Advanced Photography Course

APPENDIX II

BASIC OPERATOR TROUBLESHOOTING

With all the automated processing equipment used

in Naval imaging today, it is important for you to have
a working knowledge of basic trouble-shooting
procedures. By having the ability to analyze a situation
and perform some trouble-shooting steps, you are able
to isolate problems that occur with imaging equipment.

Your ability to locate a faulty condition quickly can play
an important part in shortening the equipment

downtime. Trouble-shooting procedures are useful for
automated processors as well as cameras, enlarging
equipment, and so on.

As equipment is used, the parts wear out, even with

complete and competent maintenance. As this
deterioration occurs, more variation occurs in
functioning systems (the evenness of the air from one
side of an air squeegee to the other, for example).
Additionally, the larger, the more complex, and the
older the piece of equipment, the higher the probability
that it will malfunction.

TROUBLE-SHOOTING EQUIPMENT

To function correctly and efficiently, you must care

for and maintain equipment properly. Maintenance
should be performed consistently and according to
established procedures. On complex equipment there
are many adjustments that must be performed. Most of
these adjustments are not difficult, particularly if you
follow detailed 3-M system instructions and
instructions supplied by the manufacturer.

DETECTING MALFUNCTIONS

Troubleshooting a continuous film processor, for

example, is an action that evaluates the performance of
the processor in terms of both operation and product
quality. Each function on a system must operate the
way it was designed. If it does not, some signs will
become evident. The most common signs are detected
as follows:

Hearing. This sense is used to detect

malfunctions that produce unusual sounds. Noisy
malfunctions may include the improper meshing of
gears, worn or improperly lubricated bearings, and

loose or improperly lubricated drive chains. Some
types of equipment have alarm systems or buzzers to
warn the operator that a problem exists.

Sight. At times, malfunctions are indicated long

before they affect product quality. These malfunctions
include those displayed on the processor control
indicators (temperature, replenishment rates, and

speeds) and by indicator lights. Other signs of trouble
might include movements, such as a rising lift rod or

even the presence of smoke. The first step to take in
trouble-shooting circuits after securing power is to
inspect the circuit visually. Check for loose
connections, loose wires, abraded wires, and loose

fittings. An overloaded circuit is a serious problem; at

times, the electrical demand on a circuit can cause
circuit fuses to blow or circuit breakers to trip. In some
cases, incorrect sizes of fuses or circuit breakers were
used and the wires overheated and burned off the
insulation. This condition can cause shorts and grounds
that become potential fire or electrocution hazards.
Furthermore, some malfunctions can only be detected
by visual examination of the finished product. These

malfunctions include scratches, developing streaks,

drying streaks, and so on.

Touch. At times, the sense of touch is the best

way to detect malfunctions. This is particularly true
when total darkness is required to prevent image loss or
with moving equipment parts enclosed in some type of
housing. Usually, defective bearings or bushings or the
need for lubrication of these parts that are concealed in
a metal housing can best be detected by feeling for a
buildup of heat or unusual vibrations.

Smell. The sense of smell can be used to

identify a problem with a piece of equipment. Smoke,
hot electrical connections, and so on, may be identified
more readily by smell than by sight.

TROUBLE-SHOOTING TABLES

Troubleshooting a processor or any other type of

equipment is not a difficult task. Usually, the
manufacturer identifies the most common operating
malfunctions, their probable cause(s), and the

AII-1

contents

Advanced Photography Course

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DOFMaster for Windows On-line Depth of Field Calculator DOFMaster for Mobile Devices On-line Depth of Field Table Hyperfocal Distance Chart Articles FAQ Recommended Books Support Contact Links Home As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.	contents <- previous page next page -> APPENDIX II BASIC OPERATOR TROUBLESHOOTING With all the automated processing equipment used in Naval imaging today, it is important for you to have a working knowledge of basic trouble-shooting procedures. By having the ability to analyze a situation and perform some trouble-shooting steps, you are able to isolate problems that occur with imaging equipment. Your ability to locate a faulty condition quickly can play an important part in shortening the equipment downtime. Trouble-shooting procedures are useful for automated processors as well as cameras, enlarging equipment, and so on. As equipment is used, the parts wear out, even with complete and competent maintenance. As this deterioration occurs, more variation occurs in functioning systems (the evenness of the air from one side of an air squeegee to the other, for example). Additionally, the larger, the more complex, and the older the piece of equipment, the higher the probability that it will malfunction. TROUBLE-SHOOTING EQUIPMENT To function correctly and efficiently, you must care for and maintain equipment properly. Maintenance should be performed consistently and according to established procedures. On complex equipment there are many adjustments that must be performed. Most of these adjustments are not difficult, particularly if you follow detailed 3-M system instructions and instructions supplied by the manufacturer. DETECTING MALFUNCTIONS Troubleshooting a continuous film processor, for example, is an action that evaluates the performance of the processor in terms of both operation and product quality. Each function on a system must operate the way it was designed. If it does not, some signs will become evident. The most common signs are detected as follows: Hearing. This sense is used to detect malfunctions that produce unusual sounds. Noisy malfunctions may include the improper meshing of gears, worn or improperly lubricated bearings, and loose or improperly lubricated drive chains. Some types of equipment have alarm systems or buzzers to warn the operator that a problem exists. Sight. At times, malfunctions are indicated long before they affect product quality. These malfunctions include those displayed on the processor control indicators (temperature, replenishment rates, and speeds) and by indicator lights. Other signs of trouble might include movements, such as a rising lift rod or even the presence of smoke. The first step to take in trouble-shooting circuits after securing power is to inspect the circuit visually. Check for loose connections, loose wires, abraded wires, and loose fittings. An overloaded circuit is a serious problem; at times, the electrical demand on a circuit can cause circuit fuses to blow or circuit breakers to trip. In some cases, incorrect sizes of fuses or circuit breakers were used and the wires overheated and burned off the insulation. This condition can cause shorts and grounds that become potential fire or electrocution hazards. Furthermore, some malfunctions can only be detected by visual examination of the finished product. These malfunctions include scratches, developing streaks, drying streaks, and so on. Touch. At times, the sense of touch is the best way to detect malfunctions. This is particularly true when total darkness is required to prevent image loss or with moving equipment parts enclosed in some type of housing. Usually, defective bearings or bushings or the need for lubrication of these parts that are concealed in a metal housing can best be detected by feeling for a buildup of heat or unusual vibrations. Smell. The sense of smell can be used to identify a problem with a piece of equipment. Smoke, hot electrical connections, and so on, may be identified more readily by smell than by sight. TROUBLE-SHOOTING TABLES Troubleshooting a processor or any other type of equipment is not a difficult task. Usually, the manufacturer identifies the most common operating malfunctions, their probable cause(s), and the AII-1 contents Advanced Photography Course <- previous page next page ->	As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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