Measuring Tools In Design And Technology

Making

Manufacturers need to consider the form, function and cost of designs before production. Designers need to consider safety, availability of materials and minimising waste, while maintaining quality.

Marking out

Accuracy is vital to a quality finished product. The UK recommends the use of metric measurements using millimetres (mm), centimetres (cm) and metres (m).

Datum references

When marking out an object, datum references are used as a reference point for all measurements to be taken from and can be chosen by the manufacturer. By taking measurements from a small number of set points, accuracy can be improved and maintained.

A datum reference can be along the straight edge of a design, known as datum surface, or a single datum point, often found in the corner of a design. In a circular shape, it would be around the edge or from the centre.

In this example, the opposite corners of the shape are connected with construction lines and the intersection creates a reference point in the centre of the work. This is one example of a datum point.

Square with construction lines intersecting in the centre.

Datum references are particularly useful for aligning computer aided manufacture (CAM) machines , which use the point where the X- and Y-axis meet as a datum reference. They can also be used to scale sizes up and down in measurements by using the X- and Y-axis.

Working out reference points in a square shape is simple but most objects are more complex.

Calculating angles

The use of trigonometry can be used to work out accurate angles:

sin = opposite ÷ hypotenuse
cos = adjacent ÷ hypotenuse
tan = opposite ÷ adjacent

Pythagorus triangle with Hypotenuse (h), Adjacent (a), Opposite (o) and angle (x degrees)

The formula used will depend on the information given.

Example

The height of the triangular section below is calculated using trigonometry:

A right-angled triangle, with another angle labelled as 50 degrees and the adjacent line measured at 100 mm.

We have the angle and the adjacent side and are looking for the opposite side. So from the above formulas the best choice is:

tan = opposite ÷ adjacent

Rearrange the formula to:

tan × adjacent = opposite

Calculate the tangent of 50° using a calculator:

tan (50) = 1.19175359

Multiply by 100 mm (the adjacent) to get the height:

1.19175359 × 100 = 119.175359

= 119 mm

This can then be used to calculate the area:

Area of a triangle = ¹ ⁄ ₂ (height × width)

= ¹ ⁄ ₂ (119 mm × 100 mm) = ¹ ⁄ ₂ (11,900 mm ² )

= 5,950 mm ² or 595 cm ²

A protractor can be used to measure angles accurately during marking out.

Question

A bracket is required for a new shop sign. What is the size of angle x ?

A graphical representation of an 8cm x 4 cm metal bracket for a shop sign alongside the metal bracket in context.

tan ( x ) = opposite ÷ adjacent

tan ( x ) = 8 ÷ 4 = 2

tan ( x ) = 2

x = tan ^-1 (2)

x = 60°

Orthographic drawing

An orthographic drawing shows the measurements on each surface of an object. They would be used to help a manufacturer make a product accurately.

On this orthographic drawing, one example of a datum reference could be the centre line of the hole, and all measurements could be taken from this before cutting begins

Third angle projection diagram showing plan, front and side views, using standard lines and including hidden detail of a hole through the shape.

Where the hole would appear if it were shown in a 3D drawing (third angle orthographic projection):

Third angle projection showing the diagram in 3D using standard lines showing where the hidden detail of a hole would appear.

Marking-out tools

Jigs are tools made specially to help place a material in the same place repeatedly. They are particularly useful for marking out where holes need to be drilled or joints cut. They cut production costs by saving waste, speeding up the process and improving accuracy.

A range of marking-out tools can be used to show where to cut, drill and assemble parts. Simple marking out can be done with a pencil, but more accurate and consistent markings can be done with:

tape measure - measure straight and curved shapes
pins - hold pattern pieces in place and mark points on fabric
craft knife - cut and score (mark), particularly used on paper and card
compass - mark out circles
scriber - a sharp point to put a fine scratch on the surface of the metal that is being marked
mitre square - measure 45 degree and 135 degree angles for mitre joints in picture frames
mortise gauge - mark out lines parallel to an edge
centre punch - used to create a drill point before a hole is drilled so that the drill bit does not slip on the surface
engineer's square or try square - used for marking out at 90 degrees to an edge or face
marking knife - score lines
sliding bevel - can be adjusted to mark a specific angle

Surface patterns on paper and fabric mean that marking out should take into account a repeated pattern to make sure the images match up - marking out before cutting can help minimise waste. Paper pattern pieces are used to cut out garment pieces in fabric accurately - they carry symbols and markings to show the direction of the nap and have notches to show where they attach to another piece.