Frequently Asked Questions

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Does Hubbs Machine manufacture all their products in-house?

Hubbs manufactures over 99% of their products in house.

What systems does Hubbs Machine support?

We support Laser Tracker, Photogrammetry, Theodolite, and the development of up and coming technologies.

Will Hubbs Machine work from customer drawings or designs?

Yes. We will even work with you to finalize design or offer suggestions to improve a design if we see an opportunity.

What is the industry standard for height offsets and shank sizes for targeting and Laser Trackers sphere mounts?

There is not a worldwide “industry standard” but your company may have a standard.

How long has Hubbs Machine been making the SM (Sphere Mount) line for Laser Tracker?

Hubbs Machine has manufactured the SM line since approximately 1989. Whether or not your company is familiar with the SM line of products, we have the experience to identify which product best suits your needs.

Can one order direct from Hubbs?

Yes, you can work with your local distributor or order direct from Hubbs on our web site or call us at: 636-285-4388 in the U.S. or 001-636-285-4388 from outside the U.S.

If we see a part number that we have been getting from Hubbs in the past, is it safe to assume it is in fact a Hubbs product?

Unfortunately, NO! Other companies offer products with the same part number as Hubbs. To be sure you are getting a Hubbs quality product, order directly from Hubbs on our web site or call us at: 636-285-4388 in the U.S. or 001-636-285-4388 from outside the U.S.

Is there a minimum order?

No. Shipping charges are excluded from our costs so you may want to consider what quantity constitutes a cost effective shipment but Hubbs will fill an order of any quantity.

Can the height offset, shank diameter, shank length, etc., be called out to fit our individual needs?

Yes, the catalog is just a brief sample of our full line of products.

Can products be made in a Stainless material?

It depends on the product but many of our items are already standard in Stainless.

Does Hubbs Machine take credit cards?

Yes, we accept American Express, MasterCard, Visa.

What is the normal lead-time of products?

If the order is for a standard in-stock item, shipping is on receipt of order. If your request is for a non-standard item, please allow 1-2 weeks after receipt of the order for shipping from our facility.

Does Hubbs Machine pay shipping charges?

No, we can however pre-pay shipping on your behalf and add the cost to your invoice.

What is the angle on the negative relief cut on the 1.5 SM, .875 SM, and .5 SM?

1.5 SM is approximately 15 degrees negative while .5 SM and .875 SM are approximately 20 degrees. These angles are subject to change based on the offset of the adapter.

Should I be concerned about inaccuracies because of worn surface treatments or coatings?

If your asking about Hubbs products, the simple answer is no.

Hubbs employs three surface processes presently regarding some of its products, they are Black Oxide for some of the ferrous close tolerance steel products, Hard Coat Anodize for aluminum products such as various non-critical aluminum Sphere Mounts, and on very rare cases, simple Anodize for some aluminum products.

Hubbs also offers many of its products in stainless steel for more corrosive environments. 

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?    

BLACK OXIDE-
Black Oxide is a controlled oxidation that gives a coloring or staining to ferrous steel products, not a coating or plating. This is similar to what you would expect regarding a stain versus varnish on wood.

IT IS HUBBS OPINION THAT BLACK OXIDE, FOR ALL PRACTICAL PURPOSES WITHIN THE CLOSE TOLERANCE INDUSTRIAL SURVEY INDUSTRY, ADDS NO APPRECIABLE DIMENSIONAL THICKNESS TO THE TYPES OF STEEL THAT HUBBS EMPLOYS IN MANUFACTURING ITS PRODUCTS. THEREFORE, ONLY THE SURFACE TREATMENT SIMPLY BEING REMOVED WILL NOT APPRECIABLY ALTER THE DIMENSIONAL ACCURACY.

If this was not the case, this would mean that all Black Oxided steel, close tolerance products that Hubbs produces would have to be compensated in size to meet the final very critical tolerances. No size compensation is necessary.

This has been the case for over a quarter of a century!

DON'T JUST TAKE HUBBS' WORD FOR IT!

Please refer to the following websites on Black Oxide. These sites make mention of, either, no dimensional change, or, to about .000020 in (twenty millionths of an inch) on non-stainless alloy type steels.



HARD COAT ANODIZE
Hard Coat Anodize is a process that creates an extremely hard surface over a very soft substrate, aluminum. Although Hard Coat Anodize and common Anodize are both hard coatings, Hard Coat Anodize is much thicker.

Hard Coat Anodize is used on Hubbs products that are non-critical, reference items and item that are less critical only. It is not used on close tolerance dimensionally critical items.

Hard Coat does add dimension due to its added thickness.

Although the Hard Coat Anodize shell is extremely hard and not easily damaged, obviously, it's possible that the soft aluminum substrate underneath the Hard Coat shell could be damaged from heavy impacts and misuse, as would any Hard Coated aluminum product. Reasonable care should be exercised as with any precision tools.

Feel free to contact Hubbs Machine and Manufacturing Inc. for further information at 636-285-4388 or e-mail William Hubbs at bill@hubbsmachine.com.

 

Contact Us

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6282 Rocky Grove
Cedar Hill, Missouri 63016

Phone: 636-285-4388

Fax: 636-285-5970

Vice President
tonya@hubbsmachine.com

Manager
cgraham@hubbsmachine.com

President
bill@hubbsmachine.com