QUESTION BANK ON COMPARATOR CHAPTER

I. FILL IN THE BLANKS:

1. COMPARATOR is an instrument used for the measurement of diameter or length on

gauges.
2. The general principle of all the comparators is to indicate DIFFERENCE in size
between standards.
3. Dial indicator is a MECHANICAL type of comparators.
4. Mechanical comparators are usually CHEAPER than compare to other comparators.
5. In Pneumatic comparator AIR is used as a mean of magnification.
6. SENSING devices which faithfully senses the input signals.
7. MAGNIFYING or AMPLIFYING system to increase the signal to a suitable magnitude.
8. DISPLAY SYSTEM which utilizes the amplified signal to provide a suitable read out.
9. Comparators are capable of providing accuracy in the range of 0.025mm to
0.0025mm.
10. A popular brand of pneumatic comparator is SOLEX PNEUMATIC comparator.

II. MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS:

1. Dial indicator is an example for ________ comparators.

a) Electrical b) Pneumatic
c) MECHANICAL d) Electronic
2. A sensing device usually _______ whose function is to sense the input.
a) PLUNGER b) Magnifying

c) Display d) None of the above

3. The important/critical dimension of a component in mass production is done by
_______
a) COMPARATORS b) instrument

c) Scale d) None of the above

4. Basically a comparator consists of _________ important components.

a) Two b) THREE

c) Five d) six

5. _______ Comparator are capable of providing high degree of precision

measurement.
a) Mechanical b) OPTICAL

c) Pneumatic d) Electrical

6. The usual mechanism used for amplification in mechanical comparators are _____ &
_____

a) Reed type b) Swivel

c) RACK & PINION d) None of the above

7. Comparators based on electronic configuration are known as __________

a) ELECTRONIC b) Mechanical

c) Electrical d) Pneumatic

8. They have less number of moving parts are known as _____ type of comparators.

a) Pneumatic b) Mechanical

c) ELECTRICAL d) Electronic

9. The basic principle of electrical comparator is _________ & __________

a) LINEAR & ELECTRICAL b) Mechanical & Electrical

c) Electrical & Pneumatic d) Pneumatic & Linear

10. In mechanical comparator the required magnification is obtained by using ______
linkage.

a) Electrical b) MECHANICAL

c) Pneumatic d) Electronic

III. ANSWER ANY FIVE QUESTIONS (Write short answers)

1. What is a comparator?

Ans: comparator is a very important instrument commonly used to check important and
critical dimensions of a component in mass production.

2. Define the Principle of comparators?

Ans: The Principle function of a comparator is to detect to a high degree of accuracy.

3. Define the accuracy range of comparators?

Ans: The accuracy range of a comparator is in between 0.00025 to 0.0025mm.

4. What is a function of sensing device?

Ans: A sensing device usually a plunger whose function is to sense the input signal by
the way of change in length or a surface displacement.

5. Define display unit?

Ans: A display unit generally a scale and a pointer, utilizes the amplified input signals to
present a final read out to the user.

6. What do you mean by magnifying unit?

Ans: A magnifying unit is used to increase the input signal to a viewable magnitude.
7. How comparators are classified?

Ans: Comparators are classified mainly on the method of magnification system.

8. Which comparator is portable and robust?

Ans: Mechanical comparator is a most robust comparator compare to any other

comparator and it is portable.

9. What is the general principle of comparators?

Ans: The general principle of all the comparators is to indicate difference in size
between the standards.

10. Which is the popular brand of comparator in Pneumatic?

Ans: Solex pneumatic comparator is a popular brand of comparator in Pneumatic.

PART - B

IV. THREE MARKS QUESTIONS

1. Explain introduction of comparators?

Ans: All measuring instruments are comparators, ranging from a simple scale to a
complex instrument in corporating its own standard scale. A comparator is an
instrument used for the measurements of diameter or length on gauges and
components.

2. For what purpose comparators are used?

Ans: Comparators is a very important instrument used in engineering application, it is

bench mounted generally used for checking important/critical dimension of a
component in mass production.
 3. Explain the basic components of comparators?

Ans: Basically a comparator consists of three important components.

1. Sensing device (usually a plunger)

2. Magnifying unit (amplifying)
3. Display unit (output unit)

4. What is a need for comparator?

Ans: 1. Comparator is required in mass production, and mass production would be

impossible if component parts would not be produced to close dimensional tolerance.

