Feeler gauge
The feeler gauge (also fan spy or valve gauge ) is a measuring gauge . By inserting the gauge into the gap, the dimensions of the gap can be determined. Feeler gauges are especially used where measuring with calipers or other measuring devices is not possible or very cumbersome.
construction
A feeler gauge consists of a set of precisely calibrated, rarely also hardened sheet metal strips of different thicknesses. The individual sheet metal strips are often assembled in a compartment to form a compact measuring tool in which the sheet metal thickness required in each case can be swiveled out; there are also individual feeler gauges. Each sheet metal strip contains an imprint with the thickness. A typical feeler gauge has a test range of 0.05 mm to 1.00 mm. The dimensions, hardness and labeling of feeler gauges are standardized in DIN 2275. However, the standard only applies to feeler gauges and feeler gauge sets made of steel with a minimum length of 100 mm. In addition, two tolerance classes are specified, the values of which are based on the dimensions of the German steel industry. The individual metal strips are either rectangular or conical in shape. In addition to feeler gauge sets, feeler gauge tapes are also produced in 5-meter boxes.
application
For testing, the strongest possible gauge is inserted into the gap and the gap width can thus be determined by reading the sheet thickness. It is used, for example, to set electrical contact switches or to adapt tin snips to the thickness of the material to be cut. In machine and gear manufacturing, remaining gaps are determined using dimensional tolerances and spacers are then adjusted. In metrology , it is used to check whether the object to be measured with a coordinate measuring machine is lying flat on the measuring table. In automotive engineering, it is used, among other things, to measure valve clearance and to set the distance between an interrupter contact and a spark plug . If a gap or an inside dimension is measured with a feeler gauge or gauge blocks, this is also referred to as “blocking out”.
See also
Individual evidence
- ↑ DIN 2275 on feeler gauge
- ↑ Structure, standardization and use
- ↑ Vidler, Douglas; Knowles, Don (2003). Today's Technician: Automotive Engine Performance (3rd, illustrated ed.). Cengage learning. P. 36. ISBN 978-0-7668-4864-1 .