sells this machine customer the basis its in- vestment value cost-saving de- vice. When installed, produces exactly many units per day the old machine and more. demon- strator sent from the machinery builder’s factory show guarantee the maker can met. leaves the user’s plant, down goes production again the old level. Even the inducement extra re- ward the operator the form piecework rate bonus has effect. far this particular case concerned, there has been complete sabotage the efficiency formula. There has been complete sabotage the inducement the inventor invent, the improver improve equipment. course, also sabo- tage the worker’s hope for higher standard living, but does not know it. attributable trade union policy. exists plants where there are trade unions. spreads far enough —and spreading—it will freeze into status quo far eco- nomic progress concerned. And when you stop going forward this dynamic world you are beginning move backward. Obsolescence? What! what use will our exhaustive studies machine obsolescence the prospective machine buyer, faced with this deadlock, finds more profitable use his new machines than his old ones? And under such circumstances, what will happen our inventors and machinery builders? And what will happen the consumer, who has been led, generations experience, expect continually more for his money can’t happen here. But happening. Perhaps yet crossed your doorstep, but will, un- less management and employers wake and what they should have started long ago. Even where management has gone the extreme guaranteeing its workers annual income, the case the George Hormel which has recently been well pub- licized, the fear the machine seems remain. For note that the work- ers that company, even under this beneficent arrangement, are careful not exceed the output per man, per week, previously established. Indeed when that former output reached worker before has put his allotted number hours, that worker quits work until the clock the calendar catches with other words, for guaranteed annual wage, the worker promises that there will further cost reductions, far his efforts are concerned and thus future price benefits the consumers the product. annual guaranteed wage was worth its salt the company the pub- lic, would result cost savings which would enable the enlargement that market and the employment more people under similar favorable conditions. Sabotage efficiency because fear the machine. Depression psy- chology. But please among all our workers years age under, none them have lived their working lives except depression atmosphere. They have not experienced boom periods, such older people have, when man could find two new jobs whenever lost one old one. Think that over. That the psychology that management tomorrow has face. consider what manage- ment can counteract this dam- aging psychology, let depart for moment from this prosdic and un- happy land reality and take short trip the magical country the The Mazuma Machine But why fairyland? Just for the reason that things are much simpler there than here. Even child can grasp the philosophy fairyland. The factors which enter into and affect our real machine age economy are complex that one who attempts follow them likely become lost jungle conflicting ideas. Then, like one lost instead taking straight line path. This accounts, think, for the mis- taken notion the part many workers that they will benefit from slowing down output. accounts for the apprehension certain econo- mists the effect progressive mechanization consuming power. And accounts for the pressure cut the number hours the work- ing week and pass laws against The fact that the goods and services which are largely the product machines are varied and diversified, and that between their making and their consuming comes the medium exchange, money, are complications which can eliminate from our thinking process simplifica- tion. Let now take our imaginary trip this magical land Mazuma THE IRON AGE, March 24, | where there machine age economy. this magical land the Mazuma all production and services are mech- anized. All the workers operate machines which turn out Mazumas. Some turn out more, per day per hour; some less, depending upon the individual ability the operator and the efficiency his machine. But each and every one turns out the same products, Mazumas. That all there the way products and things consume and use land. There isn't cient. For the Mazuma itself unit magical properties. trans- formable, will, into what you may want need. Collect certain num- her these magical units produc- tion and you can transform them will into pair shoes, hat certain quantity food. Collect larger number and they will form motor car, trip Europe. The workers Mazuma land, all whom produce Mazumas, are paid Mazumas. They produce what they consume. But they not consume all that they produce. Some their Mazumas have handed over Government, which they cannot without, and Management, which they cannot without, and In- vestment replace old and worn-out machines with better ones the need Workers Mazumaland may com- plain, from time time, about the shares which Government, Man- agement