Case Master Cam: Osa 2

Raportti hajonneesta Master Camista tuli Metoliukselta:

Metolius Climbing

Quality Control Report

Report: RA# no RA number

Customer: Nurminen

Product: Metolius MasterCam # 0

Date: 2/18/2010

Created by: M.Stöger, Quality Control Manager

1. Reason for Return:

The MasterCam # 0, batch number H 10-17/2008, was returned by the customer with a broken cam stop. The customer noticed that the cam did not function properly during a mixed climb. After closer inspection the customer noticed that one of the machined cam stops apparently sheared off. The cam was delivered to Metolius for inspection and commentary on the sheared cam stop.

2. Inspection Report:

The cam was inspected in the Quality Control department resulting in the following conclusion:

Due to the broken cam stop the cam lost its function and can not be used for climbing and protection purposes any more. Metolius will destroy the cam to prevent further use of the cam.

Cam stops are not designed for load bearing applications, especially the 00-1 size cam stops are designed to only attach the coil spring and to keep the cam lobes from inverting.

If the small size cam stops are loaded unevenly in a fall or during aggressive bounce testing, failure of a cam stop is possible.

Inspection of the underside of the cam lobes made passive loading of the cam lobes apparent to be the cause of the failed cam stop.

Image of the defective cam lobes underside, magnification x23.

MC#6 cam lobes are machined from 7075, T6 Aluminum. Scratching, deformation and material displacement is evident on the under-side of the lobe, suggesting passive load application.

Remark:

Comment on point 2 of customer’s message: The customer is wondering if the material choice or design of the cam stop is prone to failures.

The material used for the # 0 cam lobes is 7075 T6 Aluminum. This is a first choice structural engineering material used to manufacture lightweight, high strength parts in air plane design, climbing carabiner design and many other applications were a high strength to weight ratio is desired. Due to the nature of the small 00-0 cam lobe dimension the size of the cam stop is very limited and not allowing for a strength rating on that part other than body weight.

End of report

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Yhteenvetona voi todeta seuraavaa: Aivan loistavaa asiakaspalvelua ja todella luottamusta herättävää paneutumista sinänsä pieneen asiaan. Vika lienee jälleen kerran käyttäjässä. Liian kovaa nykimistä piissistä joko placementia testattaessa tai poisotettaessa. Erityisesti jos halkeama ollut vähän liian iso tai toiset leuat auki. Ja taas muistutus siitä, että ei niitä kamoja koskaan tarkista tarpeeksi usein kotona...