NISTIR 6387

The NIST Gage Block

Calibration Software

System User’s Manual

Jay H. Zimmerman

United States Department of Commerce

Technology Administration

National Institute of Standards and Technology
The National Institute of Standards and Technology was established in 1988 by Congress

to “assist industry in the development of technology . . . needed to improve product quality, to

modernize manufacturing processes, to ensure product reliability . . . and to facilitate rapid

commercialization . . . of products based on new scientific discoveries.”

NIST, originally founded as the National Bureau of Standards in 1901, works to

strengthen U.S. industry’s competitiveness; advance science and engineering; and improve public

health, safety, and the environment. One of the agency’s basic functions is to develop, maintain,

and retain custody of the national standards of measurement, and provide the means and methods

for comparing standards used in science, engineering, manufacturing, commerce, industry, and

education with the standards adopted or recognized by the Federal Government.

As an agency of the U.S. Commerce Department’s Technology Administration, NIST

conducts basic and applied research in the physical sciences and engineering, and develops

measurement techniques, test methods, standards, and related services. The Institute does

generic and pre-competitive work on new and advanced technologies. NIST’s research facilities

are located at Gaithersburg, MD 20899, and at Boulder, CO 80303.
NISTIR 6387

The NIST Gage Block

Calibration Software

System User’s Manual

Jay H. Zimmerman

Precision Engineering Division

Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory

National Institute of Standards and Technology

January 2000

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

William M. Daley, Secretary

TECHNOLOGY ADMINISTRATION

Dr. Cheryl L. Shavers, Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY

Raymond G. Kammer, Director
ii
The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System User’s Manual iii

Table of Contents

Preface ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... . . xv

Disclaimer ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ..... xix

Acknowledgments ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ..... xxi

Chapter 1

Introduction to the User’s Manual ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... 1

1.1 Objectives of this User Documentation ....................................... 1

1.2 Documentation Overview ................................................. 2

Chapter 2

Gage Blocks and Instrumentation Specifications ....... ....... ....... . . 5

2.1 Introduction to Gage Blocks and Instrumentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2.2 Gage Blocks ............................................................ 7

2.3 Gage Block Comparators ................................................. 11

2.4 Gage Block Interferometric Measurement Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

2.5 Digital Voltmeters ...................................................... 15

2.6 Thermometers ......................................................... 16

2.7 Barometer ............................................................. 16

2.8 Hygrometer ........................................................... 17

Chapter 3

Microcomputer Hardware and Software Specifications ....... ....... ... 19

3.1 Introduction to Microcomputer Hardware and Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

3.2 Microcomputer Hardware and Software System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

3.3 Workstation Digital Voltmeters ............................................ 20

3.4 Workstation Peripherals .................................................. 24

3.5 Microcomputer Software Programming Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

3.6 Installing the Software Programming Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

3.7 Running the Software Programming Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

3.8 Optimizing the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System .................. 26
iv Table of Contents

Chapter 4

The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System ....... ....... ....... 27

4.1 Introduction to the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System ............... 28

4.2 The Accessory Software Programs ......................................... 28

4.3 The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

4.4 File Organization of the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software Programs . . . . . . . . . . 30

4.5 Installing the Accessory Software Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

4.6 Installing the Calibration and Measurement Software Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

4.7 Running the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System .................... 32

Chapter 5

The Accessory Software Programs ....... ....... ....... ....... ...... 33

5.1 Introduction to the Accessory Software Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

5.2 The Autost Program ..................................................... 34

5.3 The Branch Program .................................................... 34

5.4 The Clock Program ..................................................... 36

5.5 The Config Program .................................................... 37

5.6 The Edit Program ....................................................... 39

5.7 The Elastic Program .................................................... 50

5.8 The Format Program .................................................... 56

5.9 The Quit Program ...................................................... 58

5.10 The Main_lib, Math_lib, and Tech_lib Software Program Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Chapter 6

The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs ....... ....... ... 69

6.1 Introduction to the Calibration and Measurement Software Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

6.2 The Folder Program .................................................... 70

6.3 The Gage Program ...................................................... 74

6.4 The History Program .................................................... 93

6.5 The Intmap Program .................................................... 99

6.6 The Master Program ................................................... 111

6.7 The Mecmap Program .................................................. 125

6.8 The Probe Program .................................................... 140

6.9 The Report Program ................................................... 161

6.10 The Setup Program .................................................... 173

6.11 The Spectrum Program ................................................. 181

6.12 The Gage_lib Software Program Library .................................... 190
The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System User’s Manual v

Chapter 7

Using the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System ....... ....... . 193

7.1 Introduction to Using the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System ......... 193

7.2 Starting the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System ................... 194

7.3 Running the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195

7.4 Configuring of the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System .............. 195

7.5 Knowing the Basics About Calibrating Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196

7.6 Knowing about NIST’s Measurement Assurance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197

7.7 Calibrating NIST’s Master Gage Blocks Using Interferometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198

7.8 Archiving NIST’s Master Gage Blocks’ Interferometric History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198

7.9 Analyzing NIST’s Master Gage Blocks’ Interferometric History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200

7.10 Setting Up and Managing NIST’s Master Gage Blocks’ Master Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200

7.11 Setting Up and Using NIST’s Gage Block Customers’ Folder and Setup Files for

Calibrating NIST’s Gage Block Customers’ Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202

7.12 Calibrating NIST’s Gage Block Customers’ Gage Blocks Using Interferometry . . . . . 203

7.13 Calibrating NIST’s Gage Block Comparators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204

7.14 Calibrating NIST’s Gage Block Customers’ Gage Blocks Using Mechanical

Intercomparison ....................................................... 205

7.15 Analyzing NIST’s Gage Block Customers’ Gage Blocks’ Calibration History . . . . . . 206

7.16 Issuing NIST Reports’ of Calibration for NIST’s Gage Block Customers’ Gage Block

Calibrations .......................................................... 208

7.17 Archiving NIST’s Gage Block Mechanical Intercomparison Control History . . . . . . . 208

7.18 Analyzing NIST’s Gage Block Mechanical Intercomparison Calibration History . . . . 210

Chapter 8

References ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ..... 211

Appendix A.

