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If one selects the wrong type of bore gage, it
could deliver inaccurate data, low throughput and end up as an unnecessary
expense. If you are looking to get indicating bore gages, here’s what you need
to know:

Understanding the Basics of Indicating Bore
Gages

The two basic types of indicating bore
gages are fixed-size gages with plug-style housing and adjustable-capacity
gages with interchangeable extensions or contacts. In most cases, indicating
plug gages offer higher repeatability and can measure closer tolerances than
their adjustable counterparts. Now that you have a better understanding of
indicating bore gages, below are several factors to consider before choosing
the ideal bore gage for your precision measurement needs.

Diameters

If you need to measure large inner diameters (ID), adjustable bore gages are currently recognized as the economical option. Stock adjustable gages and masters are typically available in capacities of up to 24 inches. Most plug-type gages, on the other hand, are over 4.5 inches and are considered “specials.” This means that they cost slightly more than adjustable gages.

Tolerances

Today, many modern shops still utilize adjustable
bore gages. In addition to low production runs, adjustable bore gages come in
handy when technicians need to measure with medium to broad tolerances. Additionally,
the application might have many different bore sizes to measure as well. The
range of these gages is typically up to three times greater than that of plug
gages, i.e. 0.010 inch vs. ≤ 0.006 inch. That’s why they are practical to use
with broader tolerances.

Because adjustable gages can measure a range
of hole sizes, some shops only require just three units, with capacities of:

• 0.500 to 1.00 inch
• 1 to 2 inches
• 2 to 8 inches

Indicating plug gages, on the other hand, require
separate size plugs to measure each hole size.

Stability

One of the biggest advantages of fixed-size
plug gages is that they can eliminate “rocking” to center the gage in
the bore. Self-centering plug gages virtually eliminate operators’ influences
and require minimal training. Rocking adjustable gages is considered a refined
skill that needs to be performed conscientiously. Inadequately trained
operators who are rushed or tired are likely to produce inaccurate results.

Adjustable gages, on the other hand, are more
subject to intentional operator influences than the aforementioned gage. This
is called “close-enough syndrome.” If you want to eliminate
“rocking” and speed up the measurement process, choose plug gages.
They perform well in production runs where tolerances are tight, and volumes
are high. Additionally, they have larger bearing surfaces, are more resistant
to wear, and offer greater repeatability. It is recommended that one uses plug
gages with electronic data collection systems.

Willrich Precision is the leading supplier of precision instruments including bore gages. We have over four decades of experience supplying high-quality precision measurement instruments to a variety of industries. You can count on our professional staff to offer advice and suggestions when you are buying equipment from us. This way, you get the correct products for your applications and save money. Willrich Precision is also a family-owned business and we put our customers at the center of everything we do.

Measuring sharp edges and needles is critical when it comes to ensuring that tools and medical instruments meet the required height specifications. Medical equipment such as needles need to be of very specific dimensions. This is because if they are too long or too short, they may cause injury or might not deliver the right dosage as needed. For this reason, quality control personnel have devised a myriad of ways to conduct height measurement of sharp edges and needles.

Measuring Sharp Edges

When manufacturing instruments and tools with
sharp edges, it is important to verify their height to ensure that they can
perform as required. When doing this, quality control personnel use a variety
of tools principal among them, digital gage probe. These probes are designed to
take measurements of delicate surfaces without causing any damage to the
pointed end or the sharp edge of a tool. They are also designed to be extremely
accurate, up to a 0.05µm.

Advantages of Digital Gage Probes

Modern digital gage probes are particularly
suited for this kind of work because they offer precise and repeatable results.
They also come with very low tip forces ensuring that they deliver sub-micron
accuracy. They are also designed to be part of a quality control process, so
they integrate very well with other equipment and are easy to use. Digital gage
probes also can withstand varying environmental conditions meaning that they
can be used in all kinds of factories and machining shops.

Digital probe gage can also be easily used to
measure the height of needles made with all kinds of materials. This includes
tungsten and more. They also come in all kinds of shapes and sizes ensuring
that they can easily be applied to a wide range of applications.

