If you broke it or found it broken we can fix it! Many type of laboratory equipment such as magnetic stirrers, hot plates, heating mantels, overhead projectors, small motors, and vacuum pumps are expensive to replace. This equipment can either be repaired by the shop or it will be sent out of repair. Complete a Work Order.
I. We have developed procedures to refill wick plotter pens as well as some of the ink jet cartridges used in printers. The number one refilling problem for Hewlett Packard printers is a dried out cartridge. If an HP cartridge is left empty for more than 10 minutes, the ink (any kind) will dry and clog the micro holes at the outlet of the print head. When refilled, this will present itself as streaked or banded output. Don't attempt to refill old empty cartridges that you have had in your desk drawer for a few days or longer. It won't work after it is refilled. Refill cartridges that go empty right away or store them in a zip lock bag with a damp cloth to prevent drying. The shop no longer fills cartridges on a regular basis but will accept special orders. This service has not been used for several year.
II. Vacuum pumps are treated to the following protocol.
Step 1 - When your vacuum pump is received at the shop it is logged in, given a repair number and the pump is tagged. Information such as customers name, model number, manufacturer, serial number of pump, what the pump is wired at and accessories the pump came with are recorded on the tag and the work order. Fill out a Work Order and bring it with the pump
Step 2 - The equipment is then disassembled taking the necessary precautions for contamination and health hazards. We need to know what materials may have contaminated to oil.
Step 3 - We give the pump a preliminary cleaning. The reason for preliminary cleaning the pump is to get rid of contamination and to also be able to give proper analysis of the pump and determine what parts are defective and need to be replaced.
Step 4 - The pump is then analyzed for cause of failure, and recorded. This step is often useful to the customer to help keep his repair costs and downtime to a minimum. It shows if the equipment is not being properly maintained or if the wrong pump is being used in a particular process.
Step 5 - All parts are inspected for wear, defects, and life expectancy using the necessary measuring instruments to check against tolerances specified by the original manufacturer.
Step 6 - The customer is contacted and given the cost of repair and delivery date of their equipment. No equipment is repaired without the approval of the customer.
Step 7 - Cleaning for assembly- The equipment is thoroughly cleaned physically and with chemicals to rid the parts of contamination and deposits which build up in the pump during use.
Step 8 - The equipment is ready for assembly- During the assembly process all major components are lubed with the recommended oil to ensure there is no metal to metal contact which could cause premature wear of parts and shorten the life expectancy of your equipment.
Step 9 - The equipment is filled with recommended oil to proper levels and run for 10 hours. During these 10 hours it is checked for vacuum level, oil leaks, noise level and temperature specified by the original manufacturer.
Safety for Vacuum Pumps. If vacuum pumps are used with volatile substances, the input line to the pump shall be fitted with a cold trap to minimize the amount of volatiles that enter the pump and dissolve in the pump oil. The exhaust from evacuation of volatile, toxic, or corrosive materials shall be vented to an air exhaust system. A scrubber or trap may also be required.
If pump oil becomes contaminated with toxic chemicals, it will exhaust the chemicals into the room air during future use. Pump oil shall be changed if it becomes contaminated. Dispose of used pump oil through the Stock Room procedure or through the hazardous waste system in room 230. The waste oil must be labeled and in a separate container from other chemical waste.
Before using the vacuum pump, ensure that the moving parts have been properly guarded and that there are no exposed points of operation (i.e., exposed belt) that could nip a finger or catch hair or clothing. Wear eye protection when working with a vacuum pump or setting up the cold trap assembly.
Return to Instrumental
