The Washington times., 1912-06-29
THE lAyMAN KNOWS
LITTLE OF SCIENCE
BEHIND MODERN CAR
Analysis of Materials Is Al
ways Essential to Main
tain High Quality.

Few people. as they comfortably roll
along In their motor cars, realize the
part which science plays In the con-
struction of the automobile. In fact,
the layman lacks the power to conceive
any idea OF the intricate scientific
analyses that must be made of all ma
terials entering into the component parts
of the present-day automobile.
The quality of cars which the manu-
facturer produces Is in exact proportion
to the amount of scientific skill and
care that goes into the production. A
scientific department of some sort or
other is a necessary adjunct to all auto
mobile factories. It Is, however, one of
the departments in which cost cutting
processes must enter, for the reason
that no manufacturer can afford to
triie with the reputation for which he
must rely upon the quality Of his pro-
duct to maintain. The more jealous he
Is of his reputation the more care and
the greater expense incurred in the
scientific department.
To the average individual the auto
mobile is made up of certain component
his mind that the manufacturer must
have certain knowledge of the ma
terials, processes. and ingredients that
make up those various parts.
Nothing Escapes Test.
The research department of an auto
mobile factory is one of the most ex-
hausttng institutions of it's kind to be
found. It tests everything, no matter
what 1t is or how trivial. The director
of research will, II you ask him. give
you the pedigree of an axle for a five
ton truck or the ingredients making up
q harmless-looking grease
The functions Of this department are
many and important. 1t must first OF
all keep in touch with modern engineer
ing methods; 1t must know the prevail
Ing practice In motor car construction
In this country and abroad. 1t must
know the good and the bad, and 1t must
give its reasons for it,
A visit to this chemical laboratory Is
really educational, for one Is SURPRISED to
Sarn the many thousands of dollars
spent each year In experimenting and
perfecting machinery You will see test
n S machines mach n,na having the strength to
support a 100-ton- load.
, innocent looking bearings. but so
Avitally important in motor car construc-
uons. are subjected to grueling tests.
AS a preliminary they are put in a re-
volving machine and turned several mil
lion times to note the wear. II any.
Ehey are then placed in experimental
ditions. After this the bearings are
broken up, analyzed, and placed under
microscope for observation
Motors are tested by thermometers.
By this method the brake horse power
Is known; the compression of the motor
is also noted, the quantity of gasolene
consumed and the working of the lubri-
The museum is one of the interesting
places In the laboratory. Here you
Ind samples of fcarburetors. steel ca
Dies, transmissions, nuts and bolts.
magnetos, shafts and bars. and long
rows of bottles containing oils and
greases. Please remember that all these
samples have been tested and their me-
chanical efficiency and physical proper
ties are known
- Even the greases and oils come in
Tor a certain amount Of attention, for
they are allowed to age and settle.
should a salesman come in and make
cialms regarding his particular oil and
how 1t will keep and describe it's ap-
Pearance after a specified period, he will
De told by the manager who has kept a
record Of this particular brand Just
what the conditions are and whether
the product is living up to the claims
made by the manufacturer. A paint ex-
pert Is also engaged whose business II
Is to snalyze the different grades and
ascertain the wearing qualities under
severe condluons.
Records are also kept here, blue prints
OF every car made, and catalogues and
specifications for different years are 70
be found. The library in connection
contains all engineering works published
IN the last half-century by authorities
Doth mere and abroad.