George Schuetz Director of Precision Gages
The Right Angle On Perpendicularity
In nature, a right angle happens only by chance. But the importance of this concept—which results from the perpendicular intersection of lines or surfaces—applies to architecture, civil engineering, agriculture and manufacturing.
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Tracking Down Tracking Errors
In the world of dimensional measurement, electronic gages make up a class of instruments that are capable of detecting extremely small dimensional variations on a surface element. The gage's electronic transducer can operate in a number of different ways, typically LVDT (Linear Variable Differential Transducer) or through a digital scale-based technology.
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Locking It In With A Good Taper Fit
A machined taper fit between mating parts is a fast and secure way to put two parts together. Fast mating and good alignment make taper fits critical in two very different fields.
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Gaging Tighter Tolerances Is A Different Animal
If you are planning on manufacturing to tolerances of 0. 0001 inch or less and have not done so before, your introduction to high order gaging might be an eye opener.
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Gage Accuracy Runs Hot And Cold
“It takes a while to warm up in the morning, but after that, it runs great. ” I swear that machinists apply this statement to their gages as if the instruments were like car engines with 50-weight motor oil and cold-intake manifolds.
Read MoreWhen Gaging Becomes Measuring That Becomes Gaging
In a previous column, we discussed the terms “gaging” and “measuring,” which are often used interchangeably. There are times when gaging is appropriate and other times when measuring is the best way to go.
Read MoreGive Your Mechanical Snap Gage A 50,000 Mile Checkup
Your snap gages have been out on the shop floor for years and have served you well. Normally they are zeroed with a zero master, measurements are made and all is well.
Read MoreTime To Re-Evaluate Your Gaging?
Let’s say you’ve been making the same part for decades, running hundreds or thousands of parts every day, from the same machines, using the same process and the same gaging purchased when the process was started. If this is the case, then you’re not alone.
Read MoreThe More Things Change: Quality Gaging Tips, The Book
We’ve decided to break from our usual format in this column to make a special announcement (at least, I think it’s special): Hanser Gardner Publications has released a new book, “Quality Gaging Tips,” written and edited by yours truly and the original author of this column, the late Jim McCusker. The book is a compilation of more than 140 Quality Gaging Tips columns, arranged by measurement topic and incorporating additional material and illustrations that would not fit in the original magazine format.
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Self- And Datum-Referenced Form Measurements
Form or geometry gages are generally divided into two categories depending on what form parameters they are designed to measure. While there is no formal designation to differentiate these two categories—sometimes they are simply referred to as roundness or cylindricity gages—their difference is primarily based on their ability to make self-referenced or datum-referenced measurements.
Read MoreA 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.
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