MNIT MET-305

Topic-3
Angular Measurement
Dr. Anup Malik
anup.mech@mnit.ac.in

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Contents MET-305

Angular Measurement:
 Protractor
 Sine Bar
 Angle Gauges
 Spirit Level
 Clinometer
 Autocollimator

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Protractor MET-305

UNIVERSAL BEVEL PROTRACTOR

 It has a base plate or stock whose surface has a high degree of
flatness and surface finish.
 The stock is placed on the workpiece whose angle is to be measured.
 An acute angle attachment is provided for the measurement of
acute angles.

Universal bevel protractor Measurement of angles using bevel protractor

(a) Acute angle attachment (b) Inside bevelled
face angle measurement

Source: Book: N.V. Raghavendra and L. Krishnamurthy, “Engineering Metrology and Measurements”, Oxford University Press. 3
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQ_xpVgvnDE
Protractor MET-305

UNIVERSAL BEVEL PROTRACTOR

 Calculation of Least Count
 Value of one main scale division = 1°
 24 vernier divisions correspond to 46 main scale divisions.
 So, 12 division vernier scale = 23° of the main scale
 1 division of vernier scale = 23°/12
 1 division of vernier scale = 1.916°
 Since, 1° = 60 minutes
 Hence, 1 division of vernier scale = 1.916 × 60 Divisions on the vernier scale
 1 division of Vernier scale = 115 minutes.
 Now, Least Count Formula of Universal Bevel Protractor = (Value
of two main scale divisions - Value of Vernier scale division)
 So, Least Count of Universal Bevel Protractor = 2° - 1.916°
 After converting in minutes then, Least Count of Vernier Bevel
Protractor = 120 - 115 = 5
 So, Least Count of Vernier Bevel Protractor = 5 min
Source: Book: N.V. Raghavendra and L. Krishnamurthy, “Engineering Metrology and Measurements”, Oxford University Press. 4
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge_irkA-9TY&ab_channel=FundamentalsofEngineering
Protractor MET-305

UNIVERSAL BEVEL PROTRACTOR

 Consider the situation shown in Fig.
 The zeroth division of the vernier scale is just past the 10° division
on the main scale.
 The seventh division, marked as the 35' division, on the lefthand
side of the vernier scale coincides with a division on the main scale.
 Therefore, the reading in this case is 10°35'.

Reading the vernier scale

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Source: Book: N.V. Raghavendra and L. Krishnamurthy, “Engineering Metrology and Measurements”, Oxford University Press.
Protractor MET-305

OPTICAL BEVEL PROTRACTOR

 An optical protractor is a simple extension
of the universal bevel protractor.
 A lens in the form of an eyepiece is
provided to facilitate easy reading of the
protractor scale.
 In a protractor without a vernier, the dial
scale reading can be directly read through
the eyepiece.
 In vernier protractors, the eyepiece is
Optical bevel protractor
attached on top of the vernier scale itself,
which together move as a single unit over
the stationary dial scale.
 The eyepiece provides a magnified view of
the reading for the convenience of the user.

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Source: Book: N.V. Raghavendra and L. Krishnamurthy, “Engineering Metrology and Measurements”, Oxford University Press.
Sine Bar MET-305

SINE BAR
 A sine bar is used to measure angles based on the sine principle.
 Sine bars are made of corrosion-resistant steel, and are hardened,
ground, and stabilized.
 The size is specified by the distance between the centres of the
cylinders, which is 100, 200, or 300 mm.
 The upper surface has a high degree of flatness of up to 0.001 mm
for a 100 mm length and is perfectly parallel to the axis joining the
centres of the two cylinders.
 The parallelism of upper surface with the datum line is of the order
of 0.001 mm for a 100 mm length.
 Relief holes are sometimes provided to reduce the weight of the sine
bar.

