Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-03
MANY INSPECTIONS
GIVEN AIR MOTORS
Kinkade Explains Diligence
Used to Produce
Mechanism.

Relentless inspections at every stage
OF production are the price the reliable
aviation motor manufacturer must pay
for quality and dependability in sew.
Ice, which means the safeguarding oil
| lives and property T. H. DOC" Kinkade
told members of the Washington Sec
| ton of the Society of Automotive Engi.
neers at meeting this week.
| Klnkade, who gave the final motor
! 20. K. S" to Col. Charles A. Lindbergh
before his transatlantic fight and tc
| Comdr. Richard E. Byrd before his
, North Pole and transatlantic flights, is
one OF the country's most noted avia-
ton motor experts.
The present f1rst-class aviation motor
manufacturer, Kinkade explained. be-
gins his inspection at the furnaces. In
spectors check every operation in the
preparation and casting of the rough
parts, guarding especially against i'm
proper heating and pouring and watch
ing to see that no stresses are set IT'D
in the castings through improper cool
ing.
Analyses of Castings.
From each casting a piece is cut for
chemical analysis and the casting it.
self is given an acid bath to cut off the
surface skin and reveal any surface
flaws which may have developed Each
individual casting is stamped with a
number and marked to show its in
dividual quality and the purpose for
which 1t Is to be used. This inspection
is carried out for such small items as
bolts and nuts, he said.
Inspectors check each step in the
machining of the castings, watching for
defects and measuring for size and &C
curacy Before assembly each part goes
through fourth and most rigid general
inspection. More inspectors watch the
assembly, and the finished motor then
goes to the test room for running tests.
Each motor is given a three hour
block test at normal running speed for
two hours and at almost full capacity
for one hour. The motor then is COM
pletely torn down and each part is ex-
amined separately for wear or defects.
II any part fails to come up to speci-
f1cations 1t thrown out and new part
installed, the motor reassembled and
put through penalty run. 1t then is
torn down again and examined.
After the three-hour run and the
penalty run, if this is necessary, the re-
assembled motor is given final block
test, the final half hour at its maxi
mum speed. At this time a check is
made of the gasoline and oil consump-
ton of the motor and it is checked out
for the market.
Motors Followed Up.
The work of the inspectors does not
stop with the sale of the motor, how
ever, KlnEade stated. Inspectors are
sent out to keep track of each motor
sold. Should some engineering defect
appear in the type of motor, such as a
weak crankshaft which is common to
all motors of this type, all owners of
such motors are notified that stronger
crankshaft is advisable and are asked
to lay up the engine until the new part
can be sent and put in by a mechanic.
"An this means great amount Of
work and expense" Mr. Kinkade said,
but 1t Is necessary If pilots are to have
confidence in the motors they buy.
Aviation motors must be as reliable as
it Is humanity possible to make them.
and unceasing inspection is unescape-
able If this is to be achieved"