Quality Digest Bio Metrology Starrett Introduces Unique Chordal Height Gage for Aerospace Application Allows for rapid in-process verification of parts Published: Monday, June 13, 2022 - 12:01 Comment Rss Send Article (Must Login) Print Author Archive (L.S. Starrett Co.: Athol, MA) -- L.S. Starrett Co., a leading global manufacturer of precision measuring tools and gages, metrology systems, and more, has introduced a custom designed and manufactured Chordal Height Gage (a.k.a. DO Gage) to be used for measuring the opening heights of turbine vanes at specific locations to verify that an aircraft engine will get proper airflow. The new Chordal Height Gage is part of the Starrett line of special area flow gages. Even with the availability of hundreds of standard precision tools and gages, sometimes measuring challenges are best solved with a specially made gage. So, Starrett’s special gage division designs and builds dimensional measuring instruments that provide guaranteed performance to meet customer specifications. “Generally, to take turbine area flow measurements, an operator must take the nozzle off the production line and bring it to an automated inspection machine, such as a CMM. However, the special Chordal Height Gage allows for rapid in-process verification of these parts, eliminating time lost on additional teardown and setup of machinery,” says Kyle Webber, Starrett special gage division engineer. The size of the Chordal Height Gage is determined based on the specific application it will be used on. The new gage is no larger than a tissue box. Despite the small footprint of the gage, it has three independent probes to take measurements, including a free-floating central gage body that allows the middle probe to take accurate readings along the trailing edge, regardless of the variable contours often found on these nozzles. The gage is built in a “lazy L” shape so linear readings can be taken perpendicular to the trailing edge of the blades, giving a dimension for the smallest opening that air can flow through. These features contribute to the accuracy and repeatability of the Chordal Height Gage, which is within 0.0005", although the indicator readouts are generally set to a 0.001" resolution per customer requirements. For more information on Starrett Special Gages, email specialgage@starrett.com. About The L.S. Starrett Co. Founded in 1880 and headquartered in Athol, MA, L.S. Starrett Co. is a leading global manufacturer of precision measuring tools and gages, optical comparators and vision systems, and force and hardness testing solutions. Starrett also manufactures laser measurement systems, custom engineered granite solutions, custom gauging, band saw blades, power tool accessory saw blades, workshop tools, and jobsite tools. The company has six manufacturing locations in the United States, including facilities in Massachusetts, North Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, Minnesota, and California. Starrett also has three international manufacturing facilities, with plants in Brazil, Scotland, and China, and distribution centers and offices worldwide. The L.S. Starrett Co. is publicly traded on the NYSE, symbol SCX. For more information, contact L.S. Starrett Co.; email general@starrett.com Quality Digest does not charge readers for its content. We believe that industry news is important for you to do your job, and Quality Digest supports businesses of all types. However, someone has to pay for this content. And that’s where advertising comes in. Most people consider ads a nuisance, but they do serve a useful function besides allowing media companies to stay afloat. They keep you aware of new products and services relevant to your industry. All ads in Quality Digest apply directly to products and services that most of our readers need. You won’t see automobile or health supplement ads. Our PROMISE: Quality Digest only displays static ads that never overlay or cover up content. They never get in your way. They are there for you to read, or not. So please consider turning off your ad blocker for our site. Thanks, Quality Digest Discuss ( 0 ) Hide Comments Comment About The Author Quality Digest For 40 years Quality Digest has been the go-to source for all things quality. Our newsletter, Quality Digest, shares expert commentary and relevant industry resources to assist our readers in their quest for continuous improvement. Our website includes every column and article from the newsletter since May 2009 as well as back issues of Quality Digest magazine to August 1995. We are committed to promoting a view wherein quality is not a niche, but an integral part of every phase of manufacturing and services.

(L.S. Starrett Co.: Athol, MA) -- L.S. Starrett Co., a leading global manufacturer of precision measuring tools and gages, metrology systems, and more, has introduced a custom designed and manufactured Chordal Height Gage (a.k.a. DO Gage) to be used for measuring the opening heights of turbine vanes at specific locations to verify that an aircraft engine will get proper airflow. The new Chordal Height Gage is part of the Starrett line of special area flow gages.

Even with the availability of hundreds of standard precision tools and gages, sometimes measuring challenges are best solved with a specially made gage. So, Starrett’s special gage division designs and builds dimensional measuring instruments that provide guaranteed performance to meet customer specifications.

“Generally, to take turbine area flow measurements, an operator must take the nozzle off the production line and bring it to an automated inspection machine, such as a CMM. However, the special Chordal Height Gage allows for rapid in-process verification of these parts, eliminating time lost on additional teardown and setup of machinery,” says Kyle Webber, Starrett special gage division engineer.

The size of the Chordal Height Gage is determined based on the specific application it will be used on. The new gage is no larger than a tissue box. Despite the small footprint of the gage, it has three independent probes to take measurements, including a free-floating central gage body that allows the middle probe to take accurate readings along the trailing edge, regardless of the variable contours often found on these nozzles.

The gage is built in a “lazy L” shape so linear readings can be taken perpendicular to the trailing edge of the blades, giving a dimension for the smallest opening that air can flow through. These features contribute to the accuracy and repeatability of the Chordal Height Gage, which is within 0.0005", although the indicator readouts are generally set to a 0.001" resolution per customer requirements.

For more information on Starrett Special Gages, email specialgage@starrett.com.

Founded in 1880 and headquartered in Athol, MA, L.S. Starrett Co. is a leading global manufacturer of precision measuring tools and gages, optical comparators and vision systems, and force and hardness testing solutions. Starrett also manufactures laser measurement systems, custom engineered granite solutions, custom gauging, band saw blades, power tool accessory saw blades, workshop tools, and jobsite tools. The company has six manufacturing locations in the United States, including facilities in Massachusetts, North Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, Minnesota, and California. Starrett also has three international manufacturing facilities, with plants in Brazil, Scotland, and China, and distribution centers and offices worldwide. The L.S. Starrett Co. is publicly traded on the NYSE, symbol SCX.

For more information, contact L.S. Starrett Co.; email general@starrett.com

Quality Digest does not charge readers for its content. We believe that industry news is important for you to do your job, and Quality Digest supports businesses of all types.

However, someone has to pay for this content. And that’s where advertising comes in. Most people consider ads a nuisance, but they do serve a useful function besides allowing media companies to stay afloat. They keep you aware of new products and services relevant to your industry. All ads in Quality Digest apply directly to products and services that most of our readers need. You won’t see automobile or health supplement ads. Our PROMISE: Quality Digest only displays static ads that never overlay or cover up content. They never get in your way. They are there for you to read, or not.

So please consider turning off your ad blocker for our site.

For 40 years Quality Digest has been the go-to source for all things quality. Our newsletter, Quality Digest, shares expert commentary and relevant industry resources to assist our readers in their quest for continuous improvement. Our website includes every column and article from the newsletter since May 2009 as well as back issues of Quality Digest magazine to August 1995. We are committed to promoting a view wherein quality is not a niche, but an integral part of every phase of manufacturing and services.

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