If you’re an engineer, machinist, or industrial designer, you probably have a set of air gauges in your workshop. Air gauges are a convenient and inexpensive tool for measuring diameters. They can be quickly and easily set up, take up little bench space and measure with high accuracy. Air gauges also come in all shapes and sizes to fit the many different kinds of jobs out there today.

Air Gages generally cost less.

Air gages are generally cheaper than the other types of gages. But why? Well, air gages are mechanical devices that use air pressure to measure the dimensions of an object. The main difference between air and electronic or laser gages is that they’re not as precise as electronic or laser models.

Electronic models use lasers to measure objects’ dimensions quickly and precisely. These models can cost up to USD 100,000! The downside is that you need special training to operate them; if you don’t have this training, it could cost even more money for someone else who does have this training to come out and service your equipment.

Other types of mechanical sensors, such as eddy current transmitters, work well too but require specialized training as well—and again, these can range from $50k-$100k depending on brand/model.

Want to know more about air gaging? Here is a Mahr gaging webinar on air gaging.

Air Gages work on all materials.

One of the benefits of air gages is that they can work on a wide range of materials, including metals, plastics, and ceramics. This makes them highly versatile and helpful in various manufacturing and inspection applications. Additionally, air gages can operate effectively in multiple environments, including dusty, dirty, or otherwise challenging environments. This means you can use them in your facility without worrying about interference from the surrounding environment. Overall, the versatility and robustness of air gages make them an excellent choice for a wide range of measurement applications.

Air Gages can be quick & easy set up.

One of the advantages of using air gages for measurement is that they are quick and easy to set up. Air gages typically consist of a measuring head, an air supply, and a display unit, which can be easily assembled and connected to form a complete measurement system. This process can be completed in just a few minutes, making it easy to quickly get up and running with an air gauge system. Additionally, many air gages are designed with user-friendly interfaces that make inputting and retrieving measurement data easy, further simplifying the setup process.

Overall, the quick and easy setup of air gages makes them an excellent choice for those who need to start measuring quickly and efficiently.

Set them up in seconds, minutes, or even less than five minutes. The best part is that you don’t need any special tools or knowledge to do so.

Measure with a high degree of accuracy

Air gages are accurate, but that’s not all they have. When measuring an air gauge, accuracy measures how close the reading on the indicator comes to being correct. Precision is how much variation there is in those measurements; if you measured something three times using an air gauge and got three different readings, your precision would be low.

Accuracy and precision are not interchangeable terms: accuracy refers specifically to whether or not a measurement was correct; precision refers more generally to how much variation there was from one measurement to the next. For example, if my friend tells me that he weighs 160 pounds (80 kilograms), then I can confidently say that his weight is within 4% of what it should be because 80 kg x 0.04 = 3 kilograms off target—but this does not mean he has precise scales!

Compact Air Gages Offer Convenient and Efficient Measurement

Unlike their hydraulic and pneumatic counterparts, air gages are small and portable. This is why they can be used in tight spaces where other types of gages would not be able to fit. They are also versatile enough for use on various tasks such as calibration checks or setting up new equipment.

They’re easy to store, too! Air Gages take up little bench space compared with their counterparts because they can be stacked easily while maintaining accuracy through a special fluid-filled enclosure called an air cell inside the gage.

Air gauges are a convenient and inexpensive tool for measuring diameters. They can be quickly and easily set up, count with high accuracy, take up little bench space, and are easy to use. Take precision and accuracy to the next level with Pride Gage. Our team team of experts has decades of experience in the field, and we use only the highest quality manufactures to ensure that your air gages are accurate and reliable.

Upgrade your shop floor with air gaging that offers extreme accuracy, repeatability, and reliability in every measurement. Choose Pride Gage for your air gaging desires today and experience the difference.

Keyanna Harper

Pride Gage Content Strategist
Read About Me to learn more.

There are two types of calibration for gages: 1) gage manufacturer certification and 2) third-party traceable calibration. The difference between the two is important because each provides different levels of assurance that the gages you purchase meet specifications.

In most cases, your gage manufacturer can provide an optional service to certify that their products meet or exceed specifications set by national standards organizations (NIST, ANSI/ASME Y14.5M). This certification is called “gauge manufacturer certification” because it’s provided by the company who manufactured the product—it means nothing more than they took their own measurements before sending them out into the wild where anyone can use them and then return them to be checked again if needed.

Two Types of Certifications for Gages from Gage Manufacturer.

 The first is a gage manufacturer certification, which identifies the quality standard to which a particular gauge has been manufactured. For example, if you buy a gauge from an ISO 9001:2015 certified company, you can be assured that it meets their standards and therefore has been made with high quality materials and processes.

The second type of certification is traceable calibration—this means that your gage has been calibrated by an accredited third-party lab using traceable standards such as NIST or ASTM. Accreditation means that this lab has met certain criteria to gain recognition as an official laboratory by government entities or private organizations that act as governing bodies over certain industries (ASME).

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Gage Manufacturer Certification is an Optional Service.

