FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

If you do not find an answer to your question here, you may contact us directly.

Why should I check drawbar force?

See our document on drawbar force.

Is my chuck/lathe/clamp/drawbar/spindle/toolholder supported and measurable by ForceCheck?

Probably–our most common gauges are custom designed to fit all kinds of drawbars, chucks, and spinning centers. If there are dimensions and specifications that can be provided, a ForceCheck gauge can be modified to that standard.

To what standards are ForceCheck gauges made?

We manufacture our machining center force sensing bars to tighter tolerances than called out in the standard for the tool holder–steep taper CAT/ANSI, BT, DIN, HSK taper, KM, and Capto.

Who uses ForceCheck?

Over 500 ForceCheck units are being used by leading machine tool industries and companies around the world. Here is a sample of ForceCheck users.

Does a certificate of accuracy come with the ForceCheck gauge?

Yes. All ForceCheck measuring bars are calibrated using a master that is certified using NIST traceable equipment.

How often should I calibrate?

We recommend every year, but your quality department may have different recommendations.

Does the ForceCheck display require calibration?

No. Unlike other products, our unique at-the-sensor analog to digital conversion means that the ForceCheck display does not require calibration.

What units of measurement are available on the ForceCheck gauge?

The most common unit to measure force is the newtons. Pound-force, kilogram-force, dyne, kip-force, and other measuring units can be calibrated. Special units for measuring RPM (rotations per minute), torque, position, temperature, or other measurements can be provided on our custom force gauges.

What is the ForceCheck measuring range?

ForceCheck measuring bar force range matches what can be expected for a particular taper. For example, our 40 steep taper measuring bars are designed to measure up to 6,000 lbs, and our 50 taper, up to 16,000 lbs. Some competitive products use a "one size fits all" approach to the sensor, meaning the unit will not be very accurate for small taper sizes and may not be able to handle the force on large machines over 10,000 lbs.

How accurate is the ForceCheck gauge?

Under laboratory conditions, ForceCheck measuring bars are typically accurate to 0.5% (one-half of a percent) of full scale. Because our measuring bars are designed to a specific force range applicable to a taper, they will typically be more accurate than our competitor's products.

How repeatable is a ForceCheck gauge?

The ForceCheck gauge is also typically repeatable within 0.5% in our laboratory. However, in the "real world" when checking machines you will likely see more variation between readings because of differences in settling of the spring pack for each clamping cycle.

How reliable is the ForceCheck gauge?

ForceCheck is very reliable. We believe the ForceCheck gauge is the most reliable gauge on the market. Our 10+ years experience of building the unit gives us a proven reliability track record. If our competitors tell you "sensitive electronic units" can easily be damaged, don't believe it. Ask them how often they get units back for repair –particularly hydraulic units.

What is your experience with power drawbars?

We are the US representative for BERG Spanntechnik, one of the premier manufacturers of power drawbar systems in the world. This gives us extensive expertise in the clamping system of machining centers that we have applied in designing the ForceCheck.

Can you make "special" measuring bars?

Absolutely. Because we have our own force sensor installation lab, we can make a sensor for the ForceCheck for your specific application. To find out what forces are associated with a clamping system to improve reliability, or interested in using force sensors for preventive maintenance, contact us or fill out a request for a custom force gauge.

Do I need to assemble pieces before checking the force on my machine?

No. ForceCheck measuring bars are completely integrated and only required the installation of a retention knob. No need to sort through a confusing set of taper, spacer, and shaft parts to check a machine.

What languages are available on the gauge interface?

The ForceCheck gauge interface can easily be translated to any language on request.

In what situations would a wireless ForceCheck be used?

For measuring chuck retention or torque on spinning centers, machine-integrated retention measuring bars, and drawbars that may be inaccessible to measuring while in use. Wireless communication also allows for more diverse methods of sending and receiving data with the drawbar measuring unit, which can be interfaced to a ForceCheck gauge display or a computer.

What are the advantages of ForceCheck over other gauges?

More reliable, higher accuracy, simplicity in design and interface, portability, and our availability and variety of custom features that can be installed with a gauge. Our support and professional expertise in the machine tool industry have also placed us on top of the market. Take a look at some of the leading manufacturers and industrial users who use our ForceCheck gauge.

Gauge or gage?

Both are proper English spellings and define the same tool used to measure force, however "gauge" is more commonly used and searched for.

Where is ForceCheck made?

The ForceCheck gauge is made in Rockford, Illinois, USA