How to manage loose Pin Gages without Identification on the machining floor

Wes Bucey

Quite Involved in Discussions
#11
It's not a difficult task to "size" pins with an everyday 0-1" micrometer; it's done all the time. A person who can't differentiate between a .0102" pin and one that's .0098" probably shouldn't be trusted to use a micrometer.

sitapaty isn't the OP.
I'm considering ambient conditions on a shop floor where folks without a mistake proofing process may mix pins and try to differentiate with a micrometer that hasn't been certified in ages and the operator is loathe to trot over to the temperature controlled lab and wait the requisite period of time for pin and instrument to normalize.

Your personal skill and practice is not on trial here. I can't imagine you ever mixing a few pins, nor being unable to trust your reading of a standard micrometer. Alas, many folks out there in the real world may not be as meticulous. (I am aware my eyesight is not what it was when I was thirty or even when I was sixty.) Hence the justification for a simple mistake proofing solution.

I am also aware of some manufacturers of pins who supply plus and minus pins only .0001 from nominal instead of the more common .0002.

Re: sitapathy vs. pangchiaboon
I was commenting on what I understood to be sitapathy's point about difficulty of using an instrument like a standard micrometer to differentiate mixed pins, not whether "anybody" should be able to do it. My main theme is to arrange the process to prevent mixing, NOT how to (or even whether one can) differentiate once they are mixed.
 
Elsmar Forum Sponsor

Jim Wynne

Staff member
Admin
#12
Call me a purist, but if I couldn't identify gage pins I would discard them. Their users need to be careful with them.

We in the Cove have discussed calibrating gage pins - since their resolution is typically more than that of a hand held caliper or micrometer I don't usually recommend calibrating gage pins either.

That said, there are alternatives. If there aren't too many different sizes of these tiny gage pins, I would super clean them when new and dip the tip of one end into one of several bottles of brightly colored nail polish, which tends to resist breakdown in use with machine cutting oils. I would match that color on their boxes and/or holder.
Color-marking is a good idea. Pin gages can also be issued to production in handles with the handles themselves appropriately marked. This works especially well for smaller pins that are easily dropped and lost. A piece of colored vinyl tape on one end of the pin will also work.
 

Jim Wynne

Staff member
Admin
#13
I'm considering ambient conditions on a shop floor where folks without a mistake proofing process may mix pins and try to differentiate with a micrometer that hasn't been certified in ages and the operator is loathe to trot over to the temperature controlled lab and wait the requisite period of time for pin and instrument to normalize.
Of course, all of this points to issues that need to be controlled before any semblance of order is present on a shop floor. I think we've advanced far enough at this date to be able to assume that if one is faced with the task of sorting pins that are only a few tenths different is size, a properly-calibrated micrometer is needed. As to ambient conditions on the shop floor, if the pins can be used to verify something in the atmosphere in question, it can be assumed that a properly-calibrated micrometer can be used to sort them without running back and forth to a climate-controlled space. If you can't tell the difference between two pins due to ambient temperature/humidity, how can they be used for verification under those conditions?

Your personal skill and practice is not on trial here. I can't imagine you ever mixing a few pins, nor being unable to trust your reading of a standard micrometer. Alas, many folks out there in the real world may not be as meticulous. (I am aware my eyesight is not what it was when I was thirty or even when I was sixty.) Hence the justification for a simple mistake proofing solution.

I am also aware of some manufacturers of pins who supply plus and minus pins only .0001 from nominal instead of the more common .0002.
My personal skill (or lack thereof) has nothing to do with the fact that pins are effectively sorted using standard micrometers every day all over the world. It's not, as you stated, a "difficult task." It is, or should be, an unnecessary task if precautions are taken in controlling the pins, as has been suggested elsewhere in this thread.
 
S

sitapaty

#14
It's not a difficult task to "size" pins with an everyday 0-1" micrometer; it's done all the time. A person who can't differentiate between a .0102" pin and one that's .0098" probably shouldn't be trusted to use a micrometer.

sitapaty isn't the OP.
The question here is how to identify a measuring pin which cannot be marked.Also how to to meet the requirements of calibration. I think we are side tracking the main question.
-Sitapaty
 
M

Mexicanquality

#18
I would rtecommend use a small plastic or wooden box which has the diameter of the PIN and one color to match it witha color assignated to PIN, this is one cheap and functional practice.
 

bobdoering

Stop X-bar/R Madness!!
Trusted Information Resource
#19
Small plastic tubes with the marking on the tubes are handy, too - if they put them back int the right tube...
 

Wes Bucey

Quite Involved in Discussions
#20
We did not allow/use "loose" pins. If an operator would only use one or a few pins, we had protective kits and cleaning materials to assure clean pin on every measurement. One pin out of kit had to be replaced before second pin could be removed. Pins were checked for diameter and roundness before and after each shift. Kits were marked with size and tolerance.

After a week or so with this process, any operator had zero relapses. We all found it more efficient to feel confident about using correct pin each and every time (instead of reaching for a micrometer to confirm the correct pin. If measurement at end of shift showed a mixup had occurred, the shift's production could be rechecked.
 
