John Glenn L.

Magno
BSMarE – 3A

Various Measuring Instruments and Automation Devices Used Onboard Ships.

Machinery onboard ships require regular care and maintenance so that their working life and efficiency
can be increased, and the cost of operation, which includes unnecessary breakdowns and spares, can be
reduced. For different types of machinery and systems, various measuring tools, instruments and gauges
are used on a ship. Ruler and scales they are used to measure lengths and other geometrical
parameters. This tool is one of the most famous measuring instruments in mechanical engineering. They
can be a single steel plate or a flexible tape type tool. They are usually available in the measuring scale
of inch or cm. Calipers They are usually of two types- inside and outside caliper. They are used to
measure internal and external size (e.g., Diameter) of an object. It requires an external scale to compare
the measured value. This tool is used on those surfaces where a straight ruler scale cannot be used.
After measuring the body/ part, the opening of the calipers mouth is kept against the ruler to measure
the length or diameter. Vernier Caliper It is counted in the list of quality measuring instruments, which
are used to measure small parameters with high accuracy. It has got two different jaws to measure
outside and inside dimensions of an object. It can be a scale, dial or digital type Vernier calipers. Vernier
caliper is one of the most used mechanical measuring tools onboard ships. Micrometer it is an excellent
precision tool which is used to measure small parameters and is much more accurate than the vernier
calipers. The micrometer size can vary from small to large. The large micrometer calipers is used to
measure large outside diameter or distance. E.g., Large micrometer is used as a special mechanical
measuring tool for main engine to record the outer diameter of the piston rod. They are available in two
types- Inside micrometer (to measure inside diameter) and Outside micrometer (for measuring outside
diameter). The Least count of the micrometer is 0.01 mm or 0.001cm. Feeler gauge Feelers gauges are a
bunch of fine thickened steel strips of different thickness bundled together. The thickness of each strip is
marked on the surface of the strip. The feeler gauge is used to measure the clearance or gap width
between surface and bearings. Example The feeler gauge is widely used to measure piston ring
clearance, engine bearing cleaner, tappet clearance etc. Telescopic Feeler Gauge Similar to the
functionality of feeler gauge, this type of gauge is also known as tongue gauge, and it consists of long
feeler gauge inside a cover with tongue or curved edge. The long feeler strips protrude out of the cover
like a telescope so that it can be inserted into remote places where feeler gauge access is not possible.
E.g., It is used to measure the bearing clearance of the top shell. It is essential that after the use of the
telescope gauge, the strip should be cleaned and retracted back to its housing, else it may damage the
feeler strip.

Autopilot and/or self-steering systems These systems must coordinate data from many devices on the
ship and interface with control and propulsion systems to keep the vessel on a predetermined course.
Chart plotter, A chart plotter is a device used in marine navigation to combine GPS data with an
electronic navigational chart (ENC) to display the position, heading and speed of a vessel, and may
display additional information from radar, automatic information systems (AIS) or other sensors.
Electronic chart plotters must be used with one or more computers, and may also display data from
other sensors, such as echolocators, radar and/or sonar, or automatic information systems. Compass
Modern ship compasses use a series of fiber optic gyroscope sensors and computers to locate north.
This system usually includes sensors, control and display equipment, and an interface linked with the
John Glenn L. Magno
BSMarE – 3A

ship's other navigational devices and global positioning system. Sonar (or Fish finder) Acoustic devices
using electronically emitted and detected pulses of sound to locate underwater objects. These include
transmitters, receivers, and equipment used to analyze acoustic information. GPS, Global Positioning
Systems are space-based radio-navigation systems that broadcast highly accurate navigation pulses to
users on or near the Earth. Fuel monitoring and management. The rising prices of marine fuel and
heightened emissions regulations have led to advances in the technology used to measure, monitor, and
report fuel use. Electronic MFM devices can reduce fuel costs and increase operational efficiency.
Marine VHF radio, Marine VHF radio is used by all large ships and most seagoing small craft to summon
rescue services and communicate with harbors, locks, bridges and marinas. A marine VHF set combines
a transmitter and receiver and only operates on standard, international frequencies specified for marine
use. Radar, Radar is an object detection system that emits electromagnetic waves and analyzes their
interaction with objects. Radar systems are able to identify the range, altitude, and velocity of moving
and stationary objects such as aircraft, ships, ground vehicles, and meteorological formations.