Inspection & Quality

Spectro Scientific has been awarded a U.S. patent for a company-developed method to measure water contamination in turbine and other industrial oils. The patent is "Method of measuring water contamination in turbine and other industrial oils," patent no. US9500638.

Calibrating a multiple-axis machining center is one of those time-consuming but necessary tasks that parts makers have to accept. The task has gotten easier in past years, however, and has just gotten easier yet.

Thread cutting is as close to artistic expression as one typically gets in a machine shop. Watching a machinist or toolmaker peel off perfectly formed chips with a precisely ground tool is mesmerizing.

According to Autonetics LLC, automated gaging units (AGUs) for threads are hot. The Cary, N.C.-based AGU manufacturer reported that it shipped 10 systems in the third quarter of last year to U.S. pipe mills that produce oil country tubular goods. No shipments occurred in the fourth quarter because the industry experienced a downturn, so capital expenditure projects got cut or delayed, noted Jeff Heath, COO of Autonetics. However, he said, the projects are starting to receive funding again. "We have about four in the build phase."

This analog DREHplus 3D tester from Euro-Tech features innovative, precise probing technology through a patented conical tip specifically designed for measuring tools on lathes saving time and money. No expensive additional equipment is necessary plus the DREHplus is impervious to splash water and oil.

Bogen develops and produces high-precision variable magnetic scales and measuring systems to measure angle, distance, position.

Highlighting the benefits of modular metrology fixtures versus traditional methods, this brief video covers the differences in set-up times, ease of set up, inspection repeatability, part stability and metrology accuracy.

Smart Inspection Systems LLC's signature product, the Smart Inspection Station (SiS), is an automated turnkey inspection solution that yields comprehensive visual reports with complete geometric form and dimensional pass/fail in just minutes. The SiS is custom-configured per the client's needs, yet versatile enough for simultaneous commissioning on multiple product lines.

Livonia-based Michigan Metrology will host a short course on surface metrology and tribology on May 9-10. Dr. Don Cohen, an expert on surface roughness and its effects, will lead the course. Topics to be covered include instruments for measuring texture, surface texture parameters, wear, friction, sealing, data analysis and more. The workshop is designed for scientists, engineers and technicians.

Mitutoyo America Corp. announces the release of lever-type dial test indicators with increased durability, sensitivity and readability. A wide array of styli and ruby tips allows for probing of many applications. Stylus length is marked on the dial face to assist customers when ordering replacement styli.

HEIDENHAIN updates its kit angle encoder line by modifying the ECA 4000 ring encoder to be able to survive and provide angular motion feedback within various machine types using a vacuum environment. Now able to handle a vacuum environment down to 10-7 mbar, the ECA 4000V encoder series has had a number of technical updates to accommodate high resolution and accuracy inside the vacuum chamber.

The new ec1 marking system from SIC Marking uses dot peen technology to achieve permanent marking of all industrial components. Dot peen technology provides a reliable and unalterable marking directly into the material, according to the company.