Lab # 3

Standards of Measurement
OBJECTIVES
a) To study the standards of measurement.
b) To study the use of slip gauges as a standard of linear measurement.
STANDARDS OF MEASREMENT
The importance of measurement has developed along with the technological progress industry.
The specifications for very accurate components have led to improvements in the measuring
techniques needed to carry out the inspection and quality control called for on the drawings. For
manufactured parts, designers specify accuracy of both dimensions and geometric forms. To
meet these exacting requirements, improved measuring techniques and standard instruments are
to be used.
A length may be expressed as the distance between two lines or as the distance between two
faces. So, the instruments used for the direct measurement of linear distance fall into two
categories.
!" LINE STANDARDS
ere the measurement is made between two parallel lines engraved across the standard. The
most common example of line standard or line measurement is the !rule" with its divisions
shown as lines mar#ed on it. This allows measurements to be ta#en directly by placing it along
side the wor#. $f the wor# is not flat, e.g. cylindrical, the use of caliper allows the si%e to be
transferred and then compared against the rule.
#" END STANDARDS
ere the measurement is made between two flat parallel faces. &xamples are slip gauges, length
bars, micrometers, 'ernier calipers etc.
The two most common forms of end standards used in the wor#shop are gauge bloc# popularly
#nown as slip gauges and length bars.
(oth are covered by (ritish Standards, which ma#e specific recommendations on their design,
accuracy, and composition of the material used.
)ine standards have the drawbac# that the engraved lines possess thic#ness. Also the assistance
of magnifying glass or a microscope is required if sufficient accuracy is to be obtained. *reater
accuracy can be obtained with the use of end standards as compared to the line standards. +ue to
this, end standards are employed in the shop as far as possible.
$A$E BLOC%S
*auge bloc# sets are industry"s dimensional standards. They are #nown quantities used for
calibration of dimensional measuring devices, for setting special purpose gauges, and for direct
use with accessories as gauging, measuring devices. *auge bloc#s are made of alloy steel that
have been hardened and stabili%ed by heat treatment. They have very high degree of dimensional
stability, and posses the ability to be !wrung" together. The measuring faces have a lapped finish,
and are made flat and parallel to one another with high accuracy. The property of !wringing" is
due to the flatness and finish of the defining surfaces being such that when two gauges are
brought into intimate contact, not only is the air film between them removed, but also molecular
attraction occurs between the surfaces.
F&'ure !(!) $au'e B*o+,s
-RIN$IN$ OF $A$E BLOC%S
The bloc#s are !wrung" together in the following manner. First wipe the measuring faces clean
with cotton, then apply a thin film of petroleum with an otherwise clean cloth, ,ub the surfaces
-
with clean cotton until no traces of film can be observed. Two bloc#s are placed into contact to
form a cross, and then rotated in the opposite direction until they are in line. This reduces the air
gap between them to a minimum. .hen the pile has been built up in similar manner, the two
protective bloc#s are added to each end face. The pile should be allowed to cool down for a few
moments before being used, as the heat from handling the gauges causes them to expand slightly.
After use, slips should be slid apart along their lengths to separate them. Their surfaces should be
thoroughly greased before they are finally returned to their correct compartments in the box.
F&'ure !(#) -r&n'&n' of $au'e B*o+,s
$RADES OF $A$E BLOC%S
The slip gauges are available in five grades of accuracy/ three of them are used for the regular
wor#.
$rade #)
This is the wor#shop grade. Typical uses include setting up machine tools, positioning milling
cutters and chec#ing mechanical width.
$rade !)
This is used for more precise wor#, such as that carried out in a good0class tool room. Typical
uses include setting up sine bars and sine tables, chec#ing gap gauges and setting dial test
indicators to %ero.
$rade .)
This is more commonly #nown as the $nspection grade, and its use is confined to tool room or
machine shop inspection. This means that it is the $nspection +epartment only who has access to
1
this grade of slips. $n this way it is not possible for these slip gauges to be damaged or abused by
the rough usage to be expected on the shop floor.
$rade ..)
This grade would be #ept in the Standard ,oom and would be #ept for wor# of the highest
precision only. A typical example would be the determination of any errors present in the
wor#shop or *rade - slips, occasioned by rough or continual usage.
