The pneumatic measurement or air gaging systems

The pneumatic measurement or air gauging units and systems are mostly used for measuring cylindrical workpiece features such as bores and shafts diameters. It is a non-contact measuring technique that performs dimensional and geometric checks of the part. It offers the following advantages:

  • Measurements are taken with high reliability, accuracy and repeatability
  • Non-contact measurement eliminate the risk of damaging the workpiece
  • Pneumatic measurement system can be operated in harsh environment
  • Air pressure acts as a powerful cleaner at the measuring points, thus enabling the user to inspect even dirty, oiled and greased surfaces
  • Inexperienced users and qualified staff are usually promptly convinced of the safety use and fast and stable results, as tolerances are more and more tighter on the shop floor

Typical applications are measurements of diameters or multi diameters, distances of axes; tapers, and forms checks

PRETEC/PFL products range

In the field of the pneumatic measurement products and systems, PRETEC works in full synergy and partnership with the sister company PFL. PFL has been manufacturing and supplying air gages for more than 40 years and this long experience is the insurance that you get the optimal solution in term of applicability and suitability All the units and systems shown here will be supplied under the PFL Swiss brand name.
We can supply: 

  • Air plugs 
  • Air rings 
  • Air plugs and rings for ISO taper
  • Air forks
  • Air converter
  • Air to electronic converters
  • Various accessories
  • Masters and certificates
  • Turnkey solutions

Converters

The converter is an essential measuring element in the air gaging systems. It simply gives the output results through analog or digital indication. Analog results are given by highly accurate dial indicator while digital ones are given by digital indicators or by electronic measurement probes combined with displays units from PRETEC.

  • The measuring range of the PFL standard analog converters are ± 40 µm 
  • Special execution are possible with measuring range from ± 10 µm to ± 80 µm
  • Repeatability can be inferior to 0,2 µ.
  • Converter available as standard are with one input
  • Converter with 2 inputs are available for differential measurement
  • Air pressure required by the converter is 3 to 4 bars
  • Low air consumption
  • Customized version available
  • Special accessories available
Air plugs

The PRETEC PFL air plug features are:

  • Available for through or blind holes
  • Material is hardened steel or coated steel
  • Diameter is from 1 to 200 mm with maximal tolerance of 150 µm
  • Designed with 2 symmetrical air nozzles or as required
  • Manual rotation of the plug allows to evaluate the cylindricity form of the hole
  • Every unique air plug is designed to fit the customer’s application
  • Rugged construction for workshop usage
  • Compatible with the major converters of the market 
  • Extension and accessories available
  • Fast delivery time 
Air rings

The PRETEC PFL air rings features are:
  • Checking of simple or multistage shafts 
  • Material is hardened steel or coated steel
  • Diameter is from 1 to 200 mm with maximal tolerance of 150 µm
  • Designed with 2 symmetrical air nozzles or as required
  • Manual rotation of the ring allows to evaluate the cylindricity form of the hole
  • Every unique air plug is designed to fit the customer’s application
  • Rugged construction for workshop usage
  • Compatible with the major converters of the market 
  • Extension and accessories available
  • Fast delivery time 
Accessories

Our list of accessories is as follows, but not limited to:

  •  Adjustable ring 
  •  Extensions 
  •  Handles
  •  Handle with twist locking
  •  Handle with twist locking, 90° connection
  •  Ground plate from steel with 90° connection
Masters and certificates

The pneumatic measurement systems are operating on comparative measuring basis. Therefore, masters and certificates are a must.
We analyze your application and propose the appropriate masters. Two master are usually necessary taking into consideration tolerances for the minimum and maximum dimensions.

  • Masters can be produced in different material as quality steel, high quality steel (HSS), tungsten carbide or ceramic.
  • Hardness for steel can be from 59 to 64 HRC
  • Masters can be produced with special coating Chrome, TIN, TICN
  • Customer designed masters available
  • Certificate of calibration are supplied by official and certified laboratory
  • Masters are delivered in solid and safe boxes with controlling reports
  • Production of masters as per international standard available (DIN 2250C and 2250 B, Cnomo, B47-1-1988 ANSI).
  • Setting plugs and rings, air calipers setting, thread measuring plugs and thread measuring rings, taper setting and other special executions are available
Special air plugs and rings

The air gaging can control cones with high accuracy and repeatability, and this even on the machine tool during machining process.
Conicity, straightness and the volume of the cone can be precisely inspected. ISO, BT, HSK, Big Plus are standards we familiar with for conical plugs and rings.
Turnkey solutions

Our main activities in the field of pneumatic measurement are for automotive, aerospace, machine tools and medical industries. These industries express specific needs not covered by our standard product range.
This has led us to develop over years a range of solutions that are specific to best suit their requirements.
We invite you to look at some application in the projects section of this web site or at www.pfl.ch

Features

The pneumatic measurement or air gaging units and systems from PRETEC/PFL combine numerous advantages:

  • Automatic cleaning of the parts to be measured
  • High measuring accuracy 
  • Repeatability up to 0.1 micron
  • Fast and stable results
  • Contactless measurement
  • Ideal for sensitive parts and surfaces
  • Robust measuring elements
  • Easy to use and to maintain
  • Internal and external features measurement capabilities

Product Specifications

Converters

Photo

Air plugs, rings and accessories

For available dimensions of rings, plug and special gages, please refer to the documents in the download section of this page or on the web site www.pfl.ch

How to order or to ask for quotation?

To make sure that you get the right air gauge unit, your requirements must be exactly stated based on the information given below.

Air plugs and air rings and masters are designed and supplied according to your air gauging application and specification. So, please submit a drawing or provide a comprehensive description of the workpiece to be measured. 

Your application
  • What is the form of the element to be measured? Bore, shaft, etc?
  • What are the size and tolerances? The following elements must be stated: Nominal size, LSL, USL
  • What is the length of the bore or the shaft?
  • Where on the element, the measurement must be made?
  • Is the element to be measured is blind or through bore`?
  • Etc.

Needed accessories 
  • Depth extension for air plug gauge
  • Depth stop ring for air plug gauge
  • Universal Handle
  • Base for stationary use of air plugs or air rings

Indicating unit
  • Do you need an analog indicating unit or digital indicating unit?
  • Do you need the measuring results to be used with SPC software or PLC, etc?

Masters/Setting standards 
Air gauges require the use of at least 2 setting standards. This is valid for both plug and ring gauges.
For exact size of each standard, we usually recommend to state the nominal size, the lower and upper limits of size of the workpiece.

Calibration certificate
They are available upon request.

Our pneumatic experts are here to help you and to insure that your requirement is fully understood to deliver solutions at your entire satisfaction. Please contact us for further discussion, we will be honored to serve you. 

Want to know more about pneumatic measurement and applications?

Please visit the PFL web site at www.pfl.ch.

Downloads

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