The Iron Age 1941-02-20: Vol 147 Iss 8

Without loss time and without errors that’s how Fairbanks Scales speed production industry. Geared for high speed weighing operations, Fairbanks Printomatic Scales elimi- nate errors, keep books, give receipts and record totals automati- cally! They count small parts. They weigh while materials are moving. They are adaptable endless individual weighing re- quirements through the use photoelectric cells, automatic printing devices, limit switches, and other electric control mech- anisms. Investigate and amazed the many and varied uses Fairbanks Scales and their money-saving applications. FAIRBANKS, MORSE CO. Executive Offices Michigan Ave. Chicago FEBR nt re, for ne se 0. yet or n- pt, 2 / it, to Flexible Couplings Reduce Noise and Wear WHITING CRANES The torque every motor transmitted the speed reducer through flexible coupling. This coupling has resilient bushings the flange bolts which cushion the shock starting, eliminate strains the shafts and bearings, and transmit motor power without vibration noise. OVERHEAD TRAVELING your crane Noise itself may irritating, but its real effect much more serious. For your cranes are noisy, you can sure that there excessive friction, causing wear, trouble, and expensive maintenance. Whiting cranes are equipped with quiet-running, efficient herringbone gears that outlast ordinary spur gears least two one. Instead sleeve bearings, they have heavy-duty roller bearings which keep the gears permanent alignment. Tapered tread drive wheels insure free travel the bridge without binding. Listen ordinary crane, then listen Whiting crane. Its extra quietness testifies its longer life. Capacities from 400 tons. Also electric hoists from tons. Whiting Corporation, 15601 Lathrop Ave., Harvey, Whiting Corp. (Canada) Ltd., Toronto. Builders quality cranes for over years. SEND FOR BOOKLET “How Write Traveling Crane Specification.” Free production executives. WEAR wae | * i | Editorial Savages Technical Articles After All Over—? Small Holes Punched Heavy Porous Chrome Hardening for Engine Answer Criticisms Steel Capacity New Small Tools, Cutters and Features News and Market Reports Scrap Market and Prices.... 110 FEBRUARY 20, 1941 Government Awards ....... Construction Steel Comparison Prices........ 100 Iron and Steel 114 VOL. 147 NO. Summary the Week...... 101 Ferroalloys, Pig Iron The Industrial Pace......... 102 Warehouse Prices District Market Reports...... 104 Sales Possibilities VAN DEVENTER Index Advertisers ................ BAUR Vice-President and General Manager Copyright, 1941, Chilton Company Managing Editor News Editor Technical Editor Machine Tool Associate Editor Editor DIX, Manager Reader Service Owned and Published CHILTON COMPANY (Incorporated) WINTERS Art Editor Washington Editors Advertising Staff JAMES ELLIS Publication Chestnut and 100 East 42nd Editorial and Executive Offices Resident District Editors Herman, Chilton Bldg., Philadelphia Philadelphia, New York Pittsburgh Chicago Leonard, 100 East 42nd St., New Peirce Lewis, 7310 Woodward Ave., Detroit Ober, 100 East 42nd St., New York MOFFETT Editorial Correspondents Buffalo Cincinnati FRAZAR CHARLES POST Boston San Francisco HUGH SHARP JOHN McCUNE Milwaukee Birmingham SANDERSON ROY EDMONDS Teronto, Ontario St. Louis LEROY ALLISON Newark, Robinson Worren, Box 81, Hartford, Conn. Don Harner, 1595 Pacific Avenue, Long Beach, Cal. Member, Audit Bureau Circulations Member, Associated Business Papers Indexed the Industrial Arts Pub- lished every Thursday. Price: United States and Possessions, Mexico, Cuba, $6.00; Canada, $8.50; Foreign, $12.00 year. Single copy, cents. Cable Address, Y." OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS MUSSELMAN, President JOS. HILDRETH, Vice-President GEORGE GRIFFITHS, Vice-President EVERIT TERHUNE, Vice-President VAN DEVENTER, Vice-President BAUR, Vice-President WILLIAM BARBER, Treasurer JOHN BLAIR MOFFETT, Secretary JULIAN CHASE, THOMAS KANE, HARRY DUFFY CHARLES HEALE | er + a — “the 130 , / | WELD-O-TROL THE NEWEST DEVELOPMENT RESISTANCE WELDING GIVES YOU THESE ADVANTAGES: REDUCED OUTAGE current turned and 600 more times per minute. BETTER mechanical delay stopping and starting. REDUCED MAINTENANCE moving parts wear out. 26—THE IRON AGE, February 20, Results prove cut main- tenance, improve welds and step production using the newest method current inter- ruption for resistance welding, the Weld-O-Trol—the latest de- velopment power switches. Weld-O-Trol eliminates burned welds and maintenance pitted contacts because HAS MOVING PARTS. Weld-O-Trol’s timing more accurate—its maximum speed circuit interruption faster (600 times, more, per min- LOWER WELDING ute). Because Weld-O-Trol has MOVING PARTS there’s complete freedom from time delay—full advantage taken the accuracy your timer. And will operate with your exist- ing timer. Learn more about this most important contribution re- sistance welding. Let show you interesting performance figures what Weld-O-Trol doing leading industrial plants. Write today for bulletin F-8451-A. WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING CO. DEPT. 7-N EAST PITTSBURGH, PA. Six Weld-O-Trols recently installed well-known automotive body plant. 4 ; i | Savages ‘HE other day, read story about the early American Indians, who were referred “savages.” was interesting story and told some things that did not know about these people who owned America before took away from them. learned that and large, the various tribes lived amicably together before the white man took stirring them up, that they were the warpath much less frequently than have supposed. And they never attacked enemy until they had formally declared war him. Frequently tribes settled their differences “short playing sort football game between chosen teams. True, was pretty strenuous sort football and holds were barred, but least the non-combatant spectators suffered harm and decisions were abided by. learned also that these savages the whole were quite religious; that they had but one wife time and did not practice divorce; that the death penalty awaited any tribesman who attacked woman, that they did not touch alcohol until the white man taught them its virtues. The term applied these people interested looked the dictionary find its meaning. told that savage was person uncivilized state condition. then had turn another page find out what meant. then learned that civilized person one who has been reclaimed from savage state condition. (You see how useful refer the dictionary when you ESTABLISHED want enlightenment.) 