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When you hire a metal fabricator to create products for your business, tolerance stacking is a crucial part of their process. When welding, each piece of metal has a tolerance, or a margin of error within which parts will still function properly and fit together correctly. Tolerance stacking during CNC machine operation determines how individual tolerances combine to produce a final product that falls within acceptable and operable parameters. Below are a few ways machine shop technicians ensure tolerance stacking is executed correctly. 

3 Best Practices for Tolerance Stacking

1. Working With Tolerance Thresholds 

The size of a tolerance goes a long way in determining how much you can expect to pay to have an object manufactured. Smaller tolerances will take more work and more sophisticated tools to cut and assemble a piece with a CNC machine. This extra effort leads to higher manufacturing costs, so evaluating expected tolerances and limiting the use of pieces with small tolerances is a way technicians help reduce project expenses. 

2. Paying Close Attention to Dimensions

La-Crosse-Wisconsin-CNC-machineThe upper and lower tolerance range of a part might vary with the tolerance of the space between. Welding specialists look for tolerance specifications labeled on the parts and go over dimensions carefully. This ensures they don’t over-calculate and end up with an end product that cannot be used.

3. Calculating the Part Total 

Called “worst-case tolerance analysis,” tolerance limits of different variables are set and calculated by a technician to find a part total. The variable tolerances should fall in the range of their pre-determined limits, which ensures accuracy of measurements when designing a product. It also determines what tools to use in the CNC machine for the best results.     

 

If you need trained welders to tend to your metal fabricating needs, reach out to the staff at C & C Machine. The company is known throughout La Crosse County, WI, for providing accurate tolerance stacking analysis to ensure the right CNC machines and welding techniques are used for clients’ projects. To find out more about TIG, portable, and spot welding services available in La Crosse and the surrounding areas, call (608) 784-4427. A team member will be happy to answer questions. Visit the machine shop online for additional service information.

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