In
science
Science is a systematic discipline that builds and organises knowledge in the form of testable hypotheses and predictions about the universe. Modern science is typically divided into twoor threemajor branches: the natural sciences, which stu ...
and
engineering
Engineering is the practice of using natural science, mathematics, and the engineering design process to Problem solving#Engineering, solve problems within technology, increase efficiency and productivity, and improve Systems engineering, s ...
, a dimensional gauge or simply gauge is a device used to make
measurement
Measurement is the quantification of attributes of an object or event, which can be used to compare with other objects or events.
In other words, measurement is a process of determining how large or small a physical quantity is as compared to ...
s or to display certain
dimensional information. A wide variety of tools exist which serve such functions, ranging from simple pieces of material against which sizes can be measured to complex pieces of machinery.
Dimensional properties include thickness, gap in space, diameter of materials.
[Ray Herren, ''Agricultural Mechanics: Fundamentals & Applications'' (2009), p. 109.][Barry Hollembeak, ''Today's Technician: Automotive Electricity and Electronics'' (2010).]
Basic types
All gauges can be divided into four main types, independent of their actual use.
# Analogue instrument meter with ''analogue display'' ("needles"). Until the later decades the most common basic type.
# Digital instrument meter with ''analogue display''. A screen that shows an "analogue meter", commonly used in modern aircraft cockpits, and some hospital equipment etc.
# Digital instrument meter with ''digital display''. Only numbers are shown at a digital display.
# Analogue instrument meter with ''digital display''. Only numbers are displayed, but through a mechanical or electro-mechanical display (today very rare but has existed for clocks, certain Doppler meters and informational screens at many stations and airports)
The two basic types with an analogue display are usually easier for the human eyes and brain to interpret, especially if many instrument meters must be read simultaneously. An
indicator
Indicator may refer to:
Biology
* Environmental indicator of environmental health (pressures, conditions and responses)
* Ecological indicator of ecosystem health (ecological processes)
* Health indicator, which is used to describe the health o ...
or needle indicates the measurement on the gauge. The other two types are only displaying digits, which are more complex for humans to read and interpret. The ultimate example is cockpit instrumentation in aircraft. The flight instruments cannot display figures only, hence even in the most modern "glass-cockpits" where almost all instruments are displayed at screens, few figures are visible. Instead the screens display analogue meters.
Types
Various types of dimensional gauges include:
See also
*
Dimensional instruments
A ''measuring instrument'' is a device to measurement, measure a physical quantity. In the physical sciences, quality assurance, and engineering, ''measurement'' is the activity of obtaining and comparing physical quantity, physical quantities of ...
*
Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing
References
{{Metalworking navbox, toolopen
Measuring instruments