Chapter two

COMPARATIVE LENGTH MEASUREMENTS WITH MECHANICAL INDICATORS

2.1 The Pri !ip"e# o$ Co%parati&e Le 'th Mea#(re%e t The %e!ha i!a" indicators are displacement #e #i ', a%p"i$)i ' and i *i!ati ' instruments. Their p(rpo#e is (a) to *ete!t variations in a #pe!i$i! distance, as *eter%i e* by a re$ere !e plane e#ta+"i#he* at a $i,e* position re"ati&e to the i #tr(%e t and by a #e"e!te* gaging poi t on the #(r$a!e of the o+-e!t and (b) to *i#p"a) on a *ia" or 'ra*(ate* scale the a%p"i$ie* version of the #e #e* dimensional &ariatio #. When the %ea#(re%e t of "e 'th is the o+-e!ti&e of the process, the i *i!ator will o ") !o%pare the a!t(a" length of the #pe!i%e to the "e 'th of a other physical +o*). In *i#ti !tio to the *ire!t measurement of "i ear distances as carried out with line-graduated instruments, the !o%parati&e measurement of le 'th utilizes a #etti ' gage of . ow size which is #(+#tit(te* for the no%i a" length of the *i%e #io to be 'a'e*. Thus the i *i!ator instrument only %ea#(re# the a%o( t and #how# the *ire!tio of any *e&iatio # which may e,i#t in re"atio to the o%i a" size.
The indicator The gage stand or frame The ob&ect to be measured 'etting master 'taging table (ac) stop

$s shown diagrammatically in

ig.!.", for the

p(rpo#e of "e 'th measurements the i *i!ator must be !o%p"e%e te* with *e&i!e# serving the following $( !tio #/ a) #ta'i ' the o+-e!t on a reference plane which is !oi !i*e t with o e end of the distance to be measured (the datum of the measurement)% and b) ho"*i ' the i *i!ator instrument in a po#iti&e po#itio from that re$ere !e plane, with the e$$e!ti&e movement of the 'a'e spindle in a"i' %e t with the *i#ta !e to be %ea#(re*.

ig.!." #iagram of the principal elements in the comparative measurement of length.

The use of indicator instruments is not "i%ite* to p"ai length measurements. Ma ) other !o *itio # of ob&ect 'eo%etr) can be observed and %ea#(re* using indicators for sensing and reporting elements. Thus, the indicator can be used to measure the *e&iatio # from the o%i a" "

size of a *i#ta !e ta)en from a *at(% which is not necessarly the oppo#ite ob&ect boundary - as used in basic length measurements. Other convenient *at(%# may be #e"e!te*, such as the a,i# (between centers) or another surface portion of the ob&ect. In Table !." are shown somw characteristics applications of indicator instruments.
Ta+"e 2.1 Chara!teri#ti!# app"i!atio # o$ i *i!ator i #tr(%e t#. CATEGOR0 O1 MEASUREMENTS E2AMPLE 1OR THE PROCESS DIAGRAMATIC INSTRUMENT S3ETCH (asic app"i!atio # for Co%parati&e measurement of "e 'th Co%parator gage for e,ter a" measurements comparative measurements in a #tatio ar) instrument which is #et to the o%i a" part #i4e with $i,e* gage type %a#ter# Se!tor# of a #p"it cylinder are e,pa *e* to !o ta!t the Co%parati&e measurement of +ore size Indicator +ore size +ore walls, the indicator #i' a"i ' the po#itio of the sectors. The instrument is $ir#t set with a ri ' gage and will then i *i!ate the +ore size re"ati&e to the %a#ter. U#i ' a !o%%o reference p"a e5 regularly a #(r$a!e Si4e comparison by tra #$erre* distance Te#t type i *i!ator in #(r$a!e plate wor.. plate, the #i4e of the %a#ter5 such as 'a'e bloc)s, can be !o%pare* with the o+-e!t size. Co%pare# the *i#ta !e of a #(r$a!e from an o$$#et face Di#ta !e from $i,e* reference p"a e Depth indicator 'a'e "o!ate* in a p"a e normal to the *i%e #io to be %ea#(re*. DISCUSSION

