We take  various measurements  at home, in office or at work place. We should know the main purposes and essentials of taking measurements. Here is a small discussion about that which I have gathered from my work experience.

What is measurement?

To find out size or volume of an article in terms of  legal and recognised unit is called measurement of that article. Measuring is one of the most important skill of the process of manufacture.

Necessity of taking measurement.

1. To produce or finish a job or article in  definite shape, size or volume as required  and the variation  between requirement and actual.
2. We can express our need in writing for our need.

Types of measurement

Generally there are two grades of measurement based by our needs of application-

1. Rough or Course
2. Fine or Smooth.

Rough or Course: The measurement taken to a wider range and need no accueracy in application as measurement of brickwall, moulding articles, flame cutting jobs or road measurement. Here rule of thumb may work.

Fine or Smooth: The job is finished with greater accuracy in measurement. Very small variarion or deviation from the standard is permissible.  For example:  To weigh gold, any industrial fittings etc. , we need to employ grade ,precision measuring instruments like digital weighter, vernier caliper or micrometer. 

Systems of measurement

To carry out measurement stated above,  standard units are used. In engineering world there are two types of standards in vouge- (i) F.P.S - Foot, Pound and Second. This is called British system measurement. ii) C.G.S. - Or Metric system. Centimetre,Gram and Second. This is called Indian system.

Ways of Measurement

1. Direct measurement: This measurement is taken from gratuated measuring instrument as scale or steel rule, Angle protecter.
2. Indirect measurement: This measurement is taken indirectly from the gratuated measuring instruments.Ordinery outside caliper are used in this way.
3. Comparative measurement: Comparing with a master  piece is known comparative measurement. Master gauge or a master instrument is used to compare.

Types of measurement

Linear measurement: It is the measurement by which the length can be measure.In F.P.S. system. The unit of length is foot and three feet is one yard and twelve inches makes a foot.

In the C.G.S. system the unit of length is centimetre. As well known 100 centimetre makes a metre.

Angular measurement: The angular measurement is the measurement of an angle or a round object. The surface or line meets a point and form an angle. The angles are measured by two system-Degree and Radian. We know 1degree =60'(minutes) and one minute=60"(second). Radian- It is also a standard unit of angular measurement,where 1radiant=57.3 degree .

Temparature measurement: The degree of amount of heat is temparature.The instrument used for measuring the temparature is THERMOMETER. There are two standard unit or scale  used to measure the temparature-Centigrade and Fahrenheit.

In centrigrade scale the freezing point is 0 degree where in fahrenheit it is 32 degree.The boiling point is 100 degree C and 212degree F.

One thing we should know that in centrigrade scale 0 degree to 100 degree is divided into 100 equal parts and one degree centrigrade is a part whereas in fahrenheit scale 32 degree to 212 degree is divided into 180 parts and each part is 1 degree fahrenheit.