Rhys Lambadarios Engineering Technology K00207831

Metrology

Floating Carriage Laboratory Assignments

Student name: Rhys Lambadarios

Student number: K00207831
Date: 17/11/2016

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Objective: the objective in this experiment was to use a floating carriage micrometre to measure
the:

Effective diameter of a screw thread

Major diameter
Minor diameter

Introduction: the experiment to be undertaken is using a floating carriage micrometre to

measure the effective diameter of a screw thread and the major and minor diameter of a screw
thread. From this experiment I hoped that the values calculated for the objectives were calculated in
between there upper and lower limits. From this experiment I also hoped that I would get a better
understanding of a floating carriage micrometre and learn how to use it.

Background information: A screw is a type of fastener. It is a short, slender, sharp-pointed

metal pin with a raised helical thread running around it and a slotted head, used to join things
together by being rotated so that it pierces wood or other material and is held tightly in place. A
Screw has a series of grooves, or threads, along the length of the shank. These threads bite into a
material up on installing, helping to create a secure bond. A screw thread is helical ridge produced
by forming a continuous helical groove of uniform section on the external. A screw has its own
characteristic. It can be differentiated by determining its size which is measured by the diameter and
measured by the pitch, which measures the number of threads per inch or millimetre. Screws with a
large number of threads are said to have a "fine" pitch, while those with few threads are said to
have a "coarse" pitch. In order to measure the size of screw we can use the floating carriage
micrometre. By using this machine the major, inner and standard cylinder diameters are measured.
These parameters are used to determine the screw thread measurement. Floating carriage diameter
instrument is used for accurate measurement of Thread Plug Gauges. Gauge dimensions such as
Outside diameter, Pitch diameter, and Root diameter are measured with the help of this instrument.
All these dimensions have a vital role in the thread plug gauges, since the accuracy and
interchangeability of the component depends on the gauges used. To reduce the effect of slight
errors in the micrometre screws and measuring faces, this micrometre is basically used as
comparator.

Equations to be used in this experiment are:

Major Diameter, Minor Diameter and effective diameter = Ds + (S-M) where Ds stands for the
diameter of the setting standard, S stands for the measurement over the standard and M stands for
the measurement over the screw thread

Effective diameter for ISO =

P = 0.866 p-d where p stands for the pitch of the thread and d stands for the diameter of the wire
used

Experimental Apparatus:
Floating Carriage Micrometre: This instrument is used for accurate measurement of Thread
Plug Gauges . Gauges dimensions such as Outside diameter, Pitch diameter and Root
diameter are measured with the help of this instrument. All these dimensions have a vital

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role in the thread plug gauges, since the accuracy and interchangeability of the
component depends on the gauges used. To reduce the effect of slight errors in
the micrometre screws and measuring faces, this micrometre is basically used
as comparator.

Setting standard bar: In metrology (the science of measurement), a standard (or etalon) is
an object, system, or experiment that bears a defined relationship to a unit of measurement
of a physical quantity. Standards are the fundamental reference for a system of weights and
measures, against which all other measuring devices are compared.

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Component with screw thread: This is used as the test specimen to read the effective
diameter of the thread, the major diameter and the minor diameter.

Calibrated wires, prisms and cylinders: these are used to measure the minor diameter and the
major diameter. Once the workpiece is secured in the floating carriage these are put on the edge of
the thread if measuring the major diameter and put against the inside of the thread if measuring the
minor diameter.

Micrometre: Micrometres are used to measure outside or inside diameters. They are accurate measuring
devices with precision commonly utilized to measure to the nearest one thousandth of an inch. Micrometres are
available that can be used to measure to an accuracy of one ten thousandth of an inch. The outside diameter
micrometre is made up of several parts, including the anvil, stirrup, spindle, sleeve, thimble, internal screw,
ratchet, and knurled knob.

Experimental Procedure:

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Major Diameter
1. The position of the fiducial indicator and the micrometre anvils so that the gauge to
be measured is between or within the range of the micrometre.
2. A suitable standard cylinder was placed between the centres. The suitable standard
cylinder should have diameter within 1mm of the actual major diameter of workpiece.
Time for centralisation of the fiducial indicator was allowed and the reading of the
micrometre drum R1
3. The standard was removed and replaced with the workpiece to be measured. The
micrometre drum reading R2 was noted.
4. The major diameter Dmajor was evaluated

Minor Diameter
1. The position of the fiducial indicator and the micrometre anvils so that the gauge to
be measured is between or within the range of the micrometre.
2. A suitable standard cylinder was placed between the centres. The selected prisms
were inserted between the standard and the anvils. The hanging prisms should be
vertical. The reading on the micrometre drum R3 was noted.
3. The standard was removed and replaced with the workpiece. The prisms were
inserted between the thread grooves and the anvils, and the micrometre reading R4
was noted.
4. The minor diameter Dminor of the workpiece is noted.

Effective diameter
1. A suitable standard cylinder was placed between the centres. The suitable standard
cylinder should have diameter within 1mm of the actual effective diameter of the
workpiece.
2. The wires selected were inserted in positions between the standard cylinders and
micrometre anvils. The reading on the micrometre drum R3 was noted
3. The standard cylinder was replaced with the screw plug gauge. Note the micrometre
reading R2 with the wires inserted in the thread grooves.
4. The effective diameter Deff of the screw plug gauge was evaluated.

Results
Major Diameter

Diameter of the setting standard, Ds = 20mm

Measurement over the standard, S = 1.631mm
Measurement over the screw thread, M = 5.632mm
Major diameter = Ds + (S-M)
= 20 + (1.432-5.632)
=24.00mm
Upper limit=24.000
Lower limit= 23.820

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Minor Diameter
Diameter of the setting standard, Ds = 20mm
Measurement over the standard, S = 8.841mm
Measurement over the screw thread, M = 10.215mm
Minor diameter = Ds + (S-M)
= 20 + (8.841-10.215)
=21.374
Effective wire diameter
Pitch of thread, P = 2.0mm
Wire diameter used, D = 1.1mm
Diameter of the setting standard, Ds = 20mm
Measurement over the setting standard and wires, S = 3.424mm
Measurement over the screw thread and wires, M = 5.840mm
T = Ds + (S-M)
= 20 + (3.424-5.840)
= 22.416mm
For ISO metric threads, which have an included flank angle of 60 degrees, dimension P can
be calculated as:
P = 0.866p-d
= 0.866(2)-(1.1)
= 1.766mm
Upper limit = 22.701mm
Lower limit = 22.595

Discussion
There are many possible errors which can occur during this experiment. The possible error which
could occur include, miss alignment of the workpiece where the workpiece may not be placed at the
correct coordinate or axis. There is no fix location to place the workpiece and scale to align the
workpiece. Other possible errors are the position of the students eyes during the time the reading is
taken may contribute to the error itself. Miss portion measured surface may also be the possible error
for this experiment.

There are necessary precautions which should be implemented before the experiment is started:

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1. The measured surface should be clean from all contaminants such as oil, dust, moisture and
many more. This is to ensure each reading is accurate
2. The workpiece must be placed in the correct position so we can take the reading correctly
3. The workpiece must be clamped rigidly so it is not moveable during the experiment. Also to
ensure the accuracy of the reading and minimize error.
4. The person taking the reading should be in the correct position to avoid parallax error.

Conclusion
From this experiment I learned how to use a floating carriage micrometre to measure the profile and
dimensional of the workpiece. The machine was successfully used to measure the major diameter,
minor diameter and the effective diameter of a screw plug gauge. The values obtained were all in
range of the standard values. In conclusion all objectives were achieved successfully, therefore the
experiment was a success.

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