Precision Straight Edges - Special Designed Units

Mike Petsch & Associates, Logo Precision Straight Edges - Special Designed Units

Custom Designed Straight Edges are Available

We welcome the opportunity to design and build special straight edges to your specifications. We have made special straight edges for customers that measure from 15 inches (381 mm) to 15 feet (4,572 mm) in length. The thickness, width and length you need can be available for your application. Normally we hold the thickness, width, and length as nominal dimensions that may change after grinding, so if you need something special to within close tolerances for these dimensions you need to let us know. For example, if you specify exactly 3.000 inches, we may have to grind it from 3-1/2 inch stock, at a far greater cost than a unit designed exactly undersize from a standard steel thickness If you need a quote for a special straight edge, please call us at (937) 438-8031 or email your request to petsch@juno.com

12 foot Long - Straight Edge with small holes

These special units are priced upon request with the cost depending on your specification. In your request for a quote, please specify whatever accuracy required for your job for flatness and straightness and whether you need one or two sides certified along with how parallel you need the two surfaces. Let us know if you require a special inspection technique. Your design can add lightening holes or handling holes, bevel the edge, recess the sides, add special documentation to meet your ANSI, DIN or other standards, or specify a tool steel type with heat treat to increase hardness. Upon your request, we can make special units from just about almost any type of hardened steel that you might specify. Heat treating most types of carbon steels frequently requires an additional straightening and a stress relieving process in addition to precision grinding. We have made units from non-magnetic materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, and ceramic. Cost for these types of units is also usually higher because tolerances are harder to hold, since these materials are much harder to surface grind. Bending can be a problem with thinner aluminum straight edges as they are much easier to damage than steel straight edges.

CAD Drawings Provided

Before we build your special unit, you can expect a CAD drawing of the proposed straight edge. Upon your approval of the design, we will start building your special straight edge. A few of our special straight edges are shown in the examples are shown below:

Dimensional Data - Design Factors

Most of our smaller straight edges are 3-inches wide to increase rigidity. Units longer than 8-feet long are 4-inches wide. We typically drill large 2-3/8 inch diameter holes in these straight edges that are over 8-feet long to reduce the total weight of the unit. Standard straight edges are 1/2 inch thick to reduce bowing and bending, but they are not designed for unsupported loads in this axis. The 1/2 inch thickness allows the unit to safely stand on edge without falling over. We can also manufacture thinner units, but you may find that they may feel flimsy. If your application requires a narrow edge, you could specify a beveled edge for your straight edge for an additional charge. Of course we can also make both thicker and wider units for an additional cost, but the increased weight can be a problem with longer straight edges. The weight for a steel design can be calculated by the following formula:

Weight (in pounds) = Length (inches) x Width (inches) x Thickness (inches) x 0.283

While we closely hold the flatness and straightness for all straight edges, width, length, and thickness dimensions are considered nominal sizes that are subject to change after grinding.

Lightweight precision Straight Edge for Checking Road Paving Flatness and Straightness to within 0.012-inch TIR per MTA Specifications for HMA Acceptance testing

Repairing Damaged Straight Edges

If you ever find a nick in your straight edge, that cannot be repaired by a hand stone, or suspect wear, you can always return it for re-grinding and re-certification at a nominal charge. We can also usually fix straight edges that were manufactured by our competitors. If you have a severe application that causes high wear, we can build a special hardened unit that may last longer in your harsh environment.

	Precision Straight Edges - Special Designed Units


Custom Designed Straight Edges are Available
We welcome the opportunity to design and build special straight edges to your specifications. We have made special straight edges for customers that measure from 15 inches (381 mm) to 15 feet (4,572 mm) in length. The thickness, width and length you need can be available for your application. Normally we hold the thickness, width, and length as nominal dimensions that may change after grinding, so if you need something special to within close tolerances for these dimensions you need to let us know. For example, if you specify exactly 3.000 inches, we may have to grind it from 3-1/2 inch stock, at a far greater cost than a unit designed exactly undersize from a standard steel thickness If you need a quote for a special straight edge, please call us at (937) 438-8031 or email your request to petsch@juno.com

12 foot Long - Straight Edge with small holes


These special units are priced upon request with the cost depending on your specification. In your request for a quote, please specify whatever accuracy required for your job for flatness and straightness and whether you need one or two sides certified along with how parallel you need the two surfaces. Let us know if you require a special inspection technique. Your design can add lightening holes or handling holes, bevel the edge, recess the sides, add special documentation to meet your ANSI, DIN or other standards, or specify a tool steel type with heat treat to increase hardness. Upon your request, we can make special units from just about almost any type of hardened steel that you might specify. Heat treating most types of carbon steels frequently requires an additional straightening and a stress relieving process in addition to precision grinding. We have made units from non-magnetic materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, and ceramic. Cost for these types of units is also usually higher because tolerances are harder to hold, since these materials are much harder to surface grind. Bending can be a problem with thinner aluminum straight edges as they are much easier to damage than steel straight edges.

CAD Drawings Provided
Before we build your special unit, you can expect a CAD drawing of the proposed straight edge. Upon your approval of the design, we will start building your special straight edge. A few of our special straight edges are shown in the examples are shown below:



Dimensional Data - Design Factors
Most of our smaller straight edges are 3-inches wide to increase rigidity. Units longer than 8-feet long are 4-inches wide. We typically drill large 2-3/8 inch diameter holes in these straight edges that are over 8-feet long to reduce the total weight of the unit. Standard straight edges are 1/2 inch thick to reduce bowing and bending, but they are not designed for unsupported loads in this axis. The 1/2 inch thickness allows the unit to safely stand on edge without falling over. We can also manufacture thinner units, but you may find that they may feel flimsy. If your application requires a narrow edge, you could specify a beveled edge for your straight edge for an additional charge. Of course we can also make both thicker and wider units for an additional cost, but the increased weight can be a problem with longer straight edges. The weight for a steel design can be calculated by the following formula: Weight (in pounds) = Length (inches) x Width (inches) x Thickness (inches) x 0.283 While we closely hold the flatness and straightness for all straight edges, width, length, and thickness dimensions are considered nominal sizes that are subject to change after grinding.

		Lightweight precision Straight Edge for Checking Road Paving Flatness and Straightness to within 0.012-inch TIR per MTA Specifications for HMA Acceptance testing

Repairing Damaged Straight Edges
If you ever find a nick in your straight edge, that cannot be repaired by a hand stone, or suspect wear, you can always return it for re-grinding and re-certification at a nominal charge. We can also usually fix straight edges that were manufactured by our competitors. If you have a severe application that causes high wear, we can build a special hardened unit that may last longer in your harsh environment.