Thread gages are incredibly useful and popular tools, but their accuracy is not built-in. How they are used plays a huge role in their overall accuracy.
Store your gages properly. Avoid temperature fluctuations as these could affect their accuracy. Also, make sure you label each gage with its size. This will help staff members find the correct one quickly when it is needed.
Calibration Certificates
The calibration of thread gages is essential for their use and effectiveness. If the gage isn’t properly calibrated, the results can be inaccurate and lead to a number of issues, from production errors to equipment failure. This can ultimately have costly ramifications for your company.
In order to ensure that your gages are calibrated to industry standards, you should require that calibration services include the results on a certificate of calibration. These certificates are a document that shows the date and time the calibration was performed, the name of the calibration laboratory, and the measurement results. Additionally, the certificate should note the calibration standard used to perform the calibration. It’s important to have this documentation to establish a historical base for determining calibration intervals, repairing or replacing gages, and determining whether your gages need to be re-calibrated.
Lastly, it’s a good idea to request that the cal lab perform long form certification on all gages prior to shipping. This forces the cal lab to take one last look at the gage before it is boxed and shipped to its end customer. This can save you a lot of trouble down the road by discovering and rectifying any errors on the cal sticker before the gage is shipped out.
Having the right quality and quantity of gages is important, but even the best gage can fall out of calibration. This is due to a number of factors, including wear and tear, improper storage, and environmental conditions. To keep your gages in the best shape possible, make sure to schedule regular inspections and calibrations.
Test Reports
The most important measurement that a thread plug gage can make is its pitch diameter. To achieve this, the gage is calibrated by the three wire method. This involves locating segments of known diameter wire at three different points on the gage and measuring the diameter over them. This measurement takes into account the most significant effects of lead, diameter error and taper. It also corrects for a small error called “lead angle,” which occurs when the gage’s measuring wires are not perpendicular to the thread axis.
The calibration process must also consider the material and style of the gage, as these affect how it wears over time. For example, standard tool steel gages will wear out quickly on hard materials, but chrome plated gage bodies will last longer. Choosing the right type of gage for your application will reduce calibration costs over the life of the instrument and minimize the risk of out of tolerance readings leading to expensive corrective action or product recalls.
In addition, thread plug gages must be calibrated to a master setting plug gage to ensure that they can accurately take measurements such as diameters and pitch angles. These are measurements that cannot be made by general purpose instruments such as micrometers or contour systems. They require dedicated, specialized instruments such as go/no-go thread plugs and ring gages, and the use of dedicated calibrators such as Kordt’s tri-roll comparators.
Warranty
Purchasing a thread gauge with a warranty shows you are working with a company that is confident in their products and services. It also allows you to make a purchase that comes with peace of mind, knowing that if anything goes wrong with the gauge it can be fixed or replaced without any additional cost to you.
A warranty also helps ensure that you get the most out of your gauges. This is because a company that offers a warranty will offer maintenance and training on how to properly use the gauges. This will help to reduce any friction or damage that can cause the gauges to fall out of calibration.
Another important feature to look for in a thread gauge is the ability to calibrate it quickly and easily. This is because it can be difficult to maintain accuracy in a production environment, where thread gauges are being used constantly. Having a calibration lab that can provide a quick and easy calibration service will allow you to keep your production running smoothly.
Regardless of which type of thread gage you use, it is crucial to have them calibrated regularly to ensure they are operating within their original specifications. This can help to prevent any issues down the road, from equipment failure to safety hazards. By ensuring that your thread gauges are properly calibrated, you can be sure that they are giving accurate measurements and improving productivity.
Customization
Depending on the product and application, it may be important for your thread gage to have specific features. For instance, if your threads are very deep and you need to check them over a longer length than the standard measurement, you’ll need a gage with a longer reach. Similarly, if your threads are extremely fine, you’ll need to use a shorter gage that can still effectively measure the diameter of the thread.
Another feature that can be important to consider is whether your thread gage is capable of performing multiple inspections in a single run. This can help you to save time in the shop, as well as reduce the amount of work that needs to be performed by your employees. This can help to increase efficiency in your workplace and reduce the chances of mistakes in your operation.
It’s also a good idea to make sure that your thread gauges are properly lubricated before each use. This can prevent any corrosion of the threads, as well as ensure that they are working correctly and accurately.
Keeping your thread gages fully calibrated can help you to avoid any issues in the shop and ensure that they are ready for production at all times. This will enable you to create high-quality products that meet the highest standards and deliver a reliable service for your customers.