Ca*&brat&on 'rade)
This is a special grade, with the actual si%es of slips stated or calibrated on a special chart
supplied with the set. This chart must be consulted when ma#ing up a dimension, and because
these slips are not made to specific or set tolerances, they are not as expensive as the *rade 22. $t
must be remembered that a slip gauge, li#e any other engineering component, cannot be made to
an exact si%e. All slip gauges must have tolerances on the length, flatness and parallelism of
measuring faces
CALIBRATION OF $IVEN MEASRIN$ INSTRMENT -IT/ $A$E BLOC%S
3. (uilt up the gauge bloc# stac# for the given dimension.
-. 4lace the gauge bloc# stac# in 'ernier caliper5 6icrometer and measure this stac# with the
corresponding instrument.
1. 7ompare the two readings and determine the difference between them.
8. 4ut the data in the observation table.
0RECATIONS
3. The surface of gauge must be covered with natural petroleum 9elly or some anticorrosive to
avoid rusting.
-. The gauges should be used under controlled condition of temperature.
1. .ringing of gauges should be done without applying undue pressure to avoid damage to the
surface.
8. :ever drop slip gauges.
;. :ever stri#e slip gauges with other metallic ob9ects.
<. =se minimum number of gauges for building up si%e combination.
8
$A$E BLOC% SETS)
*auge bloc#s are supplied in sets, with those sets having the largest number of bloc#s being the
most versatile. T12&+a**1 sets of 3#3 4!3 453 633 663 !.3 and !!# 2&e+es are 2rodu+ed. ere,
gauge bloc# set 6>1 and 61- will be discussed.
Table 3.3 shows the buildup of 6>1 sets. ?6 stands for 6etric)
S&7es 8mm" In+rements 8mm" No( of 0&e+es
2.;03.2 2.; 2-
3.22; 2.22; 23
3.2303.8@ 2.23 8@
3.;03.@ 2.3 2;
-0@.; 2.; 3<
320322 32 32
Tota* 63
Tab*e !(!) $au'e B*o+, Set 8M63"
Table 3.- shows the buildup of 61- setsA 8A9a&*ab*e &n Lab"
S&7es 8mm" In+rements 8mm" No( of 0&e+es
3.22; 2.22; 23
3.2303.2@ 2.23 2@
3.303.@ 2.3 2@
30@ 3 2@
32012 32 21
;2 0 23
Tota* 3#
Tab*e !(#) $au'e B*o+, Set 8M3#"
;
SELECTIN$ SLI0 $A$ES FOR RE:IRED DIMENSION
M&n&mum number of b*o+,s may be assembled by wringing two or more together to ma#e up a
given dimensions. To build up the required si%e, use a minimum number of bloc#s as possible.
Suppose that a dimensional standard ;B.B>; mm is desired. The procedure for arriving at a
suitable combination might be determined by successive subtraction as indicated belowA
B*o+,s sed 8$au'e B*o+, Set M63"
+esired +imensions C ;B.B>;
Selection 3A Thousandth place C 3.22; !(..; ?*auge bloc# 3)
,emainder C ;<.B>2
Selection -A undredth place C 3.->2 !(#6. ?*auge bloc# -)
,emainder C ;;.;22
Selection 1A Tenth place C ;.;22 ;(;.. ?*auge bloc# 1)
,emainder C ;2.222
Selection 8A =nits place C ;2.222 ;.(...?*auge bloc# 8)
,emainder C 22.222 7hec#D ;B.B>;
B*o+,s sed 8$au'e B*o+, Set M3#"
+esired +imensions C ;B.B>;
Selection 3A Thousandth place C 3.22; !(..; ?*auge bloc# 3)
,emainder C ;<.B>2
Selection -A undredth place C 3.2>2 !(.6. ?*auge bloc# -)
,emainder C ;;.B22
Selection 1A Tenth place C 3.B22 !(5.. ?*auge bloc# 1)
,emainder C ;8.222
Selection 8A =nits place C 8.222 4(... ?*auge bloc# 8)
,emainder C ;2.222
Selection ;A =nits place C ;2.222 ;.(...?*auge bloc# ;)
,emainder C 22.222 7hec#D ;B.B>;
<
OBSERVATIONS < CALCLATIONS
B*o+,s sed 8$au'e B*o+, Set M3#"
S( #
Des&red
D&mens&on
8mm"
Se*e+t&on ! Se*e+t&on # Se*e+t&on 3 Se*e+t&on 4 Se*e+t&on ; Se*e+t&on =
3 >.;2;
- 32.3-;
1 3-.8;;
8 -8.-2;
; 1-.;22
< ;3.;>;
B ;8.1>2
> <;.8;2
@ BB.<;2
32 >B.11;
E>ERCISE
.rite a brief note on the uses of gauge bloc#s in industry.
B