UNIVERSITY OF MAURITIUS

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

PAPER NO EXAMINATION DATE

Second Semester 2006/2007

BEME/06S/4 BEng (Hons) Mechanical Thursday

Engineering 17 May 2007
Level 2

SERIES PAPER TIME

(Special Paper)

May 2007 Metrology 9:30 – 11:30 Hours

[MECH 2123 / MECH 3123(3)]

This paper contains FOUR (4) Questions, TWO (2) Questions in SECTION A
and TWO Questions in SECTION B. Candidates are required to answer
ALL Questions.

USE SEPARATE ANSWER BOOKS FOR EACH SECTION.

 SECTION A

Answer ALL Questions from this Section.

Use separate Answer Books for each Section.

Question 1

(a) Clearly define systematic errors, and outline the general categories of
systematic errors.
[5 marks]

(b) Explain two (2) examples of systematic errors. [2 marks]

(c) Define the principle of ABBE’s rule of alignment. Name one instrument that
obeys this rule, and one which does not. Draw appropriate diagrams to
support the answer.

For the instrument which does not obey the ABBE’s rule, explain the problem
that might occur in the measurement process.
[8 marks]

(d) The operation manager of APEX Plastic Ltd has ordered a mould for the
production of a new high precision plastic component. The mould consists
primarily of an internal square cavity.

The allowable deviation of the squareness of the vertical faces of the internal
cavity of the mould is ±10 seconds (angular deviation).

What is the most appropriate angular measuring instrument that can be used
to check the deviation from the squareness of the internal faces of the mould
cavity? Explain the principle of operation of this instrument and the procedure
for the measurement process. Support the answer with a proper schematic
diagram of the instrument.
[10 marks]

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Question 2

(a) List five (5) reasons for controlling surface texture. [5 marks]

(b) Clearly explain how you would determine the out of roundness value (R) of a
cylindrical bar in a mechanical workshop, given that you have only the
following instruments: a Vee block, a stand, a DTI. Draw appropriate schematic
diagram of the experimental set-up, and an example of the result of the test
(showing the method to determine the out of roundness value).
[8 marks]

(c) (i) Explain the term “cut-off” as used in surface roughness measurement.

(ii) Why is it important to properly choose the cut-off value? Explain the
answer.
[6 marks]

(d) Explain how the flatness of a gauge block can be verified. Justify the answer
and draw appropriate diagrams.
[6 marks]

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 SECTION B

Answer ALL Questions from this Section.

Use separate Answer Books for each Section.

Question 3

(a) Explain the principle of operation of a Repulsion Type Moving Iron indicating
instrument.
Illustrate with a clear diagram.
[10 marks]

(b) What are the sources of errors induced in such instrument? [3 marks]

(c) Show how a Permanent Magnet Moving Coil can be used to give a Full Scale
Deflection (FSD) at 75mV potential difference and 5mA current as
(i) ammeter 0 – 10 A range
(ii) voltmeter 0 -500 V range
Derive any expression used.
[12 marks]

Question 4

(a) Explain with examples, the following characteristics of a measuring

instrument:
(i) Range (ii) Sensitivity (iii) Hysteresis
[6 marks]

(b) The resistance of a thermistor varies with temperature as follows:

3950
R t = 0.0085 exp( ) Ω
T
where T: absolute temperature in Kelvin
Calculate the resistance and sensitivity values at 0 0C and 80 0C respectively?
[9 marks]

(c) Explain how are errors induced in a thermistor and a Resistance Temperature
Detector (RTD) and explain with the help of diagrams how these errors are
compensated.
[10 marks]

END OF QUESTION PAPER

/nr

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