Threaded fasteners play a vital role in the construction of a wide range of products. Without accurate thread sizing, a fastener's ability to provide a secure connection is compromised.
Manufacturers rely on thread gages to check fastener specifications and ensure the integrity of all threaded fasteners leaving their facility. Your thread gages are designed to be durable, but they may sustain some damage over time.
If you know how thread gages can sustain damage, you will be equipped to identify faulty thread gages before they create serious problems in the future.
1. Abrasions
One of the most common ways that a thread gage can sustain damage is through contact with the fasteners it is measuring. A fastener is either threaded through or into the thread gage. The threading process can create friction that causes abrasions to form on the interior surface of the thread gage.
Abrasions have the potential to alter the profile of the thread gage, making it impossible to produce an accurate reading when using the damaged thread gage to take measurements.
Be sure that you inspect your thread gages often for evidence of abrasions and replace damaged gages quickly to preserve the integrity of your fasteners.
2. Expansion
Many of the thread gages used in modern manufacturing facilities are made from steel. Steel is a metal alloy that offers great strength and durability, but it does have a tendency to expand over time.
The molecules within a steel product can start to relax once the steel is put into use. Environmental factors like temperature and humidity can influence the rate at which steel expands.
You want to ensure that you are using your thread gages in a controlled environment. Fasteners should only be tested in temperature-controlled settings, and thread gages must be stored in a temperature-controlled space to prevent any damage caused by expansion.
3. Burrs
The dimensions of a thread gage must be exact if you want to ensure that your fasteners meet strict design specifications. Anytime one metal product comes into contact with another, it's possible for burrs to form.
Burrs are the result of contaminants that have cut their way into the surface of your thread gages. A burr can make it impossible to obtain an accurate measurement using your thread gage, and this could result in a decline in fastener quality.
Inspect all thread gages used in your facility often to ensure burrs don't cause threaded fastener problems in the future.
To learn more about thread gages or to replace your worn-out ones, contact a supplier.
