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Physics Instrument Shop Department of Physics and Astronomy

Rules for the Instrument Shop

Department of Physics and Astronomy Shop Procedures and Safety Guidelines

Shop Procedures

  1. Hazard Communication Awareness Training must also be completed for shop access.
  2. It is against University regulations to loan or give your Purdue identification card to anyone else to gain access to the Faculty Shop. Persons loaning out their ID card will have their shop access revoked.
  3. No one is allowed in the Faculty Shop that has not completed the proper shop training. Do not bring anyone into the shop with you that does not have card access.
  4. The doors to Rooms 33 and 39 must remain closed and locked at all times.
  5. Do not open any of the doors to the shop for anyone who may be trying to gain access without an ID card.
  6. Students must have prints or drawings of parts with dimensions, hole locations, thread sizes, and other machining information prior to machining.
  7. Never attempt to use equipment you have not received training on.
  8. Do not leave a machine set up and unattended for any longer than half an hour without the consent of the shop supervisor. If left for longer the set up will be torn down when the machine is needed.
  9. All work areas, and machines must be left clean, so if you drill a hole on the drill press, and then go to use the mill you must clean the drill press before you use the mill. Floor area where work was done must be swept after every use.
  10. You must clean and return all tools to proper location when finished.
  11. Report any broken tools or machines immediately to the shop supervisor.
  12. No tools are to be removed from shop without authorization. Use the sign out sheet.
  13. Do not abuse the machinery or equipment; follow the guidelines that pertain to the speeds and feeds for the machinery, tools, and material being used.
  14. If any shop equipment is malfunctioning, making strange noises, sparking, smoking, or smells "funny," Report it immediately. It is imperative that the shop knows of any equipment problems.
  15. Before you start the machine, study the machine. Know which parts move, which are stationary, and which are sharp. Always double check that your work piece is held securely.
  16. After using a machine, tear down all setups and return the machine to its standard setup.

Shop Clean Up Policy:

At the end of your work time you are expected to clean up the machines you worked on, including the area around them. Each area must be left clean, so if you drill a hole on the drill press, and then go use the lathe you must clean the drill press first, before you use the lathe.

  1. After using a machine, tear down all setups and return the machine to its standard setup.
  2. Milling machines should be left with a vise securely mounted on the center of the table.
  3. Chips should be removed from the t-slots of the table.
  4. Lathes should be left with an empty collet chuck or three jaw chuck on the spindle.
  5. Nothing should be left in the tailstock and the cutting tool should be removed from the tool post.
  6. Brush all of the chips off the machine and place them in the bucket for metal shavings.
  7. Once most of the chips are removed, use the shop air and blow the remaining chips on to the floor.
  8. Once chips are removed, wipe all oil and dust from the machine with a rag.
  9. Clean the chip pan on the lathe and the base of the mill.
  10. Sweep the floor around your work area and throw sweepings into the bucket for metal shavings only.
  11. If supervisor deterrmines that any person neglected to clean a machine or shop area that he or she was using, the user must immediately return and preform the required cleanup to the supervisor's satisfaction. Otherwise he or she may lose shop privileges.

Shop Safety Guidelines:

  1. Safety glasses with side shields or goggles are to be worn at all times while in the shop. Even when you're not working on a machine, you must wear your safety glasses.
  2. Wearing an iPod or other device that interferes with hearing is not allowed.
  3. You must be appropriately outfitted; wear only closed shoes on your feet to protect from falling objects and metal chips. Sandals are unacceptable. Long sleeves must be rolled up and long hair tied up or contained so they do not become caught in any rotating machinery. Rings should be taken off.
  4. No shorts, dresses or skirts allowed when working in the metal shop. Burred edges of metal are razor sharp. Wearing of long pants will protect you.
  5. Gloves are not allowed to be worn in the shop except for handling dirty or sharp material. They are never to be worn when running any machines. This includes rubber gloves.
  6. All work must be securely clamped in the machine before any work is done.
  7. Lathe and drill chuck keys must never be left resting in a chuck.
  8. Be aware of what's going on around you.
  9. Safety is your top priority when using the shop. If you are not sure what you are doing, "ASK".
  10. Double-check that tooling and work pieces are properly supported and clamped prior to starting the machine. Starting a spindle with loose tooling or machining a loosely clamped work piece can produce flying hazards.
  11. Heavy or unwieldy work pieces often require special support structures to machine safely. Ask for help if you are unsure if your work piece requires additional support.
  12. Deburr sharp edges of freshly cut stock. Eliminating burred edges minimizes the chances for personal injury and marring of precision machine surfaces.
  13. Work at a pace that is comfortable for you. Hastening will compromise safe working procedures along with part quality and increases the chance of damaging equipment and tools.
  14. Report all injuries to the shop supervisor or Bruce Poer immediately.
  15. All individuals are expected to demonstrate mature judgment and common sense in their work and conduct while working in the shop.

Anyone that purposely deviates from the above procedures and guidelines will have their Physics Instrument Shop access revoked.

Physics Instrument Shop Hours: 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. You are required to stop all project work 20 minutes before the Physics Instrument Shop Closes.

THE FACULTY SHOP IS UNDER 24 HOUR VIDEO SURVEILLANCE