Even with the availability of hundreds of standard precision tools and gages, sometimes measuring challenges are best solved with a specially made gage. It is critical to work hand-in-hand with engineers who are dedicated to making sure that an accurate and easy-to-use custom-made solution can be attained for specific application requirements. 

“Never before have mechanics and manufacturers, and in general has the world of industry, made use of gages and gaging systems as it is doing now..."

Amongst the pile of tools in my garage is a nice six-inch caliper, which I use for the occasional minor project around the house. And even though I work in one of the finest dimensional calibration laboratories in the country, where we calibrate thousands of calipers every year, my own personal caliper has not been calibrated in over 20 years.

In a previous article, we observed how multi-sensor CMMs can perform 2D and 3D measurements interchangeably in a single run. Today, high-precision CMMs also can carry out form measurement functions, says David Wick, product manager at ZEISS Industrial Metrology.

Aloisi completed her PhD program in mechanical engineering from the University of Padova, Italy.

CoreX2 the largest Field of View OASIS that measures multiple dimensions on a part to an accuracy of up to +/- .0002 in. and with the addition of the Motorized Rotary Stage, parts can be rotated a full 360-degrees to get profile images and measurements from every aspect of the part.

We frequently calibrate gages and instruments in the dimensional field for labs that primarily deal with electronic or other disciplines. This occurs when their customers try to cut corners by adding one or more dimensional items onto an order they have received for their normal work.

The current trends in manufacturing can be summed up pretty much as they always have been: more for less. In other words, manufacturers always want to be able to do more with less.

Every industry has a jargon of its own and dimensional metrology is no different. The reason is ease of verbal communication, but that communication can be confusing at times for the uninitiated.