SPR 1202 ENGINEERING METROLOGY

UNIT II LINEAR AND ANGULAR MEASUREMENTS

TECHNICAL TERMS

 Comparators

Comparators are one form of linear measurement device which is quick

and more convenient for checking large number of identical dimensions.

 Least count

The least value that can be measured by using any measuring instrument
known as least count. Least count of a mechanical comparator is 0.0 1 mm.

 Caliper

Caliper is an instrument used for measuring distance between or over

surfaces comparing dimensions of work pieces with such standards as plug
gauges, graduated rules etc.

 Interferometer

They are optical instruments used for measuring flatness and determining
the length of the slip gauges by direct reference to the wavelength of light.

 Sine bar

Sine bars are always used along with slip gauges as a device for the
measurement of angles very precisely.

 Auto-collimator

Auto-collimator is an optical instrument used for the measurement of

small angular differences, changes or deflection, plane surface inspection etc.

2.1 LINEAR MEASURING INSTRUMENTS

Linear measurement applies to measurement of lengths, diameter,

heights and thickness including external and internal measurements. The line
 measuring instruments have series of accurately spaced lines marked on them
e.g. Scale.

The dimensions to be measured are aligned with the graduations of the

scale. Linear measuring instruments are designed either for line measurements
or end measurements. In end measuring instruments, the measurement is taken
between two end surfaces as in micrometers, slip gauges etc.

The instruments used for linear measurements can be classified as:

1. Direct measuring instruments

2. Indirect measuring instruments

The Direct measuring instruments are of two types:

1. Graduated

2. Non Graduated

The graduated instruments include rules, vernier calipers, vernier

height gauges, vernier depth gauges, micrometers, dial indicators etc.

The non graduated instruments include calipers, trammels,

telescopic gauges, surface gauges, straight edges, wire gauges, screw
pitch gauges, radius gauges, thickness gauges, slip gauges etc.

They can also be classified as

1. Non precision instruments such as steel rule, calipers etc.,

2. Precision measuring instruments, such as vernier instruments,

micrometers, dial gauges etc.

2.1.1 SCALES

 The most common tool for crude measurements is the scale (also known as
rules, or rulers).
 Although plastic, wood and other materials are used for common scales,
precision scales use tempered steel alloys, with graduations scribed onto the
surface.
  These are limited by the human eye. Basically they are used to compare two
dimensions.
 The metric scales use decimal divisions, and the imperial scales use
fractional divisions.
 Some scales only use the fine scale divisions at one end of the scale. It is
advised that the end of the scale not be used for measurement. This is
because as they become worn with use, the end of the scale will no longer
be at a `zero' position.
 Instead the internal divisions of the scale should be used. Parallax error can
be a factor when making measurements with a scale.

2.1.2 CALIPERS

Caliper is an instrument used for measuring distance between or over surfaces

comparing dimensions of work pieces with such standards as plug gauges, graduated
rules etc. Calipers may be difficult to use, and they require that the operator follow a few
basic rules, do not force them, they will bend easily, and invalidate measurements
made. If measurements are made using calipers for comparison, one operator should
make all of the measurements (this keeps the feel factor a minimal error source). These
instruments are very useful when dealing with hard to reach locations that normal
measuring instruments cannot reach. Obviously the added step in the measurement will
significantly decrease the accuracy.

2.1.3 VERNIER CALIPERS

The vernier instruments generally used in workshop and engineering metrology

have comparatively low accuracy. The line of measurement of such instruments does
not coincide with the line of scale.

The accuracy therefore depends upon the straightness of the beam and the
squareness of the sliding jaw with respect to the beam. To ensure the squareness, the
sliding jaw must be clamped before taking the reading.

The zero error must also be taken into consideration. Instruments are now
available with a measuring range up to one meter with a scale value of 0.1 or 0.2 mm.

Types of Vernier Calipers

According to Indian Standard IS: 3651-1974, three types of vernier calipers have
been specified to make external and internal measurements and are shown in figures
respectively. All the three types are made with one scale on the front of the beam for
direct reading.

Type A: Vernier has jaws on both sides for external and internal measurements and a
blade for depth measurement.