even Investment ing from their output Mazumas, you never hear these workers practicing the slowdown, suggest- ing that shortening hours will make them better off. They know that their standard living directly depen- dent upon the total output their machines. They realize that Gov- ernment other overhead costs up, the way offset produce more Mazumas. You could not preach the doctrine away with it. You ought not able preach the United States America and get away with either. For the general principle.of more wealth for all and better standards living for everyone which holds Mazumaland should also obtain our own highly mechanized machine age economy. Certainly cannot compensate for its deficiencies slowing down out- put. 32—THE IRON AGE, March 24, 1938 say that one should able preach this doctrine. But ing preached and being practiced. Why? Complex Economy One reason because have uation. Instead of, Mazuma- land, making unified and common unit production immediately con- vertible into consumption, chine operators produce tremendous variety goods and services which are converted into consumption through money the medium ex- change. Another reason that while our producers Mazumaland were cre- constantly consumable any quan- ducing thousands varied products some which, times, may not consumable. impossible for the Mazumaland workers, for produce too many Mazumas; quite possible for us, the matter fact land reality, produce surplus shoes wheat. cure this situation occasional lines slowing down out- put general, are the same category the gentleman who had his head chopped off order cure his gout. Still another complicating factor our economy the necessity pric- ing the products production. Mazumaland this was done automati- cally, for each unit had the same value. our practical economy, price comes between production and con- sumption. Based, must be, upon competition, this gives rise, sick and wage situations which penalize wage earners imposing low con- suming power upon them. Attempts remedy this situation, even the most militant unionization tile, as, for example, the bituminous coal industry the building trades. All this sounds like brief for the New Deal theory Government —regulation hours, wages, prices and production quotas. But assure you, not. Like the man who had his head chopped off cure his gout, regimentation would inflict worse ills upon than the laws supply and The latter, least, are not influenced political turn the economic futures people over politicians with expectation that they can encompass and manage these tremen- dously complex factors the advan- tage humanity comparable the suggestion turning the management General Motors United States Steel over high school graduate, You know how far they would with that! What the Answer? tion, and must remedied our American system, must done those who are qualified, through understanding the problems industry, properly appraise causes terms effects. must done the men who are now ings and who have won their spurs the battle private initiative and those who are now winning their spurs and who will occupy these posi- tions ten years hence. Mark words: private initiative vate management not tackle this job, Government will and must. And Government takes over the plow handles, there will turning back until the last vestige our system private enterprise and initiative turned under the sod. not think that American labor wants that any more than does American manage- ment and ownership. How and where can our business and industrial leaders start tackle this job? Certainly not broad front wages, prices, produc- tion quotas and consuming power. That would tackling too big job even for skilled and experienced men. No, the thing concentrate more from the new b a u the ent ite, get new machine than from the old? the effort least first, upon that which can done and which, done, will give promise most effect. Con- centrate upon the problem nological displacement. can make dent that will cure the slowdown and create new labor atti- tude toward the machine. That, turn, will put the-doctrine the serap heap. Management, representing owner- hoth commission and omission, largely responsible for the existence this present-day worker psychology. Through acts commission, such the unwarranted shaving down piece work rates and the speeding output without corresponding increase wages, has led labor believe that penalized instead has made its greatest however, through acts has failed interpret the formula results labor and the public. has failed present the cause has neglected secure the facts, Management has done very poor relations job for the machine. And there indeed very good case that can made for the court public The Price Angle Mechanization The public interest tion, which affects every one our 120 million people, comes provement and what the consumer has pay for machine ucts. are being subjected, nowadays barrage conflicting theories down and great deal talk about the damaging effect upon the and industry. But have not been presented with many facts. going give you some. They have with the “price mechanization. The machine, you will agree, most intensely evidence our