Inspection and Measurement

Inspection and Measurement 1 Oct 1999

Perfect Gaging In An Imperfect World

It is certainly not news that, more and more, gages are being forced out onto the shop floor. Tight-tolerance measurements that were once performed in a semi-clean room by a trained inspection technician are now being done right next to the machine, often by the machinist.

Measurement 15 Sep 1999

Scanning CMM Technology Made More Affordable

While scanning CMMs have been around awhile, they haven't become a mainstay of general production mainly due to cost. There's little question as to the value that scanning can provide. Conventional CMM workpiece measuring processes are limited by the number of points that can be collected and analyzed in a reasonably time-efficient manner. Thus, point-by-point inspection in essence provides a spot check confirmation of certain workpiece features, but it can easily miss a variety of nonconforming geometry in between those checkpoints.

Measurement 1 Jul 1999

Gaging Countersunk And Chamfered Holes

While countersunk and chamfered holes are similar in appearance, functionally they are quite different. Consequently, different gages exist to serve these different functional requirements.

Measurement 1 Jun 1999

Never Forget The Basics

We spend a lot of time in this column discussing sophisticated gages and out-of-the-ordinary applications—so much so, that perhaps we've lately been neglecting the basics. After all, the fanciest electronics, computers and software won't deliver accurate results if good gaging practice is absent.

CNC & Machine Controls 15 May 1999

Under Control

This small-parts machining operation combines superbly automated workholding and handling with total machining process management.

Inspection and Measurement 3 May 1999

Electronic Height Gages

We've looked at "basic" comparative height gages, which are used for layout tasks and other surface plate measurements. Related to these are instruments known as electronic height gages.

Inspection and Measurement 1 Apr 1999

Inspecting Tapers, Part 2: Toolholder Gaging

A few months ago, we discussed the calibration of conical taper masters, which are used to master taper gages. Now let's look at the parts those gages are used to inspect—toolholders.

Measurement 1 Apr 1999

Put Coordinate Metrology On The Shop Floor

Integrating CMMs with the machining process employs the power of accurate dimensional data to provide true process control.

15 Mar 1999

Sizing Up The Future

This shop installed a bigger CMM to meet its current needs, but the software that came with it has the shop ready for what lies ahead.

15 Mar 1999

Surface Finish: A Machinist's Tool. A Design Necessity.

Simple "roughness" measurements remain useful in the increasingly stringent world of surface finish specifications. Here's a look at why surface measurement is important and how to use sophisticated portable gages to perform inspections on the shop floor.