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Tools

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Careful statistical analysis of an exhaustive study revealed that one

spends more time looking for tools than using them. Since there is a

tendency to misplace tools, a laboratory may lack tools rather than have an

abundance of them. Periodic search-and-seize missions throughout the lab

are as gratifying as they are deeply resented. In the unlikely instance that one

finds the tools, they are usually coated with dried slip, rusted, broken, worn,

or dull.

2.0 TOOL SECURITY

It is axiomatic that when one reaches for a tool, it is not available.

While color-coding with distinguishing paints helps maintain identifiable

tools, it is usually not enough. Since tool security is often an issue, one

might find the following suggestions helpful.

Lock the tools and carry the key in your pocket. Have a duplicate set for personal use.

Hide them where it is unlikely that they will be found.

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Tools 501

3.0 CRAFTSMAN HAND TOOLS

One commonly finds the following hand tools in a tool box: screw

drivers, wrenches, hammers, pliers, cutters, and others. One must acquire a

variety of tools and in different sizes. Additionally, one should check the

quality of the manufacture, especially the quality of the steel. Cheap tools

are made from soft steel. These are cheaper to make but more costly to use

as they wear out quickly and do not work well. The round-ended screw

driver is a common apparition.Locked tool cabinets with the identity and location of each tool is

a good way to store hand tools.

4.0 MEASURING HAND TOOLS

An initial question centers on the measuring system. Some people

believe that the SI system is universal; however, there is a problem. Most

laboratories have a collection of old and new equipment, with the old

calibrated in English units and the new calibrated in either English or metric.

SI units are not likely except where they coincide with metric. The bolts,

screws, gears, slots, notches and shims are all in English units. The authorhas no problem with the SI or the metric systems as inherently more

reasonable, based on decades of ten and standardization of fundamental

units. However, at issue here is the everyday function of the laboratory that

is predominantly English.

Geometrical

There are sophisticated measurement systems for almost everything.

Of concern here are those hand-measuring tools kept in the tool cabinet or

drawer.

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502 Ceramic Technology and Processing

Linear

Micrometers often have carbide faces that grab and give false

readings. Carbide faces wear at a slower rate than steel. Steel faces have a

better feel and do not wear fast. Avoid vernier calipers that have tips ground

down to a knife edge; these wear very quickly, especially with abrasive

ceramics.

Angular

Angle measuring spirit levels should be rugged to sustain lab use.

Accurate angular measurements are made in the shop with dial gages, sine

bar, and gage blocks. Go to the shop for these measurements.

Mass

Digital scales have nearly displaced analog types, because they are

so easy to use. The tare button is one of civilization's greatest inventions.

Keep scales in calibration.

Temperature

When the indicator fluid separates, coalesce the fluid by chilling the

thermometer to contain all the fluid in the bulb and then warm it again.

Thermocouples or optical pyrometers are common for temperaturemeasurements; these should be often calibrated against a traceable standard.

As a backup, pyrometric cones are still useful as they also give a qualitative

estimate of the total heat treatment.

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Pressure/Vacuum

Bourdon-type gages are often used to measure pressure and vacuum.

These gages can become plugged with slip or other material and, when

overloaded, give false readings. It is wise to often calibrate them against a

standard gage. Glycerin-filled gages are very useful for vibrating apparatus,

like a hydraulic press. Vacuum gages are sometimes calibrated in "inches of

mercury" which is a holdover from the beginning of the technology. The

early instruments were of the barometer type using a mercury column anda scale.

Electrical

In the laboratory, a multimeter receives much use. Hooking them upincorrectly results in their failure and need to be replaced.

Dedicated Tools

When a particular piece of equipment requires a special tool foruse, one should fasten the tool to the equipment with a chain. Such an

example is with the pressure infiltration apparatus discussed earlier. The

snap ring had to be removed after each run to clean the valve. This requires

special pliers fastened to the apparatus with a chain.

5.0 POWER TOOLS

In the laboratory, one only needs a few power tools. A power drill

and a small, high-speed grinder are useful. Off-site locations sometimes

require battery-powered tools. Remember to keep them charged.

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504 Ceramic Technology and Processing

6.0 MACHINE TOOLS

A laboratory working with the development of structural ceramics

may have to get a surface grinder for making test bars. Problematic is the

lead time from doing the experiment and obtaining the results. The

difference can range from two days to four weeks. If bureaucratically

possible, one can attain efficiency by eliminating the chance of a bottleneck.

Check List, Tools

Security

Accept failure

Hand Tools

Good steel Measuring Tools

Units of measurements

Geometrical

Micrometers/calipers

Electronic Balances

Temperature

Calibrate Pressure/Vacuum

Calibrate

Glycerin

Dedicated Tools

Chain

Machine Tools

Break any bottleneck.