big mass production industries, which, inciden- tally, are those most frequently sub- monopolies. Since these in- dustries provide the larger share employment their wage above the average and since they the lion’s share cannot meant that they are damaging the worker they are unfair the public, the consumer, because their price pol- policies, the consumer unable buy should the efficiency gains due cost reduction were properly shared with him. examine the Government rec- ord wholesale prices. These, know, represent the performance. Between the period 1923-25 and 1935, approximately years, the price vacuum cleaners reduced per cent; washing ma- chines, per cent; plate glass, per cent; auto tires, per cent; wo- silk hosiery, per cent; petro- leum products, per cent; hot rolled annealed steel sheets, per cent; electric power for domestic consum- ers, per cent. The average price reduction for all these diversified mass-production and so-called monopolistic products, over that period, was 48% per cent. But, someone may say that the price level all goods and commodities dropped between 1923-25 were merely following the commodities cession. examine the Government rec- ord again. According it, the aver- age drop commodity during that period was per cent. the downward price trend, the indus- tries manufacturing products prices these passed additional 28% per cent price dividend their consumers. Now what does this mean? means that the American con- sumer, the American public, you please, has vital interest seeing that there shall halt the progress machine improvement which. has been primarily responsible for conferring such benefits. And consider this: The average rate the gain efficiency our manufacturing industries between the period 1923-25 and 1935 was per cent per annum. might called normal conditions, this efficiency gain should have been divided, some yet undetermined proportion, between ownership, labor and the consumer. What pened? With respect the products have mentioned, the consumer has given benefit, price reduc- tion, over and above the normal price trend, close per cent the entire average savings attributable the improvement production over the entire period the whole manufacturing industry. Taxation Versus Technological Displacement the average American worker could shown the fact, would realize that increase cost Govern- ment far greater threat his well-being, his wages, his employ- ment and his purchasing power than mechanization. Mech- anization not competition with the worker; his ally helping him earn more. Government has nothing give him but plenty take away from him. Government can make the worker plenty prom- ises, but has been short formance. have yet shown any specific instance which legisla- tion has actually benefited the worker through the increase his actual annual purchasing power. the other hand, can show you many instances where mounting cost Government bureaucracy has penalized our workers private in- dustry for the benefit those public Let take, for example, what perhaps the most aggravated case technological displacement; men heing forced out work ma- chines, that have record. Prior the invention the auto- matic cigarette making machine and its commercialization 1909 there were something over 100,000 people engaged making cigarettes. Mak- THE IRON AGE, March 24, ses ak- eir his ick er. ite PROGRESS frozen into status quo. ing them largely hand. Along came this highly mechanized device which was almost laborless. The num- ber employed cigarette making dropped from 100,000 plus 1904, less than 25,000 1935. More than 75,000 people deprived jobs. not going talk about the secondary employment generated the increased use and distribution cigarettes which put thousands clerks work take care public demand for cheaper better cigarette. simply going call your attention the fact that Uncle Sam, today, puts consumer tax cents per package each package cigarettes, retailing for approx- imately cents per pack. Seventy thousand people deprived jobs one industry auto- matic machine. But let call your attention the fact that cigarette taxes brought the Government, 1935, over $350 millions taxes. Enough pay salary equivalent number the displaced workers amounting approximately $4,500 per man wo- man per year. Enough pay for the salary, Government payroll, political hangers-on and henchmen the number approximately 150,000. Let hope that some, not all the displaced cigarette workers, se- cured some this juicy Government employment gravy. afraid, how- ever, that most went ticians’ friends and relatives. not citing this indict- ment Government taxation, nor argument for relieving compa- nies, such tobacco concerns revenue impost profitable mechani- 34—THE IRON AGE, March 24, 1938 zation. But consider this point. That invention and mechanization, addi- tion helping the producing com- panies prosper, enabled the Gov- ernment extract, painlessly, many billions dollars cigarette smokers, over the long period, with- out raising their cost smoking. The companies prospered, the Government prospered, the consumer was enabled have better cigarette more cost. Every one prospered except the poor 75,000 unfortunates who found themselves out jobs. only half, let say, the Government pluckings this case had been de- voted alleviating the cases these displaced workers, they might indeed have had different attitude today toward chinery Every dollar increased taxation means one dollar less reduce prices wages workers. 