Benefits of Verifying Height of Sharp Edges
and Needles

The height of medical instruments matters
greatly when it comes to how they are applied. For example, the effectiveness
of insulin injections can be affected by the height of the needle used. If a
patient with diabetes injects himself or herself with a needle that is too
long, the insulin is deposited intramuscularly. This in turn results to faster
than normal absorption and decreased longevity of the insulin. The height of
sharp edges also has a significant impact on the efficacy of the tool in
question. The depth of the cut is largely determined by the height of the edge.
This has major implications when one thinks of delicate surgeries such as heart
and brain surgeries.

Willrich Precision is the leading supplier of precision instruments including digital gage probes. We have over four decades of experience supplying high-quality instruments to a variety of industries including the medical industry. You can count on our professional staff to offer advice and suggestions when you are buying equipment from us. This way, you benefit from our experience in this field. Willrich Precision is also a family-owned business and we put our customers at the center of everything we do.

Height gages have been in use for years and are critical for determining the height of various products. These gages generally consist of a heavy base and a caliper. Measurements are taken along a vertical scale and are either read off the scale or from an LCD screen for modern instruments. Height gages can also be used to measure other parameters such as diameter. Height gages have come a long way and there have been many changes to them. Here is what you can expect from height gages in 2019.

Mechanical and Electronic Gages

When you are looking for a new height gage,
you have a choice of taking a mechanical or electronic one. Each one of them
comes with certain advantages and disadvantages. For example, dial height gages
are very portable and thus can be used in machining shops where the machine
operator has to move around. Digital gages, on the other hand, are easy to use
and measurements can be taken rapidly. This is a real plus in environments
where speed is valued. Digital gages also allow for the setting of a floating
zero value which makes readings more accurate.

More Features

In 2019, you can expect that your height gage
will come with a host of features that make it easier to use. The additional
features also increase the functionalities that you can apply your height gage
to. These improvements are not just in the features but in the build of the gages
themselves. For example, the modern height gage comes with a high precision
resolution that ensures that most errors arising from the build of the gage are
canceled. This has been done without increasing the weight of the gages. In fact,
height gages have become lighter than before as they are built with lightweight
metals.

Digital Gages

As digital technology has improved, height gage operators have seen increased capabilities when it comes to what they can do with their height gages. Modern height gages can automatically set zero point as we have seen but can do much more than that. Data from modern height gages can be easily downloaded from the device and on to a printer or a computer. This means that operators can analyze the data, as well as share it widely through email and other modern communication channels.

Modern height gages also come in a variety of
shapes and sizes meaning that they can be used for a wide range of tasks and
applications.

1D and 2D Measurements

Height gages with 1D measurement capabilities
can perform the following functions:

• Loads the probe and shifts the probe position
• Saves the probe
• Inputs the probe diameter
• Measures the probe diameter
• Sets the probe type
• Measures the difference between maximum height
  and minimum height of an upward or downward facing surface
• Performs angle calculations
• Measures the width and center of inner and
  outer diameters
• Measures the width and center position between
  two elements
• Measures the minimum and maximum heights of
  downward and upward-facing surfaces
• Measures the diameter and center of a shaft or
  hole
• Measures the height of an upward-facing and
  downward-facing surface

Height gages with 2D measurement capabilities
typically come with the following functions:

• Tolerance judgment result output
• Tolerance judgment function
• Coordinate distance calculation
• Element recall
• Coordinate save
• Coordinate system rotation
• 2D origin setting
• X/Y axis setting
• 2D origin translation
• Coordinate recall
• Polar coordinate recall
• 2D distance calculation
• 2 elements intersection-angle calculation
• 3 elements intersection-angle calculation
• Pitch-circle calculation
• Tolerance/nominal value setting
• Warning functions

Willrich Precision Instruments is your
one-stop-shop for all your precision equipment needs. We have been serving a
host of industries for the last 45 years. This gives us remarkable insight into
the needs of any business when it comes to precision instruments. You can count
on us for high-quality instruments backed by a superb after-sales service. We
always put our customers at the center of all that we do so you are sure that
we have got your back.

