Capítulo 15: The First of the Automobile Production
How do you create an automobile in a world that is similar to the 1880s? The first important recipe is the knowledge about automobiles. Like how does an automobile work, how was it structured, and what components made it come alive? Matthew understood that while most people in this era could barely fathom such an invention, he had the advantage of knowing precisely what was needed to make this concept a reality.
He leaned over the large workbench in his newly purchased factory, tracing the lines on the blueprint he had carefully sketched. The automobile's design would need to balance both innovation and practicality. The engine, an internal combustion type, was to be built compact yet powerful enough to drive the carriage smoothly over long distances. It would run on a refined version of petroleum—something that would require sourcing high-quality oil and establishing a process for refining it.
Matthew's eyes shifted to a list he had scrawled on a separate piece of blueprints: pistons, crankshaft, transmission gears, carburetor, spark plugs. Each part was critical, and he knew assembling them would be no simple feat. The challenge of creating precision-engineered components in an era not yet equipped for such complexities loomed large.
He set down the pen and took a deep breath, imagining the final product: sleek lines reminiscent of 1930s luxury cars, a polished body frame that would evoke admiration, and seats upholstered in fine leather. This vehicle wouldn't just be functional—it would be a symbol of sophistication.
Now how are each part engine block, pistons, crankshaft, transmission gears, carburetor, spark plugs, chassis and frame, wheels and axles, brakes manufactured?
The engine block, the heart of the automobile, would start with casting iron or steel. First, he needed to melt the metal in the foundry until it reached the appropriate temperature—over 1,500 degrees Celsius for iron. Once molten, the metal would be poured into sand molds carefully crafted to the blueprint's specifications. The mold would cool and solidify, forming the basic shape of the engine block. This cast piece would then need to be refined through machining, using lathes and drill presses to smooth surfaces, drill cylinders, and create channels for oil and coolant.
Pistons required a similar process but with more precision. Smaller molds would be created for casting the pistons, ensuring they were lightweight yet durable. After cooling, these parts would be machined to achieve the smooth, cylindrical surface necessary for fitting snugly within the engine block's cylinders. The challenge would be maintaining exact tolerances to avoid performance issues, which meant employing skilled machinists.
The crankshaft, the component that converted the pistons' linear motion into rotational energy, was a complex piece requiring both casting and forging. After the initial casting, the crankshaft would undergo a forging process to strengthen the metal by shaping it under extreme pressure. Following this, it would be carefully machined to create the precise curves and journal bearings needed for seamless movement. This process would be one of the most technically demanding due to the intricate balance required for smooth operation.
For the gears that made up the transmission, casting would once again be the starting point. The cast blanks would then be cut using gear hobbing machines—rotating cutting tools that shaped the teeth on each gear. Proper alignment and spacing of these teeth were critical for transferring power efficiently from the engine to the wheels. After hobbing, the gears would need to be heat-treated to harden their surfaces, reducing wear over time.
The carburetor, responsible for mixing air and fuel for combustion, required smaller and more intricate casting methods using brass or aluminum. These components would be machined with precision tools to create the small jets, throttle plates, and venturi needed for regulating airflow. Each tiny passage had to be crafted with exact detail to ensure consistent fuel delivery.
Spark plugs were made from a combination of ceramic, metal, and insulating materials. The central electrode would be formed by machining a slender rod of steel or copper. A ceramic insulator would be shaped through a process of molding and firing in a kiln, followed by assembly with the metal body. The finished spark plug would need to withstand high temperatures and pressures without failure.
The body frame and chassis would be constructed from steel beams, cut and welded into the base structure. Reinforced joints and cross-members would add strength to the frame, ensuring it could support the engine, passengers, and additional components. The exterior body panels, shaped through sheet metal forming and then assembled onto the frame, would provide both structural integrity and an appealing aesthetic.
Wheels would be forged from steel, with rubber tires molded to provide grip. Axles, turned on lathes to achieve the right diameter and length, would be heat-treated to withstand heavy loads. These components would then be fitted with bearings to ensure smooth rotation.
For brakes, he considered the hydraulic brakes. It would involve a master cylinder, brake lines, and wheel cylinders that used fluid pressure to transmit force from the brake pedal to the brake shoes. For this, he would need to create a master cylinder from precision-machined cast iron or steel. This component would house a piston that would pressurize the brake fluid when the pedal was engaged.
Now, assuming all those parts are made? How about the necessary fluids such as coolants, gear oil, engine oil, brake fluid, and the crucial fuel that would ignite the heart of the engine?
He started with coolants, essential to maintain the engine's temperature. In an era where antifreeze was unheard of, Matthew decided on a mixture of distilled water combined with a touch of alcohol, a resource that could lower the freezing point and elevate the boiling point. He made a mental note to secure barrels of distilled alcohol from local suppliers and design a rudimentary yet effective radiator system composed of copper tubes to dissipate the engine's heat.
Next, engine oil was needed to reduce friction between the moving parts. The thought of sourcing crude oil made his brow furrow, but in this era, the people here are already harvesting black gold, so this should be easy.
Then the gear oil. It's thicker and more robust, and was vital for the transmission system. It had to withstand intense pressure and provide a barrier against the grinding metal teeth of gears. The process would require similar distillation but with adjustments in composition, including the addition of rudimentary sulfur compounds to enhance its resilience.
Then came fuel, the lifeblood of the entire machine. Matthew envisioned distilled gasoline, obtained through refining crude oil into a clear, flammable liquid capable of sustaining combustion. The challenge would be the consistency of this fuel—ensuring it was clean and potent enough to keep the engine running without fouling the components.
Last but not least was the brake fluid, an essential component for ensuring the reliability of the hydraulic braking system. Brake fluid had to be specially formulated to maintain pressure within the brake lines and resist both high temperatures and freezing conditions. In this era, where synthetic compounds were scarce, Matthew would rely on a blend of castor oil mixed with alcohol to create a functional hydraulic fluid.
Matthew noted that obtaining castor oil would require negotiation with apothecaries or suppliers of medicinal compounds, while alcohol could be sourced from local distillers. He would also need to develop a method for ensuring the fluid's purity to prevent contamination that could affect the braking system's performance.
With all these in mind, it's time for the hunt of the laborers and materials.
Regalos
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