Feeler Gauge and It's Uses
 |
| Feeler Gauge |
What is a feeler gauge used for?
A feeler gauge is a tool used to measure the gap or clearance between two objects. It consists of a set of thin metal strips or blades of various thicknesses, each marked with its specific measurement.
A feeler gauge is a tool used to measure gap widths or clearance between two parts. It consists of a set of thin metal strips, each with a precise thickness. The primary applications of feeler gauges include:
Automotive Industry: Used to measure the clearance between engine parts, such as the gap between spark plugs or the valve tappet clearance in an engine.
Machining and Metalworking: Utilized to check and measure the distance between parts in mechanical systems, ensuring that components fit together correctly without too much or too little space.
Manufacturing and Quality Control: Helps in verifying that the dimensions and tolerances of produced parts meet specifications. This is crucial in processes where precise measurements are necessary to maintain the integrity and functionality of the product.
Maintenance and Repair: Used during routine maintenance to ensure that machinery and equipment are operating within their specified clearances, preventing excessive wear and potential failures.
The strips in a feeler gauge set are often made of high-quality steel to ensure durability and precision. They are marked with their thickness, usually in both metric and imperial units, making them versatile for various applications. Feeler gauges are essential tools for anyone involved in mechanical work that requires precise measurement of small gaps
Feeler gauges are commonly used in automotive, engineering, and manufacturing applications where precise measurements are required. Here are a few specific uses of feeler gauges:
Checking spark plug gaps: In automotive maintenance, feeler gauges are used to ensure the proper gap between the center and ground electrodes of spark plugs, which affects engine performance.
Measuring valve clearances: Feeler gauges are employed to measure the gap between the valve stem and the rocker arm or camshaft in internal combustion engines. Proper valve clearances ensure proper engine operation and prevent valve damage.
Adjusting and aligning parts: Feeler gauges can be used to check and adjust the clearances between various parts, such as gears, bearings, and shafts. They help ensure proper fit, alignment, and functioning of mechanical components.
Setting up precise gaps: Feeler gauges are useful in tasks that require setting precise gaps, such as adjusting the spacing between electrical contacts, setting the air gap in ignition systems, or aligning sensor probes.
Checking and adjusting machine tolerances: Feeler gauges assist in measuring and verifying the clearances or tolerances between mating components or surfaces, allowing for proper machine setup and alignment.
Overall, feeler gauges are versatile tools for measuring
small gaps and clearances in a wide range of applications, helping to ensure
accurate fits, proper functioning, and optimal performance of mechanical
systems.
Feeler gauge is used to measure width of gap between two parallel flat faces.
E.g. clearance between piston and cylinder
Consist of narrow strip of sheet made to a given thickness. The whole set consists of number of gauging blade of different thickness assembled together. In this gauge working depends entirely on the sense of feel.
These blades are neither be forced between surfaces nor should it slip freely rather the correct blade Will give a characteristic gauge bit type of feel. It is necessary that, two blades should be joined together for nothing any dimensions.
Standard contain for feeler gauge and set of the feeler gauges met with most frequently practice and commerce.
The feeler gauge are carry series of gauging blades of dissimilar grades and thicknesses varying from 0.03 to 1 mm assembled in protective shealth.
0.04 mm per blades upto and include 0.3 mm thick.
0.006 mm blades over 0.3 mm thickness.
Feeler gauges also used for adjusting governor gap. maximum variation with thickness of blade not exceed.
Some important questions related to this topic
Is a feeler gauge a thickness gauge?
Yes, a feeler gauge is a type of thickness gauge. Both tools are used to measure the thickness of a gap or the clearance between two surfaces, but there are some distinctions in their typical uses and forms.
Feeler Gauge:
Structure: A feeler gauge consists of a set of thin metal strips (also called blades or leaves), each with a precise, labeled thickness.
Use: Primarily used to measure the clearance or gap between two parts. Common applications include measuring the gap between spark plugs, valve clearances in engines, and spacing in mechanical assemblies.
Measurement: Insert the appropriate thickness strip into the gap until a slight resistance is felt. This process is repeated with different strips until the exact gap size is determined.
Thickness Gauge:
Structure: Thickness gauges can come in various forms, including digital or dial calipers, micrometers, and ultrasonic thickness gauges, as well as simple tools like feeler gauges.
Use: Used to measure the thickness of a material or an object, rather than the gap between two parts. For example, they can measure the thickness of sheet metal, plastic, paper, or any other material.
Measurement: Depending on the type of thickness gauge, the measurement process can vary. For instance, calipers and micrometers typically clamp around the material to measure its thickness directly.
In summary, while a feeler gauge is indeed a type of thickness gauge, it is specifically designed for measuring gaps and clearances rather than the thickness of materials.
How do you measure with feeler gauges?
Measuring with feeler gauges involves a straightforward process to determine the gap or clearance between two surfaces. Here’s how to do it:
Select the Right Feeler Gauge Set:
Choose a set of feeler gauges that cover the range of thicknesses you expect to measure.
Clean the Area:
Ensure the surfaces being measured and the feeler gauge blades are clean and free from dirt or debris to ensure accurate measurements.
Insert the Feeler Gauge:
Start with a blade of a thickness you estimate is close to the gap you need to measure.
Insert the blade into the gap. If it’s too loose, try a thicker blade; if it’s too tight, try a thinner blade.
Feel for Resistance:
The correct thickness blade should slide into the gap with a slight resistance. It should not be forced in, nor should it be too loose.
You are looking for a fit where the blade can move with a light drag.
Read the Measurement:
Once you find the blade that fits correctly, read the thickness marked on the blade. This is the size of the gap or clearance.
Combining Blades (if needed):
If the gap is wider than the thickest single blade, you can combine multiple blades to achieve the correct measurement. Add the thicknesses of the individual blades together to get the total measurement.
Example Application: Measuring Valve Clearance
Prepare the Engine:
Ensure the engine is off and cool.
Rotate the engine so that the valve you are measuring is in the correct position (e.g., top dead center for some engines).
Insert the Feeler Gauge:
Slide the appropriate feeler gauge blade between the valve stem and the rocker arm or camshaft lobe.
Check the Fit:
Feel for the slight resistance. Adjust to the next thicker or thinner blade if necessary to find the correct fit.
Record the Measurement:
Once the correct blade is found, note the thickness measurement.
Using feeler gauges correctly requires a bit of practice to develop a feel for the slight drag that indicates a proper fit. It’s a simple yet effective method for ensuring precise measurements in various mechanical and technical applications.
So in this lecture we discussed Feeler Gauge information helps to improve your knowledge.
If you have any queries comments below. Thanks for reading it.
.jpg)