Type B: It is provided with jaws on one side for external and internal measurements.
Type C: It has jaws on both sides for making the measurement and for
marking operations

Errors in Calipers

The degree of accuracy obtained in measurement greatly depends upon the

condition of the jaws of the calipers and a special attention is needed before proceeding
for the measurement. The accuracy and natural wear, and warping of Vernier caliper
jaws should be tested frequently by closing them together tightly and setting them to 0-
0 point of the main and Vernier scales.

2.1.4 MICROMETERS

There are two types in it.

(i) Outside micrometer — To measure external dimensions.

(ii) Inside micrometer — To measure internal dimensions.

 An outside micrometer is shown. It consists of two scales, main scale and
thimble scale. While the pitch of barrel screw is 0.5 mm the thimble has graduation of
0.01 mm. The least count of this micrometer is 0.01 mm.

The micrometer requires the use of an accurate screw thread as a means of

obtaining a measurement. The screw is attached to a spindle and is turned by
movement of a thimble or ratchet at the end. The barrel, which is attached to the frame,
acts as a nut to engage the screw threads, which are accurately made with a pitch of
0.05mm. Each revolution of the thimble advances the screw 0.05mm. On the barrel a
datum line is graduated with two sets of division marks.

2.1.5 SLIP GAUGES

These may be used as reference standards for transferring the dimension of the
unit of length from the primary standard to gauge blocks of lower accuracy and for the
verification and graduation of measuring apparatus.

These are high carbon steel hardened, ground and lapped rectangular blocks,
having cross sectional area 0f 30 mm and 10mm. Their opposite faces are flat, parallel
and are accurately the stated distance apart. The opposite faces are of such a high
degree of surface finish, that when the blocks are pressed together with a slight twist by
hand, they will wring together.

They will remain firmly attached to each other. They are supplied in sets of 112
pieces down to 32 pieces. Due to properties of slip gauges, they are built up by,
wringing into combination which gives size, varying by steps of 0.01 mm and the overall
accuracy is of the order of 0.00025mm.

Slip gauges with three basic forms are commonly found, these are rectangular,
square with center hole, and square without center hole.
 Wringing or Sliding is nothing but combining the faces of slip gauges one over
the other. Due to adhesion property of slip gauges, they will stick together. This is
because of very high degree of surface finish of the measuring faces.

Classification of Slip Gauges

Slip gauges are classified into various types according to their use as follows:

1) Grade 2

2) Grade 1

3) Grade 0

4) Grade 00

5) Calibration grade.

1) Grade 2:

It is a workshop grade slip gauges used for setting tools, cutters and
checking dimensions roughly.

2) Grade 1:

The grade I is used for precise work in tool rooms.

3) Grade 0:

It is used as inspection grade of slip gauges mainly by inspection department.

4) Grade 00:
 Grade 00 mainly used in high precision works in the form of error detection in
instruments.

5) Calibration grade:

The actual size of the slip gauge is calibrated on a chart supplied by the
manufactures.

Manufacture of Slip Gauges

The following additional operations are carried out to obtain the necessary
qualities in slip gauges during manufacture.

i. First the approximate size of slip gauges is done by preliminary operations.

ii. The blocks are hardened and wear resistant by a special heat treatment
process.

iii. To stabilize the whole life of blocks, seasoning process is done.

iv. The approximate required dimension is done by a final grinding process.

v. To get the exact size of slip gauges, lapping operation is done.

vi. Comparison is made with grand master sets.

Slip Gauges accessories

The application slip gauges can be increased by providing accessories to

the slip gauges. The various accessories are

 Measuring jaw
 Scriber and Centre point.
 Holder and base

1. Measuring jaw:

It is available in two designs specially made for internal and external

features.

2. Scriber and Centre point:

It is mainly formed for marking purpose.

 3. Holder and base:

Holder is nothing but a holding device used to hold combination of slip

gauges. Base in designed for mounting the holder rigidly on its top surface.

2.2 INTERFEROMETERS

They are optical instruments used for measuring flatness and determining the
length of the slip gauges by direct reference to the wavelength of light. It overcomes the
drawbacks of optical flats used in ordinary daylight. In these instruments the lay of the
optical flat can be controlled and fringes can be oriented as per the requirement. An
arrangement is made to view the fringes directly from the top and avoid any distortion
due to incorrect viewing.