The Accessory Software ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... 215

Appendix B.

NIST Gage Block Calibration and Measurement Software ....... ...... 217
vi Table of Contents

Appendix C.

NIST Gage Block Calibration and Measurement Software’s Configuration

Files ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ... 219

Appendix D.

NIST Gage Block Calibration and Measurement Software’s Mecmap

Program’s Configuration File ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... . . 221

Appendix E.

NIST Gage Block Calibration and Measurement Software’s Probe Program’s

Configuration Files ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... .... 223

Appendix F.

NIST Gage Block Calibration and Measurement Software’s Report

Program’s NIST Reports’ of Calibration Documentation Files ....... ... 225

Appendix G.

NIST Gage Block Calibration and Measurement Software’s Spectrum

Program’s Configuration Files ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... . . 227
The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System User’s Manual vii

List of Figures

Figure 2.1-1 Gage Block Calibration and Measurement Workstation . . . . . 6

Figure 2.1-2 Gage Block Cleaning and Preparation Equipment . . . . . . . . . 7

Figure 2.2-1 Eleven-Piece Step Master Gage Block Sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Figure 2.2-2 Chrome Carbide English Master Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Figure 2.3-1 Short Gage Block Comparator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Figure 2.3-2 Long Gage Block Comparator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Figure 2.4-1 Short Gage Block Interferometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Figure 6.10-1 Sample Customer Summary Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174

Figure 7.14-1 Calibration and Measurement of Gage Blocks

by Mechanical Intercomparison in Progress . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
viii List of Figures
The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System User’s Manual ix

List of Tables

Table 5.3-1 Configuration of the Branch.txt File ....... ....... ..... 35

Table 5.3-2 Listing of the Branch.txt File ....... ....... ....... .... 35

Table 5.5-1 Configuration of the Config.cfg File ....... ....... ..... 38

Table 5.6-1 The Edit Program’s User 1 Menu

Function Softkeys ....... ....... ....... ....... ...... 41

Table 5.6-2 The Edit Program’s User 2 Menu

Function Softkeys ....... ....... ....... ....... ...... 41

Table 5.6-3 The Edit Program’s User 3 Menu

Function Softkeys ....... ....... ....... ....... ...... 42

Table 5.6-4 The Edit Program’s System Menu

Function Softkeys ....... ....... ....... ....... ...... 42

Table 5.6-5 The Edit Program’s Function Softkeys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Table 5.6-6 The Edit Program’s Function Keys

About Moving the Insertion Point in the Document . . . . . . . 47

Table 5.6-7 The Edit Program’s Function Keys

About Inserting in the Document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Table 5.6-8 The Edit Program’s Function Keys

About Deleting in the Document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Table 5.6-9 The Edit Program’s Function Keys

About Other Editing Keystrokes in the Document . . . . . . . . 49
x List of Tables

Table 5.7-1 Elastic Constant cs (V )

for Common Engineering Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Table 5.8-1 The Format Program’s Floppy Diskette

Size Specifications ....... ....... ....... ....... ..... 56

Table 5.8-2 The Format Program’s Formatting Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Table 5.10-1 The Main_lib Software Program Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Table 5.10-2 The Math_lib Software Program Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Table 5.10-3 The Tech_lib Software Program Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Table 6.2-1 The Folder Program’s Control Menu Functions . . . . . . . . . . 70

Table 6.2-2 Configuration of Working Folder Document Files ....... . 73

Table 6.2-3 Configuration of Archived Folder Document Files ....... 73

Table 6.2-4 Listing of a Sample Working Folder Document File ...... 74

Table 6.2-5 Listing of a Sample Archived Folder Document File ...... 74

Table 6.3-1 The Gage Program’s Control Menu Functions . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Table 6.3-2 Gage Block Measurement Designs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Table 6.3-3 Configuration of the Gbkupmap.ini File ....... ....... . . 89

Table 6.3-4 Latest Listing of a Gbkupmap.ini File ....... ....... .... 90

Table 6.3-5 Configuration of Gagemap Document Files ....... ...... 91

Table 6.3-6 Listing of a Sample Gagemap Document File

from NIST’s First Gage Block Calibration Workstation . . . . 92
The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System User’s Manual xi

Table 6.4-1 The History Program’s Control Menu Functions . . . . . . . . . 95

Table 6.5-1 The Intmap Program’s Control Menu Functions . . . . . . . . . 101

Table 6.5-2 Organization Groups of NIST’s

Master Gage Block Interferometric

Calibration History in Intmap Document Files

and Intmap Report Document Files ....... ....... ..... 104

Table 6.5-3a Configuration of the Intmap Document Files

Header Records ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... 106

Table 6.5-3b Configuration of the Intmap Document Files

Remarked Records ....... ....... ....... ....... .... 107

Table 6.5-3c Configuration of the Intmap Document Files

Interferometry Measurement Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Table 6.5-4 Listing of a Sample Intmap Document File

for Group One of NIST’s Gage Block

Interferometric Calibration History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Table 6.6-1 The Master Program’s Control Menu Functions . . . . . . . . . 112

