Radius gauges are tools used to measure or check convex and concave radius profiles. They consist of steel inserts or blades with different cutouts or protrusions representing known radii. They are used in machining operations and to establish the exact radius of machined profiles on existing parts. Large range gauges use a flat, flexible strip attached to pantograph links and a sliding scale indicator to check the accuracy of large machine parts.
A radius gauge is a combination tool used to measure or check convex and concave radius profiles. A typical beam meter is a small, hand-held instrument used to measure worked radii in lighting engineering and hobby applications. It generally consists of a number of separate steel inserts or blades, each with different cutouts or protrusions machined into the outer edges. These anomalies each represent a known ray with a set of markers covering a defined range of rays. Radius gauges employing complicated pantograph and sliding scale arrangements are used in heavy industry to check larger radius profiles.
Spoke gauges are normally sets of thin steel inserts that each have a number of known radii machined into their edges. An insert set can only measure inside or outside radii, or a combination of both. Each set of radius gauges will cover a predetermined total radius range which can be supplemented with additional inserts or sets as needed. Each cutout or projection will be marked with its radius value. These sets may consist of loose inserts presented in a case or wallet or be of a fold-down combination design similar to a tappet feeler gauge.
The radius gauge is most commonly used to check radius accuracy during machining operations. The fixtures can also be used to establish the exact radius of machined profiles on existing parts. To check the accuracy of a spoke during machining, its protrusion or cut is chosen and pressed against the profile of the specimen. The mated surfaces are then inspected against a strong light source. If you see a gap between the workpiece and the gauge face, the profile is incorrect. To check an unknown profile on an existing part, inserts can be applied in the same way until a matching one is found.
It is possible to check the accuracy of large machine parts using more complex types of radius gauges. A type of large range gauge consists of a flat, flexible strip which is attached at its ends to a series of pantograph links with the center held captive on the body of the gauge. These links are in turn linked to a sliding scale indicator. To check a radius, the center of the stripe is pressed against the specimen and the scale cursor is moved up or down until the stripe mirrors the specimen’s radius. The exact radius can then be read off the scale.
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