Quality control tools, such as micrometers, are used to measure the finish, alignment, and thickness of machined parts. Workers take readings on a specific number of parts to maintain close tolerances, and special tools are used to test sub-assemblies and paint thickness.
Quality control tools can measure the finish of a machined surface, the alignment of multiple components, and the thickness of a paint job. Often nothing more than a simple pass or fail indicator, quality control instruments are used to take readings from random parts in an assembly run. The most basic of all quality control tools is the micrometer. These quality control tools are used to measure the thickness of a machined part and ensure it is within specification.
As with most machined or machined components, a more or less rule applies to finished surface roughness tolerances. Workers will typically be instructed to take readings on a specific number of parts per component run. This allows the machinist to make the necessary modifications to the machinery in order to maintain close tolerances of the finished parts. Using quality control tools, the machinist will observe the readings of the selected parts and adjust the machinery to maintain the correct finish readings. Quality control personnel often use various quality control tools to measure not only the finish tolerances of machined parts, but also the accuracy of operator test fixtures.
In mechanisms such as watches and transmissions where multiple sets of gears are used to complete an assembly, special quality control tools or jigs are created that resemble the finished product using extra heavy material. The heavier material ensures there are no kinks and misalignments as operators test the sub-assemblies in place. Once placed on the appropriate template, the parts are measured for proper alignment. This allows workers to adjust machinery as needed to ensure proper gear alignment and prevent future gear damage in the completed component. Some of these quality control tools use an electric or hydraulic motor to actually drive the part of the assembly that is being checked for quality.
In some paint shops, the thickness of the paint applied to a product is measured with magnetic instruments for quality control. These tools use a magnet attached to a ruler-type tool with a pointer indicator attached. The magnet is placed on a point to be measured and gently pulled upwards. The pointer moves along the gauge and reflects the amount of pressure required by the magnet to break free. This number is paired with a chart detailing the indicated amount of pressure an adequate thickness of paint would require before a magnet could be pulled out.
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