by MSP Marketing on May 30, 2022 4:33:00 PM
Slip gauges are as integral to CNC machining as spirit levels are to construction. They’re inexpensive, relatively easy to use and they’ve been part of certain CNC machining processes for decades. However, if you’ve ever suffered from scrap parts, machine downtime or poor inspection results, it could actually be the slip gauge that is the root of your problems.
If your CNC machining process doesn’t require the utmost accuracy or need to achieve tight tolerances, you can probably get away with using a slip gauge. But the same can’t be said for the advanced manufacturing industry, where precision is crucial to ensure the successful machining of valuable components to micron-accurate tolerances.
It’s the manual involvement when using a slip gauge which is the main cause of inaccurate results. So to eliminate this manual aspect, the best thing to do is use an automated tool that does not rely on operator skill.
What’s The Alternative?
MSP’s AutoClock fully automates the process of finding the location of the sphere in X, Y and Z without any manual intervention required. After it is placed in the machine, it can produce a micron-accurate, reliable and repeatable result for measurement of the XYZ axes in seconds.
Stopping errors at the source like this ensures they don’t filter down to your parts and ultimately your quality department. It gives you complete confidence in your CNC machining process.
As well as achieving micron-accurate results, automation provides:
Next Steps
If you would like to speak to us about how you can move away from using a manual slip gauge in your CNC machining processes, especially when finding the Z axis location, please get in touch using the button below.