Evening star., 1922-12-31
AUTO STANDARDIZATION
NOT LIMITING DESIGNS
Resourcefulness Displayed in 1928 Models
Greater Than Ever Before in History
of Industry.
Although the automobile industry has

Although the automobile industry has
developed Standardization to a greater
extent than any other industry. the
principal objection to standardization
that 1t limits design-has not been
borne out. The 1923 models show more
resourcefulness in design than ever be-
fore. The standardization Of component
parts has. however, increased notwith-
standing. Engineers estimate that Is
per cent is saved yearly through the
use Of standardized parts and mate
rials which can in no way be con-
sidered as limiting individual design.
The fact that a certain car uses
S. A. E. standard ball studs on the
car is not properly designed. but It
does mean that the maker has cut
production cost on that part (and con-
sequently has been able to cut his
prices accordingly. because standard
ball studs cost less than special studs
by the s. A. Z. as representing the
best engineering ball-stud design.
Standardization OF Parts.
The standards committee Of the So
c1ety OF AutoInotive Engineers has been
working on the standardization Of parts
and materials going into the makeup
OF automobiles and other automotfve
vehicles since early in 1910. Agreement
has been reached on more than $50
various standards. covering such parts
as ball bearings, carbureter fianges,
bolts, nuts. tires. rims and the vari-
Gus materials most extensively used.
In material Standardization the So
ciety Of Automotive Engineers has
formulated standards which are widely
used in other industries, the S. A. f.
standard steels being one Of the best
examples. conference was recently
held In Washington at which delegates
or all organizations representing users
or makers Of steel were present, and 1t
was decided to adopt a method OF num-
bering steels for all the industries of
the United States. The Society Of
Automotive Engineers and the Ameri-
can Society for Testing Materials are
to sponsor this work.
AS most important parts have been
standardized during the last ten
years. the average owner takes for
granted today what was appreciated
as real accomplishments yesterday.
As an example. the carbureters manu-
featured today are made with stand
can therefore be replaced without de-
lay, as carbureters with standard
fanges are carried in stock by the
dealers. thus making unnecessary the
carrier procedure of wiring the manu-
facturer and waiting from ten days
to two weeks for new carbureter.
The most important advantages of
Standardization are availed of by the
manufacturers of the complete
vehicles. The production cost Is
lowered and a large part of the saw
ing is passed on to the buyer, as Is
evidenced by the continual decrease
in prices and increase in value.
Meeting Twice n Year.
The S. A. +. standards committee
meets twice a year to consider the
adoption of new standards and re-
visions of existing ones. The 1923
annual meeting will be held during
the annual convention Of the society
in New York on January 9. At this
meeting a large percentage of the
total membership of $500. constituted
of the most prominent automotive en-
gineers and Executives throughout
the entire industry. will be represent
ed. The most important recommenda-
tion to be acted upon is the report of
the lubricants division, which has
formulated definite specifications for
crankcase lubricating oils.
At the present time many oil COM
panies market as many as 100 grades
of oil for various purposes. 1t will