1855 course, the Indians had some vices. They smoked tobacco, did not care much for work, liked gamble and loved make speeches. But that did not give understanding the difference between savage and civilized person, for more civilized people today are cultivating these habits. guess will have depend actions and not words find the difference between savage and civilized people. Civilized people differ from savages because they war without declaring it; they kill the men, women and children bystanders; they seize the lands and property weaker nations; they disregard treaties and break them will and they enslave the tribes that they capture. One thing forgot mention. Wealthy Indians who had several blankets and were entertaining friends sometimes burned blanket just show how little they cared for property and how well off they were. But there record their ever having destroyed billions dollars worth their wealth one time. The poor benighted Indians. good that civilized them? } | Me > 5 . > ; | | ic y STEEL that makes who are proud the quality Inland Sheets. The transition from cars with wooden bodies wind-splitting streamliners and modern automobiles story the dramatic progress steel. Inland has made many important contributions this progress, among them being Inland Quality Sheets. Still another reason for attainment high quality and uniformity are the Inland Metallurgists. They contribute specialized knowledge steel makers and steel users. They are ready help with your steel problems—to show you how Inland Quality Sheets One the reasons for Inland quality that Inland was among fabricate into finer products, many cases lower the first scrap old sheet-making equipment and install cost. Write, phone, your nearest wide continuous sheet and strip mill. Today, that 76-in. unit for full information. teamed with new 44-in. continuous mill. These mills are fully matched with equally modern steel making and SHEETS STRIP TIN PLATE BARS PLATES finishing equipment. FLOOR PLATES PILING Another reason the Inland mills are operated men RAILS TRACK ACCESSORIES REINFORCING BARS ~ 4 ITH industry now hiring men wholesale lots, there dire need for in- struction material. This particularly true the welding field. THE IRON AGE, therefore, pleased present these lessons arc welding, which will run successive issues until the series completed. This material was pre- pared experts the Westinghouse Electric Mfg. Co., East Pittsburgh, and for that reason the proprietary Flex Arc equipment specified. These lessons are enable beginner become familiar with welding fundamentals. Both bare and shielded-arc types welding are considered, the bare being considered first because more difficult use some cases and gives students better knowledge the importance melting the parent metal order obtain complete fusion. Once welder has mastered bare electrode welding easy matter for him master shielded-arc electrode welding. ° the art striking the are and depositing short beads weld metal. Apparatus used Flex Arc weld- ing machine, chisel, hammer, and wire scratch brush. Material steel plate in. heavier, and 5/32-in. diameter Flex Arc welding electrodes. INSTRUCTIONS: The welding arc established touching the plate with the electrode and immediately withdrawing the electrode short distance. the instant the elec- trode touches the plate rush current flows through the point contact, which small because the surface irregularities the plate and the electrode. This elec- trical current causes the metals melt the point contact and un- less the electrode immediately ESSON No. Object study ° withdrawn will stick the work. case sticking does occur the elec- trode should quickly moved back and forth free it. impos- procedure, should removed from the elec- trode the welding machine shut off. Two methods may used strike the arc—a vertical and down side scratching motion. The vertical method illustrated Fig. and commonly used experienced welders but often presents trouble the beginner sticking. The scratch method striking the arc illustrated Fig. 1-b and consists uninter- rupted motion the electrode. The electrode moved downward to- ward the work through long and immediately after scratches the plate surface the radius the are shortened, thereby withdraw- ing the electrode and establishing the After the arc established necessary move the electrode downward uniformly continu- ous rate compensate for the part that melted away. this not done the arc length will become too great facilitate good welding. essary melt the work that the molten metal coming from the elec- trode will fuse it. The high tem- perature the arc (approximately 6000 deg. F.) causes the steel melt almost instantaneously; conse- quently, the surface the work the terminal the will melt within few seconds after the arc struck. After striking the arc, the elec- trode should held the starting point for.a short period time allow fusion occur. After fusion occurs the electrode may ad- vanced along the desired line about deg. with the vertical (See Fig. thereby depositing bead weld metal. The rate advance must timed allow the work melt and proper fusion ob- tained. depositing bead weld metal necessary ad- vance along the line weld uniform rate speed insure THE IRON AGE, February 20, 1941—29 Die ete 7 4 3 j eV ° | | ~ fe used strike the arc—a vertical and down side scratch- ing motion (right). smooth uniform deposit. Too fast rate advance will make thin irregular bead with questionable fusion. Too slow rate advance may produce overlap the edges the bead shown Fig. PROCEDURE: Set the polarity re- versing switch straight polarity, adjust the current 150 amp. and place the plate welded flat the welding table. (1) Practice striking the are using both methods until the arc struck any desired point without sticking electrode occurring. (2) After the art striking the mastered, deposit short beads in. in. long) advancing