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Wordng of a number of a certain size
5

Wordng of a number of a certain size

Wordng of a number of a certain size

(OP)
I am looking for advice.  We make a tool that cuts holes in metal stock.  We want the tool to be durable enough to make 25 holes each week.  These holes should be 6 inches in diameter.  The tool is adjustable to make any size hole from 2 to 12 inches in size.  It can cut metal in thickness up to 26 gauge.

  This statement in quotes is what we plan to use in a statement on the requirements of the tool that will travel to other manufactures.  " Normal use is defined as cutting 25 six-inch holes per week in 26 gauge sheet metal."

A.  Will this be understood 2 or more ways?
B.  The choice of punctuation could be better perhaps?
C.  Any suggestions?

Thanks, John

RE: Wordng of a number of a certain size

This could be a problem.

If you define "Normal use" as you do above, then any other use is "abnormal".  If the tool wears prematurely while cutting five-inch holes for example, you will have no recourse.

RE: Wordng of a number of a certain size

25 holes per week for how many weeks?  Seems this would add up to a specific number of holes.

I agree that "normal" is a poor term to use.  Perhaps "benchmark" or "standard"?

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RE: Wordng of a number of a certain size

I would use the term "minimum" instead of "normal".  If lasts longer than the 25 uses, then all the better.

As for "25 six-inch holes", I think I would state "twenty-five 6.00 holes".  This way you can apply any general tolerances you may have to the hole diameter.  Use as many decimal places as required.

Ray Reynolds
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RE: Wordng of a number of a certain size

(OP)
Thanks for the input.  We define the number of weeks of use in another field to further define the total life.

I agree Normal is not the best choice of word to use for this note.  Does "Intended normal use" do anything for you?

The number and frequency and size of holes is a good hint of the load applied to the tool, yet it lets the reader imply or suggest that either smaller holes or fewer of them is less than normal use.  This could lead them to relate how long they expect the tool to last and let them assume any amount of time.  As a side note, the balance of the tool is expected to last one year with some renewal parts offered as common consumable parts.  The grand total life is 5 years.

This will take more thought.  Have a great holiday for those in the USA.

RE: Wordng of a number of a certain size

Could you relate life to the sum of the perimeter x thickness of the holes cut?  

Without knowing how your tool works, it is difficult to provide more specific advice.

RE: Wordng of a number of a certain size

It's Thanksgiving in the UK, too!

RE: Wordng of a number of a certain size

(OP)
MintJulep, yes the sum of the perimeter and thickness could be used to define the life, but our users of the tool are heating system installers and they would not do the calculations.  (Or most of them would not bother)  Our sales staff would also not want to calculate and instead express the total number of holes it will cut.  (Sales people are math challanged)

One option may be to show the number of holes, approximate size of those holes and number it should cut in a lifetime then in fine print near this information also list the perimeter and the formula of Pi times the diameter to get each distance and then times the total holes for those who might want to try that for themselves.

In our line of tools we also sell a circumference ruler, so that might be help for them to understand the distance traveled for each hole.

It is great to get fresh people to give input, thanks all.

Have a productive week, John

RE: Wordng of a number of a certain size

Normal use could also be used to indicate peripheral speed of cutting, use of cutting fluid, applied pressure, and metal type and hardness / toughness (or is that nitpicking?).

Best regards
StephenA

RE: Wordng of a number of a certain size

What about using the phrase: "Normal usage includes, but is not limited to,..."

This would avoid the idea that anything other than 6.0 inch holes are abnormal usage as MintJulep suggests.

RE: Wordng of a number of a certain size

" Normal use is defined as cutting 25 six-inch holes per week in 26 gauge sheet metal."

I'd reword the above to avoid ambiguity:

"...as cutting a 6-inch diameter (max.) holes, 25 per week, in 26 gauge sheet metal."

- Adding "max." or "maximum" is sufficient to show that smaller diameter holes may be cut.
- "Normal use" or "Design usage" etc. are fairly common terms.

Just my $.02 worth.

- Ben Trueblood

RE: Wordng of a number of a certain size

How about:
" Normal use is defined as cutting 25 six-inch holes (or equivalent length of cut) per week in 26 gauge (or thinner) sheet metal."

Jeff


RE: Wordng of a number of a certain size

(OP)
Thanks all,
I gave stars to most of you, yet I do appreciate the viewpoints of all.

I plan to use the "Normal usage includes, but is not limited to cutting 6-inch diameter (max.) holes, 25 per week, in 26 gauge (or thinner)sheet metal."

We also tell the user what the recommended RPM should be used for the tool.

Thanks, John

RE: Wordng of a number of a certain size

I don't know that this matters at all but does it matter whether it's a 5-day week vs 7-day week?

Also, does it matter if they do all 25 cuts on one day?

Or, what if they make 50 cuts over two weeks - no cuts for 6 days, 25 on one day, 25 on the next, and then no cuts for the remainder of the second week?

I'm not really suggesting that you change your wording but you should always be cognizant of the extreme interpretations someone might make.

RE: Wordng of a number of a certain size

The rules of English grammar do not lend themselves to clear description of specifications such as this. I would always present technical data in tabular format:

Hole dia:              6 inch
Material spec:         Steel, xxUTS, xxVHN  ?
Material Thickness:    26 AWG
Production rate:       25 holes / week
Tool life:             2 years  ?

If you are specifying this internationally, remember that '26 gauge' has a different meaning in UK and absolutely no meaning elsewhere in the world. There are over 40 different 'wire gauge' material thickness systems; they're all now more or less obsolete except for AWG in the US.

RE: Wordng of a number of a certain size

Quote (harrisj):

If you are specifying this internationally, remember that '26 gauge' has a different meaning in UK and absolutely no meaning elsewhere in the world. There are over 40 different 'wire gauge' material thickness systems; they're all now more or less obsolete except for AWG in the US.

And GA (probably more accurate abbreviation if not describing wire sizes) is different in steel vs galvanized steel: USS United States Standard Gage or MSG Manufacturers Standard Gage for Sheet Steel - is this .0188 inch or .0179 inch?

Be more specific by using decimals.  [Even ASTM/ASME standards have moved away from gauge descriptions.]

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