2.2.1 Optical Flat and Calibration

1. Optical flat are flat lenses, made from quartz, having a very accurate
surface to transmit light.

2. They are used in interferometers, for testing plane surfaces.

3. The diameter of an optical flat varies from 50 to 250 nun and thickness
varies from 12 to 25 mm.

4. Optical flats are made in a range of sizes and shapes.

5. The flats are available with a coated surface.

6. The coating is a thin film, usually titanium oxide, applied on the surface
to reduce the light lost by reflection.

7. The coating is so thin that it does not affect the position of the fringe
bands, but a coated flat. The supporting surface on which the optical
flat measurements are made must provide a clean, rigid platform.
Optical flats are cylindrical in form, with the working surface and are of
two types are i) type A, ii) type B.
i) Type A:

It has only one surface flat and is used for testing flatness of precision measuring
surfaces of flats, slip gauges and measuring tables. The tolerance on flat should be
0.05 µm for type A.

ii) Type B:

It has both surfaces flat and parallel to each other. They are used for testing
measuring surfaces of micrometers, Measuring anvils and similar length of measuring
devices for testing flatness and parallelism. For these instruments, their thickness and
grades are important. The tolerances on flatness, parallelism and thickness should be
0.05 µm.

2.2.2 Interference Bands by Optical Flat

Optical flats arc blocks of glass finished to within 0.05 microns for flatness. When
art optical flat is on a flat surface which is not perfectly flat then optical flat will not
exactly coincide with it, but it will make an angle e with the surface as shown in Figure
2.8.

2.3 LIMIT GAUGES

 A limit gauge is not a measuring gauge. Just they are used as inspecting
gauges.
 The limit gauges are used in inspection by methods of attributes.
 This gives the information about the products which may be either within
the prescribed limit or not.
  By using limit gauges report, the control charts of P and C charts are
drawn to control invariance of the products.
 This procedure is mostly performed by the quality control department of
each and every industry.
 Limit gauge are mainly used for checking for cylindrical holes of identical
components with a large numbers in mass production.

2.3.1 Purpose of using limit gauges

 Components are manufactured as per the specified tolerance limits,

upper limit and lower limit. The dimension of each component should be
within this upper and lower limit.
 If the dimensions are outside these limits, the components will be
rejected.
 If we use any measuring instruments to check these dimensions, the
process will consume more time. Still we are not interested in knowing the
amount of error in dimensions.
 It is just enough whether the size of the component is within the
prescribed limits or not. For this purpose, we can make use of gauges
known as limit gauges.

The common types are as follows:

1) Plug gauges.

2) Ring gauges.

3) Snap gauges.

2.4 PLUG GAUGES

 The ends are hardened and accurately finished by grinding. One end is
the GO end and the other end is NOGO end.
 Usually, the GO end will be equal to the lower limit size of the hole and
the NOGO end will be equal to the upper limit size of the hole.
 If the size of the hole is within the limits, the GO end should go inside the
 hole and NOGO end should not go.
 If the GO end and does not go, the hole is under size and also if NOGO
end goes, the hole is over size. Hence, the components are rejected in
both the cases.

1. Double ended plug gauges

In this type, the GO end and NOGO end are arranged on both the ends of
the plug. This type has the advantage of easy handling.

2. Progressive type of plug gauges

In this type both the GO end and NOGO end are arranged in the same
side of the plug. We can use the plug gauge ends progressively one after the
other while checking the hole. It saves time. Generally, the GO end is made
larger than the NOGO end in plug gauges.

2.5 TAPER PLUG GAUGE

Taper plug gauges are used to check tapered holes. It has two check lines. One is
a GO line and another is a NOGO line. During the checking of work, NOGO line
remains outside the hole and GO line remains inside the hole.

They are various types taper plug gauges are available as shown in fig. Such as

1) Taper plug gauge — plain

2) Taper plug gauge — tanged.

3) Taper ring gauge plain

4) Taper ring gauge — tanged.

2.6 RING GAUGES

 Ring gauges are mainly used for checking the diameter of shafts having a
central hole. The hole is accurately finished by grinding and lapping after
taking hardening process.
 The periphery of the ring is knurled to give more grips while handling the
gauges. We have to make two ring gauges separately to check the shaft
such as GO ring gauge and NOGO ring gauge.
 But the hole of GO ring gauge is made to the upper limit size of the shaft and
NOGO for the lower limit.
 While checking the shaft, the GO ring gauge will pass through the shaft and
NOGO will not pass.
 To identify the NOGO ring gauges easily, a red mark or a small groove cut
on its periphery.