CATEGOR0 O1 MEASUREMENTS

E2AMPLE 1OR THE PROCESS DIAGRAMMATIC INSTRUMENT S3ETCH or

DISCUSSION

the of

repetiti&e "e 'th part# particularly on

inspection Li%it size 'a'i ' I *i!ator snap 'a'e dimensions, *ia%eter#,

whose 'a'i ' can more conveniently be carried out with a ha * held instrument. or the !o%parati&e of 6ore size !o%pari#o and 'a'i ' of diameter &ariatio # 6ore indicator 'a'e +ore diameters and for the concurrent e*ploration of diameter variations a"o ' and aro( * the +ore surface. ,arts "o!ate* to permit +onsistent *i#ta !e of a #(r$a!e from a *at(% plane (interrelated surfaces) S7(are e## measuring i *i!ator assembly o e degree of $ree*o% for rotatio or #"i*i ' in re"atio to positive *at(% planes, are chec)ed with indicator. ,art rotate* around its a!t(a" or virtual a,i#, will 6e !h centers with R( o(t of rotati ' bodies i *i!ator in a*-(#ta+"e holder re&ea" the a%o( t of runout (radial variation) by the poi ter movement of an i *i!ator in !o ta!t with the part8# surface.

2.2 A*&a ta'e# o$ Me!ha i!a" I *i!ator#

The broad category of instruments )nown as mechanical indicators comprises some basic types which belong to the most widely used tools of dimensional measurements in metalwor)ing production. $lthough there are various other systems of displacement amplification, mechanical a%p"i$i!atio provides many a*&a ta'e# in i *i!ator applications. $ few a*a&a ta'e# are listed below. - "o ' measuring ra 'e. %e!ha i!a" indicators, parti!("ar") those operating by the ra!. and pi io system, have measuring ranges which e,te * over #e&era" times / in certain models up to !0 or more even more / of the hand o&er the *ia"9 - #%a"" overall #i4e/ the #%a"" overall size of the who"e indicator i #tr(%e t, inclusive of sensing, amplifying and indicating elements, is of advantage for measurements where #pa!e is !o $i e*, or when (#i ' several i *i!ator# mounted at !"o#e distances to ea!h other% - po#iti&e contact and !o tro""e* measuring $or!e. the po##i+i"it) of selecting whose !o ta!t force is +e#t suited for a particular application can be of critical importances% in some models of mechanical indicators the %ea#(ri ' force !a be &arie* and a*-(#te* over rather substantial ra 'e% - r(''e* e##. particularly when (#e* under #hop conditions or on operati ' machines where substantial &i+ratio # are pre#e t, the relative shoc) resistance of many types of mechanical indicators can be a *e!i*i ' factor for the i #tr(%e t selection% - i *epe *e !e of power supply. the operation is ot limited to any parti!("ar location% therefore measuring instruments comprising mechanical indicators can be #et up a )where in the p"a t or (#e* in the $ie"*% - #ta+i"it) and repeata+i"it) of indications. *ri$t which could o!!(r in instruments whose operation is +a#e* on tra #*(!i ' the "i ear displacements of the pro+e into e"e!tri!a" or $"(i* pressure &ariatio #, is ot present in %e!ha i!a" indicators. - e!o o%i! advantages. the i itia" cost of mechanical indicators of comparable sensitivity is usually "e## than that of other systems, besides the availability of a wide range of less sensitive models at fractions of the cost of precision type instruments. The plain models of mechanical indicators primarly the dial types, !a be repaire* in the p"a t of the user at breasonable cost, and more are practically $ree of wear and "o## of accuracy *(ri ' years of #(#tai e* usage.

