An indicating technique in which the indicator is mounted off-center in the spindle and swung by hand around a feature. Equal readings at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock mean the spindle is centered on a bore or boss; on the table, the same swing checks tram. Sweeping is slower than an edge finder but far more accurate, especially on rough or out-of-round features.
Sweep the bore and split the difference, the casting's not round enough for the wiggler to tell you anything.
Also heard as
- sweep in
Related terms
Indicate
To align a vise, part or bore to the machine axes using a dial or test indicator.
Tram
To square a mill head or spindle to the table so the spindle axis is truly perpendicular.
Test indicator
A lever-type dial indicator with a swiveling stylus, used to align setups and compare surfaces.
Work offset
The stored distance from machine zero to the part zero, so a CNC program runs from the right place.