15. Gauge Blocks

• The purpose of gauge blocks are to provide linear dimensions known to within a given tolerance.

• The requirements of gauge blocks are,

the actual size must be known

the faces must be parallel

the surface must have a smooth finish

the surfaces must be flat

• most gauge blocks are made by normal techniques, but the high accuracy is obtained by a process called lapping (discussed later)

• The materials gauge blocks are made from are selected for,

hardness

temperature stability

corrosion resistance

high quality finish

• type of gauge blocks

rectangular

hoke (square)

• there are four grades of blocks,

reference (AAA): high tolerance (± 0.00005mm or 0.000002”)

calibration (AA) (tolerance +0.00010mm to -0.00005mm)

inspection (A) (tolerance +0.00015mm to -0.0005mm)

workshop (B): low tolerance (tolerance +0.00025mm to -0.00015mm)

• Original gauge block sets had lower tolerances and had a total of 91 pieces with values,

0.010” to 0.100” in 0.001” steps

• An 81 piece set of gauge block was developed by Johansson(s??) and is capable of covering wider ranges of dimensions.

0.1001” to 0.1009” in 0.0001” steps

0.1010” to 0.1490” in 0.0010” steps

0.0500” to 0.9500” in 0.0500” steps

1.0000”, 2.0000”, 3.0000”, 4.0000” blocks

(2 wear blocks at 0.0500”)

• An 83 piece set has also been developed and it has the values (in inches),

 

• The metric set has 88 gauge blocks (in mm),

 

• Most gauge block sets include thin wear blocks that should be included at the ends of a gauge block stack to protect the other gauge blocks.

• How to select gauge blocks for an application

 

• To assemble a gauge block stack,

1. remove the gauge blocks required from the protective case

2. clean of the oil that they have been coated in using a special cleaner. It is acceptable to handle the blocks, in fact the oil from your hands will help them stick together.

3. one at a time, hold the blocks so that the faces just overlap, push the blocks together, and slide them until the faces overlap together. This will create a vacuum between the blocks that makes them stick together (this process is known as wringing).

4. Make required measurements with the gauge blocks, being careful not to damage the faces

5. take the blocks apart, and apply the protective coating oil, and return them to their box.

• When using gauge blocks, minimize the number used. Each block will have tolerance errors, and as the stack of blocks becomes larger, so does the error.

• Do not leave gauge blocks wrung together for long periods of time.

15.1 Manufacturing Gauge Blocks

• The basic sequence of operations is,

1. machine to basic size

2. harden blocks and stress relieve

3. grind to size

4. lap (8 blocks at a time) to obtain tight tolerance

• Johansson’s procedure to make the first set (????)

1. make a block with a 100mm length

2. Make two 50mm blocks

3. Determine the actual size of the 50mm blocks by comparing the difference in height

 

• Lapping is basically,

1. a porous pad is charged with a find grit powder. the excess powder is removed.

2. the parts to be lapped are secured to a surface plate magnetically (The positions are as shown below.

3. the lapping plate is placed on the block, and moved about, wearing down the blocks.

4. the lapping plate is removed, and the blocks are repositioned on the surface plate (as shown below) and the process is repeated.

5. The blocks are removed from the surface plate, and now are generally the same height.

 

 

• As each stage of lapping is done, the blocks become more even in size, and the lapping plate become more parallel with the lower plate.

• Next, knowing the gauge blocks are all very close in size, the stack of 8 blocks are wrung together into one pile, and compared to the master block using a comparator. The difference in heights, divided by eight, is the error in each block.

15.2 Compensating for Temperature Variations

• As gauge blocks change temperature, they also change size. The metals chosen for gauge blocks do resist this dimensional change, but will generally undergo some.

• The gauge block sets will carry dimensional readings, as well as rated temperatures. It is advised that all readings be taken at these temperatures, but if this is not possible, then some estimate of the dimensional change can be done.

• Basically this is done by using the difference between specified measurement temperature, and actual measurement temperature. This difference is multiplied by the coefficient of linear thermal expansion to give the change in size. This is obviously for small changes in temperature.

• Typical coefficients of linear thermal expansion is,

Steel 9.9: 13.0 * 10-6 in./(in.°C) (typical is 11.5)

Bronze 16.7 * 10-6 in./(in.°C)

Aluminum 23.0 * 10-6 in./(in.°C)

Chrome carbide 8.4 *

Tungsten carbide 4 *

Cervit (?) -0.2 *

 

• Note the units are also ppm/°K

15.3 Testing For Known Dimensions With Standards

• When a dimension is well known, it can be measured by comparison to standards, using high precision, but limited range comparison instruments.

