George Schuetz Director of Precision Gages

1 Nov 2000

3, 2, 1, Contact—Measuring Thickness

Thickness is one of the most frequently measured dimensions and also one that is easy to understand. So you might think that someone would come up with a one-style-fits-all measurement approach for just about every kind of thickness application.

Basics 1 Oct 2000

It Don't Mean A Thing If It's Got That Spring-What To Do When Your Fixture Isn't As Fixed As You Thought

Believe it or not, one of the most overlooked problems in qualifying gages is unanticipated deflection of the fixture due to the force of the probe on the part. Who would have guessed? After all, fixtures are used to provide stability.

1 Sep 2000

What's Wrong With This Picture? On The Care And Feeding Of Master Rings And Other Metrology Artifacts

Quality assurance can only be as good as the measuring tools it relies on. It should be obvious that if you spend tens of thousands of dollars on a measuring machine, you need to protect this investment with routine maintenance and calibration.

1 Aug 2000

Deep Thinking About Depth Gages And Their Evolution

A depth gage is a very common hand tool used to inspect the depth of holes, slots, counterbores, recesses or the distance from one surface to another. They are especially common in the tool and die industry.

1 Jul 2000

Electrical Limit Switches: Not New, But Tried And True

There is a category of gages that have been around for 50 years; are very inexpensive compared to alternate measuring methods; and are fast, reliable, easy to set up and functional for manual or automatic operations. I'm referring to mechanical gages that incorporate electrical limit switches.

1 Jun 2000

Beyond The Height Gage And Surface Plate

What can take low-volume, precision inspection to the next level? For many years now, the method of choice for low-volume, general-purpose inspection has been surface plate work using test indicators and height gages. Recently, electronic height gages have made the layout inspection process a little more accurate.

12 May 2000

Standardize the Measurement Process

How many times have you heard assembly personnel complain that incoming parts are consistently out of spec or parts that were shipped good now measure bad? During the manufacturing cycle, many people will look at the part to determine whether it meets the specification. Typically, these could include the machinist producing the part, a QC person, an incoming inspector at the company using the part, and finally another inspector who may be responsible for evaluating the manufactured part’s performance within an assembly.

1 Apr 2000

Starting From Zero

Writing ’00 instead of ’99 reminds me of the importance of zeroing out the measuring instrument or gage before starting to make a measurement. Zeroing sets a reference point from which all subsequent measurements are made.

1 Mar 2000

Micrometers: Measuring Under The Influence

The biggest problem with micrometers, some of the most popular and versatile precision hand-held measuring tools on the shop floor, is that measurements are subject to variations from one operator to another. There are two types of influences that contribute to this variation: "feel," or inconsistent gaging force, and subjective factors.

5 Feb 2000

Dial Comparators Bridge The Resolution Gap

Although high resolutions approaching 20 microinches/0. 5 micrometer would normally be reserved for an electronic amplifier with high performance electronics, there may still be reasons to prefer a mechanical measurement tool.

Measurement 3 Jan 2000

Going To The Extremes

When most of us think about measurement environments, what generally comes to mind are pleasant laboratories with temperatures controlled to 68°F/20°C—plus or minus a degree or two. Or in the worst case, we picture a gaging shop with swings of temperature between 65° and 90° F.

Measurement 1 Dec 1999

Calipers: Ideal For Measurement On The Go

Although it has been around for a long time, the caliper is still an extremely versatile and useful tool for making a range of distance measurements (both ODs and IDs). While micrometers are more accurate, they have a limited measurement range (typically several inches).