Digital Height Gauges

Vertex VMS Description

• • 1D & 2D measurement
• • Air bearings to the base and the Z-axis carriage
• • Air bearings to the counterbalance
• • The squareness of front and side planes within 5.0 microns
• • The motorised probing operation is driven through a contactless eddy current clutch
• • Pneumatic locks to the counterbalance
• • Probe contact pressure of 40 grams (adjustable)
• • Integral printer (optional)
• • Orbital “Hole in the wall” display
• • Dual Probe facility as standard
• • Unique probe location and securing system
• • Latest rechargeable battery technology, continuous usage in excess of a normal shift
• • Performance supported by a UKAS Certificate of Calibration
• • Patented System
• • Battery life 10 hours

Technical Specification

The Vertex VMS range of digital height gauges supports both 1D and 2D measurements. Some of the key capabilities for 1D measurement are outlined below;

• • Comprehensive measurement of heights, drops, internal and external diameters, TDC (Top Dead Centre), BDC (Bottom Dead Centre), internal gap, external gap and centre-to-centre measurement
• • Multiple datum facility, up to 8 assignable datums
• • Comprehensive probe qualification
• • Squareness measurements from the front and side of the surface
• • Scribing facility for layout work
• • Print function for ‘ALL’ or ‘SELECTED’ output
• • The Vertex VMS performs all functions as fully autonomous routines with no pipes or trailing wires. If communications are needed with peripheral devices such as a printer or network, then this is achieved through the RS232C or USB facility.

2D Measurement

The Vertex range of digital height gauges also offers 2D measurement to supplement the extensive 1D functionality with powerful onboard processor firmware. 2D Capabilities Include;

• • Rectangular and polar coordinates
• • Alignment of features
• • PCD (Pitch Circle Diameter) measurement

Electronic Control Unit (ECU)

The programmable 3-axis ECU is reminiscent of a “hole in the wall” display. The viewing area is kept clear apart from the key information being displayed. An ‘orbital keypad’ as the description implies is active around the viewing area offering the user an intuitive aspect with regard to software commands.

The viewing screen is produced from a clear, robust polycarbonate material. The tactile keyboard indicates to the user that a command has been made.

Ergonomic design provides a platform for accessing the multifunctional application software.

Vertex VMS Probes and Accessories

A small selection of the probes and accessories available for the Vertex VMS are shown below. If you have any specific requirements and don’t see a solution below, please get in touch with our team who will be happy to assist.

Sphere Probe

Available with ruby or steel spheres in 2,3,4,6, and 10mm diameters.

Uses: Internal and external diameters, heights, drops, the distance between features, centre-to-centre measurement or diameters.

Taper Probe

Available in 0 – 12mm and 12 – 20mm

Uses: Pitch between holes.

Disc Probe

Available in 6, 10 and 20mm diameters.

Uses: Internal and external diameters and distance. Useful for features such as circlip grooves.

Pin Probe

Available in 1.5mm and 2.5mm diameters

Uses: Measuring small features such as holes in sheet metal.

Parallel Probe

Uses: Sheet metal internal and external diameters, heights, drops and distance between features.

Sciber

Uses: Layout work on castings, sheet metal etc.

What is a Height Gauge

What is a height gauge? As the name suggests, it is a device for measuring the height of an object. Their roots can be traced back as far as 1631, when Pierre Vernier, a French scientist and mathematician, invented the “Vernier scale.” This gave mechanical engineers the ability to measure and manufacture with much greater precision than ever before. Vernier's system of dissimilar scales was the founding of precision measurement, and nearly 400 years later, we still use Vernier's principles.

A height gauge is typically used in conjunction with granite surface plates or tables such as those in our Crown Windley range. Granite surfaces are a must for accurate measurement as they provide a flat and stable surface for inspection.

The Digital Height Gauge

Digital height gauges can be split into three distinct groups.

The first group is relatively basic and has accuracy levels similar to those of mechanical height gauges. It typically uses an inch/metric scale along with floating and absolute zero.

The middle group of digital height gauges is effectively an upgrade on the first. They share all the features of the first group but have several additional settings, such as ID/OD measurement and probe compensation. Height gauges within this group will have far greater accuracy than those in the first.

The final group offers another big step up in accuracy and a host of additional features. You can expect a computer interface, air bearings, motorised probing operation and 1D and 2D measurement capability. The Vertex VMS Digital Height Gauge is a great example of how advanced devices in this group have become.

If you'd like to know more about our height gauges and how they can support your business, the team at Eley Metrology is here to help. Our Vertex VMS is supported by a UKAS Certificate of Calibration and is available in three different sizes, allowing us to cater to a range of industries and requirements.