Precision Straight Edges
Flatness and Straightness Guarantee		FAQ and Other Alternatives
Built from Solid Steel		Ordering Special Straight Edges
Corrosion Protection Included		Shipment Times for Orders
Chamfers on Edges Included		Payment Terms
Engineering Dimensional Data		Credit Cards Accepted
Our Inspection and Certification Procedures		Uses for Precision Straight Edges
Custom Design Straight Edges are Available		Repairing Damaged Straight Edges
Quality inspection and alignment tooling Precision ground steel straight edges We build straight edges up to 15 feet long Specials and custom designs available
		precisionstraightedge.com
Standard Straight Edges
Part Number Straight Edge Description PDF Weight Lbs Flatness Print Straightness SE36x3x05 36" long x 3" wide x 1/2" thick - no holes 15.3 0.001 inch SE48x3x05 48" long x 3" wide x 1/2" thick - no holes 20.4 0.001 inch SE60x3x05 60" long x 3" wide x 1/2" thick - no holes 25.5 0.001 inch SE72x3x05 72" long x 3" wide x 1/2" thick - no holes 30.6 0.001 inch SE84x3x05 84" long x 3" wide x 1/2" thick - no holes 35.7 0.001 inch SE96x4x05 96" long x 4" wide x 1/2" thick - no holes 54.3 0.002 inch SE120x4x05 120" long x 4" wide x 1/2" thick - no holes 67.9 0.002 inch SE144x4x05 144" long x 4" wide x 1/2" thick - no holes 81.5 0.002 inch SE168x5x05 168" long x 5" wide x 1/2" thick - no holes 118.9 0.003 inch Straight Edges with 2-3/8" drilled holes to reduce weight SE96x4x05H 96" long x 4" wide x 1/2" thick - with 31 holes  34.9 0.002 inch SE120x4x05H 120" long x 4" wide x 1/2" thick - with 39 holes  43.5 0.002 inch SE144x4x05H 144" long x 4" wide x 1/2" thick - with 47 holes  52.1 0.002 inch SE168x5x05H 168" long x 5" wide x 1/2" thick - with 55 holes 84.4 0.003 inch SE180x5x075H 180" long x 5" wide x 3/4" thick - with 59 holes 154.1 0.004 inch For more information see our Price List - Click Here
Flatness and Straightness Guarantee
Standard straight edges are made from steel and precision ground. See the above chart for standard straight edge part numbers and the flatness and straightness tolerance for deviation over the length of the entire measuring surface. The standard pricing includes ONE useable edge that is straight and flat within the tolerance specified. During our manufacturing process, after we grind the first edge of a straight edge, the unit gets inspected and if it checks okay, the second side does not get ground. Typically for about 85% of the units we must also ground the second side. The unit is then inspected after each grind and after it checks okay, the best edge is selected for certification. We cannot guarantee the quality of both edges of the straight edge unless we grind and certify both sides . We can certify both edges for an additional charge. In addition to the extra grinding and inspection time, this additional charge includes masking, cleaning tape residue, and applying rust preventative on the two unpainted edges. If you purchase this extra option the straight edge will include TWO useable edges that are straight, flat, and parallel within the tolerance specified.
Built from Solid Steel
Our standard straight edges are built from hot rolled steel that has not been heat treated. Hot rolled steel does not require annealing and the high temperature prevents stress from accumulating in the material which results in better dimensional stability than cold worked materials. Our units typically hold shape better as there is no residual memory effect from stresses caused by hardening. We achieve very close tolerances at competitive pricing. Most of these units were designed for careful inspection and used by professionals who know how to handle a precision tool. Unfortunately, even hardened steel will nick if dropped. 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. Deflection can be a problem with aluminum straight edges and they are much easier to damage than steel straight edges.
Corrosion Protection Included
Standard straight edges are normally painted on five sides to prevent corrosion. This leaves only one side to keep oiled. We can leave your unit unpainted but then you would have to oil all of the sides or it would rust. Then it would then be very slippery to pick up. The unpainted side is certified for the entire length of the unit.
Chamfers on Edges Included
We normally chamfer the four edges on a straight edge to prevent cuts when handling. The standard straight edge includes lightly chamfer edges that measure (45º x .010")
Engineering Dimensional Data
Most of our smaller straight edges are 3-inches wide to insure 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.