2. Used of line standards such as vernier and micrometer calipers requires a

considerable degree of skill if consistent result is to be obtained.

3. When many dimensions are to be checked, in a very short time.

5. What are the basic requirements of comparator?

Ans: 1. The instrument must be of robust design and construction so as to withstand the
effect of ordinary usage.

2. Provision for maximum compensation to temperature effects.

3. The scale must be linear and must have straight line characteristics.

4. The measuring pressure must be low and constant.

V. FIVE MARKS QUESTIONS

1. Write the classification of comparators?

Ans: Based on the design used for amplifying and recording the variations, the comparators
are classified as:
1. Mechanical comparators.
2. Optical comparators.
3. Electrical and electronic comparators.
4. Pneumatic comparators.
5. Fluid displacement comparators.

2. Explain mechanical comparators?

Ans: Mechanical comparators make use of some mechanical means to magnify the input
sensed by the plunger. Construction of a mechanical comparator requires high skill and
accuracy. The usual magnifications of the mechanical comparators are of the order of
500 to 5000, and are capable of measuring a difference of up to 0.00001mm.

3. Write the different types of mechanical comparators?

Ans: The different types of mechanical comparators are as follows:

1. Dial indicator type

2. Reed type
3. Johansson Mikrokater
4. Sigma comparator

4. With neat sketch explain dial indicator comparator?

Ans: It consists of a robust base whose surface is perfectly flat and a pillar carrying a
bracket in which is incorporated a spindle fitted with a pinion and a dial scale. The linear
movement of the plunger is magnified by means of a rack and pinion train into sizable
rotation of the pointer on the dial scale as shown in fig 3.4. The dial scale is set to zero
by the use of slip gauges representing the basic size of the part.

VI. ANSWER EIGHT MARKS QUESTIONS:

1. Write the advantages and disadvantages of mechanical comparators?

Ans: Advantages of Mechanical comparators:

1. Mechanical comparators are usually cheaper when compared to other amplifying

devices.
2. Mechanical comparators do not require any external sources such as electricity or
air and as such the variations in outside supplies do not affect the accuracy.
3. Usually the mechanical comparators have linear scale.
4. They are usually robust and easy to handle.

Disadvantages

1. Mechanical comparators have more moving linkages, due to which the friction is
more and hence the accuracy is low.
2. Any slackness is in moving parts reduces the accuracy considerably.
3. The mechanisms used in mechanical comparators have more inertia and this may
cause them to be sensitive to vibrations.
4. Any wear, play backlash or dimensional faults in the mechanical devices used will
also be magnified.
2. With neat sketch explain Solex Pnematic Gauge?

Ans: It consists of a water tank in which water is filled up to a certain level and a dip
tube is immersed into it up to a depth corresponding to the air pressure required. Since
air is sent at high pressure than the required, some air will escape from the dip tube and
bubbles to the top of the water tank. Thus the air moving towards the control orifice will
be at the desired constant pressure. Then, the air at this pressure passes through the
control orifice and escapes from the measuring jets. The back pressure in the circuit is
indicated by the head of water displaced in the manometer tube. The pressure in the
manometer is regulated by the relative rates of escape of air through the control orifice
and the measuring jets. If the measuring jets are completely closed, the manometer
level is depressed to the bottom of the tube. The tube is graduated linearly to show
changes in the pressures resulting from changes in internal diameter of the work being
measured.
It is very obvious from the Fig.3.16 that the diameter being measured at any instant is
corresponding to the portion against two jets. To find the concentricity, the work piece
may be revolved around the measuring gauge. If there is no change in the reading, then
it is perfectly a concentric hole. Similarly, the diameter can be noted at several places
along the length of the bore and thus tapering of the hole can be determined. This
method is therefore best suited for measuring roundness and taperness of cylinder
bores and gun barrel bores etc.

3. Explain with neat sketch optical comparator

Ans: Optical comparators are capable of giving high degree of measuring precision
And awing to the reduction of moving members they possess better wear resistance
qualities, than mechanical types .Also the inherent disadvantages found with the
mechanical comparators, such as weight, bending properties, friction etc, are

overcome by optical comparators