Thread starter Similar threads Forum Replies Date
Marco Bernardi Finding a flat or not modeling distribution: how to manage it? Capability, Accuracy and Stability - Processes, Machines, etc. 24
A How to manage the QMS system and SOP during the transition from MDD to MDR EU Medical Device Regulations 4
silentmonkey Seeking efficient method to manage install base data Manufacturing and Related Processes 0
J Microsoft Teams to manage Internal Audit System? Internal Auditing 3
L How to manage a Metrology Department or Calibration Laboratory General Measurement Device and Calibration Topics 3
N Who shall manage PPAP process? APQP and PPAP 4
B How do you manage your project? Data Conversion and Digitization Records and Data - Quality, Legal and Other Evidence 9
Q Is ISO 9001 fully enough to manage a business? ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 19
D Any Elsmar members using Traqpath to manage CAPA? Nonconformance and Corrective Action 2
S Plant within a Plant - Does anyone currently manage their facility this way? AS9100, IAQG, NADCAP and Aerospace related Standards and Requirements 2
J IMDS: How to manage same Raw Material from Two Suppliers? RoHS, REACH, ELV, IMDS and Restricted Substances 2
Q Efficient way to manage different country Medical Device Regulations Other US Medical Device Regulations 10
Q How to manage with customer % failed product ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 4
L How do you manage your Inspection Drawings? IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 9
Q Conflict Management - Systemic way to manage conflicts within Teams Book, Video, Blog and Web Site Reviews and Recommendations 6
S How to track and manage all uncertainty budgets - Database? Measurement Uncertainty (MU) 3
J Anyone here use Paradigm Sofware to manage compliance with ISO standards Quality Assurance and Compliance Software Tools and Solutions 3
J How can I manage Occurence Rates in FMEA efficiently when I have many processes? FMEA and Control Plans 9
T Best place in QMS to manage Quality Objectives ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 11
L How to manage prolongation of Calibration Period on Equipment General Measurement Device and Calibration Topics 9
drgnrider Definition of "Manage" as used in ISO 14001 related Documents ISO 14001:2015 Specific Discussions 3
G How to manage/control critical items and key characteristics? AS9100, IAQG, NADCAP and Aerospace related Standards and Requirements 1
B The best way to manage changes to the documentation of PCB files & BOM Inspection, Prints (Drawings), Testing, Sampling and Related Topics 8
M Looking for software to manage ISO 9001:2008 system Quality Assurance and Compliance Software Tools and Solutions 4
D Ticketing System to Manage Five Service Lines for proposed QMS ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 5
K Records Control - How do you Manage tons of Paper Records? Records and Data - Quality, Legal and Other Evidence 10
F How to manage Intermediary Sales Agents ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 2
Q What are the Product Realisation processes that manage Finances? ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 3
R Suggestions for a practical way to manage Contract Review Contract Review Process 5
G How to manage a problem Overseas Tooling Supplier Supplier Quality Assurance and other Supplier Issues 7
T How to manage Suppliers in accordance with ISO 13485 Requirements Supplier Quality Assurance and other Supplier Issues 5
T Action plan: How to manage actions, preventive actions and opportunities of improv? ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 9
M How to Manage Employees (Operators) - Training for specific Jobs Manufacturing and Related Processes 4
M How do you manage Customer Specific Requirements (CSRs)? IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 6
V How do you manage the Review Comments post to Approval of a Document Document Control Systems, Procedures, Forms and Templates 3
C I asked myself a question 'What does a Management System Manage?' ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 22
G How do OEM's manage Special Customer Requirements from its End Customers? Customer and Company Specific Requirements 1
Sidney Vianna OASIS Modification To Manage Auditor Type (AEA/AA) For Each Authentication AS9100, IAQG, NADCAP and Aerospace related Standards and Requirements 1
W How to manage drugs during a manufacturing process? ISO 13485:2016 - Medical Device Quality Management Systems 5
E Software that will manage my APQP documents Quality Assurance and Compliance Software Tools and Solutions 9
S How to better manage files on a personal computer? After Work and Weekend Discussion Topics 8
Marc What software (if any) do you use to manage your quality system? Quality Assurance and Compliance Software Tools and Solutions 57
Chennaiite How to manage Variation among Auditors? General Auditing Discussions 8
A Competency Records Management - How do you manage your training/competency records? Training - Internal, External, Online and Distance Learning 1
K How to Manage / Drive your Internal Supplier Supplier Quality Assurance and other Supplier Issues 7
J Software or template to manage first piece, in process and final inspection reports Software Quality Assurance 2
S How to manage (control) a copy of ISO 9001:2008 Document Control Systems, Procedures, Forms and Templates 20
E Quality Software - Who uses software to manage your Quality System? ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 2
M Experience with IPC 1752 compliance? Manage and report ROHS information RoHS, REACH, ELV, IMDS and Restricted Substances 4
D Procedure to Manage, Repair and Modify Tooling needed Document Control Systems, Procedures, Forms and Templates 2

Similar threads

Top Bottom