Dial Comparators Guide

Almost everything we do these days has the element of the distance in it. Some people will walk to work by a short distance, and some people will run for a couple of miles for exercise every day. The concept of distance has been an important measurement for the people to track on how far they have traversed. However, the distance does not only just serve as a way to calculate how far we walk, it can also save lives. 

The pandemic outbreak has caused thousands and thousands of people to succumb to the virus and die. By keeping a distance between one another, it reduces the chance for one another to catch this nasty plague. The distance has also proven it’s worth in the industries. For example, it is important to understand how far apart the equipment can move and how big the angle is required to perform its function. There is exactly a device which is designed for such purpose, the dial comparators.

What Are Dial Comparators?

What are the dial comparators actually? The dial comparators, or sometimes referred to as the dial indicators, are the type of device which are primarily used to measure the tools which are used in the building of the precision engine. People will use the dial comparators to measure the distance between two surfaces or small quantities of component travel, such as the deck clearances, crankshaft thrust and straightness, lifter travel and other measurements. 

How Does a Dial Comparator Work?

The dial comparators utilize a calibrated stem which can transfer the linear movement to the dial face which is designed in a way to read easily. Most dial faces are graduated in .001-inch hash marks. The reason for this is to make sure that one full revolution of the indicator needle equals to one tenth of an inch or .100-inch as it travels.  There is a much smaller calibrated dial which is incorporated into the primary dial face. The smaller calibrated dial will indicate hundredths or .100-inch of traveling. Within the dial comparators, every tenth of an inch have been marked. This way, people will no longer need to visually count the number of full revolutions if their measurement is larger than one full rotation or .100-inch. 

Operation Requirement for Dial Comparators

In order for the dial comparators to function smoothly, the device demands rigid mounting and absolute stability. The measurement should not be taken while the dial comparator is still moving, otherwise the result of the measurement will be compromised. Owing to this fact, it is often to see an adjustable magnetic base is utilized to clamp the dial comparator firmly to the nearby surface. People can also adjust the magnetic base to the right position. This way, the stem of the dial indicator can perform its function and read the movement in the same direction as the part being measured.  Not just the position of the magnetic base that is matter, so is the position of the dial comparator. 

For the process of the reading to go successfully, people have to first position the dial comparator so the stem is parallel to the direction of the motion of the component. The second move is to adjust the dial comparator, this is to make sure the stem of the dial comparator is placed at about midway in its range of travel against the part which is being measured. The final and the most important move is to make sure the dial comparator is returned to zero before every measurement. People can start taking the measurement after the dial comparator has been returned to zero. The dial comparator will show the movement in either positive or negative.

What Are The Advantages of Dial comparators?

There are several advantages of the dial comparator. For example, there is a precision ball guide within the dial comparator which will guide the travel of the spindle. This has in turns assuring that the friction is eliminated. It can also provide a strong axial stiffness and reduce the occurrence of side play. Besides, there is also a shock-proofing system which keeps the spindle away from the shock created by the banging of the gears during the rapid movement. All of these traits will in turn ensure the highest accuracy. Furthermore, the dial comparator still retains other notable features such as, there is a built-in control which is lockable and there is also a fine adjustment, a tolerance marker which is adjustable, and a very quick response indicator hand.

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