The film opens with an explanation of the different components that go into the manufacture of a bicycle wheel. We then see wheels being assembled by hand at the British Cycle Corporation works in Smethwick. A commentary explains that the assembly, tensioning of the spokes and subsequent truing of the wheel are separate operations. We are then introduced to a machine which takes an assembled wheel and automatically tightens the spokes to the required tension to ensure that the wheel is true. The machine built at the Tube Investments Technological Centre uses a magnetic scanning head and a series of relays to accurately adjust separate motors to tighten each spoke.
Head Title: An Automatic Machine for Building Bicycle Wheels
Title: This machine was developed and built at the Tube Investments Technoligical Centre and is now in use at the works of the British Cycle Corporation, Smethwick, England
Tail Credit: This film was made for Tube Investments Limited by M.R. Warner & Sons Limited Wolverhamption, England MCMLX