What are the Most Common Aerospace Measuring Instruments?

Aircraft are extremely robust and advanced vehicles, capable of allowing individuals to traverse the globe in times never before thought possible. Additionally, aircraft can benefit countless applications and industries ranging from agriculture to defense. With the complexity in design that enables aircraft to withstand the extreme forces and maintain heavier-than-air flight, they require high amounts of precision any time they are worked on whether it is for manufacturing or maintenance. To ensure that installations and changes to the aircraft are always precise, engineers require a number of measuring instruments to accommodate varying needs. As certain areas of the aircraft may require specific tools, being familiar with common types is crucial for anyone working in the aerospace industry.

Micrometer:

The micrometer is one of the most common measuring devices for aerospace engineering, allowing for the width and length of small parts to be accurately determined. As compared to more standard measuring devices such as rulers and yardsticks, the micrometer can provide measurements as small as 1/1000th of an inch. Depending on the need and what is being measured, there are various micrometer subtypes that may be relied upon. With the blade micrometer type, thin prongs can be used for measuring areas of components such as the grooves of o-rings. With a vernier ball micrometer, the inside width of walls within holes or tubes can be accurately measured with a perpendicular set of prongs.

Calipers:

Calipers are a type of gauge that feature movable prongs that display a measurement based on their distance from one another. Depending on whether the inside or outside of an object is being measured, interior or exterior calipers may be used. With a pair of metal prongs that are expandable on interior calipers, the engineer can adjust the prongs until they reach the sides of the component and denote a length. With exterior calipers, on the other hand, the prongs are condensed until they close on the outside walls of the component.

Bore Gauges:

Bore gauges are another common gauge type, often coming in the form of a tool featuring a head that can be inserted into a circular hole. With numerous sized bore gauges available, determining the diameter of a given hole is as simple as finding which instrument fits securely inside.

Dial Indicators:

Dial Indicators are gauges that are used for precision manufacturing, permitting the engineer to check clearances, straightness, distances between objects, and more. To achieve this, dial indicators utilize a plunger that can be raised and lowered. With a dial on the instrument, the length of extension is displayed for the user.

Feeler Gauge:

With the feeler gauge, the gaps and clearances between aircraft components can be determined with the use of small, flat plates. As each plate features a different width, the instrument may be inserted between gaps for measurement.

Wire Gauge:

As the diameter of wires dictates the current that can travel through them, using wire gauges can be very useful for quick measurements. As a wheel featuring labeled notches of varying sizes, a wire can be inserted through the tool to garner a measurement.

Center Gauge:

When grinding down aircraft components, center gauges are relied upon for accurately determining angle measurements. As a tool with multiple cuts, the gauge can be used to find a matching angle.

Gauge Blocks & Pins:

With gauge blocks, the measurement of parts can be conducted easier as the blocks serve as reference points for the placement of tools. With pins, a similar use is provided, though pins are relied upon to calibrate equipment for diameter measurement.

Go/No-Go Gauges:

Through the use of such gauges, the tolerance of bored, drilled, and reamed holes can be tested. As a gauge with varying tolerances on the “go” and “no-go” side of the tool, the instrument can be used to test the lower limits of part tolerances. Generally, the part should be able to pass through the “go” section or fit snugly, while the “no-go”section should impede movement.

Grind Gauge:

With the grind gauge, the coarseness of a part can be measured with the use of a metal flat plate featuring increasing grind depths.

Profile Gauge:

With thin metal prongs situated across the instrument’s body, the tool can be pressed against a part so that the prongs create a profile that may be traced later for measurements.

Radius Gauge:

With the radius gauge, a number of small metal plates with varying radii are featured to measure the fillets of parts with matching sizes.

Ring Gauge:

If measuring circular components, a ring gauge may be used and can be placed around an object to determine its diameter.

Thread Pitch Gauge:

As the final commonplace gauge type, thread pitch gauges are used to measure the thread pitch of screws and bolts so that they may be quickly sorted without the need for more manual measurements.

Thermometer:

For certain areas of the aircraft, measuring temperatures may be required to actively monitor heat conditions. With the extreme heat that some components are subject to, a failure or safety hazard may be possible if devices are left alone and never checked. As such, thermometers can prove extremely beneficial for carefully watching over sensitive areas.