Monthly Archives: April 2012

Coming soon: CTH02 double-sided cutting tip holder

Pictures updated Oct2014: Visit the CTH02 website page here:
http://www.micro-metrics.com/CTH02.htm

Our new machinist has a purchase order in hand to machine 20 new longer (double-sided) cutting tip holders. I used an old example that we measured to create the new drawing from, but the new ones is much prettier!

CTH02 cutting tip holder

This holder allows two tips to be mounted on opposite sides and, like the shorter, single cutting tip holder (CTH01), allows easy use of the cutting tips without having to manipulate the Tooke Gauge to make the incision and then manipulate the gauge again to view the incision through the microscope.

CTH02 cutting tip holder

With this tip holder, you can:

  • make multiple incisions with your most-used tip(s) without having to keep switching the gauge to viewing position
  • mount two of the same tip to allow for checking two incisions against each other
  • “bracket” your incisions by mounting two different tips to create different incising geometries

CTH02 cutting tip holder

Some of our customers have said they prefer the larger tip holder because it’s easier to handle than the smaller one. Others prefer the smaller one because it fits easily in a pocket.

using CTH02 cutting tip holder
(Obviously, I’m holding this one upside down so the tip shows.)

Anodizing the OG202s

OG202 anodized

As part of the upgrading of the OG202 metal-bodied Tooke gauges, going forward, the OG202s will be anodized. Aluminium alloys are anodized to increase corrosion resistance and increase surface wear resistance . The anodic layer is non-conductive. Anodizing will protect the aluminum parts by making the surface much harder than natural aluminum. Aluminum oxide is grown out of the surface during anodizing and then becomes aluminum hydrate, which is extremely hard. The porous nature of the anodized layer allows the product to be dyed. Type II anodizing gives an anodized layer of 0.0002″to 0.001″.

OG202 anodized

The following text is modified from the Aluminum Anodizers Council http://www.anodizing.org/Anodizing/benefits.html:

Anodizing’s Benefits
Durability. Most anodized products have an extremely long life span. Anodizing is a reacted finish that is integrated with the underlying aluminum for total bonding and unmatched adhesion.

Color Stability. Exterior anodic coatings provide good stability to ultraviolet rays and do not chip or peel.

Ease of Maintenance. Scars and wear from fabrication, handling, installation, frequent surface dirt cleaning and usage are virtually non-existent. Rinsing or mild soap and water cleaning usually will restore an anodized surface to its original appearance. Mild abrasive cleaners can be used for more difficult deposits.

Aesthetics. Anodizing offers color alternatives and unlike other finishes, anodizing allows the aluminum to maintain its metallic appearance.

Health and Safety. Anodizing is a safe process that is not harmful to human health. An anodized finish is chemically stable, will not decompose; is non-toxic; and is heat-resistant to the melting point of aluminum (1,221 degrees F.)

Since the anodizing process is a reinforcement of a naturally occurring oxide process, it is non-hazardous and produces no harmful or dangerous by-products.

OG202 anodized

April update

I have lots of OG204 plastic gauges on the shelf, ready to ship. Also MG402s (Microgroovers), and H-501s (pencil hardness gauges) and CTH01s (single-tip cutting tip holders) and S-700s (thick and thin film standards).

I have two OG202 metal-bodied gauges left ready to ship. I’ve ordered 50 more metal bodies from Harry-the-new-machinist so, by the end of May I should be back in full production. (Manufacturing trivia: It takes 32 programmed steps in his CNC machine to make them!)

I’ve sent examples of the old-style scopes to the sourcing company (here in Augusta GA) that’s trying to see if they can get those older, better scopes custom-manufactured for me. Currently, they have contacted factories in Japan (and perhaps China?). Alas,there is no source in the U.S. And I’m trying to source the LED bulbs at a cheaper price, so I can sell them for less.
LED bulbs

I’m also looking into having the cutting tips ground on a CNC machine. Anna, my second-new-machinist, is currently preparing the drawings (like blueprints) for me to find a company that will do that. There are several companies here in GA that may be able to grind them, so this work at least can be kept in the States.

cutting tips