Heating and cooling

Problem: A large bullgear (gear) pulley is stuck on the shaft and won’t budge by regular means. Is there an easy way to get it off?

Solution: No problem, if a hot and cold approach is used. While applying pressure to remove the gear or pulley, simply heat the gear with a rosebud torch. At the same time, freeze the shaft using a CO 2 extinguisher or dry ice. This procedure expands the gear and shrinks the shaft. The gear (or pulley) comes right off.

This method in reverse allows for easy installation.

Contributor: Luc Raeckelboom, Curing Engineer, Michelin Tire Corp., Greenville, SC

Crushing tubes

Problem: Burned out fluorescent tubes are awkward to handle and quickly fill the garbage can. Can the problem be minimized?

Solution: Get a piece of 2-in. diameter plastic pipe 2-in. longer than the fluorescent tubes, a pair of 2-in. rubber drain test caps, and a hose clamp. Install the first cap and secure it with the hose clamp. Insert the tube into the plastic pipe and slip on the second cap. Holding the device with both hands, smack the pipe parallel, but smartly, on a flat surface, such as the floor or bench top. Tip the pipe toward the clamped end to allow any unbroken tube to slide down and swat it once more. Remove the cap and pour the small pieces into an appropriate container. (The second cap does not need to be clamped because the vacuum unleashed by the shattered tube sucks it securely in place.)

Contributor: Charles Bartlett, Maintenance Technician, Kimberly-Clark, North Ogden, UT

Reassembling components

Problem: It is often difficult to reassemble products with layers or stacked components after a repair activity is completed. Is there an easy way to quickly put the pieces back together?

Solution: Mark or scribe a diagonal line down the side before the product is disassembled. It’s a simple matter to align the line during reassembly to ensure the components are in the proper sequence.

Contributor: Ralph Dewey, Solvay Polymers, Deer Park, TX

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