Dial Indicator

Dial indicators are instruments used to accurately measure a small distance. They may also be known as a Dial gauge, Dial Test Indicator (DTI) or as a "clock".

The definition of small obviously depends on the observer however a range between 1mm (0.040") and 50mm (2") may be thought of as typical with a travel of 10mm (approx 0.5") being perhaps the most common.

Probe type

They typically consist of a graduated dial and needle (thus the clock terminology) to record the minor increments ,with a smaller embedded clock face and needle to record the number of needle rotations on the main dial. They may be graduated to record measurements of between 0.01mm (.001", which is not a direct US_customary_units#Units_of_length) down to 0.001mm (.00005"e== With the advent of electronics and LCDs the clock face and analog display has been replaced with digital displays, these have the added advantage of being able to record and transmit the data electronically to a computer. This process is known as Statistical process control (SPC) and involves a computer recording and interpreting the results, this also reduces the risk of the operator introducing recording errors. Digital indicators can also be switched between imperial and metric units with the press of a button, thereby increasing the DTI's versatility.

Applications

As outlined above, they may be used in a quality environment to check for consistency and accuracy in the manufacturing process.
On the workshop floor to initially set up or calibrate a machine, prior to a production run.
By moldmaker in the process of manufacturing precision tooling.
In metal engineering workshops, where a typical application is the centering of a lathes workpiece in a four jaw chuck. The DTI is used to indicate the run out of the work piece, with the ultimate aim of reducing it to a suitably small range by small chuck jaw adjustments.
In areas other than manufacturing where accurate measurements need to be recorded, eg:- physics.

References

Dial & Electronic Indicators & Gages from the manufacturer Starrett.

Mitutoyo product literature from the manufacturers (Mitutoyo) site.

Non authoritative links

Practical metal and woodworking applications.


Home Articles Construction Tools Woodworking Store Tools Furniture Bathroom Flooring	Dial Indicator Dial indicators are instruments used to accurately measure a small distance. They may also be known as a Dial gauge, Dial Test Indicator (DTI) or as a "clock". The definition of small obviously depends on the observer however a range between 1mm (0.040") and 50mm (2") may be thought of as typical with a travel of 10mm (approx 0.5") being perhaps the most common. Probe type They typically consist of a graduated dial and needle (thus the clock terminology) to record the minor increments ,with a smaller embedded clock face and needle to record the number of needle rotations on the main dial. They may be graduated to record measurements of between 0.01mm (.001", which is not a direct US_customary_units#Units_of_length) down to 0.001mm (.00005"e== With the advent of electronics and LCDs the clock face and analog display has been replaced with digital displays, these have the added advantage of being able to record and transmit the data electronically to a computer. This process is known as Statistical process control (SPC) and involves a computer recording and interpreting the results, this also reduces the risk of the operator introducing recording errors. Digital indicators can also be switched between imperial and metric units with the press of a button, thereby increasing the DTI's versatility. Applications As outlined above, they may be used in a quality environment to check for consistency and accuracy in the manufacturing process. On the workshop floor to initially set up or calibrate a machine, prior to a production run. By moldmaker in the process of manufacturing precision tooling. In metal engineering workshops, where a typical application is the centering of a lathes workpiece in a four jaw chuck. The DTI is used to indicate the run out of the work piece, with the ultimate aim of reducing it to a suitably small range by small chuck jaw adjustments. In areas other than manufacturing where accurate measurements need to be recorded, eg:- physics. References Dial & Electronic Indicators & Gages from the manufacturer Starrett. Mitutoyo product literature from the manufacturers (Mitutoyo) site. Non authoritative links Practical metal and woodworking applications.
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