Geometry of Form or Shape (Metrology)
Geometry of Form or Shape (Metrology)
1.21.
The measurement of geometrical values in modern
engineering has become a factor of vital
importance in the process of production due to higher
and higher requirements for the accuracy of
machined surfaces. Any machine is assembly of parts
arranged in a definite relationship of each
other. The surfaces of the various parts joining each
other are called mating parts and their
dimensions are called mating dimensions. The nature
of the association required between the
mating parts is determined by the conditions of
operation of the machine and is called fit (i.e. more
or less freedom in their relative movement of tightness
in a fixed association). In the modern
industry, mass production techniques are employed
which aim at achieving strictly interchangeable
assembly. Interchangeability concerns not only the size
and form of parts, their position and surface
finish, but the properties of the material of which they
are made as well. In this topic we shall be
concerned with dimensional interchangeability only. (A
strictly interchangeable part is one which
can be assembled without selection, adjustment, or
supplementary operations and which will
function after assembly as stipulated by the
manufacturing specifications, whereas an incompletely
interchangeable part may require selection or
adjustment, but will not require additional fitting or
machining operation.)
In any machine, the following elements are to be
inspected accurately for its functioning:
(1) Dimensional accuracy.
(2) Accuracy of geometrical form (which is usually a
combination of flat, cylindrical, taper,
spherical, and other surfaces) or surface
macrogeometry.
(3) Accuracy of location of surfaces with reference to
each other.
(4) Surface waviness.
(5) Surface roughness or surface microgeometry.
According to the form, the errors could be classified as
:
(a) For cylindrical form
In a transverse section.
(1) Oval form (out-of-roundness):
(2) Lobed form.
The degree of ovality (out-of-roundness) is judged
by the difference between the major and minor axes in
a
single cross-section. The lobed form is one in which the
cross-section contour is composed of arcs drawn from
different centres. The amount of lobedness is
determined
as the difference between the diameter of the circle D
into
which the lobed cross-section is inscribed and the dis-
tance / between the parallel planes tangent to the part.
In a ligitudinal section :
(1) Barrel form ; (2) Bow (concave) form ;
(3) Curvature of the axis ; (4) Taper.