National Textile University

BSc. Textile Engineering

Lab Report
Laboratory Course Code: ME-2112

Laboratory Course Title: Engineering workshop practice

Semester: 4th

Section: A

Lab report. 3
Introduction to semi precision tools and their applications.
Introduction to semi precision tools and their applications.

Table of contents
Table of contents………………………….…………………2
Introduction………………………………….…....…………3
Objectives…………………………………….…...…………4
Theory……………………………………………..…………4

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Introduction to semi precision tools and their applications.

Introduction:
Objectives:
To study the semi precision tools.
To the basic principles and working of each tool.

Theory:
Semi-precision tools:
The ability to layout work and to measure accurately depends upon the correct use of measuring
tools and the ease with which the graduation on these tools are read. Semi precision tools are
those which have moderate degree of accuracy, which means that it gives measurements to
within 0.001 of an inch accuracy.
Tools that are known as semi precision tools are the following:
1. Combination square
2. Dividers
3. Trammel
4. Calipers
5. Telescoping gages
6. Screw pitch
7. Radius gage
8. Thickness gage
9. Surface gage
10. Parallels
11. V-block
12. Solid Square

Combination Square:
A combination square is the most versatile layout tool with a square head, protractor head and a
centre head. As its name implies that it combines the functions of several tools, and serves a
wide variety of purposes. It consists of hardened steel scale and the movable heads.
The square head may be adjusted to any position along the scale and clamped securely. It can
thus serve as depth gauge, height gauge, or scribing gauge.

Dividers:
It is an instrument for measuring, transferring, or marking off distances. It consists of two
straight adjustable legs hinged together and ending in sharp points. It is used principally

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Introduction to semi precision tools and their applications.

in drafting for the accurate transfer of dimensions from a measuring scale and in machine shops
for scribing lines on surfaces, usually machined, with dimensions taken from a ruler.
A compass is essentially a divider in which one of the points has been replaced by a pencil or
other marking device. The compass is useful for scribing circles or arcs of circles; it usually
includes a scale to indicate the radius of the circle being scribed.

Trammel:
Adjustable trammels are used to scribe arcs and circles that are too great for conventional
compasses and dividers. They are to be attached to a rigid item such as a steel rule or board. The
points can be replaced with pencils or other marking tools.

Calipers:
Simple calipers are used in conjunction with a scale to measure diameters.
Outside calipers used for measuring external diameter are bow-legged. While the inside calipers
used to measure internal diameter are straight-legged. These calipers are adjusted by pulling or
pushing the legs to open or close them, or by turning them upside down and tapping on the joint
end to open them.

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Introduction to semi precision tools and their applications.

Telescoping gage:
They are used for measuring the inside size of slots or holes up to six inches in width or
diameter. They are t-shaped tools in which the shaft of the T is used as a handle and the cross
arm is used for measuring. To use the gage, the arms are compressed, placed in the hole to be
measured, and allowed to expand. A twist of locknut on top of the handle locks the arms. The
tool may be withdrawn and the distance the distance across the arms is measured.

Screw pitch:
Also known as thread gage. They are used to determine the pitch and number of threads per inch.
They consist of thin leaves whose edges are toothed to correspond to standard thread sections. To
measure the pitch of thread, compare it with the standards of gage, holding a gauge leaf to the
thread being gauged until an exact fit is found. These tools are commonly furnished in sets, the
smallest gage measure distance from 5/16 to ½ inch and the largest for distances from 3 ½ inch
to 6 inches.

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Introduction to semi precision tools and their applications.

Radius gage:
A radius gage, also known as a fillet gage, is a tool used to measure the radius of an object.
Radius gages require a bright light behind the object to be measured. The gage is placed against
the edge to be checked and any light leakage between the blade and edge indicates a mismatch
that requires correction. A good set of gages will offer both convex and concave sections, and
allow for their application in awkward locations. Every leaf has a different radius. The material
of the leaves is stainless steel. It is of two types; Internal and external. It is used to check the
radius of inner and outer surfaces.

Thickness gage:
Thickness gages are fixed in leaf form, to permit the checking and measuring of small openings
such as contact points or narrow slots. They are widely used to check the flatness of parts in
straightening and grinding operations and in squaring objects with a try square.
Thickness gages are made in many shapes and sizes, usually 2 to 26 blades are grouped into one
tool and graduated in thousandths of an inch. Mostly the blades are straight while some are bend
at the angle of 45 to 90 degrees. Some gages are grouped so that there are several short and
several long blades together.

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Introduction to semi precision tools and their applications.

Surface gage:
It is generally used to transfer measurements by scribing a line and to indicate the accuracy of
parallelism of surfaces. The surface gage consists of a base with an adjustable spindle to which a
scriber or indicator may be clamped. Surface gages are made in several sizes and are classified
by length of spindle, the smallest spindle being ¼ inches long, average may be 9 to 12 inches and
largest may be 18 inches. The scriber is fastened to the spindle with a clamp. The bottom and the
front end of the base of the surface gage have deep V-grooved cut in them which allow the gage
to measure from cylindrical surface.

Parallels:
Parallels are rectangular blocks of metal, commonly made from tool steel, stainless steel or cast
iron, which have 2, 4 or 6 faces ground or lapped to a precise surface finish. They are used when
machining with a mill, drill or any other machining operation that requires work to be held in
a vise or with clamps - to keep work parallel or raised evenly such as in a milling vise to give
adequate height for the cutting tool or spindle to pass over.
Parallels come in pairs of two, which are machined to be the same dimensions their
corresponding faces. They come in a variety of thicknesses and size, allowing them to be stacked
up or to support a work-piece which doesn't have a flat profile. Parallels commonly have a series
of holes drilled on the 'front' face - allowing them to be used to position a work-piece or secured
using t-slot clamps, and a countersink on each side to remove any sharp edges.

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Introduction to semi precision tools and their applications.

V-Block:
V-Blocks are precision metalworking jigs typically used to hold round metal rods or pipes for
performing drilling or milling operations. They consist of a rectangular steel or cast iron block
with a 90-degree channel rotated 45-degrees from the sides, forming a V-shaped channel in the
top. A small groove is cut in the bottom of the "V". They often come with screw clamps to hold
the work. There are also versions with internal magnets for magnetic work-holding. V-blocks are
usually sold in pairs.

Solid Square:
Also known as carpenter’s steel square, is usually 12x8 inches or 24x18 inches. The flat sides of
the blade and the tongue are graduated in inches and fraction of an inch. Both the blade and
tongue may be used as a rule and also a straight edge in layout operations. Besides inches and
fractions, several tables are marked on it as well. Most common use of solid square is laying out
and squaring up large stock and large patterns and for testing the flatness and squareness of large
surfaces by placing the square at right angles to adjacent surfaces and observing if light shows up
between the work and the square.