LG-MEMCOR0171A USE GRADUATED MEASURING DEVICES

LEARNER’S GUIDE
USE GRADUATED MEASURING DEVICES

Published by

HEART TRUST/NATIONAL TRAINING AGENCY

Produced by

Learning Management Services Department

Gordon Town Road
Kingston 7
Jamaica W.I.

This material is protected by copyright. Copying this material or any part of it by any means, including
digital or in any form is prohibited unless prior written permission is obtained from the HEART
Trust/NTA.

*** 2003 ***

Version 1 LRDU – JUN. 03

LG-MEMCOR0171A USE GRADUATED MEASURING DEVICES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1

Welcome ................................................................................................................... 1
This Competency Unit.................................................................................................... 1
Before You Start ............................................................................................................. 2
Planning Your Learning Programme ............................................................................. 2
Self-Assessment Checklist ............................................................................................. 3
How To Use This Learner’s Guide ................................................................................ 4
Using the Computer and other Resources...................................................................... 5
Method of Assessment.................................................................................................... 5

Element 1: Use a Range of Graduated Devices to Measure/Determine

Dimensions or Variables................................................................................... 6

Self-Assessment Checklist ........................................................................................... 15

Element 2: Maintain Graduated Devices ............................................................................ 16

Self-Assessment Checklist ........................................................................................... 19

Version 1 LRDU – JUN. 03

LG-MEMCOR0171A USE GRADUATED MEASURING DEVICES

LG-MEMCOR0171A:
USE GRADUATED MEASURING
DEVICES

INTRODUCTION

Welcome

Welcome to the Learner’s Guide for Unit of Competency “Use Graduated Measuring Devices”.
This is just one of a number of Learner’s Guides produced for the Skills stream of the Metal
Engineering and Maintenance Industry, and it is designed to guide you, the learner, through a series
of learning processes and activities that will enable you to achieve the specified learning outcomes
for the competency unit.

The content of this guide was developed from the Competency Standard MEMCOR0171A, which
is one of the basic building blocks for the National Vocational Qualification of Jamaica (NVQ-J)
certification within the industry. Please refer to your Learner’s Handbook for a thorough
explanation of standards and competencies, and how these relate to the NVQ-J certification.

You are also advised to consult the Competency Standard and assessment instrument for a better
understanding of what is required to master the competency.

This Competency Unit

“Use Graduated Measuring Devices” addresses the knowledge and skills requirements for
effectively use graduated measuring devices. There are two main areas or elements:

Element 1: Use a Range of Graduated Devices to Measure/Determine

Dimensions or Variables

Element 2: Maintain Graduated Devices

As you go through each element, you will find critical information relating to each one. You are
advised to study them carefully so that you will be able to develop the necessary knowledge,
skills and attitudes for using graduated measuring devices.

Version 1 LRDU – JUN. 03 1

LG-MEMCOR0171A USE GRADUATED MEASURING DEVICES

Before you start

Before you start this Learner’s Guide, you need to:

a. Obtain a Learner’s Logbook that you will use to record evidence of your new skills/competence.
As you demonstrate your new skills, record your activities and have your learning facilitator
sign off on them. This will allow you to provide evidence of your competence when you are
being assessed against the competency standard.

b. Ensure that you have access to the facilities and equipment necessary for learning.

c. Ensure that your learning resources are available.

d. Ensure that you are wearing suitable clothing, that tools and equipment are safe, and that the
correct safety equipment is used.

e. Plan your learning programme (see below)

f. Understand how to use this Learner’s Guide (see below)

Planning your learning programme

The self-assessment checklist on the following page will assist you in planning your training
programme as it will help you to think about the knowledge and skills needed to demonstrate
competency in this unit. As you go through the checklist you will be able to find out what
elements you have already mastered and which ones you will need to pay more attention to as
you go through the learning process.

To complete the self-assessment checklist, simply read the statements and tick the ‘Yes’ or ‘No’
box. You should do this exercise now.

