My company taps thousands of parts on a daily basis. We use standard go/nogo gauges to check for product quality. We are now wanting to take that quality check to the next level. Does anyone know if there is a gauge or some kind of measurement system that can monitor the amount of torque/force a thread gauge needs to pass through the threads?
Thats going to be by feel, if you have to grip the gage when spinning it into a thread then its too tight.
the next level isnt a good way of saying it as all threads should be checked like follows
Thread gages
minor size pins
Chamfer sizes and angle front and back if applicable.
mold i.d. threads and view them on a comparator this will check thread form, root rad (this is usually done 1st article inspection and sampling size).
Visualy look at thread for finish/smoothness.
if your operators are checking thousands of threads its best to have 2 sets of gages one for inspection ones for shop. also inspection should be checking the p.d. on threads with wires to calibrate them from time to time. as thread gages do wear especially in alum.
heres a tip if you already didn't know.
if your parts are alum and you tumble them , the holes should be blown out extremely good with small tubed air nozzle that fits in the thread immediately after tumble if you wait till dry its too late.
The inspectors should be using alcohol(or what your allowed) as a lubricant for checking threads during final inspection. don't run them dry as you will get one stuck or feel a gritty thread.
Alum gets real dry after tumble and its not good for a dry thread gage to go into a dry threaded hole.