EXPERIMENT NO.

2
PRECISION ANGULAR MEASUREMENTS USING SINE BAR

Aim : Study of sine bar for angular measurement of taper plug.

Apparatus : Sine bar, Slip Gauges, Taper plugs, Surface plate, Magnetic base, Dial
indicator.

Theory :
The sine principle uses ratio of length of two sides of right angle triangle in

deriving given angle. The name Sine bar has come into the picture because the operation
of the sine bar is completely based on Trigonometry.
i.e. Sin θ = Opposite/hypotenuse. It may be noted that device operating on sine principle
is capable of ‘self generation’. The measurement is usually limited to 45 degree and loss
of accuracy point of view. Sine bars used in conjunction with slip gauges constitute a
very good device. For precise measurement of angle within very close limit. Sine bars are
made from high carbon, high chromium, and corrosion resistant steel, hardened ground
and stabilized. Two cylinders of equal diameters are attached at ends. The axis of two
cylinders is mutually parallel to each other and at equal distance from upper surface of
sine bar. Depending upon accuracy of center distance, sine bars are graded as ‘A’ &
‘B’grade. ‘B’ grade sine bars are guaranteed accurate up to 0.02mm / m of length and ‘A’
grade are more accurate up to 0.01 mm / m.
Some holes are drilled in the body of sine bars to reduce the weight & facilitate handling.

The accuracy of sine bar depends on its constructional features and on maintaining these.
Some of these constructional features are,
1) The two rollers most have equal diameters and true cylinders.
2) Rollers must be parallel to each other & upper surface.
3) Upper surface must have high degree of flatness.
4) The precise center distance between rollers must be known.
From the geometry figure

Sinθ = H / L,
Hence, θ = sin-1(H / L)

Where,
H = Height of combination of slip gauges.
L = Distance between the rollers centers and,
θ = full taper angle.

Procedure :

1) The sine bar is set up at nominal (approx.) angle on surface plate by suitable
combination of slip gauges.
2) The taper plug is placed on sine bar and is prevented from sliding down by stop plate.
3) Axis of taper plug gauge is aligned with bar axis.
4) Dial gauge supported on magnetic base is set at one of the ends of taper plug and
moved to other end.
5) The variation in parallelism of upper plate at both the ends is indicated by dial gauge.
6) The combination of Slip gauges is so adjusted that the upper surface is truly parallel
with surface plate.

Observations and Calculations :

L= mm,
H= mm
Sinθ =
Taper angle θ =
Results and conclusion :
Taper angle of plug =
The sine bar in conjunction with slip gauges and dial indicator can be used for angular
measurement precisely by minimizing manual and instrumental errors.

SINE BAR

Use : To measure known angles precisely.

To locate work to a given angle precisely.
Principle : Trignometrical ‘Sine’ ratio.
Types : 1. Sine bar 4. Sine Table
2. Sine center 5. Sine plate
3. Sine block 6. Sine fixture
Construction : The sine bar consists of a hardened and ground steel bar at the end
of which two rollers are attached by means of screws. These rollers
are of equal diameters. Their axis being mutually parallel, they are
at equal distance from the reference surface. The distance between
the axis of the roller refers to the size of the sine bar. Some holes
are drilled and some are tapped to reduce weight, to facilitate
handling and clamping. Various parts are hardened stabilized
before grinding and lapping. Sine bars are available in the
following sizes 100mm, 200mm, 250mm, 500mm depending upon
the accuracy of the center distance, since bars are graded as A and
B Grade. A Grade Sine Bars are accurate and guaranteed up to
0.00254mm. Grade B sine bars are accurate and guaranteed up to
0.000508 mm.
The sine bars are used in conjunction with a dial test indicator, a set
of gauge block and a surface plate. While measuring the accuracy
of setting appreciably decreases with steep angles. Hence the sine
bars may not be used for measuring steep angles. While measuring
the accuracy of setting appreciably decreases with steep angles.
Hence the sine bars may not be used for measuring steep angles.
When using the sine bar following three sources of error should be
recognized.