Gage manufacturer certification is an optional service provided by a gage manufacturer to certify that their gages meet or exceed specifications. It is often referred to as a 17025 certification.

By selecting this option, the manufacturer becomes responsible for ensuring that all its products meet acceptable tolerances and specifications. The company must perform tests and analysis on each gauge to ensure it meets these requirements before providing it for sale.

The Gage Manufacturer has an Established a Calibration System.

In most cases, the gage manufacturer has established a calibration system and can provide traceability to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards. Traceability means that the manufacturer can prove that their in-house process for calibrating and checking the dimensions of their gages are based on national standards, such as those set by NIST.

This is not just important for compliance with industry regulations; it also ensures that your measurements will be more accurate than if you used non-traceable gages. For example, when developing a prototype, it’s likely that some parts will need to be custom manufactured. If you use an uncalibrated tool to measure these parts before they are made, then there’s no way to ensure that they were manufactured correctly or in accordance with your design specifications.

Gage Manufacturer Traceability

Traceability means that the manufacturer can prove that their in-house process for calibrating and checking the dimensions of their gages are based on national standards, such as those set by NIST.

This is important because it reduces risk to your business. You know that if you order a 10-inch gauge from one supplier but receive a 10-inch gauge from another supplier (which may look identical), you can still trust that your product meets specifications.

A Second Type of Gage Manufacturer Certification is Traceable Calibration.

Another type of certification is traceable calibration. This kind of certification is typically provided by third-party calibration labs that can perform complete calibrations on your gage and provide you with a certificate showing that they have performed a complete calibration on your gage, and they can also provide traceability back to NIST standards.

In some cases, a third party may be required by their customers or the regulatory bodies where they operate, such as the FDA or USDA (US Department of Agriculture).

Third-party Calibration Labs

A third-party calibration lab can provide you with a certificate showing that they have performed a complete calibration on your gage, and they can also provide traceability back to NIST standards. This is important because it allows you to verify that the data on your gage is accurate, which gives you confidence in using this equipment for critical applications.

Accreditation means that an independent organization has reviewed and approved the calibration lab’s procedures, processes, and standard operating procedures (SOPs). The accreditation agency lists those who have been given accreditation status within their field of expertise such as ISO17025 or ANSI/NCSL Z540 – 2002 Type II Calibration Laboratory Accreditation Program. A list of recognized agencies can be found at www.aclsquareroot.org

How to Look for a Third-party Lab that’s Accredited.

Look for a third-party lab that’s accredited by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) or other organizations like ANAB. A2LA, which was founded in 1966, is an accrediting body for various types of laboratories and the largest such organization in the world. The Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) also accredits labs with specific focuses on food safety and other areas that have been designated by either AOAC or other organizations.

In the end, it’s important to understand that your gages are not just a piece of equipment. They’re an essential part of your business and need to be calibrated regularly so they can provide accurate measurements. While there is no one right way to go about this process, we recommend working with a third-party lab that will make sure everything is done correctly and according to industry best practices.

 Are you still looking for specific Calibration vendors? Not sure which vendor is the best for you? We at Pride Gage can provide you Calibration vendors that can fulfill your needs. Give us a call and we will be glad to assist!

Keyanna Harper

Pride Gage Content Strategist
Read About Me to learn more.

When it comes to shipping a box, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. How you package the box can make all the difference when it comes to ensuring your item arrives safely at its destination. In this blog post, we’ll explain how to properly package a box for shipping. We’ll also provide some tips on how to avoid any damages during transit. Let’s get started!

Choose your Box

When you order your corrugated box, you’re getting a shipping box that’s made of corrugated cardboard. This type of cardboard is stronger than the thin cardboard used in shoe boxes and other commercial packaging. Boxes that are rated for international shipping are designed to provide high crush resistance, making them safer to use for packing fragile items. 

It is important to place the item in the center of the box when packing it for shipment. This will help keep the item stable and prevent it from shifting during transit. When an item is off-center, it can experience a lot of movement, which can damage it or cause it to break. By placing it in the center of the box, you can help ensure that it arrives at its destination safe and sound. So next time you’re packing up a box for shipping, remember to center the contents for safe travel.

Inside the Box

In addition to centering the contents of the box, you’ll also want to make sure that everything is securely wrapped up. Use packing materials like bubble wrap, foam to wrap the items to give extra protection from the sides of the box. Use packing peanuts to fill in any empty spaces and keep the contents from shifting around If you do not have packing peanuts use packing paper, or my favorite shredded paper. This will help prevent damage during transit and will also keep your items from moving around inside the box, which could cause them to break.

Using the shredded paper and packing foam to cushioning material around the item, before close the box and tape it shut make sure that the packing is filled tight to provide the items from to much movement during the travel.

Final Touch

 Make sure to use box sticker that is marked “Fragile” or Handle with care, so that the workers at the shipping company know to handle your package with care.

 Remember to include your shipping label on the outside of the box make sure that is has Your return address and the destination address correctly labeled on the box, always keep your tracking number, you never know when you may need it.

Using these tips will ensure that your package doesn’t arrive in shambles to your customer.