from the left the right. Hold short (about in.). The prop- the regular crackling sound which bare type electrodes. Examine the beads for uniformity, overlap and good fusion. often desirable chip bead off, especially the start- ing end, study the degree fu- sion obtained. (3) Deposit short beads in. in. long) from right left. Examine for quality. (4) Deposit short beads in. in. long) advancing away from the operator. Examine for quality. (5) Deposit short beads in. in. long) advancing toward the operator. Examine for quality. (6) After satisfactory beads can made all four directions, make test plate shown Fig. ESSON No. Object study the method making continu- ous horizontal beads and filling craters. Apparatus used Flex Arc weld- ing machine, chisel, hammer, and wire scratch brush. Material used IRON AGE, February 20, steel plate in. heavier, and 5/32 in. diameter Flex Arc welding electrodes. INSTRUCTIONS: Withdrawal the welding electrode from the molten pool and breaking the results immediate cooling the molten metal. This cooling ac- companied considerable shrink- age and the formation depres- sion known crater. The shape and depth crater are dependent upon the type electrode used, the polarity the welding circuit, the welding current, the heat the work and the manner which the are broken. When welding with 2—A bead weld metal deposited advancing the electrode along desired line angle about deg. with the vertical. bare type electrodes using straight polarity, deep crater usually formed and this crater may used good guide the depth penetration, shown Fig. the arc broken either acci- dentally change electrodes, special procedure must employed insure complete fusion and uni- form appearance. such cases the should restruck the for- ward end the crater, moved back- ward across the crater, and then forward again and the welding con- tinued, shown Fig. desirable eliminate the presence choking shortening the are and holding the end the weld until the crater filled. chok- ing the arc short that short- out occasionally, there will sufficient energy deposit small amount metal but not enough form crater. PROCEDURE: Set the polarity re- versing switch straight polarity, adjust the welding current 150 amp. and place the plate weld- flat the welding table. (1) Practice breaking the while depositing bead weld metal and note the formation the crater. Change the setting the machine 130 and 170 amp. and note the difference the depth the crater. (2) Practice the procedure out- lined the lesson for restriking the continue the deposition bead. Continue this until possible make uniform joint without excessive deposits metal. not fill the craters the weld continued this will foster poor fusion and produce hump the bead. Chip the joint study the degree fusion obtained. (3) Practice stopping and con- tinuing beads that are deposited all four directions; the right, the left, away from and toward the operator. (4) Practice choking the are fill the crater. (5) After the art restriking the are and filling the crater have been mastered, make test plate ESSON No. Object acquaint the student with the effect different arc lengths, weld- ing currents and polarity the re- sultant weld deposits. Overlap fusion area IS. 3—Too slow rate advance the elec- trode may produce over- lap the edges the bead. Operator satisfactory beads can made four directions, this type test plate can prepared. Finish Finish va q | ° 90° | q Apparatus used Flex weld- ing machine, chisel, hammer, and wire scratch brush. Material used steel plate in. heavier, 5/32 and 3/16 Flex Are welding electrodes and in. carbon elec- trode. tain the most satisfactory weld important maintain the proper arc length and use the proper weld- ing current. short are corre- volts recommended for bare type electrodes. The proper length recognized when welding crackling sound. Such are concentrates the heat the plate, prevents excessive contamination from the atmosphere and results more even and uni- form fusion. The long are results poor fusion, highly oxidized de- posits, excessive splatter, overlap and non-uniform fusion. The arc erratic and large globules are form- the terminal the welding electrode. The proper welding current for given type electrode will de- pend upon the electrode diameter, the joint design, the size the plate being welded and the position the welding. (Only horizontal downhand welding will con- sidered this lesson.) Because this fact range welding cur- rents are generally recommended for each diameter Recommended current values are given Table Pene tration IG. 5—Crater formed may depth penetration. Path Start IG. arc broken this procedure should fol- lowed insure complete fusion and uniform appear- ance. TABLE Current Values for Flex Are Elec- trode, Horizontal Position Electrode Welding Diameter, Current, In. Amp. 1/6 30-60 3/3 50-100 1/8 80-135 5/32 110-180 3/16 150-220 1/4 200-300 7—After art restriking the arc and filling the crater have been mastered, this type test plate should made. The proper welding current for given set conditions can de- termined from the degree heat- ing the plate being welded and the electrode. the electrode be- comes red hot indication that the welding current too high. Satisfactory welds cannot made with red hot electrode. the plate work heat excessively, oxidized and unsatisfactory welds will obtained. such cases re- duce the welding current change smaller diameter electrode. The proper polarity the weld- ing circuit essential when weld- ing for the best results. many cases the wrong polarity results erratic wild arc which makes welding difficult and the resultant weld unsatisfactory from the stand- point quality, fusion and appear- ance. Flex Arc bare type electrodes should used straight polarity (electrode negative and work posi- tive), the polarity reversing switch the welder automatically adjusts the polarity, consequently the stu- dent will have trouble deter- mining the polarity the circuit. desirable however for every welder able check the polar- The easiest way check polarity 7g ala. elecirode electrode electrode 8—This type test plate should made determine best length and welding cur- rent. most cases such instruments are not available. equally reliable