Sometimes You Just Can’t Get There from Here
Digital indicators have increased in capability while remaining relatively low in cost. Upgrades include better and larger displays, dynamic features, and increased calculation capabilities, battery life, resolution, and accuracy. They have advanced to the point in which they can almost be characterized as portable bench-gaging amplifiers, but these advances can get you only so far.
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There are many more errors that could also be magnified with the higher resolution. These include part geometry, dirt, temperature, deflection due to gaging force, and tooling marks. However, there is only one way to ensure that this step up will work: do a thorough gage study first. Put your best readout on the gage. Do repeat tests, do GR&Rs, and analyze the results. If the gage cannot make the measurement, the analysis will be clear. It will prevent you from using bad gages on the shop floor only to bring them back later on.
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