Define the term metrology and discuss the types of metrology.

Metrology is the science of measurement. Measurements and metrology are of specific

significance in standardization, quality management, accreditation and metrology system
especially for the provision of conformity assessment services. Metrology is fundamental to
almost all inspection, testing and certification services both in the voluntary and regulatory
sectors.
Scientific metrology: This branch of metrology deals with problems common to all metrological
questions irrespective of the quantity measured. It includes: general theoretical and practical
problems related to units of measurement; the problems of errors in measurement; and the
problems of metrological properties of measuring instruments.
Industrial metrology: Industry refers to metrological activities in industry such as measurement
in production and quality control. Typical issues covered are calibration procedures and
calibration intervals, control of measurement processes, and the management of measuring
equipment.
Legal metrology: Legal metrology relates to mandatory technical requirements. A legal
metrology service implements those requirements that would guarantee correct measurements in
areas of public interest such as trade, health, the environment and safety.
Discuss the needs for precision measurements in an industry.
Explain briefly what is meant by the following terms when applied to measuring
instruments:

Sensitivity: Sensitivity refers to the ability of a measuring device to detect small

differences in a quantity being measured
Accuracy: The accuracy of an instrument is its ability to give correct results

Explain what is meant by a systematic error and a random error. Give two examples of
each type of error.
Systematic errors are controllable in both their magnitude and sense. These can be
determined and reduced, if attempts are made to analyse them. However, they can not be
revealed by repeated observations. These errors either have a constant value or a value changing
according to a definite law. These can be due to:
1. Calibration Errors. The actual length of standards such as slip gauges and engraved scales
will vary from nominal value by small amount. Sometimes the instrument inertia,
hysteresis effect do not let the instrument translate with complete fidelity. Often signal
transmission errors such as drop in voltage along the wires between the transducer and
the electric meter occur. For high order accuracy these variations have positive
significance and to minimise such variations calibration curves must be used.
2. Ambient Conditions. Variations in the ambient conditions from internationally agreed
standard value of 20C, barometric pressure 760 mm of mercury, and 10 mm of mercury
vapour pressure, can give rise to errors in the measured size of the component.

Temperature is by far the most significant of these ambient conditions and due correction
is needed to obtain error free results.
3. Stylus Pressure. Error induced due to stylus pressure is also appreciable. Whenever any
component is measured under a definite stylus pressure both the deformation of the
workpiece surface and deflection of the workpiece shape will occur.
4. Avoidable Errors. These errors include the errors due to parallax and the effect of
misalignment of the workpiece centre. Instrument location errors such as placing a
thermometer
in sunlight when attempting to measure air temperature also belong to this category.
5. Experimental arrangement being different from that assumed in theory.
Random error occur randomly and the specific cases of such errors cannot be
determined, but likely sources of this type of errors are small variations in the position of setting
standard and workpiece, slight displacement of lever joints in the measuring joints in measuring
instrument, transient fluctuation in the friction in the measuring instrument, and operator errors
in reading scale and pointer type displays or in reading engraved scale positions.
1. estimation of reading by judging fractional part of a scale division
2.

Explain what is meant by the term traceability as applied to a measuring standard.

Traceability means to make the measurements traceable to SI units. Hierarchical chain follows
following orders : SI units, primary standards, secondary standards, reference standards, working
standards, and measuring standards. The definition and realisation of SI units are given by
CIPM. The recommendations of CIPM give standards (primary) of highest metrological quality.
As per latest norms, most of these standards based on quantum phenomena need to be
intercompared before establishing these as primary standards. The intercomparison of primary
standard establishes a relationship between primary standards used by various National
Metrology Institutes. (NMI). This is known as equivalence of standards. Thus the
intercomparison establishes traceability among standards of same quality (horizontal
traceability). The vertical traceability is achieved through calibration. Both vertical and
horizontal traceability, i.e. calibration and intercomparison are ways to establish traceability and
to ensure reliable measurement of parts to be compatible worldwide.
Briefly discuss two (2) desirable features of line standards compared to material standards.
According line standard, yard or metre is defined as the distance between scribed lines on a bar
of metal under certain conditions of temperature and support. These are legal standards.
Wearing of materials hence standard does not remain accurate as compared to line
standards

A straight bar of 500mm length is supported horizontally by 2 supports. Draw suitable

explanatory diagrams to show the effect:

a) If the supports are too close together

b) If the supports are too far apart
c) If the supports are at airy points

Describe with the help of a properly labeled diagram an interference fit and a clearance fit.

Define the terms:

a)
b)
c)
d)

Limits:
Basic size
Fundamental deviation
Fit

Differentiate between:
i.
ii.

Tolerance and allowance

Hole base system and shaft base system

Explain clearly the following types of fits:

1. Force fit
2. Push fit

State the two main reasons for a limit and fits system.
Define the term:
a) Gauge makers tolerance
b) Wear allowance

c) Go and no-go gauges

Distinguish between a measuring instrument and a gauge.
Discuss the different types of tolerances on machined components
A batch of pins has been turned to 100.04mm. Make a good sketch in good proportion of a
suitable limit gauge for checking the pins and insert the important dimensions.

Describe the principle of a vernier caliper

How will you find out the least count of a micrometer?
Sketch the diagram of a micrometer labeling each part.
List down four applications of a dial gauge.
Explain the principle of a vernier scale to increase the accuracy of the linear scale.

Is repeatability a test of precision or accuracy? Explain why?

Are rules and micrometers absolute for comparison measurement instruments?
Which type of error is caused by the operators position with respect to the measuring
instrument?
What is the process of comparing a measuring device against a higher order standard of
greater accuracy?
Design a go and no-go gauge capable of quantifying a shaft with the following dimensions
(in inches). Use a 10% gauge tolerance and a 5% wear allowance.

Design a class Z go and no-go gauge capable of quantifying the following dimension
internal diameter (in inches). Do not include a wear allowance.

State the basic means of obtaining magnification of the measuring probe in comparative
measuring instrument.

What single feature gives the electrical comparator a unique advantage over all other
comparators?
How would you check the taper of the dead center of a lathe by using a sine bar in the lab?
Sketch setup

The angle of a taper plug gauge is to be checked using angle gauges and angle dekkor.
Sketch the setup and describe the procedure.
List various angle measuring instruments and state their accuracy and range of
measurements.
Describe angle gauges and state the applications in which they are used.

Define roundness and state the causes of out of roundness.

Specify the causes of surface irregularities found in surface texture.
With the help of a sketch, describe the construction and working of a stylus profilometer.
Define the term ten-point height irregularities and use a profile to illustrate the answer.