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Semi-Con Scoring Tool Usage

Document ID:
  • FO-WI-00165
Department Owner:
Training
Effective Date:
05/28/2024
Revision:
0

I. Purpose & Scope

To safely and effectively provide instruction on the inspection and proper use of semi-con scoring tools.

II. Definitions

Standard PPE – High Viz Garment, Hard Hat, Z-87.1 Safety Glasses, Gloves, Pants, Work Boots

III. Process

NOTE: Work instruction does not supplement the manual. For specific instructions for the exact model please refer to the owner’s manual.

A. Potential Hazards

  • Sharp Object Hazard

B. PPE

  • Standard PPE

C. Inspection

  1. Check for damage. 
  2. Insure blade is sharp. 

D. Use

Blade Depth Setting

  1. Set the blade to a depth equal to 75-90% the thickness of the semi-con screen. Rotate the black blade depth adjustment knob clockwise until the slot in the split collar aligns with the desired blade depth. 
  2. If semi-con thickness is not known, the blade depth should be checked for acceptability on a sample piece of the cable being prepared.
    • If a sample is not available, the cable end can be used as a test section.

Ring Cut

  1. Observe the blade position mark on the blade position knob. Rotate the knob fully to the left. 
  2. Lower the jaw to open the tool and secure the tool on the cable at the termination point of the semi-con. 
  3. Rotate the tool 1 full turn counter clockwise around the circumference of the cable for ring cut. 

Spiral Cut

  1. Turn the blade positioning knob to one of the spiral cut locations. 
  2. Adjust the tool pitch to the cable size. The tool pitch is most aggressive at the smallest setting. 
  3. Turn the tool counter clockwise and allow it to advance toward the end of the cable, and completely off the cable. 
    NOTE: If preferred, the tool may be operated from the end of the cable and advanced inward. Reverse operating instructions, advancing the tool with clockwise rotation. 

Longitudinal Score Cut

  1. After finishing the ring cut, proceed to the longitudinal cut by rotating the blade position knob to the longitudinal tracking position. 
  2. Carefully pull the tool down the full length of the cable scoring it to the cable end. 
  3. Position the tool back on the cable at the ring cut and create the desired amount of score cuts down the length of the semi-con. 

Semi-Con Removal

  1. With long nose pliers or other appropriate tool, remove the semi-con in one continuous chip (spiral), or as individual chips (longitudinal scores). 

E. Maintenance

  1. Keep the tool clean and dry. 
  2. Occasionally apply a few drops of 3-in-1 or WD-40 oil under blade position know in back corner to maintain smooth blade indexing. 

Blade Replacement

  1. Turn the black blade adjusting knob counter clockwise until it stops. The dial should read 0. 
  2. Loosen the blade retaining screw with a 1/16″ hex wrench and remove blade form the collar. 
  3. Insert a section of cable into the tool with the base of the scoring head resting on the cable OD. 
  4. Insert a new blade assembly through the collar with the flat of the shaft facing the screw. Drop the blade so it is resting on the cable OD. 
  5. Retighten the blade holding screw against the flat portion of the blade shaft. 
  6. Re-adjust the blade to the desired depth setting.

Blade Alignment

  1. If misalignment is determined, turn the blade alignment adjusting screw with a 1/8″ hex wrench in the correct direction to bring the tool back to a properly tracking ring cut. 

IV. Reference Documents

Semi Con Scoring Tool Manual

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