Gage Resources

The team at Birdsall Tool and Gage Company is pleased to offer the following quality Gage resources for you to utilize. These resources are specifically recommended because of their content related to Gage Design and Tool and Gage Design.

Birdsall Tool and Gage Company - Designs and builds custom gages to specification.

Tool and Gage RSS Feed - A RSS feed specifically for the Tool and Gage Industry.

Tool and Gage Wiki - A Wikipedia site designed for the Tool and Gage Industry.

Tool and Gage Syndicated Content - A syndicated website for good quality tool and gage content.

Tool and Gage Expert - David Birdsall, a Tool and Gage industry expert for over 30 years.

Gage Press Release - Press release with content covering the Tool & Gage Industry. Content courtesy of Birdsall Tool & Gage Company.

Gaging All Things Round:Solutions

More often than not, the biggest battle in controlling quality is in measuring the ID and OD of parts. Ring Gages and Plug Gages work well when determining if two parts will fit together. The problem with this method of gaging is that deviation from roundness and size are not measured or monitored. On the plus side, these gages are fairly inexpensive and easy to use; the gages either go on the part or they don’t.

There are many alternatives to attribute gages and as one might expect, there are a wide variety of solutions for measuring inside and outside diameters. Some considerations when choosing a gaging solution are your tolerances, surface finishes, part length, and depths. Remember the ten-to-one rule. If you have a tolerance of +/-0.005 inches, you will need a gage that is accurate to +/-0.0005 inches. Keep in mind that beyond this, you might have a GR&R (Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility) requirement and without fixed and repeatable location points, it is very difficult to pass a GR&R for an ID/OD dimension; placing the part in the gage with the same orientation every time is almost impossible.

The next step is to determine frequency of use, plant location of check, and environment. Birdsall Tool & Gage has plenty of experience in matching the right gage to your application. With a part print and a short survey we are able to present several options that take into consideration the total gaging cost; a blend of flexibility, pricing, calibration requirements, operator skills, and recyclability.

Measuring ID and OD size is not always enough. Many times these checks are tied in with other critical Dimensions. Fixture and Bench Gages have the ability to check runout, concentricity, and most other relationships. With the advent of computers, the cost for multiple related tolerances has greatly decreased. BTG offers several computer based solutions with easy to use programmable controls. It is also very easy to recycle the electronics from one gage to another or to change the function of the gage when product engineering changes occur. Even for low production levels it isn’t necessary to run parts back and forth to a centralized CMM machine or layout room. Gaging systems with complicated checks are now attainable for most gaging budgets.

David Birdsall PresidentBirdsall Tool & Gage Co. Birdsall Tool & Gage Co. designs and builds fixture gages, fixed gages, inspection and gaging accessories, ring gages, plug gages, thread gages, snap gages, electronic gages, mechanical gages, data collection gages, masters and setting gages, CMM fixtures, special tools and tooling with customer satisfaction in mind. Call 248-474-5150 or email us at blog@birdsalltool.com for more information about our company.

The Auto Industry and Energy

Over the past few years the Big Three have done a wonderful job increasing quality, decreasing legacy costs, and designing cars and trucks that are attractive to the American consumer. Ford and GM have increased their global reach and improved their world image.

These changes set the stage for a great comeback but they were not soon enough to overcome the massive credit crunch and Wall Street melt down. The Big Three have shown that under normal ups and downs in the economy, they are able to adjust their business plans to survive.

These are not normal times. There are very few businesses that have the ability to absorb 30% or more reductions in sales in a matter of months, especially with such labor and capital intensive products. Cutting production only increases the per vehicle costs. The capital equipment and buildings supporting these lines are expensive to maintain even if idle.

The auto companies are victims to external forces beyond their control. Being a free market capitalist, I do not take lightly government intervention but in catastrophes of this magnitude, government does have a role. It is time for the government to step in and help the auto industry bridge the short term gap in dwindling sales.

This isn't enough. We all know that the price of oil will drastically drop as we decrease our need for foreign oil. This means that a massive retooling of the auto industry to support the use of clean and efficient energy will require protections that encourage customers to purchase these new vehicles regardless of the price of gas at the pump. Two years developing an electric car for production is ludicrous if the moment they come off the line, people rush back to gas guzzling trucks and cars.

President Elect Obama has a chance to change our dependence in foreign oil while jump starting the American Auto Industry. A comprehensive energy plan that protects the auto companies from fickle consumers while motivating them to decrease the footprint of new entries into the USA market with US made components is a job creating, energy saving, and economically sound solution that will define who we will be as a nation.



David Birdsall
President
Birdsall Tool & Gage Co.


Birdsall Tool & Gage Co. designs and builds fixture gages, fixed gages, inspection and gaging accessories, ring gages, plug gages, thread gages, snap gages, electronic gages, mechanical gages, data collection gages, masters and setting gages, CMM fixtures, special tools and tooling with customer satisfaction in mind. Call 248-474-5150 or email us at blog@birdsalltool.com for more information about our company.

Awards

Our quality system has been the recipient of numerous Customer Quality Awards. The benefit to you is that we are applying our quality knowledge in the manufacture of your tools and gages. Some of our awards are:

• ISO 9001:2000

• Ford Q-101

• General Motors "Targets for Excellence" in Leadership, Quality and Technology.

• Masco Tech - Forming Products Groups quality award

• General Dynamics Land Systems Division MIL-STD-45662A.

• Score Card award in the American Axle Scale Program

Company History

In 1970, the founder, bought a few pieces of machinery and started Birdsall Tool & Gage from his garage on Cavell Street in Livonia, MI. In a short period of time, the business grew and the company moved to a small 4000 sq ft building he rented in Farmington on Sunnydale.

Then in 1978, the business had grown enough that he purchased land, built a 5000 square foot building and moved the company again to our present location on Crestview Court in Farmington Hills. In 1980, the building size doubled to 10,000 sq ft. manufacturing and 3000 sq ft. office.

By the end of 1982, the company had grown in size to $1,000,000 in sales. Over the next 10 years, the company grew again to over $3,500,000 in sales.

Quote Request

The team at Birdsall Tool and Gage Company strives for excellence in all areas of production, engineering, and customer service. We are always interested in assisting prospective customers with the estimation and quoting process for customer gage design and development.

Please contact us today for your FREE Project Estimate!