• Most gage blocks are steel which has a non-trivial coefficient of thermal expansion. But, considering that many parts are made of steel, these blocks will expand at approximately the same rate as the parts, and therefore no temperature compensation is required.

• If the gage blocks are made of the same material as the parts temperture compensation is less significant.

• For high accuracy measurements we want to allow temperatures of gages and parts to stabilize.

• The ISO 1 and ANSI Y14.5 standards speify a typical dimensional ambient temperature as 20°C.

• Materials may vary widely from the listed coefficient of thermal expansion. As a result it is best to take them to 20±0.1°C for high precision measurements, and 20±0.01°C for critical measurements.

15.4 Related Topics

• There are also a number of angular gauge blocks for the measurement of angles. The two common sets are,

 

• The selection of angular gauge blocks is similar to the selection of linear gauge blocks, except that subtraction may also be required. (When the blocks are stacked, then angles are simply reversed.

 

Problem 15.1 From the same set of gauge blocks build up the dimensions 3.2452” and 3.2462”. You must not use the same gauge blocks twice. Use the 83 piece gauge block set.

15.5 Limit (GO & NO GO) Gages

• These gages are made for simple pass/fail inspection

• Basically there are two separate, or combined gages for each feature to be measured.

• One gauge must fit inside the feature, and the second must not. In other words the GO gauge must fit inside/outside the feature, the NO GO gauge must not. If the GO gauge does not fit, the tolerance is above the maximum metal tolerance. If the NO GO gauge goes, the feature is below the minimum metal tolerance.

• This method is best suited to unskilled operators testing many parts, although more modern quality methods suggest this procedure should be replaced with Statistical Process Control (SPC).

• This method can also be used for inspection rooms, and limited runs using gauge blocks.

• The GO gauge is made near the maximum metal condition. The GO gauge must be able to slip inside/over the feature without obstruction.

• The NO GO gauge is made near the minimum metal condition. The NO GO gauge must not be able to slip inside/over the feature.

• The terms minimum metal condition, and maximum metal condition are used to describe the tolerance state of a workpiece. If we assume (at least for now) that all parts are made by removing metal from larger pieces, then we are trying to remove a certain amount. If we are drilling a hole the maximum metal condition will be when the hole is small, and extra metal is ‘left behind’. The minimum metal condition would be when the hole has been over drilled and as little metal as possible is left behind. The tolerances often set the acceptable maximum and minimum metal conditions. If features are external, the maximum metal condition is their largest size, and minimum metal condition is their smallest size.

 

• A basic set of shapes these typically deal with are,

plug

ring

taper

snap

threads

• These are good for work tolerances down to about 0.002” (anything less should use comparators)

15.5.1.1 - GO & NO GO Gages Using Gauge Blocks

• Simple GO & NO GO gages for internal features can be made from gauge blocks.

• The basic procedure is,

1. Determine the dimension and tolerance of the feature to be tested.

2. Check the temperature of the measurement environment.

3. Determine the upper/lower dimensional limits

4. If the gauge blocks are not being used at the rated temperature, adjust the dimensions.

5. Determine the gauge block stacks for both the GO and NO GO gages.

6. Test.

 

15.5.1.2 - Taylor’s Theory for Limit Gauge Design

1. GO gages should check all features for maximum metal condition at one time

2. NO GO gages should check only one feature at a time for minimum metal condition

• The example below should illustrate the two points,

 

15.5.1.3 - Gauge Maker’s Tolerances

• Because gages have to be manufactured themselves, they must also have tolerances assigned.

• The Unilateral System is very popular,

1. A general tolerance is applied to both GO & NO GO gages of 10% of the work tolerances

2. If work tolerances are above 0.0035”, a wear allowance of 5% of the work tolerance is added to the GO gauge only

3. All gauge tolerances are made to fall within the work tolerance zones. The effect is that the gages will always be between the maximum tolerance limits, and no bad parts should be accepted. The only downside is that some good parts will also be rejected.

• An example of the Unilateral Tolerance System applied to GO & NO GO gages is given below, as applied to a shaft (here we are measuring external features). The gauge shown is a gap and ring gauge.

 

• We can also look at an example of a hole that is to be measured with GO & NO GO gages (an internal feature). The gauge shown is a Plug Gauge.

 

Problem 15.2 Design Plug gages for holes that are 1.500” +0.0025”: 0.000”.