method checking polarity us- ing the carbon are has been devel- oped, therefore. are drawn between carbon electrode and steel plate and straight polarity used, the arc may moved rapidly from place place drawn out great length without becoming ex- tinguished. If, however, reverse polarity used will found that the arc may easily extin- guished sudden motion the carbon electrode. PROCEDURE: Set the polarity re- versing switch straight polarity and place the plate welded flat the welding bench. (1) Deposit beads with 5/32-in. diameter electrode varying the welding current from 110 185 amp. Examine the appearance the beads and note the heating the electrode and plate. Adjust the welding current 150 amp. and deposit beads using long and short arc. Examine beads for uni- formity fusion, spatter, etc. (2) Deposit beads with di- ameter electrodes varying the current from 130 amp. Ad- just the welding current 120 amp. and deposit beads using long and short are. Make notations above. (3) Deposit beads with 3/16-in. diameter electrodes varying the welding current from 150 220 amp. Adjust the welding current 180 amp. and deposit beads using long and short Make notations above. (4) Use carbon arc and study the method discussed check polarity. (5) Make test plate shown Fig. with 5/32 and 3/16 electrodes using the best length and welding current ob- tained from the previous exercises. Ed. Note:—Next week these lesson arc welding will continued. THE IRON AGE, February 20, | Joint. a” 4 ' ” ‘ | | ODAY are all des- perately concerned with the outcome the war Eu- rope. And, today are all equally concerned with the swift- est possible progress national defense the United States. But some day—somehow—the war will over. Whether the United States takes part this war, whether does not—whether England wins England loses—whether Ger- many remains totalitarian state under Hitler whether does not—whether Italy folds quers retreats—whether China survives fails—whether Russia acts remains inscrutable— Some day, the present conflict will over. simply matter history that peace follows war. And when this peace comes, just where will be, these United After the last war, industries built for war and national de- fense plunged into inaction and unemployment when the emergen- was over. Then this inaction and unemployment were reversed, not long after the conclusion the war, due the tremendous needs for the reconstruction the European countries which had been war. The United States 32—THE IRON AGE, February 20, was called upon furnish mighty volume machines and materials for the rebuilding France, Germany, England and the other contestants. The post-war period proved tremendous opportunity for the export trade the United States. This trend was power- ful that this country did not ac- tually realize its true post-war de- pression until 1930-1934. Will history repeat itself con- nection with the present war? opinion the answer “no.” the first place, the end the last war the European coun- tries involved, both the victors and the vanquished, still had certain degree credit and buying pow- er. Will any the countries Europe have substantial credit buying power left the face the total destruction which go- ing today? Certainly they will not have the capacity for reason- ably swift reconstruction, and rea- sonable immediate financing for national needs, such followed the last war. short, doubt- ful whether can regard England and the continental countries potential large scale buyers direct- this war over. optimistic viewpoint.. easy say that after the war over, the countries Europe, regard- less their financial status, sim- ply must have the fruits Amer- ica’s industrial progress. They will need our products have never needed them before. The very extent the destruction which has taken place their ter- ritories will the measure the demand which they will make up- American industry for recon- struction purposes. This very pretty theory. might true circumstances re- mained the same they were the end the last war. But cir- cumstances are far different. the end the last war, mechanization technological improvements, both England and the Continent, were far be- hind those the United States. Processes manufacture au- tomobiles, airplanes, ma- chine tools, steel—in fact, almost all the requirements our modern civilization—were lit- erally their infancy compari- son methods currently use this country. Different Situation Now that has changed since the last war. Germany, under Hitler, has used much the same type efficient, mass-production methods that have used this country. Under the spur war necessity, En- gland, although means far along this respect the United States, has made tremen- dous advances. Although France bogged down completely the utilization modern productive processes, nevertheless her fac- tories and her methods are today much closer those the United States than was the case the end the last war. Meanwhile, must not forget that Czech- oslovakia there exist modern, facilities. And the United States has even helped Ww - r— / / / / ff 7, = / / / y / / / f hus | educate Russia the art mass production. Since the last war—especially the last few years—vast quan- tities American-made machin- ery equipment have been shipped abroad. Most this has gone England. But large share has gone France and other Continental countries, and some Russia. Meanwhile, particularly Ger- many and England, manufac- turers metal working equipment have made Much the machine tool and other equipment today turned out English and German factories is, terms actual performance, almost good that produced United States manufacturers. This whole picture may sum- med the simple statement that whereas the end the last war the United States had equip- ment far superior the rest the world, today the rest the world, especially Europe, has man- ufacturing equipment which least able compete, and compete seriously, with that the United States. quite beside the point that the United States has fur- nished many European countries with much this equipment. Neither have any firm grounds for assuming that the time the war over, most this equipment will have been bombed out existence. more prob- able that much this equipment brought