A height gage comes in handy when doing a quick measurement
check in the quality room. Besides that, a height gage can help you make
accurate checks on the shop floor and this makes it one of the most valuable
tools you can have. A modern height gage is especially useful as it performs
almost as good as a coordinate
measuring machine (CMM) with near similar capabilities and accuracies.
Having a modern height gage that has multipurpose capabilities means you can
save the CMM for use when you need more critical and detailed checks and in the
meantime use the modern height gage for simpler and less sensitive tasks.

How Does a Height
Gage Work?

To read the height measurement using a height gage, a slider with a
measuring stylus attached to it is moved while staying relative to a measuring
scale placed on a beam along one vertical axis. This axis is often perpendicular
to a reference plane placed on the instrument base allowing you to take your
readings.

Types of Height Gages

There are three main types of height gages namely:

• Vernier
• Dial
• Digital

All the above height gages are useful tools that come in
handy during quality control. However, many advancements and adjustments are
being made to the digital height gage to make it more applicable to perform
more complicated tasks. Discussed below are some of the capabilities that have
resulted due to the advancements made to modern height gages:

Higher Accuracy,
Resolution and 2D Measurement

Higher resolution is made possible by new encoders that have
been installed in modern gages. A strong construction also increases the
probability for higher accuracies. It is important to remember that increased
gage stability leads to increased weight hence difficulty in sliding the gage
as a result of increased friction. If you have a print that needs a 2D
measurement, a digital height gage with a 2D measurement feature is the tool
for you. By rotating the 2D measurement feature 90 degrees and measuring the
same points, you can get the diagonal measurements with ease.

A height gage with calculation abilities makes it easy to
get the measurement between centers. This calculation power allows the height
gage to memorize the lowest and highest points within a single sweep. You can
also interchange the ball probe with smaller ones to enable the gage to reach
narrow slots. Measuring the bottom edge of a groove or slot was near impossible
until a microprocessor combined with a ball probe to cover for the ball
diameter was brought into the market. This combination makes measuring the
distance between two centers easier and quicker. 

Other Measurements

Most new height gages have a horizontal offset or special
probes that make it possible for the gage to measure angles during quality
checks. Other new height gage models can input the output from some linear
displacement devices like indicators. This input enables the displays to show squareness,
as well as straightness.

Data and Output

New height gages offer ways to make easy programs that take
an operator through pre-measured points in order to make sure the same
positions are measured all the time, not overlooking a single measurement. 

There is no arguing that modern height gages are the new
wave and with so many capabilities, owning one for your business will only
prove beneficial to you.

Precision measurements are a common element in many
industrial applications. Technicians need to deal with a wide array of values,
e.g., height, length, breath, and depth, on a daily basis. It is important that
all workshops have the right instrument to accurately measure and record these
values. Chances are you might have heard of Vernier height gages. This is a
special type of Vernier instrument that is used to measure the heights of
different engineering objects with high precision and accuracy. Additionally,
these gages typically comprise the following components: a base, a main scale,
a measuring jaw, a fine adjustment screw and a fine adjustment clamp. The sizes
of Vernier height gages range from 150 mm to 500 mm on average. If you are
looking for the Starrett 254 master Vernier height gage, learn more about it in
this product spotlight!

About Starrett

The L.S. Starrett Company was founded in 1880 by Laroy
Sunderland Starrett. As a mechanically inclined individual, he patented a
number of inventions, including a butter working machine, a washing machine and
a meat chopper. Starrett engages in the manufacture of consumer, professional
and industrial measuring and cutting tools.

In 1868, Starrett was appointed the superintendent and
general agent of the Athol Machine Co. of Athol. This allowed Laroy Sunderland
Starrett to manufacture his inventions, as well as taking out approximately 100
patents. Among his inventions were a variety of hand tools that were useful in
the building trades. The combination square was one of these tools and it
consisted of a steel rule with a sliding head.

Today, Starrett’s diverse product range includes tape
measures, custom engineered granite solutions, laser measuring equipment and electronic
gages among others. The organization continues to operate through the following
segments: International Operations and North American Operations.