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Sine Bar MET-305

SINE BAR

Nomenclature for sine bar as recommended by IS: 5359–1969

Sine bar
Source: Book: Metrology & Measurement by Anand and Vinay 8
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmyjC2ooamE&ab_channel=ADTWlearn
Sine Bar MET-305

PRINCIPLE OF USING SINE BAR

 The law of trigonometry is the base for using a sine bar for angle
measurement.
 If L is the fixed distance between the two roller centres and H is the
height of the combination slip gauge set then,
sin θ = H/L
or
θ = sin -1 [H/L]

Principle of using a sine bar

Source: Book: Metrology & Measurement by Anand and Vinay 9

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBzkDmNBreo&ab_channel=AniMech
Sine Bar MET-305

PRINCIPLE OF USING SINE BAR

 A dial gauge fixed to a stand is brought in contact with the top surface of
the work part at one end and set to zero.
 Now, the dial indicator is moved to the other end of the work part in a
straight line.
 A zero reading on the dial indicator indicates that the work part surface is
perfectly horizontal and the set angle is the right one.
 On the other hand, if the dial indicator shows any deviations, adjustments
in the height of slip gauges is necessary to ensure that the work part
surface is horizontal.

Set of sine bar, slip gauge

and dial indicator

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Source: Book: Metrology & Measurement by Anand and Vinay
Sine Bar MET-305

PRINCIPLE OF USING SINE BAR

Sine bar used for small component

Angle measurement using sine bar and

vernier height gauge for large component

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Source: Book: Metrology & Measurement by Anand and Vinay
Angle Gauges MET-305

ANGLE GAUGES
 Angle gauges, which are made of high-grade wear-resistant steel,
work on a principle similar to slip gauges.
 While slip gauges can be built to give linear dimensions, angle
gauges can be built to give the required angle.
 The gauges come in a standard set of angle blocks that can be
wrung together in a suitable combination to build an angle.
Angle gauge block sets

Source: Book: N.V. Raghavendra and L. Krishnamurthy, “Engineering Metrology and Measurements”, Oxford University Press. 12
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txwwSaf7OCI&ab_channel=AniMech
Angle Gauges MET-305

ANGLE GAUGES
 These illustration shows the way in which the gauge blocks
can be used in combination to generate different angles.

Combination of angle gauges

for 42°35'20''
Angle gauge block (a) Addition (b) Subtraction

Source: Book: N.V. Raghavendra and L. Krishnamurthy, “Engineering Metrology and Measurements”, Oxford University Press. 13
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9qiwbyw7Zs&ab_channel=ModiMechanicalEngineeringTutorials
Angle Gauges MET-305

MANUFACTURE AND CALIBRATION

 Steel blanks are cut to the required shape and machined to
the nearest size and shape.
 Before subjecting them to finish machining, the blanks are
heat treated to impart the required hardness.
 The heat treatment process involves quenching and tempering,
followed by a stabilizing process.
 Now, the gauges are ground and lapped using a sine table.
 The advantage of using a sine table is that it can ensure that
a precise angle is generated without needing to use a custom-
made jig or fixture.

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Angle Gauges MET-305

MANUFACTURE AND CALIBRATION

 The newly manufactured or in-use angle gauges are subjected to
calibration to ensure accuracy.
 One of the popular calibration methods for angle gauges is the
interferometry method, which is quite a simple and accurate way of
calibrating angle gauges.
 The angle gauge, which needs to be calibrated, is carefully placed on
a steel platen.
 The platen is nothing but a surface plate with a degree of flatness.
 An optical flat is positioned above the angle gauge at some angle.
 A monochromatic light source is provided for the optical flat, so
that fringe patterns are seen on both the platen and the angle
gauge.

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Angle Gauges MET-305

MANUFACTURE AND CALIBRATION

 Assuming that the angle gauge and the platen surfaces are inclined in one
plane only, the fringes are straight, parallel, and equally spaced.
 However, the pitch of the two sets of fringes is different; those on the angle
gauge have a lesser pitch.
 For a distance ‘l’ measured across the fringes, if ‘p’ is the number of fringes
on the platen and ‘q’ the number of fringes on the angle gauge, then,
𝜽 = 𝜽𝟏 + 𝜽𝟐 = 𝝀 𝒑 − 𝒒 /𝟐𝒍
where λ is the wavelength of light.
 In this method, it is possible to calibrate angle gauges up to 0.1" of an arc.