out and put work the minute peace has been declared. And where are going this country when that hap- pens? Certainly are not going the last World War. fact, the situation may just the reverse. United States, may well that foreign countries, possessing ex- 4 — cellent production facilities, faced with bankruptcy and urgent need outside income, and sup- plied with vast reservoirs low- wage labor released from armies, will their utmost produce for export and undersell the United States world markets. fact, they may actually able in- vade our domestic markets, spite high tariffs, because minimum labor costs plus depreci- ated currencies. What are going meet this sion productive capacity, steel any other industry, be- yond all possible needs for war peace, grounds national defense? spiral prices and wages which might leave us, when the war sud- denly ended, hanging high and dry, with both wages and prices far above world levels that could not possibly compete for- eign markets and might even undersold home? tremendous boom plant building and equipment buying, wages and prices, which later turned out unjustified re- lationship actual defense needs, might well nigh fatal. The intelligent procedure would certainly one estimating carefully the productive capacity existing facilities, not only steel but all industries connect- with national defense and then determining how such exist- ing facilities can best allocated toward fulfilling both the needs national defense and normal domestic requirements. Only and when such estimates indicate the need for additional facilities should those facilities con- structed. course, there should stinting nor holding back any ° ° ° KULAS President, Otis Steel Co., and Midland Steel Products Co., Cleveland ° ° ° department industry where more plant actually needed the defense job. That the position the steel industry which the years 1940-41 in- creased its open hearth ingot ca- pacity about 2,000,000 tons and its electric furnace capacity per cent. Strenuous Competition Coming The next post-war period may well period the most stren- uous competition for national and international markets that this world has ever seen. Certainly cannot compete over-build and over-expand today’s cost levels and proceed blindly toward the armistice-day precipice chopped-off defense orders and to- bogganing prices. The problem push defense production the all- important now—but the same time not undermine our own economy the process. must not completely forget tomorrow’s markets—both the United States and all the other countries the world. must begin consider right now the type products which are going sell the people the United States, and people the world over, after this conflict has ended. must prepared, when that moment comes, offer not only the people this country but the people all the world more value for less money. Otherwise simply will not able hold our own against the post-war competition which will develop from European post-war countries equipped with modern machinery and manned with ex- army personnel willing work for minimum wages. How can prepare for this in- evitable situation? Past industrial history has already pointed the answer. The industrial supremacy THE IRON AGE, February 20, 1941—33 / 3 ‘ j F / | | | | : | § | | | | | | the United States has been built upon its continuing capacity give more people better products lower prices. have con- stantly passed the public the benefits mass production—on the principle that greater markets make possible the making bet- ter product lower costs, and vice versa. This, believe, exactly the theory which must pursue and must maintain order preserve the position the United States the international grab-bag for trade which will follow the dec- laration peace. But are pursue this course successfully, time that began doing some very careful thinking along this line, right now. all too easy worry, today, only about how can meet our orders. only too easy forget re- search invention because there time today bother with the possibilities tomorrow. But let state most emphati- cally that opinion research and invention today constitute the most effective “hedge” can pos- sibly have against post-war condi- tions. Andrew Carnegie “Utilize dull times build new plants. Work harder than ever when business falls off, ready the next peak, for this country the next one always higher than the last. When the rush comes, business flows natu- rally the man who can make the deliveries.” All that true. The steel in- dustry has utilized the last seven years build new plants. has prepared itself for the rush which has come today. But the same time, may sug- gest corollary Mr. Carnegie’s statement? would say, “Utilize rush times for research. Work harder than ever, when demand high, develop and test new steels and new applications steel, ready for the next de- pression. For this country the next depression may worse than the last. pulling out de- pression, business flows naturally the man who has the best and price.” The next depression? seems all too obvious that this the offing when the defense (or war) program over. And the inter- national competition sues, this country can win only continues maintain the same ascendancy ingenuity that has maintained throughout the world’s industrial history. The United States has always been ahead research, inven- tion, and development. be- lieve firmly that the United States can, and will, continue ahead research, invention, and development. spite the fact that En- gland and Continental Europe have recent years come closer American productive efficiency and design than has ever been the case before, the fact still remains that they have never yet, the average, standards. Our job progress far research, invention and develop- ment that when this war over will still out front these respects. This the only chance have protecting ourselves against the inroads world competition after the war over. must able make better products, new- products, better and cheaper methods. believe can it. line with all the past per- formance the United States. And dare not forget this ob- jective order produce today hurry all the various items needed for national defense. long-term basis, nationa! defense