What is Air Ring Gauge?
Air ring gauge commonly known as ring gauge is a cylindrical ring of thermally stable material, often steel, whose inside diameter is finished to gauge tolerance and is used for checking the external diameter of a cylindrical object. In simple language, a ring gauge is a device used to measure air pressure.
Use of Ring Gauges:
Ring gauges are used for comparative gauging as well as for checking, calibrating, or the setting of gauges or other standards. Individual ring gauges or ring gauge sets are made to a variety of tolerance grades in metric and English dimensions for master, setting, or working applications.
Types of Ring Gauges:
There are three main types of Ring Gauges:
(1) Go Ring Gauges:
Go ring gauges provide a precision tool for production comparative gauging based on a fixed limit. Go gauges consist of a fixed limit gauge with a gauging limit based on the plus or minus tolerances of the inspected part. Its dimensions are based on the maximum OD tolerance of the round bar or part being gauged.
A go plug gauge’s dimensions are based on the minimum ID tolerance of the hole or part being gauged. The go plug (ID) gauge should be specified to a plus gauge makers’ tolerance from the minimum part tolerance. The go ring (OD) gauge should be specified to a minus gauge makers’ tolerance from the maximum part tolerance.
(2) No Go Ring Gauges:
No-go or not-go gauges provide a precision tool for production comparative gauging based on a fixed limit. These gauges consist of a fixed limit gauge with a gauging limit based on the minimum or maximum tolerances of the inspected part. A no-go ring gauge’s dimensions are based on the minimum OD tolerance of the round bar or part being gauged. The no go ring (OD) gauge should be specified to a plus gauge makers’ tolerance from the minimum part tolerance.
(3) Master or Setting Ring Gauges:
Master and setting ring gauges include gauge blocks, master or setting discs, and setting rings are types of master gauges used to calibrate or set micro meters, optical comparators, or other gauging systems. Working gauges are used in the shop for dimensional inspection and periodically checked against a master gauge.
Ring gauges are sold under different accuracy grades. The higher the grade, lower the allowable variance from the nominal diameter. This diameter tolerance varies, within each grade, based on the nominal diameter.