Air-operated tools

Air-operated tools can be safely used in most work conditions, while electrical tools should not be used in conditions which are wet or damp or where there is a risk of fire or explosion, such as in flammable or dusty atmospheres. A selection of air-operated tools is shown in Fig. 2.21. 

Electric and air-operated drills are available with a maximum drilling capacity in steel of about 30 mm diameter for electric and about 10 mm diameter for air models. Air-operated tools are more ideally suited to the rapid drilling of the smaller diameter holes. Fig. 2.21(a). 

Figure 2.21. Air-operated tools (a) hand drill (b) screwdriver (c) impact wrench (d) grinder (e) metal shears (f) hammer...

Service air is supplied at outlets throughout the plant to power air-operated tools and is used as a motive force for air-powered pumps. The service air subsystem is also utilized as a supply source for breathing air. Individually packaged air purification equipment is used to produce breathing quality air for protection against airborne contamination. 

Faeilities, sueh as eonvenient air and eleetrieal eonneetions, should be prearranged for operating tools, ete. Suffieient hose lengths and eonneetors are required as well as eleetrieal extension eords. Install air driers or water separators in the air system, sinee dry air is neeessary for sueeessful grit blasting of turbine parts. 

Direction of the exhaust air from tools away from the operator. 

Powered hand tools can be electric or air-operated. In general, electric tools are heavier than the equivalent air tool, due to their built-in motor, e.g. electric screwdrivers weigh 2 kg while an equivalent air-operated screwdriver weighs 0.9 kg. The cost of powered tools is much greater than the equivalent hand tools and must be taken into account when a choice has to be made. 

Timing is critical to a successful pilot release, so it is best if it is easily adjusted for each tool. Mechanically actuated pilot release ensures synchronization with the press at almost any speed, but the adjustment procedure is somewhat cumbersome. Air-operated pilot release is easier to adjust if a programmable cam... 

Where plugs and sockets are used for portable tools, sufficient sockets must be provided for all the equipment and adaptors should not be used. Many accidents are caused by faulty flexible cables, extension leads, plugs and sockets, particularly when these items become damp or worn. Accidents often occur when contact is made with some part of the tool which has become live (probably at mains voltage), while the user is standing on, or in contact with, an earthed conducting surface. If the electrical supply is at more than 50 volts ac, then the electric shock that a person may receive from such defective equipment is potentially lethal. In adverse environmental conditions, such as humid or damp atmospheres, even lower voltages can be dangerous. Portable electrical equipment should not be used in flammable atmospheres if it can be avoided and it must also comply with any standard relevant to the particular environment. Air operated equipment should also be used as an alternative whenever it is practical. 

Operate various types of heavy equipment and tools, including excavation equipment, dump trucks, tank trucks, crane trucks, vacuums, hydraulic and air power tools, saws, compaction equipment, shoring systems and other miscellaneous types of tools. 

All pollution prevention programs start the same - with an audit. The objective of an audit is to gather information aimed at developing a baseline description of the operations. Once we understand how much the costs of compliance to air and other pollution media are, then we can apply engineering tools and management practices to reduce these costs. 

Air Hammer. This is a special downhole drilling tool for controlling severe deviation problems and for drilling very hard formations. The air hammer is an air percussion hammer system that operates from compressed air and the rotary motion of the drill siring. 

Code of Practice No. 4, Safe and Satisfactory Operation of Propane-Fired Bitumen Boilers, Mastic Asphalt Cauldrons/Mixers, and Hand Tools Code of Practice No. 7, Storage of Full and Empty LPG Cylinders and Cartridges Code of Practice No. 9, LPG-Air Plants Code of Practice No. 10, Recommendations for Safe Handling of LPG in Small Trailer Mounted Vessels, Skid Tanks and Small Bulk Storage Vessels Permanently Attached to Mobile Gas-fired Equipment... 

Few plant operators need to be told of the problems caused by water in compressed air. They are most apparent to those who operate pneumatic tools, rock drills, automatic pneumatic powered machinery, paint and other sprays, sandblasting equipment, and pneumatic controls. However, almost all applications, particularly of 100-psig power, could benefit from the elimination of water carryover. The principal problems might be summarized as ... 

Provide guidance and assistance to the Navy and Air Force relative to Army requirements for EOD technical publications and tools and equipment developed and maintained by those services, and to be used by Army EOD units. Operate the US Army Technical Detachment... 

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