2.: S)#te% o$ %e!ha i!a" a%p"i$i!atio 1

2echanical indicators operate by *i$$ere t systems of *i#p"a!e%e t amplification, which may consist of 'ear trains, "e&er#, !a%#, torsion #trip#, ree*#, or a combination of these or other systems. The *ire!tio of the ori'i a" displacement which can be sensed by the indicator may be in "i e with the i #tr(%e t spindle3s a,i#, or or%a" to the !o ta!t lever swinging over a &er) small a '"e, where the "e 'th of the ar! and of the !hor* are considered pra!ti!a"") e4ual. The poi ter# of mechanical indicators are generally pi&oti ' around a #(#pe #io a*is. The pivoting movement may e*tend over a !o%p"ete circle, even comprising several t(r #, which re4uires a *ia" form of #!a"e. This is the %o#t commonly (#e* form of *i#p"a) in mechanical i *i!ator#5 and is characteristically present in all types of dial indicators. Other types of precision indicators have a #hort measuring ra 'e only, in some cases e*tending over ot more than 2; or 2< 'ra*(atio # in either direction. 'hort range indicators have #e!tor type *i#p"a) faces, using a relatively "o ' pointer for i !ra#i ' the ("ti%ate rate of a%p"i$i!atio . $nother t)pe of display (bench type) comparators, consists of a #!a"e applied on the peripher) of a se!tor with an e,tra large ra*i(#5 again as a means of additional amplification. Table !.! surveys the +a#i! systems of *i#p"a!e%e t amplification which are the most fre4uently used in mechanical indicators. 2.:.1 Dia" I *i!ator#

Dia" indicator are mechanical instruments for #e #i ' and %ea#(ri ' distance &ariatio #. The %e!ha i#% of the indicator !o &ert# the a,ia" displacement of the measuring spindle into rotatio a" movement which is then a%p"i$ie* by %e!ha i!a" means and finally *i#p"a)e* by a poi ter rotating over the face of a 'ra*(ate* dial. #ial indicators ( ig.!.!) represent the most wi*e") used basic type of %e!ha i!a" displacement indicating instruments. In commonly used dial indicators, the measuring #pi *"e carries, usually as an integral part, a ra!. whose teeth are %e#hi ' with a pi io 5 this latter being part of a gear trai .
ig.!.! #ial indicator.

Ta+"e 2.2 S)#te%# o$ *i#p"a!e%e t a%p"i$i!atio (#e* i %e!ha i!a" i *i!ator#.

DESIGNATION

OPERATING PRINCIPLE SCHEMATIC S3ETCH DESCRIPTION Mea#(ri ' spindle i te'ra" with a ra!.5 engaging a pi io which

1ORM P1 DISPL0

Ra!. and pi io

is part of a a%p"i$)i ' gear trai .

#ial

Mea#(ri ' spindle a!t# on a Ca% and 'ear train !a% which tra #%it# the %otio to the a%p"i$)i ' gear trai . Le&er with a toothe* sector at its end e 'a'e# a pi io in the h(+ Le&er with toothe* sector of a !row gear sector %e#hi ' the fi a" pinion. Le&er# forming a !o(p"e with Co%po( * levers !o%po( * action are !o e!te* 'ector through #e'%e t# and pi io #. #ial #ial

2.:.2

Dia" Te#t T)pe I *i!ator#

The term designates a #pe!ia" type of indicator which is !hara!teri4e* by the *ire!tio of the #e #e* displacement. While for most types of indicators this is para""e" to the a,i# of the i #tr(%e t spindle, te#t indicators are designed to #e #e and %ea#(re displacement which occur in a *ire!tio essentially perpe *i!("ar to the #ha$t of the !o ta!t point or, using another designation, to the pro+e arm. The *i#p"a!e%e t which is acting on the test indicator3s contact point in a direction normal to the a*is of the probe, !a(#e# the #wi ' motion of a "e&er, the #horter arm of which is the #ha$t of the !o ta!t point ( ig.!.-). The "o 'er arm of that instrument lever e *# in a toothe* segment which e 'a'e# a pi io . This "ater is in the h(+ of a #e!tor with 'eare* periphery and f( !tio i ' li)e a !row gear. This !row gear is %e#hi ' with a final pi io which is atta!he* to the #pi *"e of the i *i!ator hand.

The *i#p"a!e%e t sensed by the pro+e of the instrument are thus a%p"i$ie* by a tra #%i##io train comprising the %ai lever of
ig.!.- +ross-sectional view of a test type indicator.

( e7(a" arm "e 'th5 the #e!tor and two pinions.

$ $"at spring a!ti ' on the "e&er provides the 'a'i ' force, whose direction can be reversed by a lever switch. Te#t indicators are a&ai"a+"e with two different dial arra 'e%e t#, which are *e#i' e* as the para""e" and the perpe *i!("ar style ( igs.!.1a and b,). $s seen from the illustrations, these designations re$er to the po#itio of the *ia" in re"atio to the %ai lever of the 'a'e. The !hoi!e of the style should be '(i*e* by the %o#t convenient o+#er&atio of the dial during the measuring process.

