Machine Leveling - IPhone Leveling Feature

[Action1]

I just got a new IPhone 6S. This phone is awesome.  It has a  compass and a leveling feature. Has anyone tried to level a machine using this? It seems like it could be really useful for that. 

FYI - We're going back to the drawing board on our Leveling & Off-Contact System. The dial indicators were a step in the right direction but there is a better way.

I'll have pictures to share soon.

[Admiral]

4 iPhones with leveling?

'Alright, everyone fork over your iPhones, we need to level the press today'
'Why not use the levels in the tool room?'
'Because, Apple'

Thanks Apple.

[Screened Gear]

I would not trust it. A dial indicator attached to the print carriage is way more accurate at leveling the pallet to the print head.

[jvieira]

I have tried this whilst putting up shelves. Used 2 iPhones. Will have to redo everything...

[mk162]

Remember...these are the same folks responsible for apple maps.

[Screen Dan]

As an ex IT guy/consulting firm partner of over 10 years (a lifetime ago, thank god), life long technology buff and all around tech hacker, I do not trust the digital equivalent of anything over it's analog counter part...sometimes especially so.  This is one of those times where "especially so" seems apt if not prescient.

The digital versions of things tend to be more convenient and often less expensive than a "pro" version of a tool, but rarely are they as precise.  Digital recording of audio is great, but a good vinyl record holds far more audio information...but to reproduce it reliably would require $60k of pro audio equipment and a $99 sound card can do 80% of that for considerably less.  That's a fair trade-off.

Level a press with that thing?!?  A bubble level is stupid cheap and technology is not to be trusted...I wouldn't level an anthill with an iphone.

YMMV, IMHO, ETC

[alan802]

I would not trust it. A dial indicator attached to the print carriage is way more accurate at leveling the pallet to the print head.

Two dial indicators attached to a device that is attached to the sq/fb carriage is the best I've ever used.  Using dial indicators on something that rests in the screen holders will likely get you a high tolerance compared to what I've seen done by every equipment installer but I'd start by getting the pallets parallel to the carriage rails then bring the screen holders into play.  Speaking of this, I REALLY need to calibrate our press. 

[Action1]

I would not trust it. A dial indicator attached to the print carriage is way more accurate at leveling the pallet to the print head.

Two dial indicators attached to a device that is attached to the sq/fb carriage is the best I've ever used.  Using dial indicators on something that rests in the screen holders will likely get you a high tolerance compared to what I've seen done by every equipment installer but I'd start by getting the pallets parallel to the carriage rails then bring the screen holders into play.  Speaking of this, I REALLY need to calibrate our press.

Hi Alan:

Thanks to you and everyone else for the replies. We have developed an new way of machine calibration using a similar approach.

Firstly we will level the squeegee carriage to a pallet.
Then we will level the frame holders to the calibrated pallet.
Then we will register the pallets to the 1st registered screen holders.

The key to this new approach is a special pallet which allows shims to be magnetized into position. Magnets are embedded in the bottom which hold the yellow shims in the picture.
The system includes 4 shims of four thicknesses - 1/16th, 1/8th, 3/16th, and 1/4".
You place specific thickness shims on all four corners of the pallet and then while your screen holders are already floating - you clamp the upper frame assembly to the pallet.
Then you tighten your screen holder adjustment nuts and you're calibrated. It's much easier than 4 dial indicators on each corner.



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[Action1]

...I wouldn't level an anthill with an iphone.

YMMV, IMHO, ETC

Thanks. I'll certainly remember that. Your recording analogy was perfect. Thanks again.