To replace a Dimensionair dial with a digital readout you need one fact: is the gage low amplification or high amplification? This guide shows three places to find it in under a minute: the model number on the readout, the tool code on the plug or ring, and the graduation on the dial.
1. Read the model number on the readout
Dimensionair readouts carry a D-number on the dial face or the label, for example D-2500 or D-10000. The number is the amplification: a D-2500 magnifies a size change 2,500 times on the dial.
| Model on the readout | Group | Digital replacement |
|---|---|---|
| D-2500, D-4000, D-5000, D-8000 | Low amplification | Air Gage Pro M5-L |
| D-10000, D-16000, D-20000, D-32000 | High amplification | Air Gage Pro M5-H |
Other single-master readouts group the same way. Federal EAG-31xxx and EAG-32xxx columns and Western Gage Series 60 readouts are low amplification. EAG-33xxx and EAG-34xxx columns and Western Gage Series 70 readouts are high amplification.
2. Check the tool code on the plug or ring
Single-master air tooling is built for a particular amplification, and the plug or ring is usually marked with its size and a tool code. The tool code tells you which readout it was made for.
| Tool code | Group | Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 20 or 50 | Low amplification | Air Gage Pro M5-L |
| 5 or 10 | High amplification | Air Gage Pro M5-H |
This is the most reliable check, because the tooling is what you are keeping. If the readout was ever swapped, trust the tooling.
3. Look at the dial graduations
If the label is gone, the dial itself helps. Higher amplification means finer graduations and a smaller range. A D-2500 dial, for example, reads ±.0015″ with .00005″ graduations. High-amplification dials have noticeably finer graduations and a smaller total range. Compare the dial with one whose model you know, or send us a photo.
Single master or two master?
Dimensionair gages are single-master: you set the gage on one master at nominal size, and the amplification is fixed by the readout and tooling. If your setup uses two masters, one at minimum and one at maximum, it is a two-master system, and the Air Gage Pro M5 Dual is the replacement. More in single vs. dual master air gaging.
Make a station list
For more than a few gages, a simple list saves time. For each station, write down:
- Readout model (D-number) or column number
- Tool code and size of the plug or ring
- Single master or two master
- Whether two gages share a bench (a 2-input unit can run both)
- Whether you want readings sent to SPC or Excel
Send the list, or photos of the dial and tooling, to info@airgaging.com. We'll match every station and quote it.
Questions
Where is the model number on a Dimensionair?
On the dial face or the readout's label. It reads as a D-number such as D-2500 or D-10000. The number is the amplification.
What if the label is worn off?
Check the tool code marked on the air plug or ring, or read the graduation value printed on the dial. Either one tells you low or high amplification. You can also send us a photo.
Can I mix low- and high-amp tooling on one readout?
Not on a dial readout. A plug or ring made for low amplification reads wrong on a high-amp readout, and the reverse. Match the replacement to the tooling.
Does the Air Gage Pro work with two-master tooling too?
Yes. Use the Air Gage Pro M5 Dual for two-master (min/max) plugs and rings of any brand.
Dimensionair, Mahr, MahrFederal, Federal and Western Gage are trademarks of their respective owners, used only to identify compatible equipment. Air Gaging LLC is not affiliated with or endorsed by them.