March Newsletter- Back to the Basics: BX, R, & RX Flange Ring Grooves
Want to get the Gage Report in your e-mail? Click here.
BX-1000 on a Ring Groove
Back to the Basics: BX, R, & RX Flange Ring Grooves
Get Your Groove On
The energy industry depends on pipelines and valves to transport fluids and gases from one location to another. The sections of pipe and the valves that control the flow are often connected to each other mechanically with the use of flanges and bolts. To ensure the joint between flanges seal the product inside the pipe, the industry uses flanges with face grooves. The face grooves are designed to accept a ring that creates the seal when flanges are bolted together. The dimensional control and consistency of flange grooves are maintained by API Specification 6A, which outlines the requirements for manufacturing flanges and components to minimum performance levels.
The task of evaluating the quality of BX, R and RX flange ring grooves has been done using various types of templates or dog bone gages and adjustable ball gages for many years. Maintaining the dimensions of flange grooves is critical to the sealing properties of the pipe and valve connections because the pressures seen by these connections can easily destroy a flange if the groove is not machined properly. However, the exact dimensions of the grooves are never known with the use of dog bone or adjustable ball gages.
Inspecting Flange Ring Grooves, Easy and Accurately
For higher quality and critical applications where groove diameters need to be documented, it is necessary to employ a gage that provides an indicator reading. By using an indicator to report groove diameter and groove width, the quality of the product can be controlled in the machine as the product is manufactured.
BX-1000 Measuring a BX-160 Flange
For these applications, we offer the BX-1000 and BXG-1000 gages to inspect groove diameters and groove widths. The gages are preset to calculated values and then applied to the flange to determine exactly how the groove compares to the specification. As the groove is machined, readings will reveal just how much material needs to be removed to make the part perfect.
The BX gages have direct application to BX grooves as well as R and RX grooves. The difference between the BX and R-RX grooves is the way that the specification dimensions the groove.
BX grooves control the major
BXG-1000 Measuring a BX-160 Flange
diameter where R and RX grooves are controlled by the centerline dimension of the groove. The BX-1000 gage measures the outside diameter of the groove and the BXG-1000 measures the width of the groove. By correlating these two inspections with tabled data, the quality of all API Spec 6A flange grooves can be manufactured to meet specification the first time.
For more information, contact us at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Look for more Gagemaker's Back to the Basics in the months ahead!
Gagemaker, LP develops and manufactures innovative precision mechanical inspection equipment for the Oilfield, Automotive and General Machining industries. Recognized as the leading provider of Tapered & Straight Thread Measurement Gages; API Products, Tubing and Casing Gages, Engineering Software and Calibration Software & Equipment, Gagemaker products are used in countless facilities around the world.
February Newsletter- Back to the Basics: Thread Height
Want to get the Gage Report in your e-mail? Click here.
External Thread Height Gage
Inspecting a Part
Back to the Basics:
Thread Height
Heighten Your Quality
What is it?
Found on all thread types and sizes, Thread Height is the distance between the crest and the root when measured perpendicular to the pitchline.
Why should you measure it?
First of all, if you fall under API requirements, thread height is a required inspection. Also, your industry association or regulations may require it. Regardless of any regulation or standards, Gagemaker highly recommends the practice, and here's why:
Thread Height affects the interchangeability of parts.
Thread Height affects the basic integrity of the entire thread assembly. A shallow height may cause the mated connection to pull apart when under stress.
Incorrect Thread Height may indicate chipped cutting inserts or other issues with your equipment.
Thread Height can help you determine a major or minor diameter if you know one and not the other. For example, you can subtract two times the thread height from a known major diameter to find an unknown minor diameter.
Basically, Thread Height is a simple, quick inspection that can provide a lot of information on the strength of your part and your equipment.
How do you measure it?
