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CURRICULUM
PRECISION MEASUREMENT
ã Manufacturing Technology Advisory Group 2004 Precision Measurement, Page 2
TECH PREP/MTAG CURRICULUM
Precision Measurement
MODULE DESCRIPTION
Students will gain proficiency in precision measurement using the machinist’s rule, the
protractor, the vernier caliper, and the one-inch external micrometer. Students will
demonstrate their ability to make precision measurements by measuring various parts and
verifying conformance to tolerances.
MODULE OUTCOME
After completing this module, students should be able to make precision measurements
using these instruments by measuring various parts and verifying conformance to
tolerances.
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
Given a technical drawing and an object, the student will be able to select and use
of the appropriate measurement tools and techniques to transfer specifications to
the object with an accuracy that conforms to the tolerances given.
Given an object and the necessary measurement tools, the student will be able to
correctly demonstrate how to use the tools to make necessary measurements to
create a technical drawing
SEQUENCING
Introduction
Measuring Length
Types of Steel Rules
Fractional Measurement with Steel Rules
Skill check for Fractional Measurements with the Steel Rule
Decimal Measurements with the Steel Rule
Skill check for Decimal Measurements with the Steel Rule
Measuring Angles
Protractors
Skill Check on Measuring Angles with a Protractor
Measuring Depth and Diameter
Types of Calipers
Measurement with Vernier Calipers
Skill Check on Measuring with Vernier Calipers
Types of Micrometers
Introduction to the Micrometer
Micrometer Exercise
Final Skill Check
Class participation 1 2 3 4
Reason for Rating:
TOTAL SCORE
Summary Comments:
We would like to ask you questions about the CME module curriculum so we can make it better. You don’t have to fill out the
survey or answer all the questions. Please don’t tell us your name. Circle one response for each question.
1. Which module did you work with? (circle one)
Applied Mathematics Career Exploration Computer Applications Hazardous Materials
Interpreting Technical Drawing Interpersonal Effectiveness Introduction to Manufacturing Job Readiness
Labor in Industry Manufacturing Field Trip Manufacturing Planning Precision Measurement
Safety in Manufacturing Shop Skills Statistical Process Control Total Quality Management
7. What did you like best about the module? (if you need more space, please use the back of the sheet)
We want to make sure the module works well for all students.
10. Please describe yourself: (circle all that apply)
Black/African American Pacific Islander Latina/o American
White/Caucasian American Asian American Native American/Alaskan
Other (please specify):
To read the scale, first note the number of inches, then the marked number of 32nds or
64ths before the size. Then add the number of small divisions after the last marked
division.
In the scale below, line A is 14 inches plus 8 - 32nds plus 3 more 32nds = 14 11/32.
Identify the measurements for lines B, C, D, E & F.
Measurement O = ____________
Measurement O = 4 19/64
Your instructor will give you 10 objects to measure. Measure each of these objects to the
nearest 1/64th of an inch.
Object 1 ____________
Object 2 ____________
Object 3 ____________
Object 4 ____________
Object 5 ____________
Object 6 ____________
Object 7 ____________
Object 8 ____________
Object 9 ____________
Object 10 ____________
Name _____________________
Your instructor will give you 10 objects to measure. Measure each of these objects to the
nearest 1/64th of an inch. When you are done, turn this sheet in to the instructor.
Object 1 ____________
Object 2 ____________
Object 3 ____________
Object 4 ____________
Object 5 ____________
Object 6 ____________
Object 7 ____________
Object 8 ____________
Object 9 ____________
Object 10 ____________
The illustration below shows the first two inches of the decimal side of the rule. The
scale on the top is in tenths of an inch. On the scale on the bottom, each tenth of an inch
is broken down into 10 parts so that you can measure to the closest hundredth of an inch.
Notice that the marks for 1,4,6 and 9 hundredths are short. The marks for 2, 3 7 and 8
hundredths are longer. And the mark for 5 hundredths is even longer.
The way you read the rule is in three steps. First you record the number of inches, then
the number of tenths, and finally the number of hundredths.
