The invention relates to an evaluation tool and method for inspecting the integrity of any physical industry connections (hereinafter fittings). The tool comprises a first component (21) provided with a recess (23) to facilitate its engagement with a fitting to be evaluated (see FIG. 10); and a second component (20) connected to, and moveable relative to, the first component (21). Movement of the second component (20) relative to the first component (21) establishes a measurement between two surfaces (32, 33 in FIG. 10) of a fitting (34) to be evaluated, e.g. between an adjustable ferrule or nut (32) and a fixed part (33) of a fitting (34). The measurement is directly (27, 28), or indirectly, indicative of one or more predetermined connection conditions (e.g. over or under tightening of the adjustable component). The predetermined connection conditions may be read directly from the tool, remotely via an electronic device, or by late cross-referencing against entries in a database.

A masking and coating check inspection tool for inspecting a masking and/or coating edge on a fan blade includes an elongate planar base having distal first and second ends, bottom surface, top face, length, width, and thickness. The length is greater than the width. A pillar perpendicular to the elongate planar base and projecting upward from the top face between the first and second ends has a first end datum, and a first masking check tolerance band disposed on the first end, configured to provide a pass/fail indication of the first masking edge with respect to the first end datum. The pillar can have second end datum and second masking check tolerance band on the second end configured to provide a pass/fail indication of a second masking edge with respect to the second end datum. The inspection tool can be used on root and platform masking/coating edges.

A masking and coating check inspection tool for inspecting a masking and/or coating edge on a fan blade includes an elongate planar base having distal first and second ends, bottom surface, top face, length, width, and thickness. The length is greater than the width. A pillar perpendicular to the elongate planar base and projecting upward from the top face between the first and second ends has a first end datum, and a first masking check tolerance band disposed on the first end, configured to provide a pass/fail indication of the first masking edge with respect to the first end datum. The pillar can have second end datum and second masking check tolerance band on the second end configured to provide a pass/fail indication of a second masking edge with respect to the second end datum. The inspection tool can be used on root and platform masking/coating edges.

A step gauge includes: measurement blocks each having reference measurement surfaces; interval blocks each interposed between a pair of ones of the measurement blocks to keep a distance between the pair of ones of the measurement blocks at a predetermined distance, the measurement blocks and the interval blocks being alternately aligned one by one in one direction. The measurement blocks and the interval blocks each have a coefficient of linear thermal expansion of less than 0.0310.sup.6(1/K) and have through holes aligned in the one direction. The step gauge further includes a tie rod inserted in the through holes and countersunk screws respectively fixed to ends of the tie rod. The tie rod is made of a material having a coefficient of linear thermal expansion of less than 0.510.sup.6(1/K).

A step gauge includes: measurement blocks each having reference measurement surfaces; interval blocks each interposed between a pair of ones of the measurement blocks to keep a distance between the pair of ones of the measurement blocks at a predetermined distance, the measurement blocks and the interval blocks being alternately aligned one by one in one direction. The measurement blocks and the interval blocks each have a coefficient of linear thermal expansion of less than 0.0310.sup.6(1/K) and have through holes aligned in the one direction. The step gauge further includes a tie rod inserted in the through holes and countersunk screws respectively fixed to ends of the tie rod. The tie rod is made of a material having a coefficient of linear thermal expansion of less than 0.510.sup.6(1/K).

A masking and coating check inspection tool for inspecting a masking and/or coating edge on a fan blade includes an elongate planar base having distal first and second ends, bottom surface, top face, length, width, and thickness. The length is greater than the width. A pillar perpendicular to the elongate planar base and projecting upward from the top face between the first and second ends has a first end datum, and a first masking check tolerance band disposed on the first end, configured to provide a pass/fail indication of the first masking edge with respect to the first end datum. The pillar can have second end datum and second masking check tolerance band on the second end configured to provide a pass/fail indication of a second masking edge with respect to the second end datum. The inspection tool can be used on root and platform masking/coating edges.

A masking and coating check inspection tool for inspecting a masking and/or coating edge on a fan blade includes an elongate planar base having distal first and second ends, bottom surface, top face, length, width, and thickness. The length is greater than the width. A pillar perpendicular to the elongate planar base and projecting upward from the top face between the first and second ends has a first end datum, and a first masking check tolerance band disposed on the first end, configured to provide a pass/fail indication of the first masking edge with respect to the first end datum. The pillar can have second end datum and second masking check tolerance band on the second end configured to provide a pass/fail indication of a second masking edge with respect to the second end datum. The inspection tool can be used on root and platform masking/coating edges.

A method of making a gauge for verifying or calibrating an x-ray computed tomography device positions a first plurality of objects on a first substrate, and a second plurality of objects on a second substrate. The method also certifies the positions of both the first plurality of objects on the first substrate, and the second plurality of objects on the second substrate. After certifying both the first and second plurality of objects, the method couples the first substrate with the second substrate.

A method of making a gauge for verifying or calibrating an x-ray computed tomography device positions a first plurality of objects on a first substrate, and a second plurality of objects on a second substrate. The method also certifies the positions of both the first plurality of objects on the first substrate, and the second plurality of objects on the second substrate. After certifying both the first and second plurality of objects, the method couples the first substrate with the second substrate.

In a method for measuring a gauge (20), the invention provides a standard (30). The standard has a calibrated standard distance (33) between a standard reference plane (31) and a standard detection line (35), being mutually parallel. When the standard is placed with its standard reference plane onto a gauge reference plane (21), the standard is traced with a tracing point (12) of a measuring apparatus (10). Thereby it is possible to reliably measure the distance (43) between the standard detection line (35) and the apparatus reference plane (11), and hence the distance between the gauge reference plane (21) and the apparatus reference plane (11). The invention allows to reliably measure gauges in an affordable, non-complex measuring apparatus, in cases where, in order to reliably measure gauges in the apparatus, such gauges cannot be placed with their gauge reference planes onto the apparatus reference plane.