In recent years, we have seen an upward trend of higher production manufacturers wanting to integrate their air gaging quality checks from a stand-alone, outside of machine device where the operator is performing a manual check, to an automated in-process gage. There are several reasons for this trend, including higher quality standards and tighter tolerancesas well as running a leaner operation. The benefits are 100% inspection of the required geometric callout, as well as handshaking between measuring device and machine to make each piece better than the prior one and remove any bad parts.
The terms in-process and air gaging may not immediately sound like they go together. Typically, in-process gaging is some form of contact gage that is done very close to the grinding wheel or cutting tool. This process is very effective, but limited in what you are able to check. In most cases, you are simply checking a diameter. Whenair gaging is used in-process, there is typically some simple handling systemto remove the part from the chuck or centers and place it into the air gage. Depending on the machine type, the air gage may be able to measure the part while still being clamped into the machine.