1934, the Westinghouse Electric Mfg. Co.’s tax bill was $2.5 mil- lions. 1935 was millions; 1936 was nearly millions. For 1937 will over $16 millions. The tax bill Bethlehem Steel was millions 1935 and millions 1937. Take the case smaller company, and one nearer home. The increase taxes paid Ludlum Steel Co. 1937 over 1935 was sufficient have paid the wages approximately 700 their mill workers for six months’ period employment. What chance has industrial econ- omy, which makes average gain efficiency not more than per cent per year against political economy which eats savings through taxes accelerating rate nearly 100 per cent per year? Mounting taxation steadily sabo- taging our efficiency formula and making quicker and more thorough job than Communist action. Our golden goose lays plenty gold- eggs, but constantly increasing horde tax collectors are continual rifling the nest. When the Government, does New York State, slaps tax upon the consumer cents gallon gas, approximately per cent, eats the lion’s share the bene- fits which the gasoline industry would otherwise have passed the gen- eral public. The same thing true when puts 6-cent tax package cigarettes which retails for cents. These taxes become part the direct cost consumption and are borne our 120 can consumers. And they are only visible fraction the almost endless chain taxation which reaches from the finished product all the way back the raw materials entering all our products. Political Mechanization The increase Government cost, only, during the period question, has amounted gering sum which amounts $285 per American Mind you, this price increase only, reaucracy has done offset indus- effort benefit the consumer, would well for all Americans ponder this fact before they accept the popular demagogic condemnation and the bogey monopoly. Every dollar added the cost Government offsets dollar cost saving and deprives the consumer, the worker and the investor their possibility participation it. The public interest machine im- provement paramount. The sooner the consumer realizes that the fruits mechanization, shared with him mass industry has done, represent his one safeguard from be- ing stripped bare ation, the sooner will the road recovery. How are going counteract this insidious psychology its spread inside and outside the ranks labor? That one the most important problems that management has before today. First must become alive the necessity obtaining facts. Facts about what happens man- power your plant when additional machine power comes the front door. Does push men out the back door? so, what becomes them? Does the incoming im- proved machines create new market for labor which exceeds the market for labor which existed before the improved machine came in? You have all had let men the present depression just you had let them during the two previous downturns since 1929. Have you kept record just how many this number were forced out many because you did not have enough work keep Have you kept record the relative shrinkage machine hours com- pared with man hours during down- turn? not think that you have. j | / > = . ~ d \ ( > t ‘ a lless rom back tag- hich bu- dus- Ss io cept tion tion very nent and rker im- oner that ared one, be- tax- the ract its tant fore live onal ront the im- rket rket the just the 929. 10W out 10W put believe that such record would far disprove conclusively that the technological factor primary cause depression because would show during depressions greater percentage increase the idleness machines than men. you know the facts showing the term record your company and your industry what has done for labor, ployment and wages, and the customer the way prices and for the tax ought have these facts drawn orderly array for some day there may need have them march eved but misguided and misinformed enthusiast from further sabotaging the Private industry must collect these facts and present them the public and workers industry. That the first job and the first counteracting and changing the atti- tude toward the improved machine. True enough, the Government records show conclusively that mechanization has steadily created more 1000 population, 1930. But that not enough evidence and too remote. The worker job does not examine the Govern- ment records, blames his misfor- tune the plant and management for which worked. And the spectre that plant, him, the machine. Facts First, Policies Next first step, then, for manage- ment, this matter technological the facts. The second step for- mulate sound policy based upon the facts revealed. long follow our basic ciency formula and long ventors and improvers machines have ideas and are permitted put them work, men are going removed from their accustomed jobs changes processes and methods. part the law growth even with living organisms that old cells shall discarded and formed. can’t