Table 6.6-2 Configuration of the English and Metric

Master Document Files ....... ....... ....... ....... 113

Table 6.6-3 Latest Listing of the Engmstr.gbk File ....... ....... ... 114

Table 6.6-4 Latest Listing of the Metmstr.gbk File ....... ....... ... 120

Table 6.7-1 The Mecmap Program’s Control Menu Functions . . . . . . . . 129

Table 6.7-2 Organization Groups of NIST’s

Gage Block Mechanical Intercomparison
xii List of Tables

Calibration History in Mecmap Document Files

and Mecmap Report Document Files ....... ....... .... 132

Table 6.7-3 Configuration of Mecmap Document Files ....... ...... 134

Table 6.7-4 Listing of a Sample Mecmap Document File

for Group One of NIST’s Gage Block

Mechanical Intercomparison Calibration Workstation . . . . 136

Table 6.8-1 The Probe Program’s Control Menu Functions . . . . . . . . . . 141

Table 6.8-2 Probe Calibration Method Designs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145

Table 6.8-3 Configuration of the Step Master Document File ....... . 149

Table 6.8-4 Latest Listing of the Stepmstr.gbk File ....... ....... . . 150

Table 6.8-5 Latest Listing of the Probe.ini File ....... ....... ..... 151

Table 6.8-6 Configuration of the Probe Document Log File ....... . . 154

Table 6.8-7 Latest Listing of a Sample Probe.log File ....... ....... 155

Table 6.8-8 Latest Listing of a Probe Configuration

Document File ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... 156

Table 6.8-9 Latest Listing of a Sample Probe Document File ....... . 159

Table 6.9-1 The Report Program’s Control Menu Functions . . . . . . . . . 161

Table 6.9-2 Latest Listing of the Heading.txt File ....... ....... ... 164

Table 6.9-3 Latest Listing of the Ending.txt File ....... ....... .... 165

Table 6.9-4 Latest Listing of the Repteng.txt File ....... ....... .... 165
The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System User’s Manual xiii

Table 6.9-5 Latest Listing of the Reptmet.txt File ....... ....... .... 169

Table 6.9-6 Latest Listing of the Rept1all.txt File ....... ....... ... 172

Table 6.9-7 Latest Listing of the Rept2all.txt File ....... ....... ... 173

Table 6.10-1 The Setup Program’s Control Menu Functions . . . . . . . . . . 176

Table 6.10-2 Configuration of Working Setup Document Files ....... . 177

Table 6.10-3 Configuration of Archived Setup Document Files ....... 179

Table 6.10-4 Listing of a Sample Working Setup Document File ...... 181

Table 6.10-5 Listing of a Sample Archived Setup Document File ...... 181

Table 6.11-1 The Spectrum Program’s Control Menu Functions . . . . . . . 183

Table 6.11-2 Configuration of the Laser.ini File ....... ....... ..... 185

Table 6.11-3 Latest Listing of the Laser.ini File ....... ....... ...... 185

Table 6.11-4 Configuration of the Manufact.ini File ....... ....... . . 186

Table 6.11-5 Latest Listing of the Manufact.ini File ....... ....... ... 187

Table 6.11-6 Configuration of the Platen.ini File ....... ....... ..... 188

Table 6.11-7 Latest Listing of the Platen.ini File ....... ....... ..... 189

Table 6.11-8 Configuration of the Spectrum.ini File ....... ....... . . 189

Table 6.11-9 Latest Listing of the Spectrum.ini File ....... ....... ... 190

Table 6.12-1 The Gage_lib Software Program Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
xiv List of Tables
The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System User’s Manual xv

 The numbers in brackets refer to Chapter 8, References, which provides the references for this 1

user documentation and the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System.

The NIST Gage Block

Calibration Software

System User’s Manual

By Jay H. Zimmerman

Precision Engineering Division

Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory

National Institute of Standards and Technology

Gaithersburg, MD 20899

Preface

The purpose of this user documentation is to enhance the knowledge and understanding

of managers and technical staff who operate and support the NIST Gage Block Calibration

Software System. The managers are the administrative or managerial authority in the

organization where used is the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System. The technical

staff is engineers, scientists, and technicians who use the NIST Gage Block Calibration

Software System and calibrate and measure gage blocks. This is the first edition published about

setting up, operating, and maintaining the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System. For

the beginner, they can read this user documentation straight through like a story. For the skilled

or knowledgeable through practice of using the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System,

they can turn to specific chapters in this user documentation.

More than 70 years, the Engineering Metrology Group and its predecessors at the

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have been documenting many aspects of

gage block calibrations and measurements [1] . Available to managers and technical staff who 1
xvi Preface

operate and support the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System are internally published

documents that together impart the evolution and science of gage block calibrations at NIST. In

1974, Clyde D. Tucker published the techniques to prepare gage blocks for a calibration [2]. In

1973, John S. Beers and Clyde D. Tucker published the methods to measure the flatness and

parallelism of gage blocks [3]. John S. Beers and Clyde D. Tucker, in 1976, published the

procedures to calibrate gage blocks using electromechanical comparators [4]. In 1978, John S.

Beers and James E. Taylor published formulas and nomographs to figure out and instructions to

correct for the local deformation to gage blocks’ gaging surfaces that spherical probe tips on

contact type comparators cause during calibrations [5]. For non-simultaneous comparison

calibrations of gage blocks, Joseph M. Cameron and Geraldine E. Hailes, in 1974, and Ted. D.

Doiron, in 1993, each published measurement designs that are inherently immune to linear drift

[6-7]. Using single wavelength interferometry, John S. Beers, in 1975, published the procedure

to measure gage blocks [8] and Ruth N. Varner, in 1977, published the computer software

program to figure out the length of gage blocks [9]. For figuring out measurement process

uncertainty, Clyde D. Tucker, in 1980, and Carroll Croarkin, John S. Beers, and Clyde D.

Tucker, in 1979, each published the measurement assurance program that NIST uses for gage

block calibrations [10-11]. Paul E. Pontius published about measurement assurance, traceability,

and uncertainty [12-14]. In 1982, Ruth N. Varner published the computer software program to

provide for continually a measurement assurance procedure for calibrating gage blocks [15]. 

