Discussion on "Recent developments in the measurement and control of surface roughness" at the Glasgow Section of the Institution

DR. JAMES WEIR FRENCH, D.SC. : On an occasion like this I should say that, although I am intensely interested in production, I can hardly claim, the distinction of being a production engineer. 1 would congratulate Mr. Shaw on the presentation of a paper which is really half a dozen papers in one. It is an excellent instance of the compression of an enormous amount of material into the short space of an hour. I would congratulate him also on the instrument which he has produced. At first I could not see how the apparatus could do what was claimed, but I think he has demonstrated its usefulness by the slides and the repeat results displayed. Mr. Shaw has not only scratched the surface ; he has penetrated very deeply into the subject. It must have meant an enormous amount of concentration and reading and individual thought. Personally I have been much interested in the subject and my mind at first was full of doubt. It is twenty years since I had practically to face the same problem, but in connection with glass. It was necessary to get data as to the rates of abrasion in relation to speeds and pressures, in order to get down to the question of emergency production.