Calibration of angle
gauges by interferometry

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Source: Book: N.V. Raghavendra and L. Krishnamurthy, “Engineering Metrology and Measurements”, Oxford University Press.
Spirit Level MET-305

PRECISION SPIRIT LEVEL CALCULATION

 Spirit level is an angular measuring device
in which the bubble always moves to the
highest point of a glass vial.
 If the level is tilted through a small angle
θ, the bubble will move a distance along
the tube corresponding to the angle θ.
 When the base of the level is horizontal
[OB] the bubble is at C.
 If the base is tilted through a small angle
θ, [to OB1] the movement of the bubble is d,
where the angle COD = θ.
d/R = θ [radians]
h/L = θ [radians]
h/ L = d/ R
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Source: https://www.mechtalk.info/2020/06/angular-measurement.html
Spirit Level MET-305

PRECISION SPIRIT LEVEL CALCULATION

 The sensitivity of the spirit level is defined as the
angular value of one division.
 The angle through which the axis must be tilted to
make the bubble travel between adjacent graduations
on the scale.
 Sensitivity is the capability to exhibit small
deviations from horizontal.
 The sensitivity of the level is given by the
displacement of the bubble for the given tilt of the
tube, which is given by d i.e., for a given inclination
of the spirit level [h/L], if R [radius of the vial] is
more, the sensitivity is more or the displacement of
bubble is proportional to the radius of the vial.
 If the radius of curvature of the vial increases, the
sensitivity also increases.
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Source: https://www.mechtalk.info/2020/06/angular-measurement.html
Spirit Level MET-305

PRECISION SPIRIT LEVEL CALCULATION

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Source: https://www.roeckle.com/Aluminum-spirit-level-80-mm-for-screwing-on
Clinometer MET-305

CLINOMETER
 A clinometer is a special case of a spirit level.
 While the spirit level is restricted to relatively
small angles, clinometers can be used for
much larger angles.
 It comprises a level mounted on a frame so
that the frame may be turned to any desired
angle with respect to a horizontal reference.
 Clinometers are used to determine
straightness and flatness of surfaces.
 They are also used for setting inclinable Clinometer
tables on jig boring machines and angular
jobs on surface grinding machines.
 They provide superior accuracy compared to
ordinary spirit levels.
Source: Book: N.V. Raghavendra and L. Krishnamurthy, “Engineering Metrology and Measurements”, Oxford University Press. 20
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVNhDZOwVU8&ab_channel=Let%27stute
Clinometer MET-305

CLINOMETER
 To measure with clinometers, the base is kept
on the surface of the workpiece.
 The lock nut is loosened, and the dial
comprising the circular scale is gently rotated
until the bubble in the spirit level is
approximately at the centre.
 Now, the lock nut is tightened and the fine
adjustment nut is operated until the bubble is
exactly at the centre of the vial scale.
 The reading is then viewed through the
eyepiece. Clinometer
 Most clinometers in a metrology laboratory
provide readings up to an accuracy of 1’.
 Precision clinometers can be used if the
accuracy requirement is up to 1".
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Source: Book: N.V. Raghavendra and L. Krishnamurthy, “Engineering Metrology and Measurements”, Oxford University Press.
 Autocollimator MET-305

AUTOCOLLIMATOR
 It is a special form of telescope that is used to measure small
angles with a high degree of resolution.
 It is used for various applications such as precision alignment,
verification of angle standards, and detection of angular movement,
among others.

Construction of autocollimator Autocollimator

Source: Book: Metrology & Measurement by Anand and Vinay 22
Source: https://www.nikonmetrology.com/en-us/optical-measuring/optical-measuring-instruments/autocollimators-6d-led-autocollimator
Autocollimator MET-305

PRINCIPLE OF AUTOCOLLIMATOR
 If a parallel beam of light is projected from the collimating lens and if a
plane reflector R is set up normal to the direction of the beam, the light
will be deflected back along its own path and will be brought to a focus
exactly at the position of the light source.
 If the reflector is tilted through a small angle θ, the parallel beam will be
deflected through twice the angle, and will be brought to a focus in the
same plane as the light source but to one side of it.
 The image will not coincide but there will be a distance,
X = 2 f θ between them,
where f is the focal length of the lens.

Source: Book: Metrology & Measurement by Anand and Vinay 23

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxrL55vVDj8&ab_channel=ADTWlearn
MET-305

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