South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-04-21
MACHINE MAKERS
HAVE TO Be SHOWN
Preventing Trouble at Source
Costs StudebakerS Thou
sands of Dollars.

The astonishing thing about a
good modern automobile is the way
Sc stands up and gives service under
every possible road condition. in
every part OF the world Rough
roads. hills. mud. sand. only seem 70
bring out the cars inbuilt stamina.
But. to the owner who sits cOmpla-
Gently behind the wheel, free from
the worry OF frequent mechanical
dif1culties. there is seldom
thought as 20 what is really back
OF the cars goodness.
Yet this quality does not just hap
peu-there is a reason for 10.
Automobile manufacturers take
nothing for granted That is. those
recognized leaders who have created
and consistently maintained a repu-
tation for quality, accept no ones
say-so when IL comes 10 the ma
terials that enter into the cOnstruc-
tion OF their cars. They build
longevity and service into their cars
by making sure in advance.
Some sage has said that the
training OF a child should begin
with its grandparents. Automobile
engineers believe that the inspection
of a car should begin with the raw
material.
The Studebaker corporation. one
OF the worlds largest and best
known manufacturers OF automo-
biles obtains surety OF manufac-
ture partly from exact engineering
calculations. partly by scientific
tests in wonderful chemical and
physical laboratories. and partly by
exhaustive road tests.
StudeDaker has invested a large
fortune in its laboratories and
equipment The research and chem
ical laboratories. for instance. oc-
cupy nearly 5000 square feet Of
floor space and employ n large force
OF skilled men, each man holding
his college or university degree. And
here IL is interesting TO note that
these Studebaker laboratories are
larger and mare completely equip
ped than many OF the universities
from which the men employed
graduated.
In the chemical Ia boratory ma
terials. such as steel bar stock.
brass. bronze babbitt and cast iron,
are carefully analysed and checked
with specifications from the engin-
eering department Any deviation
from original specifications means
immediate rejection Steering
knuckles, transmission and rear axle
gears, steering arms and other vital
parts are regularly sampled and
checked in the mechanical labora-
tory 20 see that production is always
up 20 standard. The metallurgical
laboratory tests the heat treating Of
steel under microscopic engagements
from samples which are taken after
each heat treatment. Specialized
experts IN the physical laboratory
test finished parts for strength by
special machines which exert crush
ing. twisting and pulling or bend
ing strength sufficient TO break any
finished part. Three Of the latest
type electric power absorption
dynamomters. measuring power up
TO 100 horse powers through a speed
range OF 1000 revolutions per min
ute. are operated by Studebaker in
the dynamometer and mechanical
departments.
Studebaker's research laboratory.
maintained at great expense and
employing many scientific men OF
note. is fully equipped for scientific
work alOng original lines The OBJ
Jet and duties or this department
are 20 investigate. analyze, and de-
velop new ideas toward determining
their relatives merits and resultant
commercial value.
Tie work done IN the expert
mental department covers the
necessary work on all new models
and special apparatus. the inspec-
lion OF a sample Of all purchased
parts. such as dies. castings. motor
parts. gauges. etc. These outside
parts. OF course. have been rigidly
inspected and checked up by their
makers before delivery TO Stude-
baker But Studebaker engineers
take nothing for granted-they in
sst upon a thorough inspection
Under their own eyes to ascertain
whether the work has been accur-
te and up 20 Studebaker standards.
ms utpdE lllltul - aloo USED TOT the
purpose Of conducting road tests 20
evaluste and check up laboratory
results under actual road conditions.
Tests on the road cover the question
% engine performance. economy.
endurance aCceleratiOn. spring per-
Torrance. road resistance tire tests.
brake tests. night driving lighting
effects and many other minor tests
covering the effects on some one
part OF the car Tests made on the
road are often duplicated in the
mechanical laboratory for the pur-
pose OF special observation or OF
obtaining engineering data for
analyzi1g purposes