In the illustration below, the measurement is 2 inches plus 3 tenths plus 4 hundredths.
Your instructor will give you 10 objects to measure. Measure each of these objects to the
nearest hundredth of an inch.
Object 1 ____________
Object 2 ____________
Object 3 ____________
Object 4 ____________
Object 5 ____________
Object 6 ____________
Object 7 ____________
Object 8 ____________
Object 9 ____________
Object 10 ____________
Name _____________________
Your instructor will give you 10 objects to measure. Measure each of these objects to the
nearest hundredth of an inch. When you are done, turn this sheet in to the instructor.
Object 1 ____________
Object 2 ____________
Object 3 ____________
Object 4 ____________
Object 5 ____________
Object 6 ____________
Object 7 ____________
Object 8 ____________
Object 9 ____________
Object 10 ____________
The Exercise:
In this exercise, you will learn how to use a protractor to measure angles accurately. A
skilled machinist can reliably make measurements to the closest fraction of a degree to
measure or lay out parts using a protractor. Reading a protractor reliably to one degree
takes some practice.
This handout includes practicing reading the protractor to one degree. You will also use
the protractor to measure actual metal parts before you take the skill check. In the skill
check, you will be given 10 angles to measure on metal blocks. To get credit for this
module, you need to demonstrate that you can measure these blocks reliably to +/- .one
degree.
100 90 80
11 0 70
120 60
130 50
140 40
150 30
160 20
170 10
To read the protractor, first you align the bottom line of the protractor (the line that goes
through the crosshairs at the center of the protractor) with one side of the angle. You
align the apex (point) of the angle with the crosshairs at the center point of the protractor.
Then you read the angle from the scale of the protractor.
100 90 80
11 0 70
120 60
130 50
140 40
150 30
160 20
170 10
4 2 D e g re e s
G F
H E
100 90 80 D
11 0 70
120 60
J 130 50 C
140 40
B
150 30
K 160 20 A
170 10
G F
H E
100 90 80 D
11 0 70
120 60
J 130 50 C
140 40
B
150 30
K 160 20 A
170 10
Your instructor will give you 10 objects to measure. Measure each of these objects to the
nearest degree.
Angle 1 ____________
Angle 2 ____________
Angle 3 ____________
Angle 4 ____________
Angle 5 ____________
Angle 6 ____________
Angle 7 ____________
Angle 8 ____________
Angle 9 ____________
Angle 10 ____________
Name _____________________
Your instructor will give you 10 angles to measure. Measure each of these angles to the
nearest degree. When you are done, turn this sheet in to the instructor.
Angle 1 ____________
Angle 2 ____________
Angle 3 ____________
Angle 4 ____________
Angle 5 ____________
Angle 6 ____________
Angle 7 ____________
Angle 8 ____________
Angle 9 ____________
Angle 10 ____________
The Exercise:
In this exercise, you will become familiar with the vernier caliper – how to handle it so
that it remains accurate, how to measure with it, and how to read the scales to within .001
inch. Remember that a vernier caliper is a precision instrument, and that any rough
treatment may cause it to be inaccurate and need to be recalibrated or replaced.
Reading a vernier scale takes some practice to get good at it. This handout includes
pages where you practice reading pictures of the vernier scale. Once you become
proficient reading the scales, you will practice using a vernier caliper to measure actual
samples. When you are confident in your ability, you will be provided with samples to
test to determine if you have learned how to measure with the vernier caliper to within .
001 inch.
To use the vernier caliper, you need to know the parts of the caliper and how each is used.
Bar– the body of the caliper. The scales are inscribed on the bar.
Movable Jaws – They slide along the bar for outside and inside measurements.
Adjusting Nut Clamp Screw – Must be tightened for the adjusting nut to work.
When you make measurements with a vernier caliper, there are three parts of the caliper that are
used to make outside measurements, inside measurements and depth measurements:
For Inside dimensions - Parts of the caliper used to make inside measurements
For Outside Dimensions – Parts of the caliper used to make outside measurements.
Thumb Rest – Where you place your thumb to adjust the movable jaws.
