Course, as contained in manual, encompasses principles involved in determining and applying proper optical tooling devices to fulfill precise measuring requirements

Dendy, W. F.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

February 1973	 B73-10061 
•	
NASA TECH BRIEF 
•	
.	 Marshall Space Flight Center 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Measurement of Dimensions and Alignment with -Optical Instruments 
For several centuries, navigators, surveyors, and 
builders have used optical instruments as measuring 
devices. Today, industry is applying similar techniques 
in measuring alignment' and dimensions of finished 
products. Indeed, it is not uncommon to encounter 
products that meet the dimensional requirements of one 
part in 200,000 regardless of size. To meet such re-
quirements, optical inspection tools are used instead of 
micrometers, calipers, surface plates, and gauges, par-
ticularly in measurements of large components and 
systems. This technique, called optical tooling, is already 
in use in the aerospace industry. 
To meet increased demands for personnel training in 
optical tooling, an advanced manual entitled Optical 
Alignment has been published for use as a handbook in 
conjunction with an advanced optical alignment training 
course. The course, as contained in this manual, en-
compasses the principles involved in determining and 
applying the proper optical tooling devices to fulfill 
the precise measuring requirements. The information 
covered by the manual incorporates such subjects as 
versatility of optical alignment, interpretation of design 
specifications in relation to optical tooling selections, 
and tooling limitations. Topics include the following: 
1. discussion of design tolerances and references, 
2. calibration and test of optical tooling instruments, 
3. planning of optical alignment,
4. alignment of jaws which hold down rocket boosters 
during static firing, 
5. determination of the geometric thrust vector for 
rocket engine alignment by establishing the centroid 
of the throat and exit areas. 
6. alignment of rocket power units, 
7. determination of flatness of canted planes, and 
8. establishing a true north line by observation of 
Polaris. 
Notes: 
1. Information concerning the advanced optical align-
ment training manual may be of interest to personnel 
engaged in optical alignment methods such as sur-
veyors, builders, quality control engineers, and test 
engineers. 
2. A more basic training manual on optical alignment 
is described in Tech Brief 68-10574. 
3. Requests for further information may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
Code A&PS-TU 
Marshall Space Flight Center, Alabama 35812 
Reference: B73-10061
Source: W. F. Dendy

Marshall Space Flight Center

(MFS-22 168) 
0	
Category 06, 03 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States 	 will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19730000061 2020-03-17T06:39:55+00:00Z


Measurement of dimensions and alignment with optical instruments

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

NASA Technical Reports Server