This user documentation describes setting up, operating, and maintaining the NIST Gage Block

Calibration Software System.

In use today at NIST is a custom, integrated software system to calibrate and measure

gage blocks, which are length standards having standard features for accuracy, flatness,

parallelism, dimensional stability, and surface finish for exceptional wringing characteristics. 

The gage blocks have nominal lengths defined in the metric system, using millimeters, and in the

English system, using the inch that equals 25.4 millimeters. In keeping with the NIST policy of

the International System of Units (SI) for reporting length in this manual [16], the nominal

lengths of gage blocks identify each by name or size. The gage blocks have flat and parallel

opposing surfaces that are rectangular, square (Hoke), and circularly cross-sectional shaped. The

American standards for gage blocks, which include the U.S. Federal Specification GGG-G-15C,

the American National Standard ANSI/ASME B89.1.9M, and the U.S. Department of Defense

Military Standard MIL-STD 45662A, gives suggested dimensions and tolerances for rectangular,

square (Hoke), and circular cross-sectional shaped gage blocks [17-19]. This calibration system

conducts calibrations and measurements that meet the requirements of the American National

Standard ANSI/NCSL Z540-1-1994, the U.S. Department of Defense Military Standard

MIL-STD 45662A, and the International Organization for Standardization ISO/IEC Guide 25

[19-21].

This manual, The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System User’s Manual, has

chapters that feature setting up, operating, and maintaining the NIST Gage Block Calibration

Software System.
The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System User’s Manual xvii
xviii Disclaimer

Disclaimer

This is to certify that the author was an employee of the United States Government when

preparing this user documentation as part of his official duties and, therefore, this user

documentation is a publication of the U.S. Government which is not subject to copyright.

This user documentation identifies certain commercial equipment, instruments, materials,

products, and the names of companies and products in this user documentation only to properly

specify equipment and procedures used. Such identification of commercial equipment,

instruments, materials, or products does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the

National Institute of Standards and Technology and it does not imply that they are necessarily the

best available for the purpose.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), an agency of the United

States government, produced this user documentation and the software this user documentation

identifies and by statute the software is not subject to copyright in the United States. Recipients

of this user documentation and the software assume all responsibility associated with its

operation, maintenance, modification, and subsequent redistribution.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology provides this user documentation and

the software this user documentation identifies on an “as-is” basis and without warranties of any

kind, expressed, implied, or otherwise, including without limitation, any warranty of

merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

In no event does the National Institute of Standards and Technology become liable for

any consequential, incidental, indirect, or special damages of any kind, for any damages

whatsoever resulting from loss of use, data, or profits, whether or not advised of the possibility of

damage, and on any theory of liability, arising out of or concerning the use or performance of this

user documentation or the software this user documentation identifies.
The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System User’s Manual xix
xx Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

The Precision Engineering Division at the National Institute of Standards and Technology

(NIST) developed the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System and this user

documentation to support NIST’s gage block calibration and measurement services. Funding for

the project to write this user documentation came from the National Institute of Standards and

Technology and Department of the Air Force, Air Force Metrology and Calibration

(AFMETCAL) Detachment 1, WR-ALC (AFMC) at Heath, Ohio.

Many people have helped me to design, develop, and test the NIST Gage Block

Calibration Software System and this user documentation. I thank Dr. Theodore D. Doiron, Mr.

Dennis S. Everett, Mr. Bryon S. Faust, Dr. Howard H. Harary, Mr. Alan Rannals, Mr. Eric S.

Stanfield, and Mr. John R. Stoup, current members of the Engineering Metrology Group, Mr.

Edward G. Amatucci, Mrs. Janet L. Land, William B. Penzes, and Mr. Ralph C. Veale, all who

shared their ideas and support toward the software and this user documentation.

I share the merits of this user documentation with all these people and others.

Jay H. Zimmerman, August 7, 1998

Computer Scientist

Precision Engineering Division

Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory

National Institute of Standards and Technology
The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System User’s Manual xxi
Introduction to the User’s Manual 1

Chapter 1

Introduction to the User’s Manual

The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System is a complete calibration

system with custom, integrated software to calibrate and measure gage blocks, which are

length standards having standard features for accuracy, flatness, parallelism,

dimensional stability, and excellent surface finish for exceptional wringing

characteristics. The gage blocks have nominal lengths defined in the metric system, using

millimeters, and in the English system, using the inch that equals 25.4 millimeters. In

keeping with the NIST policy of the International System of Units (SI) for reporting length

in this manual [16], the nominal lengths of gage blocks identify each by name or size. 

The gage blocks have flat and parallel opposing surfaces that are rectangular, square

(Hoke), and circularly cross-sectional shaped. The American standards for gage blocks,

which include the U.S. Federal Specification GGG-G-15C, the American National

Standard ANSI/ASME B89.1.9M, and the U.S. Department of Defense Military Standard

MIL-STD 45662A, gives suggested dimensions and tolerances for rectangular, square

(Hoke), and circular cross-sectional shaped gage blocks [17-19]. The calibration system

has software programs that enable the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage

blocks, to create and maintain measurement history, statistical process control, and

related information on NIST’s and its gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks. 

These software programs provide for measuring gage blocks using interferometric

techniques and doing intercomparison using an opposed head electro-mechanical

comparator with automatic data acquisition. The accessory programs enable the user to

configure system resources, calculate or estimate elastic deformations, and edit files. 

This calibration system conducts calibrations and measurements that meet the

requirements of the American National Standard ANSI/NCSL Z540-1-1994, the U.S.

Department of Defense Military Standard MIL-STD 45662A, and the International

Organization for Standardization ISO/IEC Guide 25 [19-21].

