Flatness measurement...

[spieagle]

Hello friends,
I am facing some problems in checking the flatness of the base of my machine, actually the level gauge which i am using has some error in it, can anyone suggest any other way of checking out the flatness
Thank you.

 

[MikeHalloran]

Get a machinist to help you. The older and crankier the better.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[tripleZ]

Laser alignment potentially? You'd have to have an outside service come in to do that most likely.

 

[ssn596]

Uhhhh what kind of machine?

what kind of tolerance do you need?
What does the factory recommend?

Who cares about the base it is the ways etc etc that must be true.

A quick and dirty way to deal with a level that has error (they all do - all measurements have error - the only thing that is dead nuts accurate is a stopped clock but that is only twice a day) anyway measure one way reverse the level and average the two errors - if 1/4 bubble hi one way and 1/4 bubble high the other way you are level.

If you are looking at hump in a lathe bed ways TRUE the ways first They do not have to be level (lathes on a ship are never level but they are TRUE.
THEN put a dial indicator in tool rest and a piece of heavy stock in the two ends and check for true ways with the dial indicator.

Dan Bentler

 

[gerhardl]

Spieagle -

There must be more than 100 answers to your question, I believe you will have a better chance to get the correct one with more details given..?

By the way, base of (as you are saying) or base for? Are we talking about elevation in plane when installing? Or roughness or plane alignment in connection with a machine table ? Or something else entirely ?

 

[JDana]

Are we talking flat or level?