2.7 SNAP GAUGE

Snap gauges are used for checking external dimensions. They are also called as
gap gauges. The different types of snap gauges are:

1. Double Ended Snap Gauge

This gauge is having two ends in the

form of anvils. Here also, the GO anvil is
made to lower limit and NOGO anvil is made
to upper limit of the shaft. It is also known as
solid snap gauges

2. Progressive Snap Gauge

This type of snap gauge is also called

caliper gauge. It is mainly used for checking
large diameters up to 100mm. Both GO and
NOGO anvils at the same end. The GO anvil
should be at the front and NOGO anvil at the
rear. So, the diameter of the shaft is checked
progressively by these two ends. This type of
gauge is made of horse shoe shaped frame with
I section to reduce the weight of the snap
gauges.

3. Adjustable Snap Gauge

Adjustable snap gauges are used for

checking large size shafts made with horseshoe
shaped frame of I section. It has one fixed anvil
and two small adjustable anvils. The distance
between the two anvils is adjusted by adjusting
the adjustable anvils by means of setscrews.
This adjustment can be made with the help of
slip gauges for specified limits of size.

4. Combined Limit Gauges

A spherical projection is provided

with GO and NOGO dimension marked in a
single gauge. While using GO gauge the
handle is parallel to axes of the hole and
normal to axes for NOGO gauge.
 5. Position Gauge

It is designed for checking the position

of features in relation to another surface.
Other types of gauges are also available
such as contour gauges, receiver gauges,
profile gauges etc.

2.8 TAYLOR’ S PRINCIPLE

It states that GO gauge should check all related dimensions. Simultaneously

NOGO gauge should check only one dimension at a time.

Maximum metal condition

It refers to the condition of hole or shaft when maximum material is left on i.e.
high limit of shaft and low limit of hole.

Minimum metal condition

If refers to the condition of hole or shaft when minimum material is left on such
as low limit of shaft and high limit of hole.

Applications of Limit Gauges

1. Thread gauges

2. Form gauges

3. Screw pitch gauges

4. Radius and fillet gauges

5. Feeler gauges

6. Plate gauge and Wire gauge

2.9 COMPARATORS

Comparators are one form of linear measurement device which is quick and
more convenient for checking large number of identical dimensions. Comparators
normally will not show the actual dimensions of the work piece. They will be shown only
the deviation in size. i.e.

During the measurement a comparator is able to give the deviation of the

dimension from the set dimension. This cannot be used as an absolute measuring
device but can only compare two dimensions.

Comparators are designed in several types to meet various conditions.

Comparators of every type incorporate some kind of magnifying device. The magnifying
device magnifies how much dimension deviates, plus or minus, from the standard size.

The comparators are classified according to the principles used for obtaining
magnification. The common types are:

1) Mechanical comparators

2) Electrical comparators

3) Optical comparators

4) Pneumatic comparators

5) MECHANICAL COMPARATORS

Mechanical comparator employs mechanical means for magnifying small

deviations. The method of magnifying small movement of the indicator in all mechanical
comparators are effected by means of levers, gear trains or a combination of these
elements. Mechanical comparators are available having magnifications from 300 to
5000 to 1. These are mostly used for inspection of small parts machined to close limits.

1. Dial indicator

A dial indicator or dial gauge is used as a mechanical comparator. The

essential parts of the instrument are like a small clock with a plunger projecting
at the bottom as shown in fig.

Very slight upward movement on the plunger moves it upward and the
movement is indicated by the dial pointer. The dial is graduated into 100
divisions.
 A full revolution of the pointer about this scale corresponds to 1mm travel
of the plunger. Thus, a turn of the pointer b one scale division represents a
plunger travel of 0.01mm.

Experimental setup

The whole setup consists of

worktable, dial indicator and vertical post.
The dial indicator is fitted to vertical post
by on adjusting screw as shown in fig.
The vertical post is fitted on the work
table; the top surface of the worktable is
finely finished. The dial gauge can be
adjusted vertically and locked in position
by a screw.

Procedure

Let us assume that the required height of the component is 32.5mm.

