Scribd
Upload
38 views4 pages

Measuring Instruments Note

The document discusses different types of measuring instruments used in manufacturing including gauges, vernier callipers, micrometers, depth gauges, height gauges, protractors, and sine bars. It describes how each instrument is used to measure linear dimensions, angles, depths, and heights and explains features like least count and reading measurements.

Uploaded by

Vidura Prasad
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
38 views4 pages

Measuring Instruments Note

The document discusses different types of measuring instruments used in manufacturing including gauges, vernier callipers, micrometers, depth gauges, height gauges, protractors, and sine bars. It describes how each instrument is used to measure linear dimensions, angles, depths, and heights and explains features like least count and reading measurements.

Uploaded by

Vidura Prasad
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

Lecture Note 1 Manufacturing Engineering

Measuring Instruments
Measuring is very important in Manufacturing. Most products are manufactured to standard
sizes and shapes. Standardization is a necessity for interchangeable parts and is also important
for economic reasons. Products are inspected either during/ after manufacture either manually
or automatically. Inspection of products / items can be done in two ways.
 By attributes: In manufacturing, particularly in mass production it may not be
necessary to know the exact dimensions of a part, only that it is within previously
established limits. Limits can often be determined more easily than specific
dimensions by the use of attributes type instruments called gauges. Gauging is the
term for determining whether the dimension is larger or smaller than the established
standard or range of acceptability. Gauges can be used for both linear and angular
dimensions and can be used manually or automatically.
E.g. gauges: - plug gauges, ring gauges, thread gauge, radius gauges

Ring gauge
Plug gauge
Figure 1 Radius gauge
 By variables: Use of calibrated instruments to determine the actual dimensions of the
product for comparison with the size desired.
E.g. vernier callipers, micrometer screw gauges, etc
Variable types of inspection generally take more time and are more expensive than
attribute inspection but they give more information because the magnitude of the
characteristic is known in some standard unit of measurement.

Linear Measuring Instruments


1. Direct reading: - Object being measured can be read directly on this scale. E.g. Ruler,
Vernier Calliper, Micrometer screw gauge
2. Indirect reading: - Used to transfer the size of the dimension being measured to a
direct reading scale thus obtaining the desired size and information indirectly. E.g.
callipers

Linear Measurement (Direct reading)


1. Ruler
Simplest and most commonly use for making linear measurements.
2. Vernier Calliper
 Consists a graduated beam and a sliding jaw with a vernier
 Available in various sizes
 Can be used to measure outside diameters, inside diameters and depth measurements.

1
Lecture Note 1 Manufacturing Engineering

Figure 2 Vernier Calliper


 Least count: - The least distance, which can be measured by vernier callipers.
Smallest main scale division
Least Count 
Total no. of divisions in the vernier
 When the jaws are closed, the vernier zero mark should coincide with the zero mark of
the main scale. If the vernier zero mark should not coincide with the zero mark of the
main scale, is said to have a zero error. If the zero mark of the vernier scale is on the
right of the zero mark of the main scale then the zero error is reduced from the
observed reading to obtain the actual reading. If it is on the left of the zero mark of
the main scale then the error is added to the observed reading.
 Observed reading  Main scale reading  vernier scale reading  zero error

3. Micrometer screw gauge


The micrometer screw gauge is used to measure even smaller dimensions than the vernier
callipers. The micrometer screw gauge also uses an auxiliary scale (measuring hundredths of
a millimetre), which is marked on a rotary thimble. Basically it is a screw with an accurately
constant pitch (the amount by which the thimble moves forward or backward for one
complete revolution). The jaws can be adjusted by rotating the thimble using the small ratchet
knob. This includes a friction “clutch” which prevents too much tension being applied. In
order to measure an object, the object is placed between the jaws and the thimble is rotated
using the ratchet until the object is secured. Note that the ratchet knob must be used to secure
the object firmly between the jaws, otherwise the instrument could be damaged or give an
inconsistent reading. The lock may be used to ensure that the thimble does not rotate while
you take the reading.

Figure 3 Micrometer screw gauge

2
Lecture Note 1 Manufacturing Engineering

Pitch of the screw


Least Count 
Total no. of divisions in the circular head

4. Depth gauge
The depth micrometer is an accurate and reliable
tool to use for depth measurement. The depths of
holes, slots, shoulders, and projections can be
measured accurately. When using a depth
micrometer, two points must be kept in mind.
Depth micrometers measure from a reference
plane to a point. The large base of the depth
micrometer makes up the reference plane. The
very small area of the measuring rod makes up the
point of contact. Measuring distance is from the
reference plane to the contact point. Figure 4 Depth gauge

5. Height gauge

Linear Measurement (Indirect reading)


1. Callipers

Figure 5 Outside spring callipers Figure 6 Inside spring calipers

Angular Measurement
Accurate angle measurements are usually more difficult to make than linear measurements.
Angles are measured in degrees and decimal subdivisions of a degree. The primary unit of
angular measurement is the degree. There are 360 degrees in a complete circle. Each degree is
divided into 60 parts and these parts are known as minutes. Each minute is also divided into
60 parts. These parts are known as seconds.
1. Plate Protractor
The plate protractor is capable of measuring to within 1-degree.

2. Bevel Protractor
Similar to common protractor except that it has a movable element. The two blades of the
protractor are placed in contact with the part being measured and the angle is read directly on
the vernier scale.

3
Lecture Note 1 Manufacturing Engineering

Figure 7 Plate Protractor

3. Sine bar
Basically a sine bar is a bar of known length. When
gauge blocks are placed under one end, the sine bar
will tilt to a specific angle. Figure 8 Bevel Protractor

Figure 9 Sine Bar

The height setting is limited with the available gauge block (often 0.0001"). This results in an
error that may be negligible, or in some cases quite significant.

You might also like