1.1 Objectives of this User Documentation

This user’s manual, The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System User’s

Manual, describes setting up and using the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System. 
2 Chapter 1

The comprehensive treatment of the use and operation of the NIST Gage Block Calibration

Software System is beyond the scope of this manual.

1.2 Documentation Overview

This user’s manual, The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System User’s

Manual, has Chapters 1 through 7 for describing setting up and using the NIST Gage Block

Calibration Software System and Chapter 8 for providing references. The seven appendices at

the end of this user documentation, which are Appendices A through G, provide a supplement to

the custom, integrated calibration and measurement software programs and their related files and

file folders.

Chapter 1, Introduction to the User’s Manual, serves as an introduction to the NIST

Gage Block Calibration Software System. It identifies the purpose of the documentation and

delineates its organization.

Chapter 2, Gage Blocks and Instrumentation Specifications, provides the technical

specifications detailing the gage blocks and instrumentation of the NIST Gage Block

Calibration Software System. These specifications identify the gage blocks and instruments that

the NIST technical staff uses to perform gage block calibrations and measurements.

Chapter 3, Microcomputer Hardware and Software Specifications, provides the

technical specifications detailing the microcomputer hardware and software components of the

NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System. These specifications identify the

microcomputer hardware and software components critical for interactive programming,

instrument control, data acquisition, and information processing.

Chapter 4, The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System, provides the technical

specifications detailing the custom, integrated software components of the NIST Gage Block

Calibration Software System. These specifications identify the software components to

configure system resources, calculate or estimate elastic deformations, edit files, and to calibrate

and measure gage blocks, which are length standards having standard features for accuracy,

flatness, parallelism, dimensional stability, and excellent surface finish for exceptional wringing

characteristics. The gage blocks have nominal lengths defined in the metric system, using

millimeters, and in the English system, using the inch that equals 25.4 millimeters. In keeping

with the NIST policy of the International System of Units (SI) for reporting length in this manual

[16], the nominal lengths of gage blocks identify each by name or size. The gage blocks have

flat and parallel opposing surfaces that are rectangular, square (Hoke), and circularly crosssectional shaped. The American standards for gage blocks, which include the U.S. Federal

Specification GGG-G-15C, the American National Standard ANSI/ASME B89.1.9M, and the

U.S. Department of Defense Military Standard MIL-STD 45662A, gives suggested dimensions

and tolerances for rectangular, square (Hoke), and circular cross-sectional shaped gage blocks
Introduction to the User’s Manual 3

[17-19]. The calibration and measurement software programs provide for measuring gage blocks

using interferometric techniques and doing intercomparison using an opposed head

electro-mechanical comparator with automatic data acquisition. Other calibration and

measurement software programs enable the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage

blocks, to create and maintain measurement history and related information and statistical

process control about NIST’s and its gage block customers’ gage blocks.

Chapter 5, The Accessory Software Programs, provides functionality and technical

specifications about the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System’s accessory software

programs. It describes some characteristics and functionality of these software programs.

Chapter 6, The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs, provides

functionality and technical specifications about the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software

System’s calibration and measurement software programs. It describes some characteristics and

functionality of these software programs.

Chapter 7, Using the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System, provides general

instruction about using the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System as a complete

calibration system with custom integrated software to calibrate and measure gage blocks, which

are length standards having standard features for accuracy, flatness, parallelism, dimensional

stability, and excellent surface finish for exceptional wringing characteristics. The gage blocks

have nominal lengths defined in the metric system, using millimeters, and in the English system,

using the inch that equals 25.4 millimeters. In keeping with the NIST policy of the International

System of Units (SI) for reporting length in this manual [16], the nominal lengths of gage blocks

identify each by name or size. The gage blocks have flat and parallel opposing surfaces that are

rectangular, square (Hoke), and circularly cross-sectional shaped. The American standards for

gage blocks, which include the U.S. Federal Specification GGG-G-15C, the American National

Standard ANSI/ASME B89.1.9M, and the U.S. Department of Defense Military Standard

MIL-STD 45662A, gives suggested dimensions and tolerances for rectangular, square (Hoke),

and circular cross-sectional shaped gage blocks [17-19]. It generalizes the methodical use of the

NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System’s software programs for configuring system

resources, creating and maintaining measurement history and related information and statistical

process control of NIST’s and its gage block customers’ gage blocks, and measuring gage blocks

using interferometric and mechanical intercomparison techniques.

Chapter 8, References, provides the references for this user documentation and the NIST

Gage Block Calibration Software System. These references identify the gage blocks,

instruments, and documentation that the NIST technical staff uses to perform gage block

calibrations and measurements.
4 Chapter 1

The seven appendices at the end of this user documentation, which are Appendices A

through G, provide a supplement to the custom, integrated calibration and measurement software

programs and their related files and file folders.

Appendix A., The Accessory Software, documents the accessory software programs and

their related files.

Appendix B., NIST Gage Block Calibration and Measurement Software, documents

the NIST Gage Block Calibration and Measurement software programs and their related files.

Appendix C., NIST Gage Block Calibration and Measurement Software’s

Configuration Files, documents the configuration files the NIST Gage Block Calibration

Software System uses.

Appendix D., NIST Gage Block Calibration and Measurement Software’s Mecmap

Program’s Configuration File, documents the configuration file the NIST Gage Block

Calibration and Measurement Software’s Mecmap Program uses.

Appendix E., NIST Gage Block Calibration and Measurement Software’s Probe

Program’s Configuration Files, documents the configuration files the NIST Gage Block

Calibration and Measurement Software’s Probe Program uses.

Appendix F., NIST Gage Block Calibration and Measurement Software’s Report

Program’s NIST Reports’ of Calibration Documentation Files, documents the NIST Reports’

of Calibration documentation files the NIST Gage Block Calibration and Measurement

Software’s Report Program uses.

