Mohave County miner., 1916-12-16
TELLS OF CONVENTION
 OF AUTO DEALERS i AT OVERLAND PLANT
70 Continued From Page one)

matlcally into place. Twenty opera tions are performed in fourteen min
 utes. 26 pounds of metal are re- moved from the wheel. One man can watch three of these machines. The vertical cutter of gears on fly wheels almost matches the turret lathe in in- terest. Moving up and down, the cut ter at the sametime slowly revolves, the fly wheel turning in the opposite
 direction. By the time a complete
 revolution of the fly wheel has been accomplished, all the gears are cut. We all fell for the aluminium foundry and for the machines that finish the aluminium parts.
 The multiple spindle drill bores 81 holes in the crank case in one opera tion. This is a proof of the superior ity of machine processes, for the holes must be in the right relation to each other. Another machine smooths the surfaces of the crank cases, finishing seven in nine minutes. Diamonds, real diamonds, are consumed with ap- parently reckless indifference in the wet grind room. Placed in small tools they are used to true the emery wheels on which are ground the bear ing surfaces of the crank shafts. They are bought in S15,OOO lots.
 We looked on while whole forests of lumber were being turned into bodies in the wood work department. This lumber comes in by carloads. As PA feet of wood is required on small touring car, we could readily see why so much was required.
 You make this round and you can understand this company's immense consumption of material-18,00 900 pounds of solder annually, 2,500,000 pounds of tin and lead for smoldering pounds of brass and copper, 100000 feet of steel tubing and 125,O00 tons of steel. But what inn pressed me more than all was the department in which materials are tested. They have to know thing is right before it goes into Willys- Overland car. That's how they safe guard the public. Tests in the phy- sical and chemical laboratories are made in two ways. Completed steel parts are subjected to terrific tests. Axles are twisted like rolls of taffy candy. Small bits of steel, six inches long, cut from completed axles, are at both ends, and literally pulled apart. The registering ma chine shows 100000 pounds to the square inch necessary to accomplish this, where as a resistance up to 125,- 900 pounds would be proof of ample tensile strength. Springs are tried for their resistance.
 Steel articles are also put through both heat and chemical tests. The former determines the amount of car bon, an important factor; the other determines the chemical composition of the steel. Naturally every opera tion in all the plants tends finally toward the assembly conveyor tracks. There are four of them, each 645 feet long. We followed the whole opera tion. We begun at one end where the frames and rear systems are put in place. By the time the other end of the conveyor is reached the frame has grown into the finished car. From overhead parts are lowered by chains. Along the way men are attaching the parts. The frame is not in motion all the time, but can be instantly con- nected with the links of an endless chain and sent on it's way whenever desired. Top quality of workmanship is assured by having each man do work on which he is an expert, if 1t be only to tighten a bolt. Lines of motors, already tested, wait on both sides of the conveyor. These are put into place, cantilever springs are put on, steering mechanism and lighting | and starting systems are adjusted. Gradually the car takes form. Instead | of painting the chassis with a brush, a sprayer is used. It does the work ! more rapidly, more uniformly and at a lower cost.
 The tracks of the assembly lead di- rectly through ovens in which the paint is baked. Tenders and running boards come into their places. Wheels with the tires on are brought along on a runway. First comes a front wheel, then a rear wheel. You ought to see them put on the tires. It is lightning. By special device, in- vented by one of the men in the de- oartment, the tire can be put on wheel in three seconds.
 From overhead bodies are dropped flown on to the chassis and soon made last. The car is now ready for it's tests. Rapidly revolving wheels in
 n. II. !