Making high-precision surface roughness, waviness, and profile measurements doesn’t always require that large system in the back corner of the manufacturing area.
To simplify the interface, touchscreen monitors were integrated with metrology software. This eliminated dedicated controllers and made the system much easier to use, leading to the revolution of touch metrology. Today, touch technology and controllers are widespread on the manufacturing floor.
The height gage has transformed. From its infancy to today, the height gage has been in the grittiest shop environments. In spite of that, height gages also have the ability to meet the quality measurement demands of any precision laboratory. Regardless of how they are used or where, height gages have stood the test of time and remain an essential tool in every workshop.
Whether you’re talking about measurement checks in the quality room or a quick, accurate check on the shop floor, height gages remain one of the most useful tools in metrology today.
“On a long enough timeline, everyone’s survival rate drops to zero.” It’s a quote from the popular 1999 film, “Fight Club,” and the same can be said for many of the things and ideas we create.
Several years ago I was inspecting some parts on a small surface plate in the quality lab. Gathered around a larger surface plate a few feet away was an assortment of engineers, supervisors, leads persons, and probably an inspector or two.
Here are some of the lesser known features built into today’s height gages that may help you not only make the measurement required but also speed it up and simplify it.
With its long range of motion, the digital height gage can be thought of as a giant caliper, but one with the accuracy of a much more sophisticated benchtop gaging system.