The test type indicator per%it# a greater $"e,i+i"it) in the "o!atio of the instrument in re"atio to the wor. surface. $ctually,
a) b)

in this fle*ibility of setup lies one of its ma&or advantages.

ig.!.1 Test type indicator with (a) parallel dial arrangement and (b) perpendicular dial position.

While, in principle, the size variations to be measured should occur in a direction which is perpendicular to the probe arm of the indicator, small deviations from this theoretically correct position have only negligible effect on the accuracy of the measurement. In the Table !.- is shown a survey of test indicator with e*amples of characteristic applications.

Ta+"e 2.: Chara!teri#ti!# app"i!atio # $or te#t t)pe i *i!ator#.

DESIGNATION

DIAGRAMMATIC S3ETCH

DESCRIPTION The basic design of test type indicators per%it# to be measuring on !o ta!t# e#ta+"i#he*

Co ta!ti ' hard-to-rea!h surfaces

#(r$a!e# with

arrow clearance or

+ehi * protruding $eat(re# of the ob&ect. Mea#(re%e t# on i ter a" surfaces, such as i #i*e bores of #tatio ar) or Mea#(re%e t# on i ter a" surfaces rotati ' ob&ects, can be carried out with test type indicators in a manner per%itti ' the ( o+#tr(!te* observation of the *ia". or tra #$erri ' height *i%e #io # from a re$ere !e piece to +e the Tra #$er height *i%e #io # o+-e!t surface, a basic operation in #(r$a!e plate based measurements, test type indicators are generally preferred, and actually needed when using #tep bloc)s for re$ere !i '. In e*ploring the geometry of the &erti!a" 2easuring #i*e surfaces i #i*e grooves side surfaces i #i*e grooves, to measure #trai'ht e##, para""e"i#% or perpe *i!("arit), the $"e,i+"e ad&ustment, particularly the #wi&e" movement of the !o ta!t arm, are necessary 'a'e properties.

2.:.: Depth I *i!ator Ga'e# Si%i"ar in its general design to depth %i!ro%eter# the *epth i *i!ator gage also !o #i#t# of a +ea% whose $a!e functions as the re$ere !e plane of the 'a'i '5 and of the %ea#(ri ' member with its sensing tip reaching +e)o * the re$ere !e plane. 'ubstituting the indicator, commonly the dial type, for the screw micrometer, assures a more !o &e ie t and rapid rea*i ' of the #e #e* distance, this +ei ' a !hara!teri#ti! or definite value for repetiti&e measurements.

ig.!.5 shows the use of a p"ai depth i *i!ator gage for measuring the hei'ht of a #ho("*er in re"atio to a $"at surface. The 'a'e is "o!ate* on the $"at surface of the #ho("*er5 and the %ea#(re* dimension i# the *epth of the p"ate from that *at(% level. More common (#e# are the %ea#(ri ' of the
ig.!.5 #epth indicator gage in an application where the perpendicular distance between ofsset parallel surfaces is gaged.

depths of +"i * holes, re#e##e# and 'roo&e#.

2.:.= Sha""ow Dia%eter Ga'e# or the !o%parati&e measurement of *ia%eter# on certain types of o(t#i*e or i #i*e features, a #pe!ia" category of indicator gages, may be considered the +e#t suited measuring instrument.

a)

b) ig.!.6 'hallow diameter gages representing a general form of e*ecution. a) for outside measurements% b) for inside measurements% c) diagram for alternate arrangements of shalow gage elements for inside (solid

c)

line), and for outside (dotted line), measurements.

