Inspection and Measurement
Feels Like A Go To Me
Once a QC manager came to me, confused and dissatisfied. He was spending money to buy quality masters, but his inspection process was not improving.
Read MoreGood Parts, Good Measurements
A machine tool must be capable of generating both, says a software company with a new vision for the role of metrology data in the emerging era of globally integrated manufacturing enterprises.
Read MoreWorking With Your Working Gage Blocks
The uses of working gage blocks are as varied as the number of gage blocks in a large set. The working blocks have an intermediate grade and are often used in the inspection or calibration lab, but they may also be found on the shop floor.
Read MoreSemi-Automatics—The In-Between Gages
The faucet has been opened a little, and you've just received a long-awaited contract to produce 10,000 large trunnion caps for a manufacturer of earth moving equipment. Despite the joy, you realize that you have a problem: The machines will be in place and ready to run the part shortly, but you haven't given much thought to the gaging.
Read MoreThe 'Issues' With Height Gages
Don't tell anyone, but there is something of a problem with height gages. The big issue that they have is what they measure: height.
Read MoreThe Real Dirt About Gaging
I'm not sure that any of us in the metrology business are very close to godliness, but I do know that cleanliness is the first step to approaching accuracy in gaging. Probably every machinist is at least nominally aware that dirt can interfere with the ability to take accurate measurements.
Read MoreFixtures Are A Common Source Of Gaging Error
As a gaging engineer, my concept of a gage includes both the measuring instrument and its fixture. Assuming you are dealing with a reputable supplier, and your instrument was engineered to do its job as intended, there is probably little you can do to improve its accuracy, aside from throwing it out and spending more money.
Read MoreChoice Of Bore Gage Depends On The Application
Indicating bore gages come in two basic varieties: adjustable-capacity gages with interchangeable contacts or extensions and fixed-size gages with plug-type bodies. While indicating plug gages can measure closer tolerances with higher repeatability than adjustable ones, these are only two of several factors to consider when selecting a bore gage.
Read MoreBore Gaging Flexibility Boosts Productivity
A key machining operation at the plant is the boring of metal; consequently, improved inner and outer diameter measurement ability is required.
Read MoreScanning CMM Gets Auto Parts To Market With Speed, Accuracy
In the game of darts, the bull's eye is 4 cm in diameter. It doesn't matter where the dart hits inside the bull's eye—dead center, slightly to the left or right of dead center—to score points, as long as it lands within the 4-cm circle.
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