Mapúa University

School of Mechanical and Manufacturing

Engineering

Mechanical Engineering Laboratory 1

EXPERIMENT NO. 5

Measuring Devices

14 MARTINEZ, Alvin James A.

2013107147
ME139L – B1 Date Performed: May 24, 2017
Group No. 2 Date Submitted: May 31, 2017

SCORE

Engr. Teodulo A. Valle

Instructor
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Objectives 1

Theory and Analysis 1

List of Apparatus 6

Procedure 6

Set-up of Apparatus 8

Final Data Sheet 9

Test Data Analysis 11

Questions and Answers 12

Conclusion 14

Reference/s 15

Appendix: Preliminary Data Sheet 16

Objectives

1. To acquire knowledge about the use, operation and applications of different

types.
2. To determine the pertinent dimension of a given specimen
3. To determine the top speed of the motor shaft.
4. To determine the current leading to the motor
Theory and Analysis

In general, there are two methods for obtaining the area of irregular figures like
indicator diagrams:
1. By measuring ordinates; and
2. By means of a planimeter.
Variations of the method of ordinates are known as trapezoidal, Durand’s, and
Simpson’s. To find the area by any of these methods, divide the figure into an even
number of strips by parallel lines. The accuracy is increased as the number of strips
is made larger. The notation used in the formulas is illustrated in the figure, where
yo is the length of the first ordinate, y1 of the second, etc., n is the number of strips,
w is the common width of the strips, and A is the area of the figure. Then the
following approximate formula may be stated:

yo

y1 y2 y3

Irregular Figure
By trapezoidal rule:
A  w 12 y o  y1  y 2  ...  y n 1  12 y n 
.

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The most accurate and generally approved method of obtaining the area of
irregular figures is by means of integrating instruments called planimeters.
Instruments of this kind may differ in many details, yet all of them are based in
theory on the original Amsler polar planimeter.
The ordinary polar planimeter consists of two arms pivoted to each other, as shown
in figure 3. The arm known as the pole arm has a small pin to serve as a fixed pivot
point about which the arm may turn. The other arm, the tracing arm, has a tracing
point which can be moved along the boundary of the area to be measured. Mounted
on the tracing arm is a small wheel, which either turns or slides depending upon
the motion of the tracing point. The movement of this wheel is indicated by a scale
attached thereto, and this movement or roll in an index of the area traversed.
The theory of the planimeter will be developed by reference to figure 3. Let the
point O be constrained to move in a fixed path along the line MO’ON, and Let the
tracing point P follow some irregular closed plane path. Also let the area swept
over by the rod OP be considered positive for movement in one direction and
negative for the other direction. Since one end of the rod (at O) follows along a
fixed path having only a linear dimension, the net area swept through by the rod
will be the area of the path followed by the point P.

Polar Planimeter
Let the length of the rod OP be represented by L and let the point P be moved an
infinitesimal distance to P’, thereby causing rod OP to sweep through an
infinitesimal area dA equal to POO’P’. Then
dA  LOOsin   12 L2 d

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Where  is the angle made by the rod OP and the tangent at O to the path MON.
The distance R traversed by the tracing wheel relative to a fixed point on the rod OP
will be
dR  OO sin   ad

Where a is the distance of the plane of the wheel from the pivot O.
In tracing the entire area, the tracing point returns to its starting position P so that
the net angle turned through by the rod is zero. The net area then becomes
A  LOOsin 

And the net rotation of the wheel becomes

R  OOsin 

Combining these equations gives

A  LR

Where A = area traced by the point in units as chosen for L and R.

L= length of tracing arm from pivot O to tracing point P in any convenient units.
R = distance moved by a point on the periphery of the tracing wheel relative to a
fixed point on the arm OP, in the same units as used for L.
It should be noted that for a given wheel size (resulting in a fixed value of R) the
area indicated will depend upon the length L of the tracing arm.
The following suggestions are made relative to the proper use of a polar planimeter:
1. The figure to be planimetered should be firmly attached to a smooth
surface.
2. The pivot point should be located outside the area to be measured and
in such a position that the arms make an angle of about 90° when the
tracing point is the approximate center of the area. For large areas it is
always possible to divide the area by straight lines into smaller areas so
that the total area may be found by taking the sum of the smaller areas.
3. Do not touch the periphery of the tracing wheel unless absolutely
necessary.

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 4. Always trace the path in a clockwise direction starting and ending at
the same point. For accurate results trace the path several times and use
the average of the values obtained.
5. Do not attempt to set the wheel in a zero position of the scale at the
start. Move the tracing point to the starting position and record the
reading, then trace the path and record a second reading. The area will
be the difference between the two readings (multiplied by a calibration
factor if necessary).
6. The instrument may be calibrated by using it to determine the area of a
figure of regular proportions, such as a square or rectangle for which
the area may be calculated from linear measurements.
7. Tracing a path in a clockwise direction will always result in net rotation
of the wheel in a clockwise direction except when the pole point is
within the boundary of the figure and the area of the figure is less than
that of the zero circle. In this case the area of the figure is equal to the
area of the zero circle minus the area indicated by the planimeter.

