Solartron's new block gauge

Citation

(2004), "Solartron's new block gauge", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 76 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2004.12776aad.007

Solartron's new block gauge

Solartron's new block gauge

Keywords: Gauges, Measurement, Bearings

Developed after close consultation with the industry and benchmarked against leading existing products, the Solartron block gauge is said to address a whole new range of applications not covered by conventional gauging probes. According to Solartron, it is simple to use, offers enhanced performance and enables a reduced cost of gauge ownership (Plate 2).

Plate 2 Solartron's Block Gauge claims benefits to the end user as well as the gauge supplier

Available in digital and analogue variants, the universal block gauge, with a measuring range of 5 mm and repeatability better than 0.25 g, is reported to allow reliable precision measurement within cavities, internal diameters and generally where access is difficult or impossible for conventional probe systems. The gauge is also said to be able to measure with the tip offset by up to 45 mm.

Solartron also claims that its zero tolerance bearings ensure an accuracy and repeatability up to twice that of the competition and, as a further test of reliability these bearings have been tested to 10,000,000 cycles without any discernible change in performance.

To ensure a very long life in harsh environments, sensors and bearings are sealed to IP65 and the body is machined from stainless steel. The tip is infinitely adjustable along the DIN standard dovetail fitting and the tip holder accepts standard M2.5 tips. Furthermore, the block gauge fixing centres are compatible with most popular universal gauges ensuring complete interchangeability.

The moving mass has been kept to a minimum to ensure good repeatability, long life and better control of contact tip forces. A selection of springs is supplied as standard to ensure that the gauge can be installed in any attitude. Pneumatic actuators are available for automatic control.

The analogue version comes as half bridge or LVDT options. The digital version is unique to Solartron and offers a highly linear output and is fully compatible with Solartron's ORBIT network. This is believed to offer engineers a simple and lower cost solution to system building with free software drivers available for most computer languages and popular software packages, including Microsoft ExcelC.

Details available from: Solartron Metrology Ltd. Tel: +44 (0) 1243 833333; Fax: +44 (0) 1243 833332; E-mail: sales@solartronmetrology.com; Web site: www.solartronmetrology.com