Appendix G., NIST Gage Block Calibration and Measurement Software’s Spectrum

Program’s Configuration Files, documents the configuration files the NIST Gage Block

Calibration and Measurement Software’s Spectrum Program uses.
Gage Blocks and Instrumentation Specifications 5

Chapter 2

Gage Blocks and Instrumentation

Specifications

This chapter provides the technical specifications detailing the gage blocks and

instrumentation of the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System. These

specifications identify the gage blocks and instruments that the NIST technical staff uses

to perform gage block calibrations and measurements.

2.1 Introduction to Gage Blocks and Instrumentation

The fundamental calibration and measurement equipment and instruments are three

eleven-piece sets of gage blocks, which the NIST technical staff refers as step master gage

blocks, four complete sets of gage blocks, which the NIST technical staff refers as master gage

blocks, electro-mechanical gage block comparators, interferometric measurement instruments,

digital voltmeters, thermistor thermometers, barometer, and hygrometer. The technical user, who

calibrates and measures gage blocks, uses the electro-mechanical gage block comparators to

calibrate and measure gage blocks by mechanical intercomparison and uses the interferometric

measurement instruments to calibrate and measure gage blocks by interferometry. The

automated calibration and measurement software programs, called the Probe and Gage

programs, which run on standalone microcomputer workstations, each use voltmeters to measure

voltage output from the electro-mechanical gage block comparators. The thermometers,

barometer, and hygrometer are necessary when making measurement corrections (e.g., thermal

expansion, wavelength). Miscellaneous equipment includes several partial sets of gage blocks,

many reference flats of various diameters, which the NIST technical staff refers as optical flats

and platens, granite surface plates, soaking plates, and gage block cleaning and preparation

equipment. To calibrate and measure gage blocks by mechanical intercomparison, the typical

gage block calibration and measurement workstation, as Figure 2.1-1 shows, includes standalone

microcomputer workstation with the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System, electromechanical gage block comparator, digital voltmeter, and thermistor thermometer.

The gage block cleaning and preparation equipment, as Figure 2.1-2 shows, includes air

puffer, anhydrous ethyl alcohol, Arkansas stone, cotton towel, china bristle brush, granite stone,
6 Chapter 2

Figure 2.1-1 Gage Block Calibration and Measurement

Workstation

and tongs for every gage block calibration. Anhydrous ethyl alcohol is for cleaning gage blocks. 

The cotton towel is for cleaning and drying gage blocks. For removing burrs, the Arkansas stone

is for chrome carbide gage blocks and the granite is for steel gage blocks. The tongs are

equipped with padded tips for handling gage blocks. The air puffer is for removing dust from

gage blocks during calibrations.
Gage Blocks and Instrumentation Specifications 7

Figure 2.1-2 Gage Block Cleaning and Preparation Equipment

2.2 Gage Blocks

The gage blocks the NIST technical staff uses are three eleven-piece sets of gage blocks,

which the NIST technical staff refers as step master gage blocks, and four complete sets of gage

blocks, which the NIST technical staff refers as master gage blocks. The technical user, who

calibrates and measures gage blocks, routinely uses the automated software program, called the

Probe program, and three eleven-piece sets of gage blocks, which the NIST technical staff refers

as step master gage blocks, to calibrate the electro-mechanical gage block comparators. The

three step master gage block sets each are eleven-piece English, or inch, sets, which the user uses

exclusively for calibrating the electro-mechanical gage block comparators. The user uses the

automated software program, called the Gage program, and four complete sets of gage blocks,
8 Chapter 2

 This user documentation identifies certain commercial equipment, instruments, materials, 2

products, and the names of companies and products in this user documentation only to properly specify

equipment and procedures used. Such identification of commercial equipment, instruments, materials, or

products does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Institute of Standards and

Technology and it does not imply that they are necessarily the best available for the purpose. Refer to

the Disclaimer section of this user documentation for a complete disclosure.

which the NIST technical staff refers as master gage blocks, to calibrate and measure gage block

calibration customers' gage blocks by mechanical intercomparison. The four complete gage

block sets are two English, or inch, sets and two metric sets. The user regularly calibrates and

measures the gage blocks and check each for parallelism and flatness to be usable for all routine

calibrations and measurements, assuring accuracy.

Over the years and currently, the users, who are the technicians who calibrate and

measure gage blocks, at NIST have purchased gage blocks from many manufacturers and

vendors, including DoAll Company, Ellstrom Company, Fonda Gage Company, Hummel

Company, A. A. Jansson, Inc., C. E. Johansson Company, Matrix, Pratt and Whitney Company,

Van Keuren Company, Webber Gage Division of the L. S. Starrett Company, and Carl Zeiss

Company . Gage block manufacturers commonly inscribe individual identification, or serial, 2

numbers and nominal sizes on all gage blocks to establish proper identification and reference.

The three eleven-piece step master gage block sets, as Figure 2.2-1 shows, each consist of

a selection of rectangular gage blocks having nominal gage block sizes from 0.1 through 0.1001

inches, in increments of 0.00001 inches, one each of steel, chrome carbide, and tungsten carbide

gage blocks. As a note, everyone uses the actual nominal gage block sizes labeled on these

English, or inch, step master gage blocks to identify them and, therefore, using metric equivalents

is impractical.