for the United States military preparedness. equal- matter economic prepared- ness. And ness, from the economic point view, must take into considera- tion post-war well present conditions. History has shown time and again that the final out- come international situation often predicated far more upon economics than upon battles. the United States can keep it- self prepared not only for military defense but for international com- petition, will have achieved the degree total preparedness which, opinion, necessary hold our proper place the world, not merely the face today’s unpredictable conflict but also the years which will follow thereafter. approached American Improved Rod Straightener and Burnisher EPRESENTING evolution small size straightening, sizing, and burnishing machine for rod announced about year ago Taylor Wilson Mfg. Co., McKees Rocks, Pa., Nos. and machines have been added the line. The newest additions are larger sizes than the one announced year ago and plans are already formulated for the subsequent manufac- ture third and larger unit. The No. machine will handle bars from in. and tubes 154 in., while the No. will from in. The speed these machines runs from 200 ft. per min., the driving motors being and hp., respectively. Overall floor space ft. in. ft. in. These machines are being utilized for airplane tubing and boiler tubing for national de- fense projects well for the general run accurate cold draw- ing requirements. The manufac- turer this rod straightener em- phasizes fast roll change, quick, positive setup, well high pro- duction speeds. 7 1 7 orderly employment standardization cation processes industry regarded economists and en- gineers one the important approaches increased savings and and addition enhancement the performance permanence the product. Furthermore, when these processes are carried their logical limits, mass production factory operation can accom- plished best advantage. For the latter reason, this subject par- ticular moment, since standardiza- tion expected play vital role attaining quantity production the current national defense pro- gram. The theme this paper con- cerns valuable aspect indus- trial standardization and essen- tial management, namely the process for standardiz- ing engineering and manufactur- ing materials within industrial enterprise. Manufacturing ma- terials are major item the cost production, fact illustrated data collected and published the —The how and why materials standardization, which particularly timely this critical industrial period. Includes purchase specifications, scope standardization, standards department and committees, executive control, etc. FRANCIS JENKINS Ist Lieut. Ord. Dept. Res.; Chief, Procurement Section, Watertown Arsenal Census Bureau, which show that industry whole approxi- mately 50c. the manufacturer’s dollar spent for their purchase alone. Therefore, systematic com- procedure, which assures the economical and effective utilization manufactur- ing materials matter pri- mary importance. Standardization has come about through more less evolution- ary process. The current attention material standardization in- dustry does not represent, there- fore, something new, but rather awakening the necessity for the constant systematic and ra- tional questioning existing standards, tion, and the adoption new and valid standards. now axiom scientific management that every enterprise industry should establish and adhere definite organization and sound method development order achieve the desired results with minimum energy. The type organiza- tion required, and set prin- ciples practice are becoming standardized gradually, though varying somewhat according the size, scope, and nature the busi- ness. Standardization Elements Modern material standardization involves functions which are not always fully understood. There- fore, perhaps will help the further consideration this question define what under- stood the term. Material stand- ardization broadly described both technical and creative well commercial and selective function. Standardization, its strict sense, actually concerns the development, publication, and maintenance, use and practice, material standards, purchase specifications, engineering data, together with ordering, cost, and stock data. The technical and creative work involves the deter- mination engineers the best materials meet required per- formance, and specification characteristics which indicate their quality performance. exact line demarcation THE IRON AGE, February 20, 1941—35 \ — } if = ) 7 \ | | i | } 4 | ‘ ; can drawn between the techni- cal and commercial functions, for they overlap some respects. The commercial selective work, widely known simplification, which actually elementary preliminary form standardiza- tion, involves the determination the optimum most favorable cally all cases, means selection from existing standards those which are most important and thereby reduction the variety these standards. MATERIAL STANDARDS: mate- rial standard defined that ma- terial which any given time the best and most economical qual- ity, form, and size for the service required, reasonably at- tainable maximum desirability. established general consent result engineering study combined with experienced opera- tion. PURCHASE SPECIFICATIONS: The material purchase specification essential part the standard- ization program. the medium for expressing each material stand- ard listed the inventory classifi- cation that may clearly understood the vendor, the buyer, the inspector, and the user. The specification not treated legal document and thus means protecting the consumer, although may made the basis for legal contract. The producer wants supply what the consumer needs, and the specifica- tion effort the part the consumer tell what wants, and also mutual agreement be- tween the producer and consumer what the material shall be. the main, purchase specifica- tions are simply tematically written descriptions the material purchased, suf- ficiently accurate and definite insure receipt, the least cost, the quality required for satisfac- tory use. The specification begins with the name the material, the materials symbol, and statement the uses for which