$s illustarted in ig.!.6, which shows a +a#i! type of #ha""ow diameter gage, this category of indicator gages comprises instruments having the following essential %e%+er#. the $ra%e5 which is a rai" type #tr(!t(re providing '(i*a !e and retai %e t for the the a &i" post carrying the re$ere !e contact %e%+er9 it is a*-(#ta+"e along the $ra%e in a*-(#ta+"e contact %e%+er# and the re#t feet% !o $or%a !e with the *i#ta !e to be 'a'e* and a$ter ad&ustement is "o!.e* into the #e"e!te* position and $( !tio # as a $i,e* reference %e%+er during gaging% the i *i!ator instrument may be mounted depending on the model of the gage% 9

the re#t feet, e4uipped with the !o ta!t points, must have e7(a" length and are also a*-(#ta+"e

along the $ra%e% they are i ter!ha 'ea+"e and can be arra 'e* either i #i*e or o(t#i*e the gaging !o ta!t#. The (#e of #ha""ow diameter i *i!ator gages can pro&i*e several distinct a*&a ta'e# which are discussed in the following. a) $"e,i+i"it) of app"i!atio for a great variety of measuring tas)s, e.g., p"ai lengths or diameters, on e,ter a" or i ter a" features% b) wi*e range of a*-(#t%e t9 c) a*apta+i"it) to the %a-orit) of 'a'i ' surfaces, whether !)"i *ri!a" or taper5 freely accessible, or !o $i e* behind #ho("*er#5 inside grooves, etc. These instruments are used for measurements of *i%e #io # of *ia%eter# from 2;; to 1=;; %%. The (#e of the #ha""ow diameter i *i!ator gages is necessarily "i%ite* by two re7(ire%e t#. a) The *ia%eter to be gaged or, more precisely stated, its acceptable measuring plane must be "o!ate* reasonably !"o#e to a $a!e on the o+-e!t9 b) The $a!e surface should be $"at and also #7(are to the $eat(re a*is to a degree ade4uate to repre#e t the *at(% plane for the %ea#(re%e t. 2.:.< P"ate 'a'e# ig.!.7 illustrates the general design of p"ate type i *i!ator gages, a designation which is fre4uently used for a type of +e !h comparator e7(ippe* wiyh a #"a ti ' staging p"ate to re#t and to "o!ate the part to be 'a'e*. The three ad&ustable !o ta!t buttons #er&e for #(pporti '5 !e teri '5 and ga'i ' the o+-e!t. This design of bench comparator is convenient for the rapi* gaging of $"at and relatively thi parts, most fre4uently *i#.# or ri '# / e.g., +a"" and ro""er bearing ri '# / whose %ea#(re%e t must be %a*e in a p"a e
ig.!.7 ,late gage type comparator with :;< groove arrangement for insude diameter measurements.

parallel to at least o e of the o+-e!t faces.

The 'a'e plates have #"ot# arranged either in the for% of a :T< in hori4o ta" position, or in the form of a >0? in ere!t or i &erte* position. I #i*e the #"ot# are the a*-(#ta+"e locating #top# "0

and the #e #iti&e contact poi t. Setti ' gages are (#e* for a*-(#ti ' the #top# and the !o ta!t point in co%p"ia !e with the o%i a" size of the *i%e #io to be gaged. The !o ta!t member is !o e!te* to the i *i!ator5 and a "e&er of generous size in the front of the gage permits the rapi* retraction of the contact member for i #erti ' and re%o&i ' the ob&ect. 2.:.@ I ter a" I *i!ator 'a'e#

+omparative measurements of distances between internal surfaces are generally carried out with instruments resembling the e*ternal types of indicator gages. The "o!ati ' and a"i' i ' of the 'a'e on i #i*e features is usually more *i$$i!("t than on a corresponding o(t#i*e surface. Mea#(ri ' the +ore diameter awa) from its a,ia" plane will show #%a""er than a!t(a" size, while using a 'a'i ' plane which is ot perpendicular to the +ore a*is5 tends to i !rea#e the observed #i4e. To re*(!e the effect of these potential sources of error, the #ha$t of the 'a'e is ro!.i ' in the p"a e of the 'a'i ' contacts to e#ta+"i#h the proper measuring po#itio #, as evidenced by the poi t of i &er#io in the !ha 'e of i *i!atio # ( ig.!.8). I a!!(ra!ie# of the +ore size which are *eter%i e* by %ea#(ri ' the *ia%eter can result from p"ai dimensional &ariatio #, but can be also caused by irre'("aritie# of $or% which a$$e!t the *ia%eter of the +ore. While p"ai dimensional error# in a bore of essentially
a) b) c) d)

regular form can be detected by measuring a #i '"e diameter, irre'("ar forms re7(ire a %ore e*ploration of the +ore dimension. 6ore form irre'("aritie# causing *ia%etri!a" variations will be #i' a"e* by the i *i!ator gage as the #prea* of successive pointer po#itio # on the dial.