The two English, or inch, master gage block sets each consist of a selection of rectangular

gage blocks having nominal gage block sizes from 0.01 inches through 4 inches, one each of

steel and chrome carbide gage blocks, and square (Hoke) gage blocks having nominal gage block

sizes from 5 inches through 20 inches, two each of steel gage blocks, totaling 178 pieces in each

set. Figure 2.2-2 shows a selection of rectangular gage blocks having nominal gage block sizes

from 0.01 inches through 4 inches, one each of chrome carbide gage blocks. The principle

assortments of nominal gage block sizes are the 0.0001-inch series, the 0.001-inch series, the 

0.010-inch series, the 0.020-inch series, the 0.050-inch series, and the 1.000-inch series. The

0.0001-inch series consists of nominal gage block sizes from 0.1001 inches through 0.1009

inches. The 0.001-inch series consists of nominal gage block sizes from 0.101 inches through

0.95 inches. The 0.010-inch series consists of nominal gage block sizes from 0.0101 inches

through 0.019 inches. The 0.020-inch series consists of nominal gage block sizes from 0.0201

inches through 0.029 inches. The 1.000-inch series consists of nominal gage block sizes
Gage Blocks and Instrumentation Specifications 9

Figure 2.2-1 Eleven-Piece Step Master Gage Block Sets

from 1 inch through 4 inches. Miscellaneous block series are the 1/64-inch series, which consists

of nominal gage block sizes of 1/32, 3/64, 1/16, 5/64, 3/32, and 7/64 inches, and the 0.00005-

inch series, which consists of 0.02005 and 0.10005 inches. The two square (Hoke) steel long

gage block sets are assemblies of blocks from 5 inches through 20 inches. As a note, everyone

uses the actual nominal gage block sizes labeled on these English, or inch, master gage blocks to

identify them and, therefore, using metric equivalents is impractical.

The two metric master gage block sets each consist of a selection of rectangular block

blocks having nominal gage block sizes from 0.1 millimeters through 100 millimeters, one each

of steel and chrome carbide gage blocks, and square (Hoke) gage blocks having nominal gage

block sizes from 125 millimeters through 500 millimeters, two each of steel gage blocks, totaling

212 pieces in each set. The principal assortments of nominal gage block sizes are the
10 Chapter 2

Figure 2.2-2 Chrome Carbide English Master Gage Blocks

0.1-millimeter base series, the 0.5-millimeter base series, the 1.0-millimeter base series, the 2.0-

millimeter base series, and the 10-millimeter base series. The 0.1-millimeter base series consists

of nominal gage block sizes from 0.1 millimeters through 0.9 millimeters in 0.1-millimeter

increments. The 0.5-millimeter base series consists of nominal gage block sizes from 1.0

millimeters through 25.0 millimeters in 0.5-millimeter increments. The 1.0-millimeter base

series consists of nominal gage block sizes of 1.0005 millimeters, from 1.001 millimeters

through 1.009 millimeters in 0.001-millimeter increments, from 1.01 millimeters through 1.49

millimeters in 0.01-millimeter increments, and from 1.6 millimeters through 1.9 millimeters in

0.1-millimeter increments. The 2.0-millimeter base series consists of nominal gage block sizes

2.0005 millimeters, from 2.001 millimeters through 2.009 millimeters in 0.001-millimeter

increments, from 2.01 millimeters through 2.49 millimeters in 0.01-millimeter increments, and

from 2.6 millimeters through 2.9 millimeters in 0.1-millimeter increments. The 10.0-millimeter
Gage Blocks and Instrumentation Specifications 11

base series consists of nominal gage block sizes from 30.0 millimeters through 100.0 millimeters

in 10-millimeter increments and 75.0 millimeters. Miscellaneous metric gage block sizes consist

of 0.25, 0.75, 0.405 millimeters. The two square (Hoke) steel long gage block sets are

assemblies of blocks from 125 millimeters through 500 millimeters. As a note, everyone uses

the actual nominal gage block sizes labeled on these metric master gage blocks to identify them

and, therefore, using English, or inch, equivalents is impractical.

2.3 Gage Block Comparators

The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System employs two types of electromechanical gage block comparators. The first type of electro-mechanical gage block

comparators, as Figure 2.3-1 shows, called short block comparators, measures metric gage

blocks having nominal lengths from 0.1 millimeters through 100 millimeters and English, or

inch, gage blocks having nominal lengths from 0.01 millimeters through 4 inches. The second

type of electro-mechanical gage block comparators, as Figure 2.3-2 shows, called long block

comparators, measures metric gage blocks having nominal lengths from 125 millimeters through

600 millimeters and English, or inch, gage blocks having nominal lengths from 5 inches through

24 inches. In keeping with the NIST policy of the International System of Units (SI) for

reporting length in this manual [16], the nominal lengths of gage blocks identify each by name or

size. These electro-mechanical gage block comparators provide electronic calibration and

measurement of gage blocks and digital readout resolutions of approximately 2.5 nanometers (

0.1 microinches). The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, inserts gage

blocks, one-at-a-time and in series, between the electro-mechanical gage block comparators’ two

opposing spindle probes during the established calibration and measurement processes. The

readings, which are the measured displacement of contact between those opposing spindle

probes, yield the final calibration and measurement values for the gage blocks.

The short block comparators, which are Federal Products Corporation Model 130B-24

electro-mechanical gage block comparators and manufactured by Federal Products Corporation

of Providence, Rhode Island, each are separately interfaced to the NIST Gage Block Calibration

Software System’s microcomputer systems. Components of these electro-mechanical gage block

comparator systems each include one Federal Products Corporation Model 130B-24 benchmounted electro-mechanical gage block comparator, one digital meter with RS-232 output, one

Federal Products Corporation Model 130B-24 solid state amplifier, and one Federal Products

Corporation Model C-16724 foot switch assembly. The technical user, who calibrates and

measures gage blocks, uses these comparators to measure metric gage blocks having nominal

lengths from 0.1 millimeters through 100 millimeters and English, or inch, gage blocks having

nominal lengths from 0.01 millimeters through 4 inches [22].
12 Chapter 2

Figure 2.3-1 Short Gage Block Comparator

The long block comparators, which are Federal Products Corporation Model 130B-16

electro-mechanical gage block comparators and manufactured by Federal Products Corporation

of Providence, Rhode Island, each are separately interfaced to the NIST Gage Block Calibration

