Omega Pacific is requesting that Link Cam owners inspect
their Link Cams for a potential defect recently discovered.
As of this posting, the incidents are extremely rare and are not
considered widespread, but we feel that it is in the best interest of climbers’
safety to inform the climbing community of the potential for this problem.
Should any Link Cam owner wish for us to perform the inspection, we will be
happy to do so. Please contact us for information how to prepare the
return.
In May 2008, we became aware of situations in which axle nuts
were not properly and permanently fixed on the axle assemblies permitting the
cams to potentially become disassembled. Upon receiving the units, our Quality
Assurance department launched an exhaustive investigation to determine the cause
and establish correction of the issue.
Our QA inspectors have determined that the returned units were
allowed to progress from one assembly station to the next without this important
step having been completed.
It was determined, based on identification by lot numbers, that
the cams returned were manufactured prior to the implementation of upgraded
quality assurance procedures and employee training sessions which were
instituted in May 2007. At that point, new work instructions were written,
additional quality inspection steps were introduced and employees were either
reassigned or retrained to reduce the likelihood of such lapses in quality from
occurring.
Upon receiving the units subject to this Inspection Notice, our
QA department met with department supervisors and upper level management to
review those steps, ensure that they were being followed and met with all
employees to reinforce the importance of maintaining quality control. Although
we were not aware of this specific issue at the time, we are confident that the
upgrades we instituted last spring closed the opportunity for it to occur any
longer. Thanks to the new procedures and retraining, no units built since that
time are believed to exhibit this characteristic.
We have no reason to suspect that this is a widespread or
repeated problem, but we’re issuing an inspection notice to the climbing
community so that climbers may inspect their Link Cams to ensure that their cams
meet proper specifications. Of course, we will be happy to inspect cams for
anyone should they wish to send them to us for analysis. However, a very simple
visual examination as described below is adequate to determine whether this
problem exists with any Link Cam. The inspection should be made on either #1 or
#2 Link Cams, regardless of lot number or date of manufacture. We request that
anyone with cams that fail the exam immediately contact us. Should we become
aware that this is a larger problem, we will respond accordingly.
It should be noted that no accident occurred nor any injuries
suffered as a result of this incident.
To determine if your Link Cam should be sent back for repair
or replacement:
1) Identify the side of the cam with the nut.
 |
 |
| This photo shows the opposite side of the cam. |
This is the side of the axle with the
nut. |
2) Identify whether the axle is “peened” or “mushroomed” over
the round nut.
 |
 |
| Correct: The axle-end is smooth and flatter. |
Incorrect: The axle-end is sharp and has concavity. |
| |
|
 |
 |
| Correct: no threading from the axle should be seen. |
Incorrect: some threads may be visible beyond the
nut. |
3) Apply some counter-clockwise force to the nut and attempt
to remove it from the axle. I t should not
rotate. Some very minor movement
may be within specification, but you should NOT be able to rotate the
nut
more than a few degrees.
 |
| Two cams compared side-by-side |
I f your cams fail this examination - or if you are in doubt of
the results for any reason - we request that you contact us at 1-800-360-3990 to
arrange for the return of your cam(s). We will repair or replace them as
necessary.
We apologize for this inconvenience. Please feel free to contact
us for any additional information.
Michael Lane
Sales & Marketing Director
info@omegapac.com
+1 800.360.3990 toll-free
+1 509.456.0170 international
http://www.climbing.com/news/press/link_cam_inspection_notice_update_axle_nut/
____________________________________________________________________________________________ 
Responder a este mensaje