Light Alloys in Production: A Description of one of the Newest Factories in Great Britain

THE new light alloy factory of Birmetals, Ltd., at Quinton on the outskirts of the western part of Birmingham, although it has only in production for half a year, has many advantages due to its very newness. With ample place at their disposal, some 175 acres, the architects and designers have been able to lay everything for the maximum of convenience and with an towards future expansion. The underlying principle has been to decentralise the works and up kindred jobs in their own separate buildings. These buildings there are at present three. The best contains the entire working equipment, including presses, rolling mills, drawing benches their repair shops in separate bays; the second size has the raw. material stores, foundries and rough cutting equipment; while the smallest and it compact consists of the offices, mechanical, medical and chemical laboratories. Here it may be well to point out that the Quinton factory is concerned not only with production, but has numerous equipment for research work. The plant extended solely for the production of the stronger aluminium alloys (not necessarily for the aircraft e alone, although it is the biggest consumer, for any who desire the stronger light metals), lower stressed alloys not being touched at all.