LAYOUT INSTRUMENTS
Surface Plate: Surface plate forms the basis of measurement. It provides a
datum or reference surface for measurement Surface plates any be rectangular,
square or round, but most surface plates are rectangular having 4:3 length:
width ratio. Material used for surface plate may be of cast iron, granite, glass or
ceramic. Mostly material used for surface plates is of good quality closed
grained plain or alloy cast iron with proper heat treatment.
Cast iron surface plates have special ribbing and structural formations under
the surface so that these will be as light in weight as possible and yet will not
wrap or settle after the casting has aged. The surface plate is also used to check
the flatness of another surface. It has got a flat surface and all other measuring
instrument having flat base can be placed on surface plate. The big surface plate
generally rests on four leveling screws with the help of which its surface can
always be kept horizontal.
V-Block: V -Blocks are widely used for workshop and inspection purpose for
checking out the roundness of cylindrical work piece and for marking centre
accurately. Generally The angle of v is 90 and these are available in wide variety
of shapes. Some times clamps are also provided which bridge & the vee to
secure the work. The major purpose of the vee block is to hold the cylinder
pieces or move to the point, to establish precisely the centre line or axis of a
cylindrical piece. In using a vee-block, it is very essential that the cylindrical
piece should rest firmly on thee sides of the vee and not on the edges of vee as
shown on fig.
Angle Plate: This is an accessory needed with surface plate for measurement
purpose. The two surfaces of it are perpendicular to each other. It has various
designs. Instead of angle plate box squares are also some times used. It is made
of cast iron and its surface are scraped. Cast iron plates are widely ·used for
workshop and inspection purpose. Generally no sharp edges are allowed in the
plates. All finished surfaces and edges of plates are protected against climatic
condition by applying suitable corrosive preventive preparation on them.
Spirit Level: Spirit levels are used for measuring small angles or inclination and
also enable the position of a surface plate to determine with respect to
horizontal. There are three types of spirit level.
This type of spirit level has unrelieved flat base of steel hardened &
Lapped.
Level is mounted in cast iron or steel body having a base formed with flats
bearing surface at the two ends, the two ends Level is a square block.
Level about 200 mm square and made of cast iron.
Bevel Protector:
Universal Bevel Protector:
It is used for measuring and laying out of angles accurately and precisely within
5 minutes. The protector dial is slotted to hold a blade which can be rotated
with the dial to the required angle and also independently adjust to any desired
length. The blade can be locked in any position.
The bevel protectors are of two types:
A. Mechanical Bevel Protector
B. Optical Bevel Protector
The Mechanical bevel protectors are further classified in to four types, A, B, C,
&. D. In types A&. B the venire is graduated to read to 5 minutes of are, whereas
in case of type C, the scale is graduated to read in degrees and the bevel
protector is without venire or ime adjustment device or acute angle
attachment. The difference between A&B is that in type A is provided with fine
adjustment devices or acute angle attachment whereas type B not. Type D is
graduated in degree and is not provided with either venire or fine adjustment
devices or acute angle attachment.
In optical Bevel Protector, it is possible to take readings up to approximately 2
minutes of arc. Provision is also made for adjusting the focus of the system to
accommodate normal variation in eyesight. The scale and venire are so
arranged that they ate always in focus in optical system.
Various Components of Bevel Protector:
(1) Body: It is designed in such a way that its back is flat and there are no
projection beyond its back so that when the bevel protector is placed on its
back on a surface plate there shall be no perceptible rock. The flatness of a
working edge of the stock and body is tested by checking the squareness of
blade with respect to stock, when blade is at 90.
(2) Stock: The working edge of the stock is about 90mm in length and 7mm
thick. It is very essential that the working edge of the stock should be perfectly
straight and if at all departure is there~ it should be in the form of concavity.
(3) Blade: It can be moved along the turret through out its length and can also
be reversed. It is about 150 or 300mm long, 13mm wide and 2mm thick and
ends beveled at angle of 45 and 60 within a accuracy of 5 minutes of arc. It can
be clamped in any position.
Combination Set: This is most adaptable and commonly used non- precision
instrument to be used in layout and inspection work.
The combination set consists of a scale, squaring head, protector and centre
head. It consists of a heavy scale, which is grooved along its length. On this
groove, sliding squaring head is fitted. One surface of a squaring head is always
perpendicular to the scale and it can be adjusted any place by locking bolt and
nut. The squaring head also contains spirit level, which is used to test the
surface for parallelism. For laying out dovetails an included angle is also
mounted on the scale.
It can also slide to any position and be locked there. A scribing point is also
inserted in to the rear of the base for scribing purpose. The squaring head and
scale can be used for height and depth measurement, inside and outside
squaring operation. The center head attachment is used with the scale to locate
the centre of bar stock. The protector is also capable of sliding along the scale
with the help of protector. The correct angle of the work can be set on it and
deviation of work from this angle can be checked by inserting a feeler gauge
between the blade and part to be inspected.
Universal Surface Gauge: This is most versatile instrument used in non
precision measurement. It is generally used with surface plate for layout work
and inspection. It consists of a rigid base whose bottom surface is made
perfectly flat. A spindle carrying a scriber in a universal clamp is attached to the
base. The spindle can be inclined to the base in any position and clamped in
place by tightening it, slight inclination can be further given for fine adjustment
by adjusting screw. The scriber can be set at any desired position. Many times
surface gauge is used for centering the work at lathe.
Engineer's Parallel: Engineers parallels are devices of great value to tool
room work and are used for setting a part the work piece at desired distance.
These are available in three types:
(1) Solid type
(2) Box type
(3) Adjustable type.
Solid type is made of suitable steel, the box type is made of close grained cast
iron and surface are free from porosity, burrs, cracks and grind [Link]
adjustable type of parallel are made of suitable close grained cast iron·
hardened and surface free from porosity, burrs, cracks etc.
All the four working faces are ground finished and sharp edges relieved. These
consist of two pieces one fixed member and another sliding member of the
same shape and size as shown in fig. The sliding motion is obtained by dovetail.
The two members can be held firmly in any desired position by means of a
locking screw arrangement.
Solid Type
Box Type
Adjustable Type