tended. contains carefully pre- pared statements measurable terms chemical analysis, physi- cal properties, and dimensions, in- cluding methods tests and sam- pling together with other qualities such form, finish, and manufac- ture. All this presented such manner permit check- ing the requirements set forth and 36—THE IRON AGE, February 20, allow acceptance rejection the basis such specifications. Full advantage taken the prep- aration the specification, the engineering research and study re- quired determining the qualities that the material standard should have. Consumer purchase specifications are prepared and utilized, supplement technical society government since the use the latter, within company organizations ordinarily involves some interpretation con- densation. all times, however, the basic quality requirements and methods tests available stand- ard specifications should fol- lowed for best results. National specifications, just because they are meant cover the needs whole range industries, are neces- sity highly generalized, treating types, grades, finishes, tolerances, and other properties compre- hensively unsuited and not completely adapted the particu- lar requirements single com- pany. Furthermore, they can not obviously cover, all, individual company instructions for packing, marking, and rejection. Company specifications are prepared, there- fore, because desirable pub- lish only its limited standard re- quirements, together with its own peculiar instructions. Another im- portant reason for the necessity company specifications involves the identification materials draw- ings, correspondence, and records the company’s material symbol. STANDARDS CATALOG DATA: should understood that primarily the specification covers the pur- chase requirements the vendor and provides for the inspection de- partment, basis for inspection. The purchase specification not expected serve added functions for which not suited. Maximum benefits manufac- turing material consumer are ob- tained issuing separately, with- the company, information re- garding the materials which interested and sufficient value warrant publication. Instead the purchase requirements, termed standards catalog, covering (a) engineering data and (b) or- dering, cost, and stock data, is- sued responsible parties the engineering, purchasing, produc- tion, ordering, and stores depart- ments, tool and heat treating rooms, and others who have use for them. The standards catalog performs the following functions: ENGINEERING DATA: (a) Presents the recommended standard materials sponsored the company technical committees. Includes code index which iden- tifies company specification symbols used drawings, requisitions, thus establishing standard nomen- clature describing each material. (b) For assistance selecting and utilizing standard manufactur- ing materials, gives comparative data the engineering require- ments set forth the specifica- tions, properties, practices the trade, size tolerances, applications, and precautions observed the use the ma- terials. Also included treating, finishing, and other proc- essing specifications. ORDERING, COST AND STOCK DATA: (a) Indicates ordering methods which decrease price extras and lists the order and ordering point. For as- sistance requisitioning, outlines ordering form and gives example sample order. (b) Lists size, quantity and cut- ting extras, and presents other per- tinent cost information well outlining the cost build-up the material. (c) Establishes standard preferred standard material stock sizes together with weight. Recorded separately list any special which not for use designs re- petitively ordered well list any items carried warehouse stocks which, once depleted, are not intended reordered. The standards catalog used also list finished and semi-fin- ished parts for maintenance and product, establishing standard no- menclature and including description each, together with the standard sizes and purchase quantities recommended the company committees. SCOPE MATERIALS STANDARD- IZED: matter policy, all manufacturing materials should standardized, order achieve certain economies and simplify and clarify operations. initiating material standardization program within enterprise, priority standardization should given those materials when warranted: (a) their value f order obtain their greatest effec- tiveness, specifi- cations must backed inspection. should not as- sumed that the reliability proven sources supply guar- antee that speci- fications when accepted will strictly followed. quantity purchased, order eliminate the danger appreciable monetary losses not giving good results. (b) the necessity for un- usually close control their prop- erties assure continuous efficient processing protect the product service. Organization Material standardization should used tool the organiza- tion’s management the extent that there special department keeping track all possible oppor- tunities crystallize into company standards the experience and re- quirements the various other departments. Therefore, usual for medium large companies create material standards depart- ment, organization which corresponds this when otherwise named, the principal function force. The larger firms have branch bureaus the separate depart- ments the separate factories. Though the size the department dependent large extent upon the size and type enterprise, practicable for any company assign least one man serve either whole part time the material standards department. The department larger com- pany technical bureau com- posed supervisor, engineers, clerks, and stenographers, and delegated the authority for de- veloping and maintaining material standardization. This involves the actual analysis, classification, and symbolization inventory and the drafting and revision purchase specifications and standards cata- log data for manufacturing ma- terials well for all other pur- chased materials. sonnel, engineers who have unfailing amount tact, with training both research and practical engineering, and who are familiar with the characteristics and service all materials speci- fied. They also must have good general knowledge the manufac- ture materials with its limita- tions and