Talk:Interchangeable parts/Archives/2012

Merge

Should this article cover standardized parts, too? I have redirected the various spellings of term here because it is similar. The difference, as far as I can tell, is that standardized parts are essentially identical and interchangeable parts are made to be compatible whether or not they are completely identical. Here is some content from a page that is now redirected here that could be merged into the article: Standardized parts are used within the manufacturing industry to cut the costs within the production of products. This enables manufacturers to either increase their profit margins because of decreased production costs or decrease the prices of their product, therefore increasing the amount of sales.

No, this article is distinct from the idea of standardized parts, although they are conceptually similar. Interchangeable parts are parts that are manufactured according to a fixed design, with the intent that any of the manufactured items can be interchanged by the manufacturer. Standardized parts generally refer to a coordinated effort between different manufacturers to produce parts that meet an agreed independent specification (standard). The individual manufacturers may employ different manufacturing techniques that may result in distinct parts, but as long as the specification is met, it is presumed that the resulting part will be usable (interchangeable). —Preceding unsigned comment added by 192.91.147.35 (talk) 18:22, 4 October 2010 (UTC)

If you have valid info, simply cite it properly to avoid reversion

Dear 71.201.42.97—You complained that "Wikipedia sucks" because the truth is being reverted, but you didn't even try to show where your info is coming from (via a citation). You shouldn't play the victim and condemn other editors until after you've bothered to cite a ref. It has been a few months since I read the chapter in Hounshell 1984 that discusses Blanc. I can't remember whether your info jibes with that reference or not. I remember something about one guy or another slyly numbering his parts, but I can't remember which of the dozen people being discussed it was. If I get time I'll look back and see if I can confirm what you said. If so, I'll add it back, with a citation. That's all you need to do to be taken seriously. But when you type in the info with capitalization errors and no ref citations, other editors will (rightly) tend to suspect vandalism. Cheers, — ¾-10 22:40, 9 June 2008 (UTC)

Spare parts

One of the legacies of the development of interchangeable parts is the ability to have spare parts. I'm not sure how I could integrate this idea with the article, but thought I should mention it, as I'm doing some work on the spare part article. 70.250.239.119 (talk) 19:56, 22 August 2010 (UTC)

Some concerns about claims of 1890s firsts re hardened tempered steel and Colt

Hi Rvgupta. Unfortunately I think there are some inaccuracies with the sentences about the 1890s. Hardened tempered steel had existed for centuries (made by blacksmiths), even though they did not understand the metallurgy (on the level of chemical science) at the time. I'm quite sure you're right that new variants of hardening, tempering, and alloying were being developed in the 1890s (most especially in naval armor plate and naval artillery). But it wasn't the case that the 1890s saw the initial invention of hardening and tempering of steel. Another concern is that, although I'm not an expert on the timeline and it's been some years since I read Hounshell 1984, I'm pretty certain that true interchangeability in firearms occurred with North and Hall, many decades earlier. The section that mentions their "success in metal" is in fact simultaneously mentioning success in firearms, because those are exactly the metal objects that North and Hall were making. And I believe Colt already had true interchangeability by the time of the American Civil War (1860s), although my memory of Hounshell 1984 is starting to fade away from specific dates and details. Let me know what you think. Thanks. — ¾-10 00:07, 17 March 2011 (UTC)

The problem of warping after hardening is mentioned by Hounshell in the discussion about Colt's testimony to the Parliament's Committee on Small Arms in 1853. I am unable to co any research on this for the next few days.Phmoreno (talk) 02:26, 19 March 2011 (UTC)