Version 1 LRDU – JUN. 03 2

LG-MEMCOR0171A USE GRADUATED MEASURING DEVICES

Self-Assessment Checklist
- Use Graduated Measuring Devices

Element 1 Use a Range of Graduated Devices to Measure/Determine

Dimensions or Variables Yes No

1. I can select appropriate device or equipment to achieve

required outcome ( ) ( )

2. I can use correct and appropriate measuring technique ( ) ( )

3. I can measure accurately to finest graduation of instrument,

as appropriate to field or area ( ) ( )

Element 2 Maintain Graduated Devices Yes No

1. I can undertake routine care and storage of devices to

manufacturer’s specification or standard operating procedure ( ) ( )

2. I can check and make routine adjustments to devices e.g. “zeroing” ( ) ( )

How did you do?

If you ticked all or most of the ‘Yes’ boxes then you might not need to go through the entire guide.
Ask your learning facilitator to assist you in determining the most appropriate action you should
take.

If you ticked a few of the ‘Yes’ boxes or none at all then you should work through all of the guide,
even though some of the material my be familiar to you.

Plan your learning based on your answers. Be sure to involve your learning facilitator in the
planning process.

Version 1 LRDU – JUN. 03 3

LG-MEMCOR0171A USE GRADUATED MEASURING DEVICES

How to use this Learner’s Guide

This Learner’s Guide is designed to assist you in working and learning at your own pace.

We suggest that you:

• Go through the sections/elements as they are presented (starting at Section 1)

• Check your progress at each checkpoint to ensure that you have understood the material

• Observe the icons and special graphics used throughout this guide to remind you of what you
have to do and to enhance your learning. The icons and their meanings are as follows:

Complete Assessment Exercise

This exercise requires you to think about the knowledge and skills
that you have or will develop in this competency unit.

Definition Box
Words/phases are defined or explained in this box. The
words/phases being explained are in bold print.

Checkpoint
This denotes a brain teaser and is used to check your
understanding of the materials presented. No answers are
provided for the questions asked.

Activity
This denotes something for you to do either alone or with
the assistance of your trainer/supervisor.

Reference
Points you to the reference materials and other support
documents or resources used in compiling the unit content.

Version 1 LRDU – JUN. 03 4

LG-MEMCOR0171A USE GRADUATED MEASURING DEVICES

• Ask your learning facilitator for help if you have any problems with the interpretation of the
contents, the procedures, or the availability of resources.

• Complete each activity as you come to it. If the activity requires you perform an actual task,
be sure to tell your learning facilitator when you get to that activity so that he/she can make
any arrangements, if necessary.

• Get your learning facilitator to sign and date the Learner Logbook when you have completed an
activity.

• Complete the self-assessment checklist at the end of each section or element.

When you have worked through all elements of the guide, and when you can tick every ‘Yes’ box,
you are ready for assessment and should ask your learning facilitator to assist you in making the
arrangements to have your performance assessed.

Using the Computer and Other Resources

Where your activities refer you to the library, computer and Internet resources, ask your learning
facilitator to assist you with locating these resources. If you are getting your training in an
institution, there may be a library and a computer laboratory. If this is not the case, visit the local
library and find out what resources are available.

If you are new to the computer and the Internet, someone in the computer room should be able to
show you how to use these resources.

Please note that in many of your activities you have been referred to information on the Internet.
This is because the Internet has a vast amount of information that can help you in acquiring the
particular competencies. We would like to advise you, however, that we cannot guarantee that all
the sites will be available when you need them. If this happens, ask your learning facilitator to
assist you with locating other sites that have the information you require.

Method of Assessment

Competency will be assessed while you are actually performing the tasks related to this
competency, this may be in a real workshop or a simulated situation that accurately relates to the
work situation. You are advised to consult the associated competency standard and assessment
instrument for further details relating to the assessment strategies.