Initially this height is built up with slip gauges. The slip gauge blocks are placed
under the stem of the dial gauge. The pointer in the dial gauge is adjusted to
zero. The slip gauges are removed.

Now the component to be checked is introduced under the stem of the dial
gauge. If there is any deviation in the height of the component, it will be indicated
by the pointer.

Mechanism

The stem has rack teeth. A set of gears engage with the rack. The pointer
is connected to a small pinion. The small pinion is independently hinged. I.e. it is
not connected to the stern. The vertical movement of the stem is transmitted to
the pointer through a set of gears. A spring gives a constant downward pressure
to the stem.
2. Read type mechanical comparator

In this type of comparator, the linear movement of the plunger is specified

by means of read mechanism. The mechanism of this type is illustrated in fig. A
spring-loaded pointer is pivoted. Initially, the comparator is set with the help of a
known dimension eg. Set of slip gauges as

shown in fig. Then the indicator

reading is adjusted to zero.
When the part to be measured is
kept under the pointer, then the
comparator displays the
deviation of this dimension either
in ± or— side of the set
dimension.

Advantages

1) It is usually robust, compact and easy to handle.

2) There is no external supply such as electricity, air required.

3) It has very simple mechanism and is cheaper when compared to other

types.

4) It is suitable for ordinary workshop and also easily portable.

Disadvantages

1. Accuracy of the comparator mainly depends on the accuracy of the

rack and pinion arrangement. Any slackness will reduce accuracy.
2. It has more moving parts and hence friction is more and accuracy
is less.
3. The range of the instrument is limited since pointer is moving over
a fixed scale.
2.9.2 ELECTRICAL COMPARATOR:

An electrical comparator consists of the following three major part such as

1) Transducer

2) Display device as meter

3) Amplifier

Transducer

An iron armature is provided in between two coils held by a lea spring at

one end. The other end is supported against a plunger. The two coils act as two
arms of an A.C. wheat stone bridge circuit.

Amplifier

The amplifier is nothing but a device which amplifies the give input signal
frequency into magnified output

Display device or meter

The amplified input signal is displayed on some terminal stage

instruments. Here, the terminal instrument is a meter.

Working principle

If the armature is centrally located between the coils, the inductance of both coils
will be equal but in opposite direction with the sign change. Due to this, the bridge
circuit of A.C. wheat stone bridge is balanced. Therefore, the meter will read zero value.
But practically, it is not possible.

In real cases, the armature may be lifted up or lowered down by the plunger
during the measurement. This would upset the balance of the wheat stone bridge
circuit. Due to this effect, the change in current or potential will be induced
correspondingly. On that time, the meter will indicate some value as displacement. This
indicated value may be either for larger or smaller components. As this induced current
is too small, it should be suitably amplified before being displayed in the meter.

Checking of accuracy

To check the accuracy of a given specimen or work, first a standard specimen is

placed under the plunger. After this, the resistance of wheat stone bridge is adjusted so
that the scale reading shows zero. Then the specimen is removed. Now, the work is
introduced under the plunger. If height variation of work presents, it will move the
plunger up or down. The corresponding movement of the plunger is first amplified by
the amplifier then it is transmitted to the meter to show the variations. The least count of
this electrical comparator is 0.001mm (one micron).

2.9.3 ELECTRONIC COMPARATOR

In electronic comparator, transducer induction or the principle of

application of frequency modulation or radio oscillation is followed.

Construction details
In the electronic comparator, the following components are set as follows:

i. Transducer

ii. Oscillator

iii. Amplifier

iv. Demodulator

v. Meter

(i) Transducer

It converts the movement of the plunger into an electrical signal. It is

connected with oscillator.

(ii) Oscillator

The oscillator which receives electrical signal from the transducer and
raises the amplitude of frequency wave by adding carrier frequency called as
modulation.

(iii) Amplifier

An amplifier is connected in between oscillator and demodulator. The

signal coming out of the oscillator is amplified into a required level.

(iv) Demodulator

Demodulator is nothing but a device which cuts off external carrier wave
frequency. i.e. It converts the modulated wave into original wave as electrical
signal.

(v) Meter

This is nothing but a display device from which the output can be obtained
as a linear measurement.

