A ________________ indicator should be used when checking final soft foot.

• A. Ruler
• B. Dial indicator
• C. Caliper
• D. Tape

Answer: (B)

When checking final soft foot, you need a tool that can reveal tiny vertical height differences between the machine feet with high precision. A dial indicator fits this need because it converts small, fine displacements into readable changes on the dial. You can place the indicator’s contact point on the mounting surface near each foot and observe how the reading changes as you probe each corner. This lets you see which feet are contacting first and whether any foot sits higher or lower, indicating uneven seating or distortion in the base. By comparing readings across all feet, you can determine where shims are needed to bring the machine to a true, level plane and minimize wobble.

Ruler, caliper, or tape are not ideal here. A ruler is too coarse to detect the small differences that define soft foot. A caliper measures dimensions between two points but isn’t practical for monitoring multiple feet or capturing the subtle, live changes needed to assess soft foot. A tape lacks the precision and rigidity required for reliable, repeatable measurements of foot-to-surface contact.