Trav-A-Dial

Precision measurement of machine tool travel.

The Trav-A-Dial is a mechanical marvel. It detects machine tool motion by the contact of the gage wheel with a running surface. The wheel is made of tool steel and is very hard – 63C on the Rockwell scale. The Trav-A-Dial's wheel is pushed up against the surface by a special mounting base. After a few traverses, the special pattern scratched into the wheel creates the mirror pattern on the running surface, forming a micro rack-and-pinion system that cannot slip.

Wheel motion is translated through the Trav-A-Dial through a set of very precise gears. In fact, Southwestern Industries’ gear rolling technology enables us to make some of the world’s most precise instrument gears. In order to eliminate backlash, these gears are preloaded in the axial and radial directions – no mean trick.

The result is a mechanical system that is capable of accurate measurement (after calibration) of .0003” and near absolute repeatability.

The Trav-A-Dial gives you precision measurement in an analog display preferred by many machinists.