Each custom inclinometer sensor is made in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and is individually tested on a rotating table which divides each degree into 1,820.44 parts for all 360 degrees.The sensors are tested at 0.1 (1/10) and at 0.05 (5 hundredths) of a degree accuracy.Most of the sensors produced meet the 0.05 accuracy criteria.The sensors are then either soldered or electronically wire bonded into the printed circuit board designed for each product type.These electronic circuit board/sensor assemblies are again tested in Oklahoma City at 0.1º or 0.05º accuracy depending on the customer’s requirements, on a calibration table similar to that used on the individual sensors.Display resolution corresponds to the accuracy defined in the product even if the sensor is capable of higher accuracy.
Field calibration is critical to accuracy.Temperature changes of 10 to 20 degrees can cause any tool to lose accuracy when measurements as precise as 0.1 degree or especially 0.05 degrees are needed.Any dropping of the tool can result in micro-warping causing accuracy to be compromised.Field calibration can return the tool to factory preset accuracy.Some products rely on their bubble vials to calibrate the electronic module.Care must be taken since if the bubble vial is no longer accurate, the module cannot be properly calibrated and the user will never know they are using an out of tolerance level. Other products only calibrate in the level position, compromising accuracy even further as the measured angle moves away from 0º. SmartTool's patented, 8 step calibration process is performed on any near level surface without relying on any other leveling instrument or vial. Since the SmartTool's inclinometer is calibrated at 0º, 90º, 180º, and 270º, every angle is accurate, not just level. The calibration process takes less than 2 minutes and assures confidence that your job will meet specifications. (See Calibration Instructions in the Technical Menu)
If you are hanging pictures, the knock-off levels are probably good enough. But if the job has to meet spec, depend on SmartTool's accuracy as professionals around the world have for over 15 years.