You may now start your learning. Have fun while you work!

Version 1 LRDU – JUN. 03 5

LG-MEMCOR0171A USE GRADUATED MEASURING DEVICES

ELEMENT 1: USE A RANGE OF GRADUATED DEVICES TO

MEASURE/DETERMINE DIMENSIONS OR VARIABLES

LEARNING OUTCOMES

As you go through this element it will provide you with the knowledge, skills and attitude required
to use a range of graduated devices to measure/determine dimensions or variables. Your learning
facilitator is there to assist you through the various activities, so on completion you should be able
to:

1. Select an appropriate device/equipment to achieve a required outcome

2. Use a correct/appropriate measuring technique
3. Measure accurately to the finest graduation of instrument

If you are to use any measuring instrument effectively, it should operate with certain characteristics
for that particular instrument. Some of these are:

Repeatability: the ability of the instrument to give identical responses for repeated
applications

Discrimination: the degree of fineness to which an instrument subdivides the unit of

length on a scale

Sensitivity: the ability to detect differences in a quantity being measured.

Precision: how well identically performed measurements agree

Error: the difference between the measured and the true value

Drift: the variation in the output of an instrument, which is not caused by any
change in input

Accuracy: the closeness with which the instrument can read an object

Version 1 LRDU – JUN. 03 6

LG-MEMCOR0171A USE GRADUATED MEASURING DEVICES

CHECKPOINT

Explain the concept of repeatability

SELECT APPROPRIATE MEASURING DEVICE/EQUIPMENT

Before you machine or cut, it is important for you to:

• Measure and mark the required dimensions on the object.

• This should be done with the appropriate device to achieve a very high degree of accuracy
in measuring/marking out to enable accurate cutting/machining of the object. Devices such
as:
- Steel Rule
- Vernier Caliper
- Feeler Gauge
- Combination set
- Dial Gauge
- Protractor
- Micrometer
• The selection of such devices will depend on the level of accuracy desired as well as the
ease with which measurements can be carried out and remain fairly accurate.
• A steel rule would not be used if a high level of accuracy is required to measure for
example, the outside diameter of a work piece hole or bore. In this case a micrometer or a
vernier caliper would be appropriate.
• The more precision needed the more intricate the measuring instrument has to be.

USE CORRECT/APPROPRIATE MEASURING TECHNIQUE AND ACCURATE

MEASUREMENT

Steel Rule:
• This has metric markings on one side and English units on the other.
• On the metric side, one end is graduated in millimeters and the other end is in ½ millimeters.
• On the other side, one end is graduated in 1/8-inch subdivisions and the other in 1/10 th
subdivisions.
• When given a dimension for an object without any limits, fits, or particular type of
machining to be done, you can use a steel rule to mark the dimensions needed.
• The degree of accuracy of the work produced will depend on your skill using the rule and
the quality of the rule used.

Version 1 LRDU – JUN. 03 7

LG-MEMCOR0171A USE GRADUATED MEASURING DEVICES

Steel Rule

Vernier Caliper:
• You can use this for end measurements
• Measuring large diameters on their ends, or large bores.
• The position of the jaws is controlled by a line scale, and is transferred accurately by a
vernier scale. A vernier scale is the name given to any scale making use of the difference
between two scales which are nearly, but not quite alike, for obtaining small differences.

Vernier Caliper

CHECKPOINT

What is a vernier scale?

Feeler Gauge - This consists of a series of blades/leaves having thickness of 2 to 60 hundredths.

Each of the leaves has its thickness marked on it. The leaves can be brought together to obtain
varying thickness. You can use feeler gauges for checking clearances and gauging narrow places.

Version 1 LRDU – JUN. 03 8

LG-MEMCOR0171A USE GRADUATED MEASURING DEVICES

Feeler Gauge

Combination Square: this consists of a blade that can be used with any one of three heads. The
heads enable the device to be used as a square, a protractor, or a gauge for marking lines passing
through the center of round bars.

