Graduation (scale)

Last updated
A ruler with two linear scales: the metric and imperial. It includes shorter minor graduations and longer major graduations. Ruler Figure.png
A ruler with two linear scales: the metric and imperial. It includes shorter minor graduations and longer major graduations.

A graduation is a marking used to indicate points on a visual scale, which can be present on a container, a measuring device, or the axes of a line plot, usually one of many along a line or curve, each in the form of short line segments perpendicular to the line or curve. Often, some of these line segments are longer and marked with a numeral, such as every fifth or tenth graduation. The scale itself can be linear (the graduations are spaced at a constant distance apart) or nonlinear.

Contents

Linear graduation of a scale occurs mainly (but not exclusively) on straight measuring devices, such as a rule or measuring tape, using units such as inches or millimetres.

Graduations can also be spaced at varying spatial intervals, such as when using a logarithmic, for instance on a measuring cup, can vary in scale due to the container's non-cylindrical shape.

Graduations along a curve

Circular graduations of a scale occur on a circular arc or limb of an instrument. In some cases, non-circular curves are graduated in instruments. A typical circular arc graduation is the division into angular measurements, such as degrees, minutes and seconds. These types of graduated markings are traditionally seen on devices ranging from compasses and clock faces to alidades found on such instruments as telescopes, theodolites, inclinometers, astrolabes, armillary spheres, and celestial spheres.

There can also be non-uniform graduations such as logarithmic or other scales such as seen on circular slide rules and graduated cylinders.

A slide rule. This is an example of a mathematical instrument with graduated logarithmic and log-log scales. Slide rule scales back.jpg
A slide rule. This is an example of a mathematical instrument with graduated logarithmic and log-log scales.
A half circle protractor graduated in degrees (180deg). Protractor Rapporteur Degrees V3.jpg
A half circle protractor graduated in degrees (180°).

Manufacture of graduations

Graduations can be placed on an instrument by etching, scribing or engraving, painting, printing or other means. For durability and accuracy, etched or scribed marks are usually preferable to surface coatings such as paints and inks. Markings can be a combination of both physical marks such as a scribed line and a paint or other marking material. For example, it is common for black ink or paint to fill the grooves cut in a scribed rule. Inexpensive plastic devices can be molded and painted or molded with two or more colors of plastic used. Some rather high-quality devices can be manufactured with plastic and reveal high-precision graduations.

Graduations traditionally have been scribed into an instrument by hand with a sharp, hard tool. [1] Later developments in devices such as dividing engines allowed the process to be automated with greater precision. Modern devices can be stamped, cut on a milling machine or with a CNC machine. In the case of stamping, the master has the precision built into itself and the stamped device is as accurate as the stamping process allows. Similarly, molding of plastic can be as precise as the mold process. With proper concern for such effects as thermal expansion or contraction and shrinkage, the precision can be very high.

US graduation style

The US graduation style of an instrument was a Federal standard for codes used by manufacturers to quickly determine which types of scales are marked on the instrument.

Machinists rule graduations [2]
Graduation No.FacesEdges
1front1/10″, 1/20″, 1/50″, 1/100″
1/12″, 1/24″, 1/48″
reverse1/16″, 1/32″, 1/64″
1/14″, 1/28″
2front1/10″, 1/20″, 1/50″, 1/100″
1/12″, 1/24″, 1/48″
reverse1/16″, 1/32″, 1/64″
1/8″
3front1/32″
1/64″
reverse1/10″
1/50″
4front1/32″
1/64″
reverse1/8″
1/16″
4-1front1/8″
1/16″
reverseSame as front face, but from opposite end
Same as front face, but from opposite end
5front1/32″
1/64″
reverse1/10″
1/100″
6-1front1/10″
1/50″
reversenot graduated
not graduated
6-2front1/10″
1/10″
reverse1/50″
1/50″
7front1/32″ (or 1/16″)
1/64″ (or 1/32″)
reverse1/16″ (or 1/64″)
1/100″
9front1/16″
1/32″
reverse1/64″
not graduated
10front1/32″
1/64″
reversenot graduated
not graduated
11front1/100″
1/64″
reversenot graduated
not graduated
12front1/50″
1/100″
reversenot graduated
not graduated
16front1/32″
1/64″
reverse1/50″
1/100″
M-1front1.0 mm
0.5 mm
reversenot graduated
not graduated
M-2front1.0 mm (or 1.0 and 0.5 mm)
1.0 mm (or 1.0 and 0.5 mm)
reverse1.0 mm
0.5 mm
ME-1front0.5 mm
1/64″
reversenot graduated
not graduated
ME-2front1.0 mm
1/64″ (or 1/32″ and 1/64″)
reverse1.0 mm (or 1.0 and 0.5 mm)
1/32″

Other commonly recognized styles are:[ citation needed ]

Suffix key:

See also

Related Research Articles

Dual in-line package Type of electronic component package

In microelectronics, a dual in-line package, is an electronic component package with a rectangular housing and two parallel rows of electrical connecting pins. The package may be through-hole mounted to a printed circuit board (PCB) or inserted in a socket. The dual-inline format was invented by Don Forbes, Rex Rice and Bryant Rogers at Fairchild R&D in 1964, when the restricted number of leads available on circular transistor-style packages became a limitation in the use of integrated circuits. Increasingly complex circuits required more signal and power supply leads ; eventually microprocessors and similar complex devices required more leads than could be put on a DIP package, leading to development of higher-density chip carriers. Furthermore, square and rectangular packages made it easier to route printed-circuit traces beneath the packages.

