Gage Block Introduction - How To Use and Calibrate Gage Blocks

In this episode of the Metrology Training Lab series by Mitutoyo, we learn how to calibrate gage blocks, stacking or wringing gage blocks and a brief history. These simple little blocks are something special. Each one with their flat and parallel surfaces and with an accuracy of just a few millionths of an inch. We’ve used gage blocks in previous metrology lab calibration episodes, but in this episode, we get to understand them better and appreciate their role as a premier measurement standard.

Gage block faces are very flat and very smooth. The reason for this is that allows the gage blocks to wring together. Without using any adhesive, gage blocks can be brought together and the flat smooth surfaces will adhere to each other without causing any damage. And they can be broken apart and reused over and over. And when done properly, the gap between wrung gage blocks is somewhere around one millionth of an inch. And any flat smooth surfaces will wring together. Steel to steel, ceramic to ceramic, steel to ceramic, and even gage block to optical flats.

Video thumbnails referenced in this video:

#Mitutoyo #Metrology #GageBlocks

[oldrider]

Worked in Metrology until I retired. Thoroughly enjoyed the video; thank you.

[brucewilliams]

Thank you for the video and the series. I have had an on going debate on the use of light oil to wring gage block; this video let me settle it finally!

[Micromechanisms]

I got some of them to fix the sorter leg of my bed...and trust me It works😊😅😂 thank you Mitutoyo❤❤❤❤

[Zen_Modeling]

Great info video👍
👉The “Wringing” technique was something new for me💯

[borisdorofeev]

Good video, very clear explanation with no unnecessary additions.

[herbiemitchell]

Brilliant video thank you. Where on earth did the subtitles come from? They may need some work.

[osamanour]

you are amazing
your way of clarifying every tiny detail
thank you very much

[rafihussain]

Great videos. What's else any body want other than this

[ryanmiskin]

Nice shoutouts to Young Solutions, AVE and Cody's Lab.

[hawks]

You know you've made it when an international standard is set because it's convenient for you

[JxH]

15:00 The customer's ceramic gauge block is being measured on the label side (".190" etc.).
Aren't the working (calibrated) surfaces on the non-marked (and long) sides ?

[dannypatino]

do you have like a pdf procedure of steps you sued to calibrate the blocks

[rodneybame]

How often do the blocks need to be verified or calibrated?

[markdavidstrode]

How about showing interferometric calibration at japan which is used for Grade K?

I've seen the Mitutoyo Gage Block Interferometer for sale in the Japan catalog, it is not listed in the US catalog-every government has export restrictions for its good stuff.

[Widge_]

Excellent information. I have just picked up a set of secondhand Mitutoyo gage blocks, and are interested in the use of the wear blocks, could you explain their use. Thanks

[josephmufdi]

Wow! My head is swimming. I see some older gauge sets have a little container with some substance in it. What is that?

[raymundo]

It it acceptable to use the oils from your fingers to get them to wring together?

[GuyFawkes]

please make a video on how to handle steel gauge blocks properly to prevent rusting, deterioration....

[JxH]

Regarding 68°F. In addition to being a comfortable working temperature, it's also convenient that *exactly* +68°F is *exactly* +20°C. The integers align at that temperature.
Alternatives, like the old UK standard of +17°C didn't line-up to an integer °F number. I suspect that Johansson knew all this.

[almaxie]

I think it is the van der waals force that holds the blocks together.