Combination Square

Version 1 LRDU – JUN. 03 9

LG-MEMCOR0171A USE GRADUATED MEASURING DEVICES

Dial Gauge - The main part resembles a small clock with a plunger projecting at the bottom. Very
slight pressure on the plunger moves it upwards and the dial finger that is arranged to read in
1/100mm indicates this movement or 1/1000mm depending how accurate is the device. The head of
the indicator is supported on a base and resembles a scribing block.

Another type of dial indicator is the lever type dial test indicator. This uses a lever and scroll system
of magnification. The range of stylus movement is limited. It is more compact than the plunger type
and is very popular for both inspection and machine setting.

Dial indicators are calibrated in different ways. Regular indicators may have a dial which reads both
to the right and left of zero and indicates a plus or minus value. Others have a continuous reading
scale and a second, smaller hand or revolution counter on the dial.

Version 1 LRDU – JUN. 03 10

LG-MEMCOR0171A USE GRADUATED MEASURING DEVICES

Checking for Parallelism

Protractors - The vernier protractor is capable of measuring within 5 minutes. The protractors dial
is divided into two arcs of 1800. Each arc is divided into two quadrants of 900 and is graduated both
left and right of zero up to 900. The vernier scale is also graduated right and left of zero and is
divided into 12 divisions equaling 230 on the main scale. Each vernier division thus represents 5
minutes.

Version 1 LRDU – JUN. 03 11

LG-MEMCOR0171A USE GRADUATED MEASURING DEVICES

Micrometer - If you need a work piece to be measured to the second place of decimal or the third
place in the English unit, a micrometer is commonly used. The micrometer consists of a semi-
circular frame having a barrel at one end and a hardened anvil inside. The bore of the barrel is
screwed ½ mm pitch and the spindle, to which is attached the thimble, screws through. Adjustment
is provided for the spindle’s position and the tightness of the screw thread. The barrel is graduated
in mm and ½ mm along its length. The rim of the thimble is divided into 50 equal divisions. The
measurement is taken between the face of the anvil and the end of the spindle. The range of the
instrument will depend on the length of the barrel.

ACTIVITY

Select an appropriate measuring device according to the job

assigned by your learning facilitator. Discuss your selection
with your learning facilitator.

ACTIVITY

Use a vernier caliper, steel rule and a micrometer to

measure three different objects and ask your learning
facilitator to verify the accuracy of the measurements and
the appropriateness of the tools selected.

ACTIVITY

Ask your learning facilitator to guide you with respect to

the technique used in carrying out the measurements.

Version 1 LRDU – JUN. 03 12

LG-MEMCOR0171A USE GRADUATED MEASURING DEVICES

Version 1 LRDU – JUN. 03 13

LG-MEMCOR0171A USE GRADUATED MEASURING DEVICES

ARE YOU READY TO PROVE YOUR COMPETENCY?

Now that you have completed this element see if you have fully grasped all the components by
doing the following self-assessment.

Checklist 1 Yes No

1. I understand how to select an appropriate measuring device ( ) ( )

2. I know how to use the correct and appropriate measuring technique ( ) ( )

3. I understand how to measure accurately to finest graduation

of instrument, as appropriate to field or area ( ) ( )

Checklist 2 Yes No

1. Appropriate devices or equipment are selected to achieve

required outcome ( ) ( )

2. Correct and appropriate measuring technique are used ( ) ( )

3. Instrument is measured accurately to finest graduation

as appropriate to field or area ( ) ( )

Version 1 LRDU – JUN. 03 14

LG-MEMCOR0171A USE GRADUATED MEASURING DEVICES

ELEMENT 2: MAINTAIN GRADUATED DEVICES

LEARNING OUTCOMES

As you go through this element it will provide you with the knowledge, skills and attitude required
to maintain graduated devices. Your learning facilitator is there to assist you through the various
activities so on completion you should be able to:

1. Care and store devices

2. Adjust devices

CARE AND STORE DEVICES

The following items should be observed when handling the specific devices listed:

Steel Rule:
• Never use as a feeler gauge under shaper tools or milling cutters.
• Do not use to scrape tables or any machine parts.
• Try to prevent the end from wear as it forms part of the measurement.
• Oil it on weekends when not in use to prevent rusting.
• Steel rules usually have a hole at the back end of its body to enable it to be hung on a rack.