Micrometer Tool for the precise measurement of a components length, width, and/or depth

A micrometer, sometimes known as a micrometer screw gauge, is a device incorporating a calibrated screw widely used for accurate measurement of components in mechanical engineering and machining as well as most mechanical trades, along with other metrological instruments such as dial, vernier, and digital calipers. Micrometers are usually, but not always, in the form of calipers. The spindle is a very accurately machined screw and the object to be measured is placed between the spindle and the anvil. The spindle is moved by turning the ratchet knob or thimble until the object to be measured is lightly touched by both the spindle and the anvil.

Ruler An instrument used to measure distances or to draw straight lines

A ruler, sometimes called a rule or line gauge, is a device used in geometry and technical drawing, as well as the engineering and construction industries, to measure distances or draw straight lines.

Vernier scale Auxiliary scale of a measurement device, used to increase precision

A vernier scale, named after Pierre Vernier, is a visual aid to take an accurate measurement reading between two graduation markings on a linear scale by using mechanical interpolation, thereby increasing resolution and reducing measurement uncertainty by using vernier acuity to reduce human estimation error.It is use to calculate internal and external diameter of hollow cylinders.

Alidade Device that allows one to sight a distant object

An alidade or a turning board is a device that allows one to sight a distant object and use the line of sight to perform a task. This task can be, for example, to triangulate a scale map on site using a plane table drawing of intersecting lines in the direction of the object from two or more points or to measure the angle and horizontal distance to the object from some reference point Polar measurement. Angles measured can be horizontal, vertical or in any chosen plane.

Tape measure Flexible ruler used to measure size or distance

A tape measure or measuring tape is a flexible ruler used to measure size or distance.

Combination square Measuring and marking tool

A combination square is a multi-purpose measuring and marking tool used in metalworking, woodworking, and stonemasonry. It is composed of a rule and one or more interchangeable heads that can be attached to the rule.

Protractor Angle measuring instrument

A protractor is a measuring instrument, typically made of transparent plastic or glass, for measuring angles.

Meterstick Straightedge or folding ruler used to physically measure lengths

A meterstick or yardstick is either a straightedge or foldable ruler used to measure length, and is especially common in the construction industry. They are often made of wood or plastic, and often have metal or plastic joints so that they can be folded together. Normal length of a meterstick made for the international market is either one or two meters, while a yardstick made for the U.S. market is typically one yard long.

Calipers Tool to measure dimensions of an object

A caliper is a device used to measure the dimensions of an object.

Indicator (distance amplifying instrument) Distance amplifying instrument

In various contexts of science, technology, and manufacturing, an indicator is any of various instruments used to accurately measure small distances and angles, and amplify them to make them more obvious. The name comes from the concept of indicating to the user that which their naked eye cannot discern; such as the presence, or exact quantity, of some small distance.

Marking gauge Type of measuring tool for woodworking and metalworking

A marking gauge, also known as a scratch gauge, is used in woodworking and metalworking to mark out lines for cutting or other operations. The purpose of the gauge is to scribe a line parallel to a reference edge or surface. It is used in joinery and sheetmetal operations.

Spherometer

A spherometer is an instrument used for the precise measurement of the radius of curvature of a sphere or a curved surface. Originally, these instruments were primarily used by opticians to measure the curvature of the surface of a lens.

Stadiametric rangefinding

Stadiametric rangefinding, or the stadia method, is a technique of measuring distances with a telescopic instrument. The term stadia comes from a Greek unit of length Stadion which was the typical length of a sports stadium of the time. Stadiametric rangefinding is used for surveying and in the telescopic sights of firearms, artillery pieces, or tank guns, as well as some binoculars and other optics. It is still widely used in long-range military sniping, but in many professional applications it is being replaced with microwave, infrared, or laser rangefinding methods. Although much easier to use, electronic rangefinders can give away the shooter's position to a well-equipped adversary, and the need for accurate range estimation existed for much longer than electronic rangefinders small and rugged enough to be suitable for military use.

A thousandth of an inch is a derived unit of length in a system of units using inches. Equal to 11000 of an inch, a thousandth is commonly called a thou or particularly in North America a mil.

A scale ruler is a tool for measuring lengths and transferring measurements at a fixed ratio of length; two common examples are an architect's scale and engineer's scale. In scientific and engineering terminology, a device to measure linear distance and create proportional linear measurements is called a scale. A device for drawing straight lines is a straight edge or ruler. In common usage, both are referred to as a ruler.

A level staff, also called levelling rod, is a graduated wooden or aluminium rod, used with a levelling instrument to determine the difference in height between points or heights of points above a vertical datum. It cannot be used without a leveling instrument.

Dividing engine

A dividing engine is a device employed to mark graduations on measuring instruments to allow for reading smaller measurements than can be allowed by directly engraving them. The well-known vernier scale and micrometer screw-gauge are classic examples that make use of such graduations.

Transversal (instrument making)

Transversals are a geometric construction on a scientific instrument to allow a graduation to be read to a finer degree of accuracy. Transversals have been replaced in modern times by vernier scales. This method is based on the Intercept theorem.

Diameter tape

A diameter tape (D-tape) is a measuring tape used to estimate the diameter of a cylinder object, typically the stem of a tree or pipe. A diameter tape has either metric or imperial measurements reduced by the value of π. This means the tape measures the diameter of the object. It is assumed that the cylinder object is a perfect circle. The diameter tape provides an approximation of diameter; most commonly used in dendrometry.

References

  1. Daumas, Maurice, Scientific Instruments of the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries and Their Makers, Portman Books, London 1989 ISBN   978-0-7134-0727-3
  2. "Federal Specification GGG-R-791H, Rules, Measuring". July 19, 1994.