SLIP GUAGES (Guage blocks,Johansson gauges,orJo blocks)

Slip
gauges
are
extremely accurate and
precise steel blocks. Slip
gauges are stored in a
box set, and the slips can
be built, using two or
more, to form a wide
range of sizes to check
dimensional accuracy or
accuracy of measuring
instruments.

Gauge blocks

Slip gauges are often called Johannsen gauges also, as Johannsen

originated them
These are rectangular blocks of steel having a cross-section of
about 30 by 10 mm
These are first hardened to resist wear and carefully stabilised so
that they are independent of any subsequent variation in size or
shape.

Rectangular slip gauge

By combining gauges selected from a suitably arranged

combination, almost any dimension may be built-up.

The slip gauges are made from high grade

steel, cemented carbides(such astungsten
carbideortantalum carbide)
Coefficient of thermal expansion (11.5 1.5) x
10-6 per degree Celsius between 10C and 30C.
These are hardened throughout and suitably
heat-treated in order to stabilise their
dimensions or are provided with hard measuring
faces like carbide faces.
The hardness of the slip gauges are always
more than 800 HV (Vickers Pyramid Number)

USES OF SLIP GUAGES

1. These may be used as reference standards
for transferring the dimensions of the unit of
length from the primary standard to gauge
blocks of lower accuracy
2. For the verification
measuring apparatus

and

graduation

of

3. Length measures for the regulation and

adjustment
of
indicating
measuring
apparatus
4. Direct measurement of linear dimensions of
industrial component.
5. They are used as references for the setting
of
measuring
equipment
such
as
micrometers, gap gauges, sine bars, dial

Slip gauges are classified according to

their guaranteed accuracy

master slip gauges-accurate to plus or minus two mic

metre

ference purpose-accurate up to plus or minus four mi

metre
B for working slip gauges- accurate to
plus or minus eight
microns per
metre

According to grades or classes ,slip gauges are

designed in five grades as under:
Grade 2.This is the workshop grade. Typical uses
include setting up machine tools, positioning milling
cutters and checking mechanical widths.
Grade 1.Used for more precise work, such as that
carried out in a good-class tool room. Typical uses
include setting up sine bars and sine tables, checking
gap gauges and setting dial test indicators to zero.
Grade 0.This is more commonly known as the
Inspection grade, and its use is confined to tool room
or machine shop inspection.
Grade 00.This grade would be kept in the Standard
Room and would be kept for work of the highest

Wringing
Wringingis the process of sliding two blocks
together so that their faces lightly bond
Because of their ultraflat surfaces, when wrung, gauge
blocks adhere to each other tightly

36 Johansson gauge blocks wrung

together easily support their own
weight.

HOW WRINGING IS DONE?

This is accomplished by pressing the faces into contact

(keeping them perpendicular) and then imparting a small
twisting motion whilst maintaining the contact pressure.
The contact pressure is just sufficient in order to hold the
two slip gauges in contact and no additional intentional
pressure.
Phenomenon of wringing occurs due to molecular adhesion
between a liquid film (whose thickness may be between 6 to
7 x 10-6 mm) and the mating surfaces.

silicone or filtered kerosene is used as

lubricant. Apply a thin coat of same and wipe it as
thin as possible.

In metric units, sets of 103, 76,48 and 31 pieces are

available.
Metric unit sets of 103 pieces are made up as follows
:
49 pieces with a range of 1.01 mm to 1.49 mm in steps of 0.01
mm.
49 pieces with a range of 0.50 to 24.50 mm in steps of 0.50 mm.
4 pieces of 25, 50, 75 and 1000 mm respectively and 1 piece extra
of 1.005 mm.

Slip gauge set of 56 slips is made up as shown

below :
9 slips 1.001 to 1.009 in steps of 0.001 mm
9 slips 1.01 to 1.09 in steps of 0.01 mm
9 slips 1.0 to 1.9 in steps of 0.1 mm

Measurement Ranges
(mm)
1.0005

Jump
(mm)

No of gauge
blocks
1

From 2.001 to 2.009

0.001

From 2.01 to 2.49

0.01

49

From 0.5 to 9.5

0.5

19

From 10 to 100

10

10

=Sum

block 88

11

Basic Forms of Slip Gauges

Slip gauges with three basic forms are

commonly found.
1. Rectangular- less expensive to manufacture,
applications where space is restricted , avoid
excess weight
2. Square without centre hole expensive, wear
longer and adhere better to each other when
wrung to high stacks.
3. Square with centre hole- to permit the use of tie
rods as an added assurance against the wrung
stocks falling apart while handling , wear longer
and adhere better to each other when wrung to
high stacks.

Slip gauges are blocks of steel that have been hardened and stabilized
by heat treatment. They are ground and lapped to size to very high
standards of accuracy and surface finish. They are the most accurate
standards of length available for use in workshops.
Basic Forms of Slip Gauges.
Slip gauges with three basic forms are commonly
found. These are rectangular, square with centre hole, and square without cent
Rectangular form is the more widely used because rectangular blocks are less e
manufacture, and adapt themselves better to applications where space is restr
excess weight
is to be avoided.
For certain applications, square slip gauges, though expensive, are preferred. D
large surface area, they wear longer and adhere better to each other when wru
stacks.
Square blocks with centre holes are used to permit the use of tie rods as an add
assurance
against the wrung stocks falling apart while handling.
The greatest emphasis in the slip gauges is laid on the two gauging surfaces on
sides of the blocks. The length between measuring surfaces, flatness and surfa
conditions of
measuring surfaces are the most important features of slip gauges which have
controlled