Top 10 Gaging Tips
The top ten considerations when evaluating your gaging needs:
1) What dimensions do I need to check? Most part prints use geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T). It is a system of symbols, rules and definitions used to define the geometry of mechanical parts. Think of GD&T as a common thread that ties production requirements, vendor capabilities, and the quality department together using the same symbols, rules, and definitions. This standardized system keeps all parties on track with the same goals. Sit down with engineering, manufacturers, and the quality department to decide what dimensions you would like to monitor. Birdsall Tool & Gage is available to assist with this process by lending years of experience.
2) How many parts am I manufacturing? There are many factors that affect the cost of gaging but the key component in gage design is choosing the right gaging method and technology with the production demands on the gages. Custom gaging can reduce cycle time but if there are not enough parts produced, it is sometimes better to check short run parts in a gage lab with traditional off the shelf gages.
3) Will I need to collect data? With the advent of PC technology, the collection and processing of information is easy and flexible. If data collection is not necessary traditional indicators can reduce the total cost of gaging. In some cases only attribute gages are required, greatly reducing cost.
4) Will I need to feed back data to a machining operation? Birdsall Tool & Gage offers several data collecting solutions that also identify parts out of spec. and provide feedback to controls that adjust manufacturing operations.
5) How much time do I have to check my parts? With any manufacturing process, time is money. Knowing where, when, and how long you have to inspect parts greatly affects the design of a gage. Carefully analyzing your manufacturing process and planning inspection locations and available cycle times is a key component in managing the cost of gaging.
6) Will I need operator training? This is a critical component in gage design. It is possible to design a gage that is too complicated for the staff available. Like any piece of equipment, much of the success depends on an operator's ability to maintain and smoothly operate the equipment. Birdsall Tool & Gage can offer several levels of training depending on the situation. Make sure training is a part of your design process for ultimate success.
7) Will I have part design changes? Gage versatility costs money but if needed, it can save a tremendous amount of time and money. If there is a strong possibility that the part you are manufacturing might evolve during the production cycle, include on-the-fly flexible adjustment to your gaging needs.
8) Will I need spare parts and/or a backup gage? Well thought out gages can save time by reducing scrap and monitoring machining performance. Once there is a good gage in place, only the failure of the gage can lead to scrapped product. Carefully consider spare parts and in critical situations, build in a backup gage if gage repair is extensive. Environment can play a role in longevity of gaging too.
9) Have I purchased a gage to check a similar part? Many problems can be avoided by learning from our mistakes and borrowing ideas from successfully manufactured products. Sharing resources with other production engineers and reviewing current gaging methods on existing lines can help avoid similar mistakes. It can also help by improving on existing methods already in use. Birdsall Tool & Gage has thousands of gage designs on file. We would be happy to share our past experiences and gage concepts with our customers.
10) What kind of inspection and maintenance will I need on the gages? Knowing the capabilities of your gage lab will help in the design process and total cost of gaging. Maintaining gaging so that it is properly working helps to fine tune the production process. If the gage design will require external expertise to maintain and inspect, make sure you build that into your processes and procedures. It is also important to make sure the resources needed to maintain the gages are available to you after the gages have been purchased and are up and running.
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.
1) What dimensions do I need to check? Most part prints use geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T). It is a system of symbols, rules and definitions used to define the geometry of mechanical parts. Think of GD&T as a common thread that ties production requirements, vendor capabilities, and the quality department together using the same symbols, rules, and definitions. This standardized system keeps all parties on track with the same goals. Sit down with engineering, manufacturers, and the quality department to decide what dimensions you would like to monitor. Birdsall Tool & Gage is available to assist with this process by lending years of experience.
2) How many parts am I manufacturing? There are many factors that affect the cost of gaging but the key component in gage design is choosing the right gaging method and technology with the production demands on the gages. Custom gaging can reduce cycle time but if there are not enough parts produced, it is sometimes better to check short run parts in a gage lab with traditional off the shelf gages.
3) Will I need to collect data? With the advent of PC technology, the collection and processing of information is easy and flexible. If data collection is not necessary traditional indicators can reduce the total cost of gaging. In some cases only attribute gages are required, greatly reducing cost.
4) Will I need to feed back data to a machining operation? Birdsall Tool & Gage offers several data collecting solutions that also identify parts out of spec. and provide feedback to controls that adjust manufacturing operations.
5) How much time do I have to check my parts? With any manufacturing process, time is money. Knowing where, when, and how long you have to inspect parts greatly affects the design of a gage. Carefully analyzing your manufacturing process and planning inspection locations and available cycle times is a key component in managing the cost of gaging.
6) Will I need operator training? This is a critical component in gage design. It is possible to design a gage that is too complicated for the staff available. Like any piece of equipment, much of the success depends on an operator's ability to maintain and smoothly operate the equipment. Birdsall Tool & Gage can offer several levels of training depending on the situation. Make sure training is a part of your design process for ultimate success.
7) Will I have part design changes? Gage versatility costs money but if needed, it can save a tremendous amount of time and money. If there is a strong possibility that the part you are manufacturing might evolve during the production cycle, include on-the-fly flexible adjustment to your gaging needs.
8) Will I need spare parts and/or a backup gage? Well thought out gages can save time by reducing scrap and monitoring machining performance. Once there is a good gage in place, only the failure of the gage can lead to scrapped product. Carefully consider spare parts and in critical situations, build in a backup gage if gage repair is extensive. Environment can play a role in longevity of gaging too.
9) Have I purchased a gage to check a similar part? Many problems can be avoided by learning from our mistakes and borrowing ideas from successfully manufactured products. Sharing resources with other production engineers and reviewing current gaging methods on existing lines can help avoid similar mistakes. It can also help by improving on existing methods already in use. Birdsall Tool & Gage has thousands of gage designs on file. We would be happy to share our past experiences and gage concepts with our customers.
10) What kind of inspection and maintenance will I need on the gages? Knowing the capabilities of your gage lab will help in the design process and total cost of gaging. Maintaining gaging so that it is properly working helps to fine tune the production process. If the gage design will require external expertise to maintain and inspect, make sure you build that into your processes and procedures. It is also important to make sure the resources needed to maintain the gages are available to you after the gages have been purchased and are up and running.
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.
posted by Birdsall Tool and Gage Co. @ 9:31 AM
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