One Thousand Ways to Make a Living; or, An Encyclopædia of Plans to Make Money

by Harold Morse Dunphy

PLAN No. 1128. TRANSMISSIONS

Transmissions are another unit of the automobile that are sometimes made in a specialized plant. There are several well-known transmission firms who make nothing else but transmissions and gears.

The transmission case is usually made of aluminum and is cast into the proper shape. In the foundry are found the same classes of workers as in the axle factory, only the men are casting aluminum instead of steel.

The case having been cast is dumped from the sand, cleaned, trimmed, and inspected. Any small holes are welded shut, and the case is then cleaned ready for the sand blast.

In sand blasting a stream of air and sand is played against the part. The air is under high pressure and the sand fed in plays upon the aluminum at a high velocity, cleaning and smoothing it. Operators of the sand-blast machine wear masks and dust-proof suits and work in a special cabinet. It is impossible to work without this protection.

After being inspected the transmission case is passed to the machine department, where it is machined to receive the bearings, covers, etc.

Gears, shafts, and shifting forks used in the transmission are also made in the machine shop. The gears and shafts are next heat treated and tested. They are then ground to insure accuracy and are again tested for trueness. This testing operation is done by men who sit at benches. Part of this work is done sitting, and could be done by a man with one leg. Gears are tested as to hardness and for centers. Special equipment is used for these operations, and a man does not need experience other than that learned at the work in a short time.

From the inspection department the transmission case, shafts, gears, and bearings (the bearing having been made in another department or purchased) are taken to the assembly department. Here we find men standing at benches putting together the various parts of the transmissions. Gears are riveted or keyed to shafts, bearings are fitted to cases, and shafts and parts put in the case. Shafts and bearing are then adjusted and the adjustments locked. The assembled transmission is now ready for the inspectors, who check the work. The work in the transmission assembly department is similar to that of the rear axle department. Some transmissions are heavy and some light. The employee in this department must be able to move about freely, and must be able to use such hand tools as wrenches, files, and hammers. He needs no special instruction.

The transmission is now passed to the testing department where it is tested for noisy bearings and gears. If it passes this test, the covers are put on to keep out dirt. It is then numbered and sent to the stock department.

In a transmission factory there are many occupations that could be filled by men with slight handicaps. Much of the work can be done by men who have lost fingers, one hand, a leg, or foot, and by men who are not physically strong. The factories pay good wages, hours are reasonable, and the work is steady. Much of the work is piece-work.