MOY/SCMI/18 (Issue 6):2001

Centre for Basic, Thermal and Length Metrology

National Physical Laboratory

MOY/SCMI/18

SPECIFICATION OF ACCURACY FOR A

SET OF COMBINATION ANGLE GAUGES

This specification relates to NPL type Combination Angle Gauges and Accessories as
shown on NPL Drawing No. 1588, British Patent No. 569002 and those Combination
Angle gauges covered by Patent No. 559748.

Note: Specifications previously numbered 18 (Issue 5) and 45 (Issue 3) have been

reviewed and combined to form this specification.

National Physical Laboratory

 MOY/SCMI/18 (Issue 6):2001

FOREWORD

In the 1940s and 1950s, NPL was involved in drafting a special series of
Specifications of Accuracy that covered a wide range of precision measuring
apparatus. This series has been built on first hand experience gained in the design and
construction of prototype measuring equipment at NPL and in the design and
calibration of measuring equipment of British and foreign manufacture. Each
specification in the series originally conformed to a general pattern and was allocated
a permanent serial number which, in addition to its title, serves as its identity.

The MOY/SCMI standards are complementary to the Standards issued by the British
Standards Institute (BSI). The majority relate to measurement equipment of a
proprietary kind designed either at NPL or by British manufacturers which, in the
ordinary way, would not fall within BSI’s terms of reference. In some cases, in which
the equipment is of a more general nature, the Specification has provided a useful
basis for formulating a British Standard. The specifications are to enable
manufacturers to base their inspection on mutually agreed specifications of accuracy
both in workmanship and performance.

MOY/SCMI/18 and 45 have been updated as part of a project financed by the DTI
(MPU 8/61.3) concerned with Good Practice Guides and Equipment Specifications.

SCOPE

The MOY/SCMI covers the following two types of combination angle gauges.

NPL type Combination Angle Gauges and Accessories as shown on

NPL Drawing No. 1588, British Patent No. 569002.

The set consists of the following gauges: 1º, 3º, 9º, 27º, 41º, 0.1’, 0.3’,
0.5’, 1’, 3’, 9’ and 27’. The set may, in addition, include a 0.05’ gauge.

A set of combination angle gauges (Patent No. 559748 as supplied in

the following alternative sets:

(i) A set that permits any angle up to 90o in 1o increments to be

realised. This set consists of four gauges of angles 1o, 3o, 9o and 14o
and one gauge comprising angles of 30o, 60o and 90o.

(ii) A set covering the same range in 5’ increments. This set

consists of four gauges of angles 1o, 3o, 9o and 14o and one gauge
comprising angles of 30o, 60o and 90o with the addition of three gauges
having angles of 5’, 15’ and 30’.

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 MOY/SCMI/18 (Issue 6):2001

CONTENTS

Page
1 NPL TYPE COMBINATION ANGLE GAUGES ................................................3
1.1 GENERAL .....................................................................................................3
1.2 FACES ...........................................................................................................4
1.3 ACCURACY OF ANGLES...........................................................................4
1.4 KNIFE-EDGE STRAIGHT EDGE................................................................4
2 HILGER TYPE COMBINATION ANGLE GAUGES .........................................5
2.1 GENERAL .....................................................................................................5
2.2 FACES ...........................................................................................................6
2.3 ACCURACY OF ANGLES...........................................................................6
3 UNCERTAINTIES ................................................................................................6
4 REPORTING OF COMPLIANCE ........................................................................7

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 MOY/SCMI/18 (Issue 6):2001

1 NPL TYPE COMBINATION ANGLE GAUGES

Figure 1 NPL type combination angle gauges (12 gauges plus square block)

1.1 GENERAL

1.1.1 The composition of the set of gauges, the general dimensions and
marking of the pieces shall be in accordance with NPL Drawing No.
1588.

1.1.2 The manufacturer shall submit with each set a declaration that it has
been given a recognised heat treatment designed to ensure dimensional
stability of the gauges.

1.1.3 The working surfaces shall be hardened and have a hardness of not less
than 800 HV, when tested in accordance with BS EN ISO 6507-1:1998.