Area of Zero Circle by Experiment - the area of the zero circle of a planimeter may
be found readily by passing the tracing point around the circumference of two circles
each larger than the zero circle. Preferably for this operation the fixed point of the
instrument is placed at the center of the circles. If the calculated areas of these circles
are respectively A1 and A2, and r is the radius of the zero circle, then, since readings
of the graduated wheel show only the areas outside the zero circle represented by R1
and R2, we obtain
A1   r 2  R1 ,
A2   r 2  R2 ,
2 r 2  A1  A2  R1  R2 

MEASUREMENT OF TIME

Every student is of course familiar with the ordinary spring-driven clock or watch
and the synchronous-motor-driven electric clock. In so far as time-keeping rate is
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concerned, a well-adjusted watch or clock is sufficiently accurate for most
engineering purposes. The electric clock, when used on utility systems where the
frequency is closely controlled, is a very accurate timepiece. A watch or clock
provided with a means of starting and stopping is known as a timer.

Time measurements are required by the mechanical engineer in connection with

determinations of linear speed, rotational speed, and frequency. The principal
source of inaccuracies in time measurement is errors in starting and stopping. The
oscillograph and the high-speed motion picture camera are used for studies at high
speeds. Studies have been made with motion pictures in which the exposure rate
was as high as 40,000 frames per second.

MEASUREMENT OF DISTANCE

The most frequently encountered problem in distance measurement involves that

associated with angular motion. Most instruments used for obtaining angular or
rotational speed are fitted with means for obtaining surface speeds such as the
cutting speed of tools in manufacturing processes.
Rotational speed measurements are the most important engineering measurements
of speed. The three common methods are by:
1. Revolution counter and timer – the simplest speed-measuring device which
requires a separate time-measuring means.
2. Tachometer – is a device which gives directly a continuous indication and/or
recording speed. Although many different methods have been used to
provide direct-reading angular velocity instruments, the ones most
commonly used today are those in which the actuating mechanism is (1) a
centrifugal device, (2) an electrical device, and (3) a resonant vibrating reed.
3. Stroboscope – the stroboscopic principle of speed measurement depends for
its operation upon the persistency of vision of the human eye. If a rotating
shaft or similar object is seen at the same point in its cycle, the object seems
to be motionless. This is also the basis of the motion picture.

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List of Apparatus

 Steel Rule
 Vernier caliper
 Micrometer
 Digital Tachometer
 Analog Tachometer
 Speed counter
 Stop watch
 Amprobe (clamp meter)
 Pitot tube
 Manometer (water)
 Infrared thermometer
 Light meter
 Hygrometer
 Anemometer
Procedures

A. ORDINATE METHOD (TRAPEZOIDAL METHOD)

1. Draw vertical line on both ends of the figure
2. Divide the figure in equal lengths.
3. Using ruler, draw a diagonal line connecting the vertical lines on both
ends.
*note: in drawing diagonal line make sure that it is being drawn
measured in whole number
4. Draw vertical lines following the divisions
5. Measure the lengths of vertical lines touching the upper and lower part of
the figure
6. Record the data.
7. Compute the Area using trapezoidal/ordinate formula.

B. SPEED MEASUREMENT

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 a. By Speed Counter
1. Adjust the speed counter to zero.
2. Attach the tip of the speed counter to the rotating shaft and simultaneously
time for 1 minute using the stopwatch.
3. Record data rpm.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 for the second and third trial.
b. By Tachometer (Analog)
1. Turn on the motor.
2. Attach the tip of the analog Tachometer and press the button once and wait
for the hand to rotate.
3. Record the data rpm.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 for the second and third trial.

c. By Tachometer (Digital)
1. Turn on the motor.
2. Attach the tip of the digital tachometer and hold the button and wait for the
measurement to appear on the screen.
3. Record the data rpm.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 for the second and third trial.

C. DIMENSION MEASUREMENT
1. Measure the given specimen using the provided measuring tools
(Inside/Outside Caliper, Steel Rule, Tape Rule, Micrometer Caliper, or
Digital Vernier Caliper).
2. Draw the specimen to scale using the acquired measurements.

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Set-up

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Final Data Sheet

B. Speed Measurement / Current

Motor No. (Rating) TRIAL DIGITAL ANALOG SPEED

TACHOMETER TACHOMETER TACHOMETER

(rpm) (rpm) (rpm)

1 1 1201 1197 1194

2 1201 1199 1193

2 1 1780 1791 1778

2 1791 1788 1715

3 1 1793 1789 1788

2 1786 1795 1790

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Test Data Analysis

The experiment deals with the measurement of the length, area, diameter, and
speed by using different measuring devices method. A tachometer (revolution-
counter, Tach, rev-counter, RPM gauge) is an instrument measuring the rotation
speed of a shaft or disk, as in a motor or other machine. The device usually displays
the revolutions per minute (RPM) on a calibrated analogue dial, but digital displays
are increasingly common.

