Course · 6 lessons · Coming soon
Dial indicators and comparative measurement
Six lessons on measuring a difference instead of a whole size: the dial indicator, the lever indicator and its cosine error, gauge blocks, comparison against a gauge-block stack, the bore gauge, and runout. These instruments are not in the lab yet; a lesson goes live once its practice is.
For inspectors, machinists and students who can use a caliper and a micrometer. Take the micrometer course first.
Lessons
- Dial indicators Coming soon
- Lever indicators and cosine error Coming soon
- Gauge blocks Coming soon
- Comparative measurement Coming soon
- Bore gauges Coming soon
- Radial and axial runout Coming soon
Lesson 1 · Coming soon
Dial indicators
Read a dial indicator and set it up in a stand.
You will be able to
- Relate the 0.01 mm division to one revolution per millimetre of travel.
- Mount an indicator in a stand along the measuring direction, with a little preload.
- Zero the bezel on a reference and read a difference with its sign.
Lesson 2 · Coming soon
Lever indicators and cosine error
Use a lever indicator and know when its reading needs correcting.
You will be able to
- Tell where a lever indicator is used instead of a plunger indicator.
- Explain how the angle of the stylus changes the reading.
- Set the stylus so the error stays small.
Lesson 3 · Coming soon
Gauge blocks
Build a size from gauge blocks and handle them correctly.
You will be able to
- Build a size with as few blocks as possible.
- Tell using blocks by grade from using them by calibrated length.
- Clean, wring and handle blocks without warming them.
Lesson 4 · Coming soon
Comparative measurement
Measure a part by comparing it with a gauge-block stack.
You will be able to
- Set an indicator to zero on a gauge-block stack of the nominal size.
- Work out the size from the stack plus the indicated difference.
- Say which errors comparison removes and which remain.
Lesson 5 · Coming soon
Bore gauges
Measure a bore with a bore gauge set on a reference.
You will be able to
- Set a bore gauge to size on a reference.
- Rock the gauge in the bore and read at the turning point.
- Work out the bore size from the setting size and the reading.
Lesson 6 · Coming soon
Radial and axial runout
Measure runout by turning a part under an indicator.
You will be able to
- Tell radial runout from axial runout.
- Support a shaft between centres or in a V-block and turn it one revolution.
- Take runout as the largest minus the smallest reading.
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