Vernier caliper
• The clamp screws and adjusting nut should be free from debris and rust.
• The bar, vernier scale and the jaws should be wiped clean with a dry cloth.
• The inside of the jaws should have no debris that will affect any part being measured.
• Avoid any shocks or blows to the device.
• The device should be stored in its case when not in use.

Micrometer
• Wipe the device with a dry cloth to remove any debris and avoid dropping the instrument.
• Turn the thimble to extend the device to its maximum measuring capacity and wipe the body
free of any foreign matter.
• When not in use store the device in its case.

Dial indicator
• Avoid heavy shocks and blows as the internal parts may get damaged.
• Keep the indicator and plunger clean.
• Do not oil the plunger as this will only collect dirt and cause damage.
• A sticking plunger can be cured sometimes by wiping the exposed parts of the plunger with a
clean cloth.

Version 1 LRDU – JUN. 03 15

LG-MEMCOR0171A USE GRADUATED MEASURING DEVICES

• When in use, support the indicator rigidly and keep the overhang of the supporting arms as short
as possible.

When not in use, store in a box or case.

Feeler gauge-
• Wipe the blades/leaves free of any debris.
• Try to avoid the leaves/blades becoming rusty; avoid liquids that may cause this.
• When not in use retract the blades/leaves in the case and store in an environment free from
moisture.

CHECKPOINT

How would you care and store a dial indicator?

ADJUSTMENTS

You should take great care to preserve the accuracy of the micrometer and to keep the adjustments
to a minimum. To remove the play in the threads;

• You should back off the thimble and insert the c-spanner into the slot of the adjusting nut.
• Turn the adjusting nut clockwise to eliminate the play in the threads. The spindle should now
move freely while the ratchet stop or friction thimble is being turned.
• Turn the ratchet stop/friction thimble until the measuring faces contact each other. If the zero
line on the thimble coincides with the centerline on the sleeve the adjustment is made.
• If not, you close the measuring faces, insert the c-spanner into the slot in the sleeve and turn the
sleeve until the centerline on the sleeve coincides with the zero line on the thimble.
• Recheck the accuracy by opening and closing the measuring faces until the centerline and zero
line coincides.

Version 1 LRDU – JUN. 03 16

LG-MEMCOR0171A USE GRADUATED MEASURING DEVICES

Removing the play in the spindle screw threads

Resetting the accuracy

The devices should be wiped cleaned, free from debris after use.
Some of the devices (vernier, micrometer, and dial indicator) have storage cases where they should
be placed and put away after use. Avoid dropping the instruments.

Version 1 LRDU – JUN. 03 17

LG-MEMCOR0171A USE GRADUATED MEASURING DEVICES

ACTIVITY

Let your learning facilitator give you a micrometer or

another precision instrument that needs adjustment to
remove the play and reset. Make the adjustment with
supervision

Version 1 LRDU – JUN. 03 18

LG-MEMCOR0171A USE GRADUATED MEASURING DEVICES

ARE YOU READY TO PROVE YOUR COMPETENCY?

Now that you have completed this element see if you have fully grasped all the components by
doing the following self-assessment.

Checklist 1 Yes No

1 I know how to care and store the device ( ) ( )

2. I know how to make routine adjustments to devices e.g. “zeroing” ( ) ( )

Checklist 2 Yes No

1. Devices are cared and stored according to specifications ( ) ( )

2. Devices are adjusted according to specifications ( ) ( )

Version 1 LRDU – JUN. 03 19