Our Inspection and Certification Procedures
We inspect our straight edges and provide documented certification. The unit has a serial number on one end for accountability purposes. While we have all sorts of tracing equipment, lasers, and other measuring equipment, we find that most of our customer's don't. These straight edges were designed to be used as a qualified reference surface. We expect you to place the qualified surface of the straight edge against your part (or machine component) and check the flatness deviation. We feel that the best way to check a straight edge is to compare it's deviation to a NIST qualified flat granite surface plate. The straight edge is placed with the qualified edge face down against the surface plate. If a gap is found between the two surfaces, it is measured using certified feeler gauges. This inspection method comes closest to the same method that the tool is designed to be used. See a copy of a blank Inspection Certificate in Adobe Acrobat format (8 KB) at the following link: InspectCert.pdf
Custom Design 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 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. These special units are priced upon request with the cost depending on your specification. 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:
	12 foot Long - Straight Edge with small holes
Ordering Straight Edges
We accept purchase orders from approved customers for straight edges. Please make your purchase order out to: Mike Petsch and Associates, Inc. Your purchase order should include your shipping and billing address. You can also fax your orders to (937) 438-8035 or email orders to: petsch@juno.com
Payment Terms
Our terms for commercial customers are usually Net 30 days with approved credit or COD without approved credit. If you are applying for credit with our company, and if you are not a major Fortune 500 sized corporation, please include your standard credit references with the order. If you need a W-9 or other information from us to set us up as a vendor, we promise a very quick turnaround on this paperwork.
Credit Cards Accepted
We also accept credit cards using Pay-Pal's secure processing system. If you are ordering a straight edge and would like to use a credit card, then prior to shipment you will receive an invoice by email requesting a credit card payment using a direct web link provided by Pay-Pal Services. You will be directed to follow the the web link provided to complete the transaction. This Pay-Pal web invoice will request payment to Mike Petsch & Associates, Inc., provide a description of your item, and will include charges for freight. Your credit card payment information will then be requested on Pay-Pal's secure website. Upon confirmation of your payment from Pay-Pal, we will ship the item.
Shipment Times for Orders
Standard straight edges up to 6 feet in length (in tubes) are usually in stock. Most other standard straight edges ship in 1 to 2 weeks ARO. We ship most special designed straight edges approximately 1 to 4 weeks after we have received your design approval.
Uses for Precision Straight Edges
Straight edges are useful for leveling machine tools and checking the flatness of surfaces. In most of these applications, the straight edge is used as a reference surface to check your part. With a straight edge you can track and isolate potential sources of error. The amount straightness deviation usually measured by inserting a feeler gauge between the part and the straight edge.
Our customers keep finding new and innovative uses in a wide range of industries. Our straight edges are being used for the following applications: Equipment Alignment of: Assembly fixtures, Wood flooring mills, Aircraft Body Joining, Table Saws, Jointers, Nuclear reactor piping, Glass display cases, Coupling alignment, Blanchard grinder chuck regrinding, Tunnel boring equipment, Rubber rollers for counter laminate feeding, Wood molding machinery, Fan blades, Railroad tracks and switch frogs, Sheet metal perforating equipment, Double disc grinder spindles, Router fences, Die cast machine platens, Chain & sprockets, Carpet trimming equipment, Roll forming dies, Reactor cooling pumps, Printing Presses, Oil refinery equipment, Coil slitting equipment, sputtering targets, Laminate flooring trimming, Print heads for large scale printers, Plywood manufacturing machinery, Blanking press, Natural gas pipeline equipment, pool tables, and Cement plant processing equipment. Straightness Inspection of: Engine heads, Engines blocks, Engine flywheels, Engine crankshafts, Granite counters, Printing Litho stones, Aluminum coil rolls, Refractory brick, Ceramic pump seal faces, Turbine blades for windmills, Chemical pressure vessels, Roadbeds and paving, Injection molded plastic containers, Snowmobile drive components, Engineered molded plastics, Fabricated weldments, Aircraft ribs, Lift truck masts, and Concrete Levees.
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.
FAQ and Other Alternatives
Frequently asked questions include: Do I really need to lug around a heavy steel straight edge to check flatness and straightness? What about using Lasers? Isn't there something easier or cheaper out there? Why can't we check it with our CMM? Couldn't I just buy some ground flat stock and use it? Will aluminum straight edges work? What quality edge do I need to do the job? For a few ideas concerning possible alternatives to using precision straight edges <Click Here> for our answers to these FAQ