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1.2 FACES

1.2.1 The measuring faces shall be lapped to give a good wringing contact.
The sides shall be finely ground or lapped.

1.2.2 The measuring faces shall be flat to within 0.000 2 mm.

1.2.3 The measuring faces shall be parallel transversely to within 0.002 mm.

1.2.4 The side faces shall be flat to within 0.0025 mm.

1.2.5 The measuring faces shall be square to the side faces to within
0.002 mm over the depth of the measuring face.

1.3 ACCURACY OF ANGLES

1.3.1 The actual angle of each gauge, including each interior angle of the
square block, shall agree with its nominal size to within ± 2 seconds of
arc.

1.4 KNIFE-EDGE STRAIGHT EDGE

1.4.1 The wringing face shall be flat to within 0.000 2 mm.

1.4.2 The side faces shall be flat to within 0.002 5 mm and parallel to within
0.004 mm.

1.4.3 The wringing face shall be square to the side faces to within
0.002 5 mm over the depth of the wringing face.

1.4.4 When the knife-edge is placed on a truly flat surface against a well-
illuminated background, no light shall be visible at any point along its
length. This test shall apply for any angle of illumination of the
straightedge to the flat surface up to 5º on either side of the normal.

1.4.5 The knife-edge shall be parallel with the wringing face to within
0.000 5 mm.

1.4.6 The knife-edge shall be parallel with the side faces to within 0.025 mm.

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 MOY/SCMI/18 (Issue 6):2001

2 HILGER TYPE COMBINATION ANGLE GAUGES

Figure 2 A Set of Hilger type Angle Gauges (picture courtesy of Taylor Hobson Limited)

2.1 GENERAL

2.1.1 Each angle gauge shall be marked with an identification number.

2.1.2 The apex and nominal angle of each angle gauge shall be marked.

2.1.3 The working surfaces shall have a minimum hardness of 800 HV, when
tested in accordance with BS EN ISO 6507-1:1998.

2.1.4 The manufacturer shall submit with each set a declaration that it has
been given a recognised heat treatment designed to ensure dimensional
stability of the gauges.

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2.2 FACES

2.2.1 The measuring faces shall be lapped to give a good wringing contact.
The sides shall be finely ground or lapped.

2.2.2 The measuring faces shall be flat to within 0.000 2 mm.

2.2.3 The measuring faces shall be parallel transversely to within 2 minutes

of arc.

2.2.4 The side faces shall be flat to within 0.003 mm.

2.2.5 The measuring faces shall be square to the side faces to within
1 minute of arc.

2.3 ACCURACY OF ANGLES

2.3.1 The actual angle of each gauge shall agree with its nominal size to
within ± 2 seconds of arc.

3 UNCERTAINTIES

3.1.1 It will normally be necessary to consider the uncertainty of

measurement when ascertaining compliance (or non-compliance) with
this specification. UKAS document M3003 ‘Uncertainty and
confidence in measurement’ gives guidance in Appendix J.

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 MOY/SCMI/18 (Issue 6):2001

4 REPORTING OF COMPLIANCE

4.1.1 Certain clauses in any specifications are necessary to support

manufacture and assembly but may be difficult or unnecessary to check
in subsequent checks for compliance with this specification. In certain
cases checking a feature may require disassembly of the item, which
may be undesirable. Although it is not essential that all clauses be
checked on subsequent verification, it is important that those clauses
omitted do not detract from the metrological value of the test. Where
applicable, a performance check should always be carried out as this
may allow indirect verification of those parameters that are not easily
measured individually without disassembly.

4.1.2 When making statements of compliance or non-compliance, it is

recommended that this specification and the relevant clauses within it
be unambiguously identified in the calibration certificate or test report.

Example wording for a set of angle gauges follows.

This set of angle gauges has been examined for compliance with the
accuracy requirements of clauses 2 and 3 of NPL Specification of
Accuracy MOY/SCMI/18 (Issue 5), a copy of which is attached to this
certificate.

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For free measurement advice and information on other specifications in this series call
the NPL Help line on 020 8943 6880

E-mail: enquiry@npl.co.uk
Internet: www.npl.co.uk

National Physical Laboratory

Queens Road
Teddington
Middlesex
TW11 0LW

The angle gauges to which this specification relates are further described in
‘Measurement of Angle in Engineering’ by J C Evans and C O Taylerson (Third
Edition Revised by E W Palmer and S P Poole).

The standard reference temperature for industrial length measurements is defined in

ISO 1:1975 Standard reference temperature for industrial length measurements.

United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) can be contacted at

21-47 High Street,

Feltham
Middlesex
TW13 4UN

Tel +44 (0)20 8917 8400

Internet: www.ukas.com
MOY/SCMI/18 (Issue 6):2001