BTM2133 METROLOGY

CHAPTER 5

Application of Gauge Block

Introduction

 Gage blocks, first developed by C.E

Johansson and also call Johansson blocks.

 Made precisely from heat-treated and stress

relieved alloy steels or carbides.

 Their surfaces are lapped and are flat

parallel within a range of 0.02 to 0.12 µm.

 Gage blocks are used as references for the

setting of measuring equipment such as
micrometers, sine bars, dial indicators (for
calibration).
Gage block
Gage block materials

 The majority of gage block are made from hardened

alloy steel.
 Other materials used are; carbide blocks,
chromium-plated block and stainless steel blocks.
 The functional characteristics of gage blocks are:
 They must be made from something that can be
accurately sized and finished.
 They must be stable and not change size of their
own accord.
 They must be withstand considerable wear.
 They must be practical- affordable and wear
corrosion resistant.
Square gage blocks Rectangular gage blocks
Size and shape

 The two most common shape of gage block are

rectangular and square.

 The rectangular form is the more widely used.

 The rectangular block are less expensive to

manufacture and adapt themselves better to
applications where space is restricted.

 In certain applications the square blocks, are

preferred because of their large surface area,
square block wear longer and adhere better to
each other when wrung to high stacks.
Gage block grades

 The major characteristics for choosing quality gage

blocks include:

1. Accuracy
2. Wear resistance
3. Surface finish
4. Dimensional stability
5. Thermal conductivity
 Grades of gage block
1. Grade 0.5 (formerly AAA)
• Use for basic reference standard in calibration
laboratory

2. Grade 1 (AA)
• Use to calibrate inspection blocks and very high precision
gauging

3. Grade 2 (A+)
• Used generally by quality control for setting and checking
indicating and limit gages serving inspection and process
control.

4. Grade 3 (A and B)
• Working gage blocks for tool room and production
areas.
APPLICATIONS FOR GAGE BLOCK

 Applications for grade “0.5” and grade “1’ Gage block.

 Basic reference standard
 To establish standard
 Reference standard for gage calibration
 Calibration of sensitive measurement
APPLICATIONS FOR GAGE BLOCK

 Applications for grade “2” Gage block

 Checking limit gage
 Setting adjustable limit gage
 Measuring setting gage
 Use as comparator setting gage
APPLICATIONS FOR GAGE BLOCK

 Applications for grade “3” Gage block

 Direct measurement of distances
 Checking and adjusting mechanics
 Establishing reference distances from the transfer
dimension
 Angle measurements with sine bar
 Factors need to balance when
choosing a set of block
1. Range of set
 It is just a matter of choosing the appropriate range for your
application.

2. The number of combinations that require more than three blocks

to form
 A set of blocks will give you a number of options to form a
given length.
 However, the combination in which you use the fewest blocks
is always fastest and eliminates the chance for additional
errors.

3. The number of people who will use it each day

 With the number of blocks available, you can minimize the
amount of time people spend waiting for the blocks they
need.
 The larger the number of users, the larger the set should be.
Wear blocks

 Wear blocks are special blocks

specifically used as reference
surfaces at the ends of gage block
stacks.

 It also use to protect the other gauge

blocks and increase the life of gage
blocks.

 Wear block that have worn out can be

replaced economically.
Gage block nomenclature
Wringing gage block

 Wringing (sliding and twisting motion) gage blocks

together, which means combining them end-to-end
to add their measurement values.

 The phenomenon of wringing gage blocks so they

seem to stick together occurs for two reasons.

1. There is an adhesive action because of an ultra-thin film

of oil or moisture between the blocks.

2. There is a molecular attraction or bonding, between the

blocks because of the very flat and parallel mating
surfaces. That’s why the better the block geometry, the
better the wring will be.
Technique for wringing gage block
Technique for wringing gage block (cont’)
Combining gage blocks

 Gage block is produced in several series and

Johansson’s system allows a large number of
dimension combinations.
 That system should be:
 save time,
 reduce the chance of error,
 use the smallest number of blocks
 Combining gage blocks
When use this system, you need to consider
the figures to the right, and continue to
eliminate figure from right to left.
Calibration of gage block

 Reason for calibration

 The dimensional instability of the gage block material.
 Wear due to physical contact with other metallic
surfaces, such as gage contact points, or friction during
the wringing of the blocks.
 Damages inflicted to the block during storage and
handling.
Calibration of gage block

 The required frequency of gage block calibration

usually depends on two sets of factors.
 The accuracy grade to which the gage blocks are
classified.
 The extent of dimensional deterioration that can be
anticipated in view of the usage circumstances of the
block.
Calibration of gage block

 Inspection of gage block calibration.

 Preparation
 Cleaning (used with chamois leather or a soft
linen cloth)
 Temperature equalization
 Visual inspection
 Detecting scratches, nick and similar flaws
 Inspection of block geometry
 Flatness
 Parallelism
 Functional test
 Checking the wringing quality
Gage block holder

 Gage block holders make it more convenient to

use gage blocks, and they make your
measurement reliable.

 The four advantages of gage blocks holders

are:

1. They help us form combinations with

uniform wringing intervals.
2. They reduce the length change due to heat
transfer.
3. They make it more convenient to handle
stacks of blocks.
4. They help prevent costly damage to blocks.
Gage block holder
Rules for gage block care

 Never attempt to wring or otherwise use gage block that have been
contact with chips, dust-or-dirt-laden cutting fluids.

 Before using, cleans blocks with high-grade solvent or commercial

gage block cleaner. Wipe dry with a lint-free tissue.

 Do not allow blocks to remain wrung together for long periods.

Separate daily.

 When not in use, place in a safe where they will not be damaged,
preferably in their case before putting blocks away, clean the blocks
and cove with a noncorrosive oil or grease or commercial preventive.

 Be on constant guard for burrs. If anything has been placed on a block

or if it does not wring readily, use a conditioning stone immediately.

 Thoroughly clean the gage block case periodically.

Any Question??

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