PLAN No. 1122. FRAMES
Automobile frames are made of pressed steel. Steel for the frame is run through a powerful press, which presses the side and cross members into proper shape. These presses are handled by men trained for this particular job. They must know when the work is right and how to adjust the machines. The dies which form the frames often break and require replacing and adjusting.
After the frame parts have been pressed into shape and sheared to length, they are passed to the assembly department. Here large punch and drill presses are used to make holes for rivets and bolts. The holes are first marked from a template or are layed out by a layout man. A template is a jig or fixture that will allow all the holes to be marked uniformly so that parts will be interchangeable and uniform. This worker or layout man must be able to read blue prints. He must also be able to move about freely.
After the frame members are marked they go to the press men where the holes are made. These men do not need to be expert mechanics. They are known as machine operators, and do nothing else but punch and drill holes in these pieces. A handicapped man could operate many of these machines.
The parts are now passed to the assembly floor where the frame is to be assembled. Here we find men who assemble the parts from blue prints. Other men clamp or bolt the frame together. Oftentimes the frame is put in a jig to hold it until completed. Rivet men work on the frame next, or possibly the same men who assemble it will rivet it. Some frames are hot riveted while others are cold riveted. Where the frame is hot riveted, the rivets must be heated. The common practice is to heat the rivets in an oil or gas furnace. Rivets are passed to the riveter while red hot and he places them in the holes; he is usually the buck up man, i. e., the man who holds the rivet in place with a large bar while it is headed on the other side. Two men are required for riveting, which is done with an air hammer. Each rivet takes but a few seconds. In a few places riveting machines (squeezers) are used which save considerable time. The man who does this work must be able to move about freely, and should have two good hands in order to handle the tools and rivets.
The frames may next pass to a department where other parts are attached, such as step-board hangers and spring hangers. It is now ready for shipment or for the paint department, as the case may be.
The frame construction does not require a large number of expert mechanics. Oftentimes some of this work is paid for by the piece. All of the piecework is inspected; and if not up to standard, must be corrected.
Framework is considered rough work and a man should be in good health to undertake it. General working conditions are good and work is steady.
PLAN No. 1123. SPRINGS
Automobile springs are manufactured from high-grade steel. The steel must be heat treated and tempered so as to withstand thousands of vibrations which may tend to crystalize the steel and cause it to break. If the spring is tempered too hard it will break, and if it is not hard enough it will sag. Heat treatment of spring steel is a science in itself.