stand still without going backwards. can, and must, however, unless are willing see the efficiency formula discarded sabotaged, worl: out policy that will soften the effect temporary technological displace- ment upon the individual who faces it. must try see that the new machine, either directly directly, boosts the man instead pushing him down. What such policy would think that anyone else knows, because have not yet taken the first step getting the facts. Nor think that, even such policy were de- veloped and accepted, could put into effect during period down- turn such the present, when na- tional well private income diminishing and debt increasing. Such thing this must effected dur- ing upturn. But must begin thinking about now. The very fact that private industry Was giving serious this problem would itself, help improve worker public opinion with regard both industry and the machine. Nor will management have turn itself upside down make about face get into the frame mind consider this All that will have transplant into the factory the sort thinking that now being done our modern sales department. must think Seventy per cent all power comes from wages. When improved machine comes into plant and displaces labor with- out conferring benefit sumers sufficient create power equivalent that those dis- placed, somebody loses You may hope that the one probability that somebody else doing the same thing one too. That does not mean that not install new and better machines. company ever succeeded which did not that. But know successful company, and would like hear one, which over the long term its existence made less and less people. does mean, however, real success, the new ma- chine must create customers profits. Create more buving power CAN you show the rec- ord your business the employment men and ma- chines? than displaces. That more than plain common sense. may create this additional buying power any one several ways. may enable the operator produce more and earn more. buying power. may reduce the price the product the general consumer. buying power. may increase the quality and appeal the product and thus open pocketbooks that would otherwise stay closed. That’s buying power. You can't afford lose too many customers. There was Chinaman San Francisco who ran stand. would say passersby— Good buy. buy? Good lieve me, when enough customers say good bye you, you are going say good bye your business. Thoughtful employers throughout this country are anxious tackle this problem and realize its great impor- tance. Let quote from two the many letters that have received the past few days this subject. The first letter comes from the pres ident large electric equipment company and bears upon the necessity finding the facts. quote entirely accord with your editorial the March issue tending prove that technological progress increases rather than decreases em- ployment. “With respect our own company. have made constant improvements our methods doing work, but can- not recall single instance which such progress threw anybody out work even reduced wage rate. (CONTINUED PAGE 81) BUSINESS MACHINES MEN 200 THE IRON AGE, March 24, 1938—35 ave tive om- ive. il RECENT progressive taken the Caterpillar Trac- tor Co., Peoria, was the power line for the assembly trac- Capacity the new line tors 8-hr. day, with line speeds view the assembly line, showing ranging upward from in. nature supports, overhead monorail con- Production increased simply veyor, and air tool suspension. adding more men the stations along the line, which affords along its length 368 ft. working space. Three sizes diesel tractors are being assembled the new unit. Another power as- sembly line similar design being constructed for two additional smaller models. The different models are varied with roller tracks. continuous production each model. Designed this the first power assembly line for tractors that has used, although for several years diesel engines have been assembled. Trac- tors originally were assembled hand operated line—that is, they were pushed along dollies and parts were added from banks parts along the line. Feeder lines were used much they are now the new pro- vide minor assemblies. Tractors are not being assembled other methods the present time. The moving line consists 284 supports spaced in. apart steel flooring. Each support in. high, and mounted four-wheel dolly which runs under the surface narrow-gage rails. The line being endless, the supports and dollies travel the rails only while actually sup- porting the work progress, and move inverted under the rails back into the upright position. Power provided hp. electric motor with transmission reduction 1400 Assembly assembling the three- and four- cylinder tractors, five supports are necessary, whereas the six-cylinder tractor requires six supports, the speed the line and its capacity varying according the sizes trac- tors the schedule. Assembly begins with mission cases which are transported overhead trolley roller con- veyor the starting point the power line, where they are thoroughly cleaned and wiped while drive gear shaft. placed into posi- tion. Between the roller conveyor and the