difficulties well thorough knowledge tests and testing methods and their relation service quality. The superintendent the stand- ards department and perhaps some members his staff should given every opportunity par- ticipate national and trade asso- ciation standardization. The con- tacts made and information de- rived will inestimable value. Standards Committees Material standardization requires the pooling all available knowl- edge the subject concerned. But, since opinions are bound differ, the procedure handling standardization effectively, espe- cially large organizations, the use the committee and con- ference method. small enter- prise, however, the standardization engineer would most the work through personal contact rather than through committees. drawn between the drafting the specifications which state the re- quired quality and the responsibil- ity for determining the quality which required. The authority for the first function, has been mentioned, lies the material standards department. most companies, the responsibility for THE IRON AGE, February 20, } | | | | | | ) | } | | | J quality decisions, however, vested material standards committees. Such committees hold meetings required, requisition information deemed necessary, request tests and experiments desirable, and after due deliberation make appropriate recommendations. The committees also determine the general methods developing standards, approve requests for the inclusion new materials and pass recommenda- tions that old materials discon- tinued. The typical material standards committee composed respon- sible members the engineering, metallurgical, chemical, production, and purchasing departments. also includes other interested tech- nical representatives from organ- izations affected, such the in- spection, manufacturing, and stores departments together with repre- sentative the material standards department itself, acting the ca- pacity secretary. The engineer- ing, metallurgical, and chemical de- partments are able contribute information concerning the char- acteristics the materials should have meet the engineering re- quirements, the purchasing depart- ment regarding material costs and availability, and the production and manufacturing garding the relative ease and satis- faction with which materials can processed. Such committee will insure that material standardization will handled from the standpoint the organization whole rather than the immediate needs any single division. Moreover, since those who are concerned with the materials are consulted the preparation the standards the standardization when completed will much more kindly received. Standardization essentially problem cooperation, and particularly important that harmonious and helpful. Executive Control The material standards depart- ment must neutral its han- dling the cases referred it. Therefore, standardization together with research, engineering, and testing should combined group closely coordinated units independent operating depart- ments and should report for suit- able supervision directly high ranking executive officer. many large firms, the departments report 38—THE IRON AGE, February 20, 1941 directly the general manager, which especially the case German organization. Where number separate plants are served central ma- terial standards department, executive committee may formed. comprised officials, from the various plants affected, who are immediately concerned with either the production engi- neering supply functions and, addition, who are actively inter- ested material standardization their own factories. The execu- tive committee organized advisory body the management for the purpose determining the objectives and policies the pro- gram and supervising the work the material standards department. Members the material stand- ards committees are appointed the aforementioned executive head executive committee mem- bers. Care should taken that members the standards commit- tees have the authority cast definite vote matters concerning their departments, and effect, within their departments, the rec- ommendations the committee. Experience has shown that commit- tees whose members not have final authority the disposition materials have failed accomplish maximum results. The executive head the company should make mandatory for standards committee members attend the committee conferences. the management should from the beginning make clear everybody the company that this work has its full support and that company standards once set and put into effect are strictly observed. regard decisions manu- facturing material quality, which affect the quality the product, the problem pertains general pol- icies. Thus required the careful attention the top management who consultation with the stand- ards committee are likely arrive the wisest conclusion regarding product quality. Cooperating Departments PURCHASING DEPARTMENT AU- THORITY: The purchasing depart- ment exerts important creative force material standardization cooperating buying stand- ards and purchase specifications, educating the producer, well the engineering and requisition- ing sources within its own plant, and constructive suggestions and intelligent consideration the standards and specifications. usual practice all con- cerns give the purchasing de- partment the authority question the quality material standards. This department alone necessarily carry the authority change standards specifications, but merely raise the question and submit the final decision whatever other department has been responsible for the initiation the standard and its specifica- tion. This prerogative ex- pected, since the purchasing de- partment more apt con- versant with the supplier’s ability economically meet the specifica- tion. More important, however, the fact that the supply function al- ways the responsibility the pur- chasing department. Thus, ques- tionable quality requirements are not contested, resulting poor de- livery, high cost, quality, the purchasing de- partment’s responsibility take care the production require- ments the emergency created. For this reason, the buyer ex- pected view the specification its entirety, giving consideration not only the technical