The average automobile has more than 80 dynamic seals that can fail at any given time, according to the Institute for Measurement and Sensor-Technology's paper, "Second Generation Lead Measurement." Failures attributed to leaking seals cost the transportation and power industry tens of millions of dollars a year in warranty costs, recalls, and fines.

Advances in seal and shaft design and materials have extended the service life and reliability of vehicles and engineered systems. However, traditional measurement techniques are unable to keep pace with today's smoother shafts and more rigorously controlled seal interfaces.

Tighter specifications demand a more robust, gauge-capable metrology solution that can quantitatively measure lead angles to the tolerances outlined in industry specifications, such as ISO 6194-1:2009 and RMA OS-1-1 rev. 2004, thereby improving production quality and yield. This application note details a metrology solution that addresses these issues and provides manufacturers with a way to measure lead angle both quantitatively and repeatedly with complete confidence in the results.

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