moving supports the power line specially designed hydraulic press which presses the final drive shafts into the proper position, after which the lock nuts around the shafts are drilled, tightened and locked. The draw bar brackets and studs are then tightened the case air wrenches, and the final drive gear shaft plates are located posi- tion and tightened. this stage, just before hoist places the cases the power line, the main frame bolted the 6-cylinder models. The first operation the power line proper the hoisting and placing position the transmission case the final drive gear shaft pinions, seven capscrews side being tight- ened air wrenches. Air tools are used extensively this line, all tools swinging from spe- cially designed monorail conveyors above head height but within easy reach the particular sections the line where their operation neces- sary. Electric motor driven air compres- sors located elsewhere the plant, provide air pressure approxi- mately sq. in. for driving the air tools, nearly 140 which are use this line. least per cent ine the nuts and cap screws are run with these tools and then given final set with hand wrench. the transmission cases move on- ward, the bevel pinion shaft assembly, upper transmission shaft assembly and the gears are brought the power line overhead trolley conveyor and located the case, and the trans- mission case front end cover placed and tightened. Depending upon the size the parts, overhead roller conveyors are used supply the main line with the necessary parts for assembly. overhead hoist drops the steer- ing clutch and brake band assembly into position and all final gear ad- iustments are made. Oil seals and ° ° ROBERT BINGHAM Western Editor, The Age, Chicago guards are tightened over the bevel gear, special care being taken with the oil seals the assembly the bevel gear cover leaks must prevented. Continuing down the line, the steer- ing clutch throwout forks are assem- bled the transmission case, and the steering clutch outside the final drive gear flange. The brake pedals are assembled, and the flywheel clutch placed location the upper transmission shaft, after which the clutch assembled and adjusted. further operation includes the assembly and placing the gear shift lever, fork and lock rails. The final drive sprocket assembled and diesel engine into place tractor ° chassis. step the eeds min. long bled as- ers, line has esel placed, and oil seal bellows type specially developed the com- pany for this particular purpose fastened the sprocket. Roller bear- ing adjustments are made before the hearing cover bolted on. overhead cross crane equipped with air hoist transports the motors the assembly line where they are placed and bolts and cap screws tightened air wrenches. overhead tanks and runs gravity into the Oil for the drive gear cases and oil for the trans- mission, steam heated that will rapidly, pumped directly into ground tanks. This being stage the power line, the tractor, completed except for roller truck as- sembly and tracks, subjected upon which tractors are fitted roller track ately following this operation, the tractor obtains its roller tracks and completed. roller conveyor brings the trans- mission top covers for assembly, while the placing the radiator assemblies facilitated overhead trolley system. additional set rollers carries the sheet metal fenders and floor plates the growing tractor. Another overhead conveyor into use this point, the tractor seat and fuel tank being swung into posi- tion this method. oiling the tractor. Lubricating oil for the engine, and fuel for the fuel tank pumped electrically into 38—THE IRON AGE, March 24, 1938 ments are made. progress the machine the line three inspectors constantly check and observe operations. Although the power line itself end, the assembly the tractor not yet complete and 16-ton over- head traveling crane fitted with 3-ton auxiliary lifts the tractor the roller truck assembly, which bolted the tractor chassis. The tracks are laid out front the roller truck assembly base and the tractor under its own power runs from the base the tracks where means special winch the track assembled about the drive sprocket and master pin driven through the male and female links the track and tightened. After further adjustments, the trac- tor run test block where anchored the drawbar and run for the tracks, the transmission, and check for oil leaks. The engine itself has already been com- pletely checked and run in. The new line has not yet been mine whether actual output creased, but such, according company, was not the purpose the installation. Better work better working conditions addition increased safety factor were said the major considerations. Delco-Frigidaire Markets Unit Air Conditioner NEW type unit air conditioner residential, office, hospital and similar uses, which em- bodies the mechanical principle first applied the refrigera- tion industry, was recently announced General Motors’ Conditioning Division, Dayton, Ohio. Designed the ground the air conditioning research tories General Motors the Frigidaire Division Dayton, the new unit went into cently and will introduced the weather installation. will