Precision Measuring Tools and Their Applications
Combination Square
Inventor: Laroy Starrett invented the combination square in 1887.
The combination square is one of the most practical and versatile tool inventions worldwide – the basic tool of every builder and professional. As the name suggests, this instrument can be used for many different purposes. It replaces a full set of fixed brackets: mean square, depth gauge, height gauge, tracer gauge, level, and plumb. It can also be used as an accurate ruler by removing the blade. This prevents overloading the workbench with many tools, all necessary but sometimes underused. The result is the goal of every good professional: greater accuracy and efficiency.
Features of the Universal Standard Square:
- Precision hardened and ground rules with etched graduations on both sides for easy reading.
- Hardened and ground spirit level visible from any position.
- Measuring range of 0-360° protractor, graduated 0-180°-0.
- Chrome scale on the protractor.
- Mooring system on the rule allows fixing accessories.
- The squad examines the following fixed angles: 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, and 90°.
- The search sites have a fixed angle of 90 degrees, which allows you to find the center of cylinders up to 120mm in diameter.
- Rule with a corner bezel to maximize ability.
Compass Geometry
A drawing compass is an instrument used to draw circles or arcs of circumference. It comprises two legs joined by a hinge, the opening of which can be adjusted easily. Generally, one leg has a needle, and the other a lead, or an adapter for pens. The upper end has a hollow cylinder to grasp it and facilitate rotation.
Compass Tool
A hand tool used in machine shops to draw circles and verify diameters of both external and internal parts.
Two types of tool compass:
- Checking: Used for marking.
- The track bar: Has two sharp, tempered steel blades used to draw circles on metal parts and a screw to control the diameter you want to trace.
- Check compasses: They have two arms that open or close according to the diameter you want to check.
Mason Compass
A mason’s compass is a tool used to copy stone dimensions.
Shims and Angled Gauges
These meters consist of thin films that have their thickness marked and are used to measure small openings or slots. Thicknesses are generally constructed from 5 to 50 hundredths of a millimeter, or from 0.002 to 0.025 inches.
Simple Protractor
It is the most basic instrument for measuring the angle between two sides of a piece. It consists of a semicircle divided into 180 degrees.
Combination Squad
A toolkit for measuring and tracing tools in machine shops, it is composed of:
- Scale: A metal rule, normally 12 inches, which has a central slot for use with the square, the protractor, and the center block.
Thread Pitch Gauge
The prover consists of a series of plates held together by a screw at one end, while the other has protrusions that correspond to the multi-step thread form (threads per inch). Values are indicated on each sheet.
Micrometer
A measuring instrument whose operation is based on the micrometer screw, used to measure with high precision (of the order of hundredths of millimeters (0.01 mm) and thousandths of a millimeter (0.001 mm) (micron)) the size of an object.
Surface Roughness
The surface roughness is the set of irregularities on a real surface, conventionally defined in a section where form errors and ripples have been eliminated.
Workshop Microscope
Applications of these devices are similar to those of measuring machines, but the measuring range is more limited, thus being used for the measurement of relatively small parts, gauges, tools, etc.
Profile Projector
The shapes and shadows projector is a device used to take measurements where you cannot use normal instruments, usually due to the small size of the pieces. It expands the image obtained to 50, 100, or 200 times the original size.
Coordinate Metrology
Measuring the shape and size of a piece and comparing the values obtained with the ideal values for the part, established by a standard. A coordinate measuring machine (CMM) is an electromechanical system designed to perform coordinate metrology.
Interferometer
An interferometer is an instrument that employs the interference of light waves to accurately measure the wavelengths of light itself.