2.9.3.1 Principle of operation

The work to be measured is placed under the plunger of the electronic

comparator. Both work and comparator are made to rest on the surface plate. The
linear movement of the plunger is converted into electrical signal by a suitable
transducer.

Then it sent to an oscillator to modulate the electrical signal by adding carrier

frequency of wave. After that the amplified signal is sent to demodulator in which the
carrier waves are cut off. Finally, the demodulated signal is passed to the meter to
convert the probe tip movement into linear measurement as an output signal. A
separate electrical supply of D.C. is already given to actuate the meter.

2.9.3.2 Advantages of Electrical and Electronic comparator

1) It has less number of moving parts.

2) Magnification obtained is very high.

3) Two or more magnifications are provided in the same instrument to use

various ranges.
4) The pointer is made very light so that it is more sensitive to vibration.

5) The instrument is very compact.

2.9.3.3 Disadvantages of Electrical and Electronic comparator

1) External agency is required to meter for actuation.

2) Variation of voltage or frequency may affect the accuracy of output.

3) Due to heating coils, the accuracy decreases.

4) It is more expensive than mechanical comparator.

2.10 SINE BAR

Sine bars are always used along with slip gauges as a device for the
measurement of angles very precisely. They are used to

1) Measure angles very accurately.

2) Locate the work piece to a given angle with very high precision.

Generally, sine bars are made from high carbon, high chromium, and corrosion
resistant steel. These materials are highly hardened, ground and stabilized.
 In sine bars, two cylinders of equal diameter are attached at lie ends with its
axes are mutually parallel to each other. They are also at equal distance from the upper
surface of the sine bar mostly the distance between the axes of two cylinders is
100mm, 200mm or 300mm. The working surfaces of the rollers are finished to 0.2µm R
value. The cylindrical holes are provided to reduce the weight of the sine bar.

2.10.1 Working principle of sine bar

The working of sine bar is based on trigonometry principle. To measure the

angle of a given specimen, one roller of the sine bar is placed on the surface plate and
another one roller is placed over the surface of slip gauges. Now, ‘h be the height of the
slip gauges and ‘L’ be the distance between roller centers, then the angle is calculated
as
2.10.2 Use of Sine Bar

Locating any’ work to a given angle

1. Before checking the unknown angle of the specimen, first the angle (0) of given
specimen is found approximately by bevel protractor.
2. Then the sine bar is set at angle of 0 and clamped on the angle plate.
3. Now, the work is placed on the sine bar and the dial indicator set at one end of
the work is moved across the work piece and deviation is noted.
4. Slip gauges are adjusted so that the dial indicator reads zero throughout the work
surface.

Limitations of sine bars

1) Sine bars are fairly reliable for angles than 15°.

2) It is physically difficult to hold in position.

3) Slight errors in sine bar cause larger angular errors.

 4) A difference of deformation occurs at the point of roller contact with the
surface plate and to the gauge blocks.

5) The size of parts to be inspected by sine bar is limited.

Sources of error in sine bars

The different sources of errors are listed below:

1) Error in distance between roller centers.

2) Error in slip gauge combination.

3) Error in checking of parallelism.

4) Error in parallelism of roller axes with each other.

5) Error in flatness of the upper surface of sine bar.

2.11 BEVEL PROTRACTORS

Bevel protractors are nothing but angular measuring instruments.

Types of bevel protractors:

The different types of bevel protractors used are:

1) Vernier bevel protractor

2) Universal protractor

3) Optical protractor

2.11.1 VERNIER BEVEL PROTRACTOR:

Working principle

A vernier bevel protractor is attached with

acute angle attachment. The body is designed
its back is flat and no projections beyond its
back. The base plate is attached to the main
body and an adjustable blade is
attached to the circular plate containing Vernier scale. The main scale is graduated in
degrees from 0° to 90° in both the directions. The adjustable can be made to rotate
freely about the center of the main scale and it can be locked at any position.

For measuring acute angle, a special attachment is provided. The base plate is
made fiat for measuring angles and can be moved throughout its length. The ends of
the blade are beveled at angles of 45° and 60°. The main scale is graduated as one
main scale division is 1° and Vernier is graduated into 12 divisions on each side of zero.
Therefore the least count is calculated as

Thus, the bevel protractor can be used to measure to an accuracy of 5 minutes.

Applications of bevel protractor

The bevel protractor can be used in the following applications.