Do not tighten the jaws with any force or use a vernier caliper as a wrench, it will ruin the
caliper and put it out of calibration.
A vernier scale enables you to make measurements to the thousandths of an inch and
sometimes even the ten-thousandths.
In many cases, vernier measuring tools are being replaced by dial or digital gauges.
However vernier calipers offer an inexpensive way to make very precise measurements.
And when the other measuring instruments are out of calibration or not working, they
provide an excellent backup.
Notice that in the vernier scale above, the inches are marked in large numbers. The
numbers underneath are tenths of an inch. The location of the 0 on the lower scale tells
us basically where we are. The measurement is more than 4 inches and less than 4.025
inches.
Each of the tenths is divided into four parts, which represents 25 thousandths. To
measure to thousandths, we take the number of inches (4), add the number of tenths (0),
add 0, 25, 50 or 75 depending on which of the four parts of the tenth we are looking at
(0). Then we add the number of thousandths. To do that, we look for the line in the 25
scale that lines up exactly with one of the lines above it. In this case, the 12 in the
lower scale is lined up with one of the lines above it.
Reading from the stationary scale, we see that the zero mark is located somewhere
greater than 3.7 inches.
To get the exact measurement, we take the 3.7 inches, add 25 thousandths (.025) for
each quarter we have passed, and then add the thousandths from the vernier scale.
The zero is located after the first two quarters, and since each quarter is 25
thousandths, we add 50 thousandths (.050).
From the vernier scale, we see that line 16 on the bottom scale lines up with one of
lines above it.
Note: The arrow points to the lines on the two scales that line up.
Note: If the student answers do not agree with the answers below, go over the procedure
for reading the scales and have the student try again. It is helpful to make actual
caliper measurements and compare the student’s readings with your own.
a. 0.530
b. 1.231
c. 3.063
d. 4.918
e. 1.500
f. 2.491
g. 0.906
h. 1.040
i. 4.937
j. 4.301
k. 0.584
l. 2.125
First, we are going to make an outside measurement with the vernier caliper:
First, make sure that the caliper and the object you are going to measure are clean.
Wipe them off to remove any dirt or oil before you measure.
Using one or both hands, whichever is most comfortable, hold the bar just behind the
movable jaw.
Loosen both the clamping screws and slide the movable jaw out slightly larger than
the object you are going to measure.
Hold the fixed jaw against the part and slide the movable jaw until it nearly touches
the object. Then lightly tighten the adjusting nut clamp screw.
Turn the adjusting nut to bring the movable jaw into contact with the block. Make
sure the jaws are perfectly square on the block. The jaws should drag slightly across
the work piece.
The jaws of the caliper must be square with the block to get a good measurement.
It is good practice to make several readings and check to make sure they are the same.
When you read the vernier scale, make sure you look straight down at the scale. You
may decide to use a magnifying glass to make sure your reading is accurate.
The part of the caliper used to make depth measurements is a rod that comes out of the
end of the caliper.
This rod is very thin and can easily be bent, which can make the caliper unusable.
The end of the caliper is the fixed jaw in this case, and the end of the rod is the
movable jaw.
When making a depth measurement, first clean the hole you are gong to measure.
Then, gently extend the rod into the hole, while keeping the end of the caliper square
to the work surface.
With the depth bar, you can easily measure the depth of holes (that are larger than the
width of the rod), the height of steps, or the thickness of an object too heavy to lift.
Your instructor will give you 10 objects to measure. Measure each of these objects to the
nearest thousandth of an inch.
Object 1 ____________
Object 2 ____________
Object 3 ____________
Object 4 ____________
Object 5 ____________
Object 6 ____________
Object 7 ____________
Object 8 ____________
Object 9 ____________
Object 10 ____________
Name _____________________
Your instructor will give you 10 objects to measure. Measure each of these objects to the
nearest thousandth of an inch. When you are done, turn this sheet in to the instructor.