ig.!.8 (=pper) >oc)ing a bore indicator gage in the plane of the gaging contacts to establish the proper measuring positions% (?ower) Typical form irregularities of basically cylindrical holes which can be detected and measured with bore indicator gages. a) oval% b) barrel shaped% c) hourglass form or bell-mounted% d) tapered.

In a**itio to these variations, the i #tr(%e t will also supply i $or%atio regarding the a!t(a" size of the bore *ia%eter, this in the form of *e&iatio # from the +a#i! size. The +a#i! size of the %ea#(re%e t must be e#ta+"i#he* in a pre!e*i ' setting pro!e##, which re4uires appropriate #etti ' gages ( ig.!.9).

""

a) stand type holder.

b)

ig.!.9 a) 'etting a bore indicator gage with a ring gage% b) =sing a gage bloc) stac) with beams, in a foot-

To produce in %a ($a!t(ri ' a bore of pre!i#e") cylindrical $or% and with !"o#e size "i%it#5 is generally a more *i$$i!("t than the production of a corresponding o(t#i*e feature of basically cylindrical form. These conditions are also recognized in the I'@ recommendations for fits, where a 'ra*e representing %ore rigurous to"era !e# is usually specified for the #ha$t than for the %ati ' bore, e.g., HAB'@.
Ta+"e 2.= S)#te%# o$ i *i!ator 'a'e# $or i ter a" %ea#(re%e t# C1. CATEGOR0 DESIGNATION DIASGRAMMATIC S3ETCH The 6ore indicator 'a'e with three-point !o ta!t Porta+"e Indicator Aages for 6ore #iameter Mea#(re%e t# ThreeCblade +ore indicator 'a'e #i%("ta eo(# and ( i$or% e*pansion of the three contact p"( 'er# provides rapi* centralizing a!tio . The *ia" indications do reflect tr(e diameter ot variations. DESCRIPTION

E$$e!ti&e for *ete!ti ' three-point o(tCo$Cro( * condition of the +ore. The two e*ternal +"a*e# are ri'i* and #er&e for !e tra"i4i '5 while the !e tra"") located %o&a+"e blade a!t# on the i *i!ator which is a*-(#ta+"e in its retai i ' sleeve. Goo* centralizing and a"i' i ' permits rapi* gaging. or the #etti ' of the indicator a ri ' gage is ee*e*.

Ta+"e 2.=S)#te%# o$ i *i!ator 'a'e# $or i ter a" %ea#(re%e t# C2. CATEGOR0 DESIGNATION DIAGRAMMATIC S3ETCH Si%p"e instrument, commonly of %o*("ar design, with e,te *e* DESCRIPTION

"!

measuring fle*ibility Sha""ow bore 'a'e#

ra 'e of

and

'reat for

a*aptatio

*i&er#e ob&ect !o $i'(ratio #. The $a!e of the part is generally (#e* for 'a'e locating #(r$a!e. App"i!atio limited to #ha""ow

depths. La!. of !e tra"i4er ma)es the a"i' %e t of the gage with the a,ia" plane of the +ore difficult. P"ai bore indicator Porta+"e Indicator Ga'e# for 6ore #iameter Mea#(re%e t# E,pa *i ' segment bore i *i!ator gage gage with twoCpoint !o ta!t App"i!atio generally "i%ite* to #%a"" bore sizes where #pa!e limitations pre&e t the use of ce tra"i4i ' devices. E$$e!ti&e centralizing re#("t# from the action #e'%e t#

e*pending under #pri ' action. To a##i#t centralizing, the #e'%e t# have *ia%eter# only slightly "e## than that of the +ore. 'lender +a!. taper of #e'%e t# reduces the !o ta!t areas. The %o#t generally (#e* basic type of indicator bore gages with a #pri ' loaded #"i*e whose two 6ore diameter indicator gage with !e tra"i4er slide points or rai"# straddle the !o ta!t plunger of the 'a'e and effectively a##i#t points. in !e tra"i4i ' arranged the *ia%etra"") !o ta!t