1. For checking a ‘V’ block:

2.12 AUTO- COLLIMATOR

Auto-collimator is an optical instrument used for the measurement of small

angular differences, changes or deflection, plane surface inspection etc. For small
angular measurements, autocollimator provides a very sensitive and accurate
approach. An auto-collimator is essentially an infinity telescope and a collimator
combined into one instrument.

Basic principle

If a light source is placed in the flows of a collimating lens, it is projected as a

parallel beam of light. If this beam is made to strike a plane reflector, kept normal to the
optical axis, it is reflected back along its own path and is brought to the same focus. The
reflector is tilted through a small angle

‘0’. Then the parallel beam is deflected twice the angle and is brought to focus in
the same plane as the light source.

The distance of focus from the object is given by

2.12.1 WORKING OF AUTO-COLLIMATOR:

There are three main parts in auto-collimator.

1. Micrometer microscope.
 2. Lighting unit and

3. Collimating lens.

Figure shows a line diagram of a modern auto-collimator. A target graticule is

positioned perpendicular to the optical axis. When the target graticule is illuminated by
a lamp, rays of light diverging from the intersection point reach the objective lens via
beam splitter. From objective, the light rays are projected as a parallel rays to the
reflector.

A flat reflector placed in front of the objective and exactly normal to the optical
axis reflects the parallel rays of light back along their original paths. They are then
brought to the target graticule and exactly coincide with its intersection.

A portion of the returned light passes through the beam splitter and is visible
through the eyepiece. If the reflector is tilted through a small angle, the reflected beam
will be changed its path at twice the angle. It can also be brought to target graticule but
linearly displaced from the actual target by the amount 2θ x f. linear displacement of the
graticule image in the plane tilted angle of eyepiece is directly proportional to the
reflector. This can be measured by optical micrometer.

The photoelectric auto- collimator is particularly suitable for calibrating polygons,

for checking angular indexing and for checking small linear displacements.

2.12.2 APPLICATIONS OF AUTO-COLLIMATOR

Auto-collimators are used for

1) Measuring the difference in height of length standards.

2) Checking the flatness and straightness of surfaces.

3) Checking square ness of two surfaces.

4) Precise angular indexing in conjunction with polygons.

5) Checking alignment or parallelism.

6) Comparative measurement using master angles.

7) Measurement of small linear dimensions.

8) For machine tool adjustment testing.

2.13 ANGLE DEKKOR

This is also a type of auto-collimator. There is an illuminated scale in the focal

plane of the collimating lens. This illuminated scale is projected as a parallel beam by
the collimating lens which after striking a reflector below the instrument is refocused by
the lens in the filed of view of the eyepiece. In the field of view of microscope, there is
another datum scale fixed across the center of screen.

The reflected image of the illuminated scale is received at right angle to the
fixed scale as shown in fig. Thus the changes in angular position of the reflector in two
planes are indicated by changes in the point of intersection of the two scales. One
division on the scale is calibrated to read 1 minute.
2.13.1 Uses of Angle Dekkor

(i) Measuring angle of a component

Angle dekkor is capable of measuring small variations in angular setting i.e.

determining angular tilt. Angle dekkor is used in combination with angle gauge. First the
angle gauge combination is set up to the nearest known angle of the component. Now
the angle dekkor is set to zero reading on the illuminated scale. The angle gauge build
up is then removed and replaced by the component under test. Usually a straight edge
being used to ensure that there is no change in lateral positions. The new position of the
reflected scale with respect to the fixed scale gives the angular tilt of the component
from the set angle.

(ii) Checking the slope angle of a V-block

Figure shows the set up for checking the

sloping angle of V block. Initially, a polished
reflector or slip gauge is attached in close
contact with the work surface. By using angle
gauge zero reading is obtained in the angle
dekkor. Then the angle may be calculated by
comparing the reading obtained from the angle
dekkor and angle gauge.

(iii) To measure the angle of cone or Taper gauge

Initially, the angle dekkor is set for the nominal angle of cone by using angle
gauge or sine bar. The cone is then placed in position with its base resting on the
surface plate. A slip gauge or reflector is attached on the cone since no reflection can
be obtained from the curved surface. Any deviation from the set angle will be noted by
the angle dekkor in the eyepiece and indicated by the shifting of the image of
illuminated scale.