, 1923-02-11
EXPERTS CURE
STEEL DISEASE
AT AUTO PLANT
Rickenbacker Laboratories Is
One of Most Complete
In Industry

Steel and other important metals
used in the construction of the mod
ern automobile have diseases Just the
same as humans 1t becomes evident
after a visit to the laboratories of
various automobile plants in Detroit,
and the metallurgist takes the place
of the physician and surgeon in cur
ing the ailments of the metals and
making them sound and durable,
Probably one OF the most complete
laboratories in the industry is at the
Rlckenbacker Motor company plant
where the RIckenbacker Six Is made.
Capt. Eddie R'ckenbaclcer whose or.
~gan!zation builds the car which bears
his name, vas insistent on its com.
~pieteness in every detail. His long
and varied experience with steel has
impressed strongly on him the impor.
lance of the best in metals where
human life is at stake.
The physician with his dissecting
instruments. slides, cultures and his
high powered microscope, lays bare
the structure and anatomy of the
- ues and cells that enter into the
living organisms and he is able to
note and study the effect exerted on
hhCSC ~ uOIhlCo ny IN NdEAOuS lTeul-
ments to which they are subjected.
He is likewise enabled to study their
normal condition and to draw his
conclusions and deductions from these
observations when he finds those
which are abnormal.
In a similar the Rlcken.
hacker metallograph.st with his small
pieces of iron, steel or other metals.
his polishing wheels. etching fluids
and his microscope is enabled to lay
bare the structure and anatomy OF
the metals which go into the Ricken.
hacker Six IND to study and observe
the effect Of the various treatments 20
which they have been subjected and
to note the influence that impurities
and abortive treatments nave upon
this structure. He is likewise enabled
to study and observe the normal
structures Of metals and to draw his
conclusions and DEDUCTIONS from these
observations when he finds those
which are abnormal.
Heavy weight. formerly used to pro
duce trackage, has been replaced with
materials of l~ightness, yet strength,
making for economy and speed.
Tests conducted insure your safety in
automobile travel. Crankshafts, con
Meeting rods, cam shafts. highly
stressed bolts. steering mechanisms
and all other parts of the Ricken-
hacker are given the most rigid tests
and Inspections to insure safety and
long life.
Because of a test made by the
Rickenbacker metallurgist an entire
consignment OF highly stressed bolts
We're condemned. So searching had
been his analysis that it astounded
the manufacturers of the bolts who
were forced to seek a new source of
raw material to conform to R!cken-
hacker standard.
The highly efficient Brinell test IS
given every piece of important ma.
terIal received at the RIckenbacker
factory. 1t consists of forcing very
hard steel balls into the product, the
hardness of the steel being proper
tomato to the impression thus made
On the object.
Every part Of the Rickenbacker car
which is exposed is made dust proof
by the Parkerizing process.
The work of a~nalyzing in the
Rickenbacker laboratory is so precise
that balance of materials to m half
of one millionth of an ounce r re-
quired. Some elements are deter
mined to one n t~housandth of one
per cent.