Rain Tests in Factory

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23133, 3 September 1938, Page 16 (Supplement)

Rain Tests in Factory

Torrential rain falls every day at an English motor factory. Fortunately, this does not cover the whole, of it, but is confined to a section where a now artificial rain plant has been installed. Tho object is to test thoroughly the waterproof qualities of tho cars befoio they leave the factory, a point of importance in view of the fact that of the total number of saloon models made, hb per cent possess sliding heads. To prove tho efficiency of the head point, a special storm test booth has been evolved, in which heavy rainfall conditions are faithfully reproduced. r Jhe water output in this test is standardised to 15in. an hour. r As each car outers the booth,_ 10,000 iets of water aro cascaded over it from all angles at tho rato of 100 gallons a minute. Such intensity immediately discovers any weak spots in tho roof, and tests also the watertightness of the windscreen and windows, the efficiency of the drip moulding and tho effectiveness of tho bonnet sealing. For special experimental purposes the pressure of the water can be increased tenfold. Cars which survive such a concentrated downpour are certainly weatherproof.