Prior to installation of the Eagle Thread Verifier System, plant operators at Detroit-based American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM) used to manually spot-check one part per hour, a time-consuming and costly process. Installation of a six-spindle automated thread gauge system manufactured by Sterling Heights, MI-based Eagle Thread Verifier, LLC, has changed that. This is the third system of automated thread gauges used within the gear and axle manufacturer's facilities.

The Eagle Thread Verifier system checks threads for pitch diameter (oversize / undersize), proper depth (minimum / maximum), missing holes, broken tap, proper depth of pipe tapped holes, and external threads. The automated system can stop production in seconds if a hole is not identified to the pre-established specification level. Checking for accurate threads saves countless hours of sorting parts that are defective and repairing for final assembly.

Used to identify nonconforming parts earlier in the process and to reduce the number that might be produced otherwise, the ETV has saved thousands of dollars in nonconforming parts being shipped to customers throughout the automotive industry. It is used as a quality control automation tool throughout many manufacturing plants in the Midwest.

The ETV spindle can be added to an existing cell or Eagle Thread Verifier engineers will design and build a manual or automatic load turnkey system to fit the application.

"We chose the Eagle Thread Verifier system after learning about its successful application in another one of our plants," says James Martz, senior manufacturing engineer for American Axle & Manufacturing.