Height Gage Helps Pennsylvania Shop Raise Quality
Levels
Fowler's Trimos V-300 Height Gage
IMAC Systems Inc., a 20-year-old
distributor of gas meters, was looking to upgrade its ability
to measure diameters to hundred-thousandths of an inch,
to finish grindings of inner and outer diameters, and to
shorten and rerun CNC processing programs. The 3,300 square-foot
plant manufactures controls for measuring natural gas flow
equipment.
The company has made a major investment in quality in
order to qualify for government contracts for U.S. Army,
Navy and Air Force fixtures, hardware and assemblies used
in ordinance, helicopter and jet aircraft for its own flow
measuring equipment and its commercial machine shop operations.
As a result, the company no longer relies on older metrology
equipment. Instead, IMAC acquired high-technology height
gages, OD/ID grinders and computer-compatible CNC machinery
and turning centers. IMAC turned to Fowler for its Trimos
V-300 height gage and the Kellinberger ID-OD grinder.
"We can no longer afford the time and efficiency
losses of our old optical comparators, NC machines and plug
gages," says IMAC's chief engineer James Guba. "The
12 in. Trimos V-300 provides us with very accurate diameters
and heights. It can measure ODs and IDs up to within 0.00001
in., which was unachievable with the older equipment. That
brought us to the same level--hundred-thousandths of an
inch--that could pass government checks basically 75- to
100-percent better than the optical comparators and plug
gages, which couldn't provide out-of-roundness data effectively."
Founded in 1946, the Fred V. Fowler Co. is globally recognized
as a leading supplier of quality control and inspection
equipment. The company has grown nationwide and across North
America to include offices in Boston, Chicago and Ontario,
Canada. Fowler's product line includes precision tools,
electronic measuring instruments, optical measuring instruments,
gage calibration equipment and hardness testers.
The Trimos V-300 height gage performs height, ID and OD
diameter, and centerline location measurements without changing
probes, and it has a resolution of 0.0005/0.00005 in. with
a repeatability of 0.00008/0.002 mm +2s. The new height
gage provides a 50-percent improvement in measurement readings
time.
The addition of a second probe holder gives the V-series
an extended range of up to nine inches, and the new V-300
has 12 in./300 mm travel and 21 in./535 mm application range.
For SPC there is direct RS-232 output, and a built-in pump
provides air cushioning to reduce wear and operator fatigue.
Beyond the built-in rechargeable battery, there's a full
numeric keypad and large display.
"The longer we have this Trimos height gage, the
more we find we can do with it," says Guba. "When
we were first instructed by Fowler, they covered the basic
functions. Now we find we can adapt it to more complicated
configurations--even to inner diameters that are difficult
to see and check. For example, we can measure the concentricity
of different diameters--one within another." Overall,
Guba indicates, the V-300 gage can be used in a more diversified
manner than first expected.
Measuring activities begin with production of the first
piece; then successive pieces are checked on a daily schedule
and recorded. The system follows throughout shop order processing--with
a vital final check in the quality control metrology lab--all
to MIL-I-45208 requirements.
"The continued expansion of our business is made
possible by our remaining alert to what the new and always
improving measuring instruments can provide us," Guba
concludes.
Fowler's Trimos V-300 Height Gage
- Internal and external diameter measurement
- Measuring speed of 60 in./1.5 m per second
- Automatic measuring functions
www.fvfowler.com
|