Using the tachometer (digital and analog) and the speed counter, we were able
to accomplish the second part of the experiment. The tachometer is inserted on the
rotating shaft of the motor so that the tachometer would calibrate the rpm. The digital
tachometer is more accurate because it gives the right value while the analog
tachometer will also give us the right value but the human error in reading will give
us some discrepancy to the right value.

Accuracy of measurement when using a caliper is highly dependent on the

skill of the operator. Regardless of type, a caliper's jaws must be forced into contact
with the part being measured. As both part and caliper are always to some extent
elastic, the amount of force used affects the indication. A consistent, firm touch is
correct. Too much force results in an under indication as part and tool distort; too
little force gives insufficient contact and an over indication. This is a greater problem
with a caliper incorporating a wheel, which lends mechanical advantage. This is
especially the case with digital calipers, calipers out of adjustment, or calipers with
a poor quality beam.

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Questions and Answers

1. What is the difference between the tachometer and encoder?

- Basically, the short answer is that a tachometer gives speed information only
while an encoder gives position information about some piece of machinery.
The information can be about rotary position or linear position with linear
encoders. Encoders take rotary position and convert it to either an analog or
digital signal. Encoders can also take information about position and calculate
speed, so in the sense they are more versatile than a simple tachometer.
However, modern tachometers are not only confined to machine mounted units.

2. What is the principle behind the vernier caliper?

- The principle behind the vernier scale lies in the difference between the
divisions on the main scale and the vernier scale. This difference is very small
and usually it is such that 9 divisions on the main scale are equal to 10 divisions
on the vernier scale. This means that only one division on the vernier scale will
coincide with the main scale division when a measurement is made and this
coincident point is used to find the vernier scale reading.

3. What is the other way to calculate the area of an irregular shape?

-Most irregular shapes are a combination of two or more regular shapes. These
shapes could be divided into two or more separate parts that form regular
shapes. It is important that the dimensions of the irregular shape should be the

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 same size when they are divided into regular shapes. This is especially
important in geometry problems. To find the exact dimension of a regular shape
in real life applications, the shape can simply be remeasured. It is important that
the exact area of the shape be discovered before the shapes are added together.
Remember to use the Pythagorean theorem to calculate the area of the triangle
and then simply use the lw formula to calculate for the area.

4. What is the use of amprobe?

- A clamp meter, also called a tong tester or clamp-on ammeter, is an electrical
meter with an integrated AC current clamp for measuring the current flowing
in the conductors passing through the probe. Amprobe, founded in 1948,
invented the first clamp meter, and the company remains a leader in the field,
making products that are durable, reliable, and simple to use — something
easy for a person to learn with a few simple steps.

5. What are the standards in measurement?

-In the SI system, there are seven basic measurement units from which all other
units are derived. All of the units except one are defined in terms of their
unitary value. The one exception is the unit of mass. It is defined as 1000 grams
(g) or 1 kilogram (kg). It is also unique in that it is the only unit currently based
on an artifact. The U.S. kilogram and hence all other standards of mass are
based on one particular platinum/iridium cylinder kept at the BIPM in France. If
that International Prototype Kilogram were to change, all other mass standards
throughout the world would be wrong.

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Conclusion

After conducting the experiment, we were able to achieved the general

objective which is to acquire knowledge about the use, operation and applications
of different types of measuring devices. As a mechanical engineer, we should
know how to use the basic tools and measuring devices that engineers use. In the
first part of the experiment, it was kind of hard to make the vertical lines because
all the gaps should be equal. But somehow, we were able to complete it. By using
the simple ruler, we knew how to get the area of a given curved figure.

For the second part of the experiment, by using two measuring devices of
revolutions, we were able to get the speed of 3 motors running at different speed.
A tachometer is a device used to measure the RPM or Revolutions Per Minute of
any rotating body. Tachometers can be contact based or non-contact ones. The
non-contact or contact-less optical tachometers usually use laser or Infrared beam
to monitor the rotation of any body. This is done by calculating time taken for one
rotation.

For the last part of the experiment, by using the caliper, we had to get the
dimensions of the sample specimen so that we can draw it into scale. This part is
easy because after we get the dimensions, we drew it in AUTOCAD 2013 and
making it look good through it.

Generally, as a future mechanical engineer, I can now be able to use and

operate these basic tools used in the industry or field. So That when I encounter
one of these devices, I know how to respond to the executives and make use of it.

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References

 Wise Geek. What is a Vernier Caliper? Retrieved from:

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-vernier-caliper.htm
 Wise Geek. What is a Revolution Counter? Retrieved from:
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-revolution-counter.htm
 Simpson’s Rule. Retrieved from the world wide web:
http://www.mathwords.com/s/simpsons_rule.htm
 Pearson. How Planimeters Work. Retrieved from:
http://persweb.wabash.edu/facstaff/footer/Planimeter/HowPlanimetersWork.
htm

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