Solutions – 2004-11-10

Full or empty?

Problem : It is often difficult to tell if a tubular sight glass is completely full or completely empty of clear liquid. Is there a quick and easy way to make this determination?

Solution : Place a long object, such as a finger or pencil, behind the sight glass. If the object looks normal, there is no liquid in the glass. If there is a distortion, the sight glass is full.

This tip was originally published in April 2001.

Mounting blueprints

Problem : Blueprints tend to be large and bulky, while many plant maintenance offices are small and cramped. How can large blueprints be stored and viewed?

Solution : Mount several window shades on a wall, one below the other. Put the blueprint on the shade. The shade is simply pulled down to access the blueprint. This storage method also ensures the prints are not damaged.

This tip was originally published in February 2001.

Reassembling components

Problem : It is often difficult to reassemble products with layers of stacked components after a repair activity is completed. Is there a way to properly 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.

This tip was originally published in November 2000.

Safety First…

In all cases, even if not specifically mentioned in the writeups, verify that the tip does not violate any relevant code, standard, or practice. Always use the appropriate safety equipment and procedures when applying the maintenance tips.

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