In manufacturing, traceability isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s important for maintaining quality control, supply chain reliability, and regulatory compliance. When working with metal parts that operate in harsh industrial environments, you need a reliable, permanent identification method. That’s where laser marking on metal comes in.  Laser marking offers a durable, high-contrast solution that ensures...Read More

When it comes to precision measurement, CMM machines are some of the most accurate tools available. But what exactly is a CMM machine? And how does it work? What is a CMM? A CMM is a machine that measures the three-dimensional coordinates of points on a surface. It can measure the size and shape of an...Read More

Digital calipers are one of the most common hand tools used on the shop floor. In a manufacturing plant, under a quality control system, these tools need to be checked and calibrated on a regular basis.  We have discussed in past articles the pros and cons of doing gage calibrations internally or by an external...Read More

In a perfect world, all gaging results are spot on. They are both accurate and precise no matter the conditions or by whom or where the gage is used. Unfortunately, this is not the case. These two gage characteristics are both very important. However, we could ask ourselves which one is more important. Perhaps an...Read More

We are all familiar with the versatility of calipers—Vernier, dial, or digital. On the shop floor, in the inspection room, or even now for the home hobbyist, the caliper is a fast and easy-to-use tool to make basic length measurements.  But while the caliper is a versatile tool, it is not one of the most...Read More

Air gaging represents the method of choice for most high-resolution measurements on large production runs. While quite durable and reliable compared to mechanical gages, air gaging is not care-free. Accurate air gaging requires proper maintenance of the tooling, and vigilance over the air supply.  Although the factory air supply may not be under the gage...Read More

There are numerous parts that make use of very small holes in various industries (or in your shop).  A dozen examples could be listed, but the most common include aerosol cans, needles for delivering fluids and medicines, fuel injection nozzles, and simple fixed restrictors used to control liquid or air flows. Typically, holes for these...Read More