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Preparing For A Successful Thread Operation: Gaging The Results

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By jbc-admin

To be successful in a threading operation, operators have to consider a variety of issues and potential problems. One essential component of the process is measuring. Failure to consider this and make a serious measurement error can be very costly in time, materials and production. Many ways are available to measure effectively the pitch of the threads. At JBC Machine, our machinists know that one of the ways of accomplishing this is to select the right gage.

What Is a Thread Gage?
In threading operations, an operator may refer to the tool for measuring the pitch or lead of a screw thread or tapped hole accordingly as a thread gage or pitch gage. While not a precision device, it allows quick categorization. The second critical part of a thread is the pitch diameter. This can be accurately measured using special thread wires and a micrometer or a pitch mic. Other quick methods for determining if the pitch diameter is in tolerance include:

  • Threaded ring gage
  • Threaded plug gage

These kinds of gages don’t give an exact value for the pitch diameter of the thread, but they are a quick way to tell if the product is good or bad. They are typically used in a production setting with a high volume of parts.

Gage Selection: Know the Thread Form
Picking the right gage requires the operator understands specifically the thread form. Consider whether it is a thread pitch (distance from the peak of one thread to the next) or TPI (threads per inch). The former refers to metric fasteners; the latter is only applicable to American fasteners

The thread form can fall under any of the following governing bodies:

  • ANSI/ASME – American National Standards Institute/ American Society of Mechanical Engineers
  • ISO – International Organization for Standardization
  • JIS – Japanese Industrial Standards
  • API (American Petroleum Institute)
  • DIN – German institute for standardization

Before utilizing any form of threading chart or devise, our machinists ascertain the customer’s specifications for this particular threading operation. Knowing that information will make sure we, at JBC Machine, can easily conform to the requirements in terms of size, shape and geometric stipulations.

Threading Operation
A threading operation is challenging. It demands gage accuracy. At JBC Machine, our highly experienced and knowledgeable machinists understand the complexities of your project. They will work with you to ensure every aspect meets your specifications. The result is a premium product with design and specification integrity delivered efficiently and on time.