What is the resolution of the hand dial found on the table of a vertical milling machine?

The resolution of the hand dial on the table of a vertical milling machine is typically 0.001 inches. This means that each increment or division on the dial represents a movement of one thousandth of an inch. This level of precision is important in milling operations, as it allows for accurate adjustments to the positioning of the workpiece and tooling. This degree of resolution is often required for achieving desired tolerances in machined parts, ensuring that the final product meets specifications.

The other options reflect different levels of resolution that are generally not standard for the hand dial on typical vertical milling machines. A resolution of 0.01 inches would be too coarse for precise machining tasks, while the resolutions of 0.1 inches and 0.0001 inches exceed practical capabilities for standard setups commonly found in a milling environment. Therefore, understanding that 0.001 inches is the industry standard helps in both setting up the machine and interpreting the movements required for precise machining.