Gaging systems are most commonly used on grinding machines to monitor the grinding operation and take control of it to assure that the grinding machine grinds the workpiece to its pre-programmed or preset final dimension. In the grinding operation, the grinding wheel wears and gets clogged up with grinding particles (grinding swarf) causing the machine to grind over or under the pre-determined dimension. The gaging system can monitor this situation and override the grinding program to allow the machine to grind to the pre-determined grind tolerance or dimensions.

In-Process gaging is performed during the actual grinding operation and takes over control of the grinding operation and will only allow the machine to stop grinding when it has come to its final dimensions, even if the grinding wheel has become dull or broken down.

Post-Process gaging is performed after the grinding of each workpiece. At that point, a measurement is taken and if a correction or compensation is needed to adjust the machine so that the next part will be ground closer to mean of the pre-programmed upper and lower grinding limits, it is done automatically.

Gaging systems can also be utilized on Hand Turning Machines and Superfinishing Machines to assist in process control of each particular operation.