2.:.A

Hi'h Se #iti&it) Me!ha i!a" I *i!ator#

This category comprises %e!ha i!a" indicators with a%p"i$i!atio systems designed for a!!(rate") measuring #%a"" displacements under gaging conditions which re4uire "e##er contact $or!e# than are common in general shop applications for indicator measurements. These mechanical indicators, usually operati ' by a "e&er / based a%p"i$i!atio "system, are designed to #e #e

displacements in the *ire!tio of the gage #pi *"e a*is, in distinction to the test type indicators which also use the lever as the primary amplifying member. 2ost models use a rather "o ' pointer for $i a" amplification, with i *i!ator faces of sector from and the poi ter describes a #weep motion o ")5 instead of a !o%p"ete rotation. (ecause of these characteristics, the designations :#e!tor type i *i!ator< or :#weep movement i *i!ator< are also fre4uently used to describe a mechanical indicator of the hi'h sensitivity category. While the "e&er system permits a hi'h degree of a%p"i$i!atio as mechanical systems go, re4uiring $ewer members than a 'ear train of comparable amplifying characteristics, the %ea#(ri ' range is #(+#ta tia"") smaller. +onsidering that high sensitivity indicators are commonly selected for i #pe!ti ' parts with !"o#e tolerances, the #hort measuring ra 'e# are generally $o( * sufficient to e !o%pa## the entire #prea* of the part3s to"era !e zone. Pra!ti!a" e*perience has shown that the rate of amplification of the indicator selected should permit the part to be gaged in i !re%e t# e4ual to about a te th part of its to"era !e range. 2.:.A.1 Se!tor T)pe Pre!i#io I *i!ator# ig.!."0a illustrates the principal elements of the a%p"i$)i ' mechanism of a #e!tor type %e!ha i!a" indicator (@rthotest). U#(a"") this t)pe of measuring instrument is %o( te* on a comparator #ta * ( ig.!."0b), this being one of the characteristic, although not e*clusive, applications for high sensitivity indicators.

ig.!."0 a) +ross-sectional view of a sector type high-sensitivity, mechanical indicator% b) 'ector type, a) b) sensitive indicator mounted on a comparator stand.

The *i#p"a!e%e t# of the %ea#(ri ' spindle are tra #%itte* to the "e&er by %ea # of a precision +a"" rolling over a $i e") lapped #aphire surface. The 'a'i ' pressure is #(pp"ie* by a te #io spring a!ti ' on a "e&er arm.

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The to"era !e hands are a*-(#ta+"e to i *i!ate the "i%it #i4e# of the part being gaged, thus providing a convenient '(i*e for the i #pe!tio of "ot# consisting of nominally i*e ti!a" parts. This type of precision indicator display a #!a"e graduation values (smallest increments) of 1 D%. 2.:.A.2 Hi'h Se #iti&it) I *i!ator Ga'e The #e!tor type i *i!ator mechanism is finding applications also in indicator gages when ob&ect dimensions with relatively arrow tolerance ra 'e must be inspected by using a porta+"e type of instrument. $ typical e*ample for this category of gages is the Beiss Pa##a%eter5 whose cross section is shown diagrammatically in ig.!.""a. $s illustarted in this drawing, a #pri ' / actuated p"( 'er which carries the !o ta!t point, is a!ti ' on a special "e&er whose "o 'er arm e *# in a toothe* segment in
a) b)

engagement with a pi io . The . o+-actuated relieving "e&er acts on the p"( 'er.

ig.!."" a) +ross-sectional view of a :,assameter<% b) Aeneral view of the ,assameter.

ig.!.""b shows the general view of the 2< mm !apa!it) model of this instrument. @ther models, with <;5 A< or 1;; %% measuring !apa!it), all in 2< %% ad&ustment ra 'e5 are also available. The sector type dial of the ,assameter has distinctly rea*a+"e graduations of 2 D% and the tota" indicator ra 'e is ;51@ %%. A*-(#ta+"e tolerance "i%it hands, pre##(re relieving . o+ and i ter!ha 'ea+"e bac) #top# are part of the standard e4uipment.

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