Features of the Starrett
254 Master Vernier Height Gage

Here’s a quick look at some notable features of the Starrett
254 Master Vernier Height Gage:

• Vertical bars that provide balance and stability
• Hardened master bars (available on models up to
  24 and 600mm)
• Remote fine adjustment features for sizes 36
  (900mm) and larger
• Quick-adjust release features that allow for
  fast positioning
• Black lines and figures against satin chrome
  finishes for increased visibility
• 50-division Vernier scales
• Flush fitting to eliminate parallax
• Scriber and base allow for direct reading from
  zero
• Special master bar design that eliminates
  vibration
• … and more!

Get Starrett 254
Master Vernier Height Gages from Willrich Precision!

The Starrett 254 is one of the most durable and accurate
Vernier height gages on the market. In addition to the product’s increase
strength and stability, it has more range than other height gages. If you are
looking to get a new Starrett 254 master Vernier height gage, look no further
than Willrich Precision. Our firm ahs been in business for over 40 years and
provide stellar solutions for customers who specialize in metrology, gaging and
inspection. Enjoy peace of mind knowing that we are also ISO:9001:2008
Registered and are well-versed in repair and calibration services.

To know more about our Starrett 254 master Vernier height
gages and the benefits they provide, do not hesitate to contact us today.

When you buy a stereo system, it is hard to imagine that air gages are used in the process of packaging your new device. Most people regard air gages as precision instruments being used in automotive factories and other heavy industries. Air gages, however, are pretty versatile and you will find them in use in a variety of places including the manufacture of Styrofoam end caps. Here’s how air gages are used to verify the quality of these end caps.

When you buy a stereo system, it is hard to imagine that air gages are used in the process of packaging your new device. Most people regard air gages as precision instruments being used in automotive factories and other heavy industries. Air gages, however, are pretty versatile and you will find them in use in a variety of places including the manufacture of Styrofoam end caps. Here’s how air gages are used to verify the quality of these end caps.

What is Styrofoam?

Styrofoam is also known as polystyrene is a
polymer that is found in a variety of products. It is typically used as a form
of packaging as the material is light and strong. This allows manufacturers to
ship delicate products safely without increasing their costs of shipping.
Depending on what is being shipped, manufacturers can easily vary the characteristics
of the polymers. This is why some of these materials are rock hard while others
are soft and crumbly.

When manufacturers are doing this, they are
often checking on whether the polymer will hold the weight of the product. At a
microscopic level, this processing, known as bonding, ensures that there is no
air between the beads that make up the polymer. 
The less air there is, the tighter the beads bond together and the
stronger the polymer becomes.

Role of Air Gaging

This is where air gaging comes into play. By
running pressurized air through the beads, the manufacturers can figure out how
much space there is between the beads. This, in turn, helps them to determine
how strong the polymer is. By applying pressurized air, one can then observe
the back pressure on the air gage. If there are lots of gaps between the beads,
the backpressure will be reduced as the air is flowing through freely. If the
bonding is tight, then the back pressure is higher as there are fewer gaps for
the air to pass through.

Over time, these technicians know the
reference standards that tell them how tightly bound a polymer is. Backpressure
readings from the gages are then compared to these references and inferences
can then easily be drawn from the data.

Verifying the Flatness of Styrofoam Packaging

Machine operators can also know how the mold
matches up with the surface. If a part of the product is flat, then the molding
surface should also be flat as well where the product will lie. The path of the
airflow helps them to determine how flat a surface is. Here, they use an
open-air probe with a flat surface. If the surface is not completely flat,
there will be gaps between the probe and the surface. This, in turn, will lead
to air escaping and will be reflected in the ensuring backpressure.

If you are looking for high-quality air gages, Willrich Precision Instruments has exactly what you need. We have been supplying a variety of industries with precision instruments for the last four and a half decades. We offer excellent after-sales support and you can always count on our superb customer service.

Product manufacturers and companies that produce building materials such as housewrap, fiberglass, flooring, fiberglass, wallboard, shingles, cores, and tubes can derive great benefits from shaft alignment of their machine equipment. There are many advantages associated with precision alignment of process lines and machine components.
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