Take a look at this quick video clip of a Thread Height Gage inspecting a part:
Gagemaker, LP develops and manufactures innovative precision mechanical inspection equipment for the Oilfield, Automotive and General Machining industries. Recognized as the leading provider of Tapered & Straight Thread Measurement Gages; API Products, Tubing and Casing Gages, Engineering Software and Calibration Software & Equipment, Gagemaker products are used in countless facilities around the world.
January 2013 Newsletter- What Gages are Right for You?
Want to get the Gage Report in your e-mail? Click here.
Straight Thread Inspection
System Solution
What Gages are Right for You?
Gagemaker Can Sort It Out
We get plenty of customer questions about which gages are needed and which are recommended to inspect their threads. The truth is... it depends. The gages depend on the product you're making because the elements differ among the various thread types. What's right for an NC 50 is not the same for 5" Line Pipe, 4" 6 pitch ACME, or 5" Buttress threads and so on... Horizontal drilling threads differ from water well drilling, from mining threads, from tubing and casing threads, from threads on 6A products (flanges and valves), and so on...
For the most part, it comes down to design of the thread itself, or its form. Each thread form has comparable elements (sometimes with different names).... and each element requires a particular inspection method and each element has its own set of tolerances... and it doesn't stop there. Industry standards, customer contracts, and associations (like API, ANSI, or ISO) all have a different set of rules and regulations for machined threads.
Headache yet? We realize how confusing this can get, so Gagemaker has already gone through the trouble of sorting and identifying the things you to need to inspect and what you need to inspect them.
Say you cut ACME threads, you'll need to inspect them. Like most straight threads, ACME thread inspection includes functional size, pitch diameter, lead, height, and form.
Now, you may ask yourself,"Why do I need to inspect all that?" Well....
Functional size provides an overview of the cumulative effect of multiple elements. Correct functional size means the parts will screw together.
Pitch diameter verifies that a thread is within allowable tolerances and together with functional size gives a near complete picture of the thread.
Lead directly affects a part's functional size. It also can indicate if the lathe is cutting properly.
Height contributes to the interchangeability and integrity of the thread assembly, and may help you calculate an unknown major or minor diameter.
Form verifies the correct pitch, angles and thread geometry of the specifications. The better the form, the better the thread engagement.
Gagemaker has countless solutions for thread inspection. Each one was created with industry and association requirements in mind. Simply meeting all the minimum requirements of your industry or buyer may not be producing the highest quality. Let us help you sort through this. Gagemaker has the years of experience to help you find the tools you need.
Gagemaker, LP develops and manufactures innovative precision mechanical inspection equipment for the Oilfield, Automotive and General Machining industries. Recognized as the leading provider of Tapered & Straight Thread Measurement Gages; API Products, Tubing and Casing Gages, Engineering Software and Calibration Software & Equipment, Gagemaker products are used in countless facilities around the world.
December 2012 Newsletter- A Look Ahead at 2013 and Holiday Schedule
Want to get the Gage Report in your e-mail? Click here.
2013... What's Next?
A Look Ahead
Nearing the end of every year, people tend to reflect on the past year and then begin to look ahead to the new. We at Gagemaker do the same. Last month we took a lookback at all we've done in 2012. Now, it's time to look ahead to 2013.
After such a great 2012, we've set some pretty big goals for 2013.
A few goals for 2013:
Exhibit at Offshore Technology Conference 2013
Overhaul our website
Introduce a new training program
Publish new videos
Host our second distributor meeting
Release new products
Compete again at the AADE Fin, Feather, & Fur Food Festival
Gagemaker, LP develops and manufactures innovative precision mechanical inspection equipment for the Oilfield, Automotive and General Machining industries. Recognized as the leading provider of Tapered & Straight Thread Measurement Gages; API Products, Tubing and Casing Gages, Engineering Software and Calibration Software & Equipment, Gagemaker products are used in countless facilities around the world.
CAREERS
CONTACT US
Literature 
ead Height is a simple, quick inspection that can provide a lot of information on the strength of your part and your equipment.