sell for $399.50 completely installed. The new unit looks much like console radio cabinet extraordinarily compact size. has finger-tip dial control, and cools, dehumidifies, cleans, circu- lates the air and provides year ‘round quires installation work except the connecting the power circuit and the fitting adjustable window section. The Engineering Foundation, New York, which sponsors and assists wide range fundamental research projects, has issued its annual report for the fiscal year 1936-1937. addition memorials Ambrose Swasey and Dr. Alfred Flinn, the former the founder and director the foundation, the report includes financial statements and data current Cast Composite Tool Steel What it? How what are its MERICAN steel makers visiting England and making tour British automobile are often completely surprised the wide use there “cast composite tool American visitors are prised again finding out that several Sheffield steel makers have developed this tool steel specialty where now their principal item manufacture. The makers have been for nearly century, their aggregate output now com- fortably large and the market prices are quite profitable. Curiously enough the sale this product the United States not yet appreciable. tariff something like $100 ton mitigates against the importation the English product, and present only one, certainly not more than two, American firms are position make here. Be- cause this interesting situation, the writers will attempt sketchy form something the essen- tial facts the product and its market First then, what cast composite tool steel? The product Shettield steel firms here loosely de- fined inseparable unity two fluid steels, one tool steel quality and the other soft supporting steel side the hardening range. The two market possibilities ° ° ° and STUART GREEN Philadel phia steels are poured mold suitable design and the ingots are cogged into billets and rolled into de- sired sections the normal way. The method pouring together two steels the preferred Sheffield way because the great strength weld that results—rather than, for example, the pouring around cold tool steel insert bar. The proportions tool steel and mild steel well the location the tool steel are matters wide choice. The illustrations Fig. show typical sections. widest call for one-third tool steel and two-thirds mild steel, though the half-and-half section runs close sec ond. Corner-gated sections are also reasonable demand, with the tool occupying one corner the ingot. The major tonnage (in England) will found, however, the half-and- half and the one-third and two-thirds sections. examine the uses the English have heen putting this product to, order that American market possibilities may more adequately gaged. most readers have guessed already know. the simple purpose this procedure steel surface supported cushioned soft steel back. With such steel. piercing, drawing and forming for example. can given glass-hard working face extreme longevity and high efficiency, yet the same time adequately supported against shocks and fracture ample soft safety back. Certainly ideal product for innumerable uses, and logical the American special- tool steel picture. Even the casual reader can envision many manufacturing applications this combination tool steel with soft safety back. Shear- blades, blanking, piercing, forming and stamping dies are principal outlets, and almost every field sug- gesting additional uses. The great strength and high ef- ficiency this composite tool steel service self-evident. There are other advantages processing, the mak- ing the dies and carrying them through the critical hardening stages. Those heat treaters who have handled this product have observed that hardening, the mild steel backing again acts cushion against hardening blanking and piercing dies pile the heat treater’s scrap heat. Marked also the minimizing effect the soft back shrinkage and deforma- tion under severe hardening opera- tions. Long shear blades come through the hardening operation remarkably straight, and where some warping oc- curs can straightened with sur- prising safety and ease due the THE IRON AGE, March 24, 1938—39 ack ket igh ick ac- for on, he fer to | ° ° ° el, 10. ‘a- he j ig ol, u- | rt steel IG. cast composite tool steel may proportioned many ways suit the needs the customer. The combination probably the most popular assembly, and the corner-gated sections are widely used. stee/ Too/ Too/ stee/ 2—Some applications composite tool steel. used for blanking and forming dies, paper knives, wood-working tools, etc. 3—The assembly tool and mild steel used for engine slides, machine tool faces, etc. 40—THE IRON AGE, March 24, 1938 perfect bond the hard soft steels. When composite die sets ished and hardened, any desired ma- chining drilling screw holes dowels can readily carried out the soft steel back, and dies are easily fitted existing press shoes, later refitted other shoes without the necessity annealing the dies. Thus, considerable time and money often are saved. The illustrations Figs. and show some uses other than die sets, which latter applications already are well known the reader. survey