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tools:plastics:clearance

Plastics Recycling Clearance

Members who are already proficient in the subject matter may apply to receive a clearance by demonstrating a core set of skills and knowledge that allow them to safely and effectively use the equipment.

Most tools in the shop require clearance before solo use. Each tool is different and most are expensive and/or delicate.

During a Proficiency Based Clearance Instructors will provide Protohaven specific customs and rules for the equipment but will not provide technical instruction on the operation of the hardware, or software.

If a member needs to gain additional knowledge or skill they should take a Basic Skills Class to learn the required skills.

The items that will need to be demonstrated to gain the Proficiency Based Clearance are:

General Shop Rules

Be safe

  • Understands safety clearances are required as bare minimum.
  • Understands equipment must never be left unattended.
  • Understands why equipment must be reset after use.

Take care of the tools

  • Will not alter or use equipment beyond limits.
  • Will notify when maintenance is needed.

Keep the shop clean

  • Understands importance of cleaning up after oneself.
  • Will return borrowed tools to original location.
  • Understands anything left outside of your paid monthly or overnight storage may be removed and disposed.

Personal Protective Equipment

  • Knows whether synthetic materials may be worn during use.
  • Knows whether long sleeves can be worn beyond elbows during operation of equipment.
  • Knows whether loose clothing & hair may be worn down.
  • Knows whether open-toed shoes may be worn.
  • Knows whether safety glasses and hearing protection are required during operation.
  • Knows whether safety glasses are required when near someone else operating equipment in the workshop.
  • Knows whether additional PPE is required (e.g. apron, face shield…)

Tool Specific Instruction

Plastic Shredder: Point out the following tool features

  • Maintenance Tag
  • Startup/Cleanup Guide
  • E-Stop
  • Plunger
  • Forward/reverse lever
  • Inlet/hopper and its thumbwheel screws
  • Outlet

Plastic Dryer: Point out the following tool features

  • Maintenance Tag
  • Startup/Cleanup Guide
  • Ventilator power switch
  • Heater power switch
  • Heater control panel
  • Analog temperature gauge
  • Temperature data chart
  • Lid latch
  • Top assembly clamps
  • Hopper drain lever

Injection Molder: Point out the following tool features

  • Maintenance Tag
  • Startup/Cleanup Guide
  • Power switches (Barrel & Nozzle and Heater Plate)
  • Barrel & Nozzle temperature controllers
  • Barrel
  • Nozzle
  • Material loading chute & safety gate
  • Table guard
  • Heating plate, control knob, and centering stud
  • Clamping force gauge
  • Pilot force gauge
  • Inlet pressure regulator
  • Injection pressure regulator
  • Temperature data chart
  • Clamp control valve (orange knob)
  • Clamp pressure selector (orange knurled knob)
  • Cycle-Timer selector (middle)
  • Injection Pressure Selector (black knurled knob)
  • Injection control valve (black knob)
  • Injection Speed Control (silver dial on back top)
  • Ram power return (right side, bottom)
  • Elevating spindle (allen key hex nut)

Identify & mitigate common hazards

  • Dust - keep hopper covered when shredding or dumping plastic - also wear a dust mask when grinding plastic or dumping plastic between containers
  • Crushing - do not wear gloves, long sleeves, or other things at the shredder which can get pulled in
  • Burns - use appropriate gloves at injection molder when handling hot plastic and heated molds, and don't touch hot surfaces of plastic dryer

Allowable Materials

  • Can name two plastics approved for the Plastics Grinder and one unapproved plastic
  • Can name two plastics approved for the Injection Molder and one unapproved plastic
  • Can name two plastics approved for the Dryer

Safe Setup/Operation/Cleanup

Plastic Shredder

  • Demonstrates proper pre-cleaning of plastic in preparation for shredding
  • Demonstrates proper pre-cleaning of the shredder to prevent cross contamination
  • Demonstrates bucket positioning to catch shredded plastic
  • Demonstrates proper loading technique and understands how much to load at a time
  • Demonstrates how to safely remove plastic stuck in the shredder
  • Demonstrates proper reversing procedure when the shredder stalls
  • Demonstrates proper post-cleaning of the shredder to prevent cross contamination

Plastic Dryer

  • Demonstrates proper loading and unloading of plastic material
  • Demonstrates cleaning of internal dryer screen (via the top assembly clamps)
  • Demonstrates setting proper temperature and turning the heat/blower on.

Plastic Injection Molder

  • Demonstrates proper compressed air hookup and regulation
  • Demonstrates turning machine on and setting appropriate barrel/nozzle/hot plate temperature
  • Demonstrates mold installation and clamping force adjustment
  • Demonstrates proper plastic loading procedure
  • Demonstrates proper injection process and wait time
  • Demonstrates proper mold removal and finished part extraction

Knowledge and Technique

  • Knows the process for switching injection molder to a different plastic material than what is currently loaded.
tools/plastics/clearance.txt · Last modified: 2024/03/07 16:53 by georgiabc92