Object 1 ____________
Object 2 ____________
Object 3 ____________
Object 4 ____________
Object 5 ____________
Object 6 ____________
Object 7 ____________
Object 8 ____________
Object 9 ____________
Object 10 ____________
The Exercise
In this exercise, you will become familiar with the one-inch external micrometer – how to
handle it so that it remains accurate, how to measure with it, and how to read the scales
on it to within .001 inch. Remember that a micrometer, like a vernier caliper but more
expensive, is a precision instrument, and that any rough treatment may cause it to be
inaccurate and need to be recalibrated or replaced.
Skill Practice
Reading a micrometer is very much like reading a vernier caliper, except that they are
often much easier to read to one thousandth of an inch. Once you become proficient with
the micrometer, you will practice measuring actual samples. Once you have measured
the samples, bring the results to the instructor and he/she will confirm them and if
needed, help you to measure them accurately.
When you and the instructor are confident in your ability, you will be provided with
samples to test to determine if you have learned how to measure with the micrometer to
within .001 inch.
This picture and the one that follows show two slightly different types of one-inch
micrometers. Notice how thick the frame is. This is important so that the micrometer
stays in calibration. Micrometers are generally made from very hard steel, which can
make them brittle if dropped. The lower micrometer has two features that are very useful
– the ratchet stop and the locknut. The locknut is valuable in that it lets you lock in a
In many companies you will check a micrometer out of the tool room for your use.
Typically they are brought back to be recalibrated periodically to make sure they remain
accurate. Even setting a micrometer down hard can cause it to go out of calibration.
Also, it is important not to close and tighten the micrometer when you put it away.
Spindle – The spindle is the hardened rod that touches the other side of the part being
measured. Generally, when you turn the thimble clockwise, the spindle moves toward the
anvil.
Thimble – Turning the thimble causes the micrometer to open or close. It has a textured
surface so your fingers won’t slip. It has markings around the body that enable the
micrometer to measure precisely.
Ratchet – Though not all micrometers have ratchets, they are very useful. When you
close the micrometer with the ratchet, it slips at a certain pressure. This allows you to
always apply the same pressure when you are measuring, which increases accuracy.
Using the ratchet also prevents using too much pressure when measuring, which could
damage the micrometer.
Sleeve – the sleeve has markings to read the distance between the anvil and the spindle.
The Thimble
The thimble is divided into twenty five parts, each part representing one thousandth. One
complete rotation of the thimble will move the spindle exactly 25 thousandths of an inch.
Notice that the number 4 is the largest number completely visible on the sleeve.
After the number 4, we can see three complete small divisions. Since each of these
small divisions is .025, we know that the reading is larger than 0.475 (0.4 plus three
times .025).
To get the final reading, we add the number on the thimble to this.
The final reading is 0.4 plus 3 times .025 plus .012.
Adding these, we get ).487.
Determine the readings for the micrometer scales below. Circle the correct answer and
have the instructor review your work when you are done.
Note: If the student answers do not agree with the answers below, go over the procedure
for reading the scales and have the student try again. It is helpful to make actual
micrometer measurements and compare the student’s readings with your own.
25. b. 0.141
Your instructor will give you 10 objects to measure. Measure each of these objects to
the nearest thousandth of an inch.
Object 1 ____________
Object 2 ____________
Object 3 ____________
Object 4 ____________
Object 5 ____________
Object 6 ____________
Object 7 ____________
Object 8 ____________
Object 9 ____________
Object 10 ____________
Name _____________________
Your instructor will give you 10 objects to measure. Measure each of these objects to the
nearest thousandth of an inch. When you are done, turn this sheet in to the instructor.
Object 1 ____________
Object 2 ____________
Object 3 ____________
Object 4 ____________
Object 5 ____________
Object 6 ____________
Object 7 ____________
Object 8 ____________
Object 9 ____________
Object 10 ____________
Directions: 1) Select the appropriate tools to take the following measurements of the objects
provided by your instructor. Record your answer in the “measurement taken”
column provided below.
2) Draw dimension lines and record the appropriate measurements on the
technical drawings provided.
1. Length + 1/64
2. Length + 1/64
3. Length + 1/64
4. Angle + 1
5. Angle + 1
6. Angle + 1