the English uses, with tonnage used being about the order given, shows the following Blanking, drawing, forming and stamping dies. Edge Tools: Plane irons, shear blades, paper knives, heavy duty steel mill shear blades, blades, tobacco knives, Miscellaneous Uses: Vise jaws, scale bearings, engine slides, machine tool faces, precision gages, etc. The uses collectively account for sizable vol- ume steel. making composite assemblies, certain expedients have been tried, such welding tool steel onto steel backing. Special alloy steels with complicated heat treatments have also been devised attempt meet this requirement, processes not seem have the versatility the simple method pouring two steels together the one ingot and simply rolling the assembly the desired sections. Those who have not witnessed this method some- times wonder whether the soft and hard steel will flow evenly when rolled. Surprisingly enough, they do—and the finished bar has precisely the same proportionate section the ingot from which made. The writers have made many hun- dred tons this cast composite tool steel Sheffield and have developed simple molds necessary its easy ac- complishment any ordinary pit crew. The illustrations Figs. and show how direct and simple the pro- cedure is. The designs are covered United States patents, but those in- terested may readily arrange for the use this mold design writing the authors. The modern electric furnace, either are induction, lends itself readily the production composite tool steel. Either one two furnaces may employed. Where one furnace only used, the mild steel section first poured. The molds are left closed 1 | | | | | Mild stee/ retain the high temperature the ingot until the tool steel heat melted and poured. Actual experience shows that the closed mold and the great amount heat retained produce per- fect weld even though the second heat poured several hours deed usually is. weld-resisting oxidized skin develops—such the objectionable feature the cold insert method. Where two furnaces are used, the smaller furnace usually handles the tool steel, the larger the mild steel, and pouring times are reasonably close together. ested the actual furnace practice might wish write the authors who will endeavor provide such in- formation needed. course the casting and molds are important—relatively. Much more im- portant the field that seems await this specialty tool steel the United States this time. Those interested might much worse than inde- pendently examine the British field and its tonnage, and thus get first-hand picture what might well most profitable addition the line maker. The greatest tonnage die steels and edge tools. Briefly sum- marized, the advantages are: (1) Composite die cutting (or working surfaces) can than possible with solid dies. Thus com- posite dies can last longer and cleaner work, (2) Heat-treating failures edly less with composite dies. The back cushions strains, minimizes shrink- age and deformation. (3) The soft back permits high ser- vice loads tools without danger fractures. Heavy steel mill shear blades safely take big bites, have high efficiency and long service. (4) The soft back permits machining, drilling and doweling die sets after hardening. Thus dies can made fit press shoes conveniently ically. (5) The weld bond cast com- posite steel made from two fluid steels the same ingot inseparable—something not always true other methods. Drill Pipe Refinements NTEGRAL joint drill pipe incor- porating important refinements has been announced the Jones Laughlin Steel Corp., Pittsburgh. before, this drill pipe has forged upset tool joint integral with the pipe which eliminates the conven- tional type tool joint, but the new de- 4—Mold design for casting flat layer tool against backing mild steel. 5—The mold design used cast one corner molten tool steel against body mild steel. Tool steel Mild Mild sign features increase the over- all length the upsets the pin and box ends, new special heat treatment the upset, and the use im- proved alloy steel its manufacture. lengthening the pin end the pipe eliminates the necessity tonging the body the pipe itself, thereby preventing the possibility physical damage the pipe the crushing action the tongs. ficient stock provided the upset box and pin ends for rethreading, which can done any oil country shop. heat treatment required before after the rethreading. Lengthening these upset ends has been made possible the installation upsetter developed especially for this work. The first its size ever built, this huge upsetter not only capable forging the longer upset the new design, but permits manufac- ture integral joint drill pipe two new large sizes, 9/16 and in. O.D. After the upsetting threading, the entire joint treated assure maximum physical properties. claimed that the heat treatment produces structure exceptional refinement and results hardness the tool joint end the integral joint drill pipe comparable that commercially available tool joint conven- tional design. stated that the improved grade the manufacture this new drill pipe was made possible changes composition which structural stability without temper brittleness that the