
George Schuetz Director of Precision Gages
A Primer On Dial Indicators
Also known as dial gages, clocks, comparators or just indicators, dial indicators are widely used as basic gages for measuring linear dimensions. This device is useless by itself; it needs to be attached to a fixed base or a stand so that the tip of the spindle is at a specific height against either a master or reference part.
Read MoreSize May Matter, But Form Counts Too
Cylindrical parts range from beer cans to bearings to bullets. Therefore, measuring cylindricity has considerable value for manufacturers.
Read MoreNine Enemies Of Precision Gaging
In some plants, metal parts are made accurate to 0. 01 inch.
Read MoreFully Utilize Your Form Measuring System: Part II
In last month's column, we looked at some of the setup and analysis issues that can influence the results of your form measurement, including the way the parts are staged; the influence of the stylus tip; using the wrong filter; confusion about the look of the graph; measuring the wrong parameter; and the influence of poor part tilt/centering. These are some of the pitfalls that can rob accuracy from your measurement, but there are others that also need to be addressed.
Read MoreGet The Most Out Of Your Measuring System
With the implementation of touchscreen operation, canned measurement routines and automatic ranging, form measuring machines have become nearly foolproof and have successfully migrated from the lab to the shop floor. Still, the form machine is only as good as its setup, and without due attention to the basics, there are many pitfalls that can make even the most basic measurement useless.
Read MoreRepeatable Expectations For GR&R
It seems axiomatic that the more precise we try to be, the less certain we become. In today's manufacturing world, nothing is flat, round, smooth or exactly the same length.
Read MoreSetting Adjustable Bore Gages
Adjustable bore gages are comparative instruments. This means that the readout, whether it be a dial, digital indicator or other type of electronic readout, will show the amount and direction of variation in the test bore from nominal size.
Read MoreHardness Testing And Surface Variation
Hardness measurement is a topic that has not been addressed in this column before. However, when dimensional measurements can affect hardness results, it's time to focus on the issue.
Read MoreSpeeding And Gaging Don't Mix
Manufacturing is under constant pressure to get more productivity out of its process. Machine tool speeds, feed rates and part positioning all keep getting faster, yielding more parts in less time.
Read MoreThe Gaging Environment
The environment can often largely contribute to measurement errors. Conversely, once the environment is under control, strides can be made to improve the overall measurement process.
Read MoreTIR Versus Concentricity For Coaxiality
One of my favorite customers was having a bad day. "Those CMM operators are disputing my gage results," Sue said.
Read MoreIndicator Troubleshooting And Repair
Repairing dial indicators is a task usually assigned to a trained gage technician. Because the indicator amplifies the actual gage displacement to make it a readable value, it is an essential component.
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