#QUALITYGAGINGTIPS

Measurement

How to Calibrate Gages and Certify Calibration Programs

Tips for establishing and maintaining a regular gage calibration program.

George Schuetz
Director of Precision Gages, Mahr Inc.

Bring the Surface Finish Check to the Part

Dedicated handheld gages can assist the operator in making critical checks.

Reading What the Dial Indicator Is Saying

Dial indicators provide good value for their resolution. With a glance, one can quickly determine if the part is larger or smaller than the master setting and by a degree of how much.

Measurement

Performance Digital Comparators Offer an Alternative to Bench Amplifiers

Electronics today allow for matching the linear variable differential transformer performance and digital indicator size into a new digital comparator that provides even more value than traditional bench amplifiers.

Measurement

Determining Out-of-Roundness at the Point of Manufacture

George Schuetz, Mahr Inc.’s Director of Precision Gages, offers these techniques for measuring roundness on the shop floor.

Measurement

Sensitive and Strong: Advanced Digital Comparators

Borrowing from cell phone touchscreen technology, user interfaces on industrial gages are increasingly sensitive — and strong.

Measurement

How to Choose the Right Cut Off When Measuring Roughness

Measurement results for surface finishing parameters can vary depending on the filter parameter (Lc), also known as the cutoff.

Measurement

Choosing the Correct Gage Type for Groove Inspection

Grooves play a critical functional role for seal rings and retainer rings, so good gaging practices are a must.

George Schuetz
Director of Precision Gages, Mahr Inc.

Measurement

How To Calibrate Your Calipers

If you’re interested in calibrating your own digital, dial or Vernier calipers, here are some steps to take to make sure it goes off without a hitch.

Measurement

When Manufacturers Should Use 3D Measurement for Surface Finishing

Two-dimensional (2D) surface profiling systems are the standard for quality assurance in manufacturing, but some applications demand 3D measurement systems.

Measurement

What Manufacturers Need to Know About Metrology

As manufacturing technology advances, measurement processes evolve to stay one step ahead.

Measurement

Differential Gaging: 2 Big Benefits for In-Process Part Control

Differential gaging offers benefits like reducing operator influence and enabling quick in-process checks.

Measurement

How to Improve Comparator Stand Performance for Gaging

Adding digital display systems and high-precision probes to comparator stands brings new functionality and pitfalls. The right setup can minimize errors.

Measurement

How to Choose the Right Dial Indicator

Digital alternatives are replacing dial indicators – but dial indicators can still be useful. Here’s how to select the right one for a given application.

Measurement

Calling Home on a Portable Surface Gage

Today’s surface gages have a user interface that is just like a smartphone, and setting them up to make measurement requirements should be easy for the operator.

George Schuetz
Director of Precision Gages, Mahr Inc.

Measurement

How to Correctly Measure Surface Finish

When providing surface finish specs, engineers sometimes leave out the actual testing parameters. Here’s how to be sure measurements are as accurate as possible.

Measurement

The Right Gage for Measuring Small Bores

Small bore holes present a unique set of challenges for precision measurement, but small mechanical bore gages can be used for tight tolerances in this application.

Measurement

Test Indicators Excel for Tight Tolerances and Small Spaces

Test indicators are sometimes overlooked or replaced by dial or digital indicators, but for some situations, they can’t be beat.

Measurement

Vibration: An Invisible Source of Gaging Error

Vibration can make or break a gage’s performance, but vibration errors can be resolved by using a vibration isolation table or other correction measures.

Measurement

Modern Bench Amplifiers Offer More Evaluation Capabilities

Today’s electronic gaging amplifiers can do more than take comparative measurements. New features have become common, opening possibilities for machinists and manufacturers.

Measurement

How to Make a Surface Plate Into a Gage

Surface plates provide a stable reference surface on a large scale, enabling multiple gage setups, but they can also be turned into a gage themselves.

Measurement

How to Choose the Correct Measuring Tool for Any Application

There are many options to choose from when deciding on a dimensional measurement tool. Consider these application-based factors when selecting a measurement solution.

George Schuetz
Director of Precision Gages, Mahr Inc.

Measurement

Preparing SQC For Machinists and Future Requirements

The current complexity of machines means machinists are already busy — assigning them new, expanded SQL duties (such as gage identification) will require gages and processes to prioritize accessibility.

Measurement

How to Successfully Transition from Dial Indicators to Digital

Digital indicators bring a wealth of benefits over dial indicators, but simply swapping one for the other can lead to problems in repeatability and process durability.

Measurement

Properly Reading Dial Indicators

Dial indicators provide useful readings about tolerance ranges at a glance — but new users need to know how to set up these indicators before using them.

Measurement

What to Know About Decoding Surface Finish Gages and Parameters

Long-wavelength waviness and short-wavelength roughness require a wide variety of instruments and parameters for proper measurement — and lower numbers aren’t always better.

Measurement

How to Match Thickness Gage Types to Proper Applications

Different thicknesses require different gage types during inspection — four common ones are handheld indicators, handheld micrometers, opposed air streams and gage blocks.

Measurement

Choose the Correct ID/OD Gage for the Task

Benchtop and portable comparator gages each have their place, but the differences are more than surface deep.

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