To ensure the accuracy and longevity of your pin gauge, it is essential to have regular maintenance and calibration performed. If your pin gauge is not properly cared for, chances are high that the instrument may become unreliable. This is not obviously not desired and can be avoid if the proper procedures are taken.
Below we have listed four important factors that should be incorporated into the care of your pin gauge. By following the four procedures, longevity and accuracy of your pin gauge can be guaranteed.
Ceramic Pin Gauge Set
The first step to taking proper care of your pin gauge is assuring that you are using the instrument correctly. 9 times out of 10, pin gauges break or become unreliable because they are not being used right. The most common error when using a pin gauge is applying too much force. When too much force is applied to a pin gauge, it can damage the instrument and knock it out of calibration.
The general rule of thumb when using a pin gauge is as follows:
●The minimum or “Go” pin should be used for the lower limit of the hole. It should be able to easily fit into the hole with no force.
●The maximum or “No Go” pin should be used for the upper limit, it should not fit under slight pressure.
The second step to properly caring for your pin gauge is to make sure that the instrument is being stored adequately. Outside environmental factors, such as heat and moisture, can affect a pin gauge over time. The best place to store a pin gauge is in a storage container. This allows the pin gauge to be in a cool and dry location. It is also vital to use a storage container that is divided. This way the pin gauge can be stored in a separate divider away from other gauges. If gauges are all stored in one container and are against each other, they could damage one another.
The third step to caring for your pin gauge is making sure it goes through routine maintenance. In order to guarantee your pin gauge is accurately reading, maintenance should be performed to check if all components are up to par. During maintenance, it is important to look for dirt, debris and oil, as these can cause corrosion.
The fourth step is calibration. Manufacturers recommend that you calibrate a pin gauge yearly. However, a pin gauge calibration interval should be determined based upon application, frequency of usage and the likelihood of damage. Notably, pin gauges that are used as standards are calibrated more frequently.