Software System’s microcomputer systems. Components of these electro-mechanical gage block

comparator systems each include one Federal Products Corporation Model 130B-16 benchmounted electro-mechanical gage block comparator, one digital meter with RS-232 output, one

Federal Products Corporation Model 130B-16 solid state amplifier, and one Federal Products

Corporation Model C-16724 foot switch assembly. The technical user, who calibrates and

measures gage blocks, uses these comparators to measure metric gage blocks having nominal

lengths from 125 millimeters through 600 millimeters and English, or inch, gage blocks having

nominal lengths from 5 inches through 24 inches [23].
Gage Blocks and Instrumentation Specifications 13

Figure 2.3-2 Long Gage Block Comparator
14 Chapter 2

The short and long block comparators, which are electro-mechanical gage block

comparators and manufactured by Federal Products Corporation of Providence, Rhode Island,

each feature large, chrome-plated platens of hardened steel to support the gage blocks during

gaging. The platen of each comparator is mounted separate from the measuring mechanics and

serves to protect gage blocks since it eliminates wringing the blocks into position. The sensitive

gage-head contact of each comparator contacts the gage blocks through a slot in the platen. The

electro-mechanical gage block comparators’ manufacturer suspended the complete gaging

mechanism, including the sensitive and reference spindles, within its main measurement

structure. According to the manufacturer’s specifications, isolating the gaging mechanism

reduces effects of local vibration. Finally, the manufacturer says the comparators’ design allows

for adjusting gaging pressure for both the sensitive and reference contacts [22-23].

2.4 Gage Block Interferometric Measurement Instruments

The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System employs several interferometric

measurement instruments to calibrate and measure gage blocks belonging to NIST and its

customers. At NIST, the interferometric measurement instruments capacitate the NIST Gage

Block Calibration Software System to calibrate and measure metric gage blocks, which have

nominal lengths from 0.1 through 100 millimeters and from 125 millimeters through 1200

millimeters, and English, or inch, gage blocks, which have nominal lengths nominal lengths from

0.01 through 4 inches and from 5 inches through 48 inches, and measure flatness of the gage

blocks to approximately 25 nanometers (one microinch). In keeping with the NIST policy of the

International System of Units (SI) for reporting length in this manual [16], the nominal lengths of

gage blocks identify each by name or size.

At NIST, the primary interferometer, as Figure 2.4-1 shows, for calibrating and

measuring metric gage blocks, which have nominal lengths from 0.1 through 100 millimeters,

and English, or inch, gage blocks, which have nominal lengths from 0.01 through 4 inches, was

manufactured by Messrs, Hilger and Watts Limited (Hilger Division) of Great Britain. The

instrument, a National Physical Laboratory (NPL)-Hilger Gauge Model N180-302/55202

interferometer, was based on NPL design for directly calibrating and measuring batches of gage

blocks. The reference standards of measurement are based on the actual wavelengths of

cadmium and mercury radiation emitted from the cadmium and mercury lamps and the single

frequency wavelength of helium-neon radiation emitted from the Tropel Corporation Model 100

helium-neon laser, which Coherent, a division of Tropel Corporation manufactured. The

manufacturer originally supplied the instrument with one baseplate, which the technical user,

who calibrates and measures gage blocks, rotates with the instrument’s control knob. To

interferometrically measure gage blocks, the user suitably wrings gage blocks to the working

surface of reference flats of various diameters, which the NIST technical staff refers as optical

flats and platens. Over the field of view, these working plates are within approximately 25

nanometers (one microinch) of perfect flatness to provide suitable optical characteristics.
Gage Blocks and Instrumentation Specifications 15

Figure 2.4-1 Short Gage Block Interferometer

2.5 Digital Voltmeters

The digital voltmeters are Hewlett-Packard Model HP3478A and Model HP34401A

digital multimeters. For automated data transmission, the digital voltmeters are interfaced

between the Federal electro-mechanical gage block comparators’ RS-232 connection on the back

of its digital meter and the microcomputers’ PC/IEEE-488 interface hardware. Individual foot

switches are separately attached to the digital voltmeters that, when pressed by the users, who are

the technicians that calibrate and measure gage blocks, trigger the NIST Gage Block Calibration

Software System’s software programs to gather voltage readings automatically from the electromechanical gage block comparators, which the digital voltmeters measure. The digital

voltmeters’ design features include selectable speed and 3-1/2 to 5-1/2 digit resolution (e.g., 90
16 Chapter 2

readings per second with 3-1/2 digit resolution, 35 readings per second with 4-1/2 digit

resolution) and five auto-ranging functions for automated testing. These instruments can

measure DCV, true RMS ACV, 2-wire and 4-wire ohms, and DC and AC current. Other design

features include switchable front/rear inputs for system connections, complete output and

external trigger input that allows synchronization without delay of software commands, a

Hewlett-Packard IEEE 488-1978, or Hewlett-Packard Interface Bus (HPIB) input-output

interface bus, and nonvolatile memory for storing calibration constants. The digital voltmeters

are designed to enable the user to calibrate the instruments manually from the front panel or

automatically using the HPIB interface functions [24-25].

2.6 Thermometers

The thermometers are United Systems Corporation Digitec Model 5810 digital thermistor

thermometers manufactured by United Systems Corporation of Dayton, Ohio. The thermometers

measure directly in degrees Celsius with 0.01 degree Celsius resolutions and operate with United

Systems Corporation Series 700A interchangeable probes. Other design features include a 4-1/2

digit display, 0.03 degree Celsius accuracy, two temperature ranges (e.g., -30.00 to +50.00

degrees Celsius, 0.00 to 100.00 degrees Celsius), three probe inputs, line or battery operation,

response time of 500 milliseconds, and a sampling rate of four per second nominal [26].

To measure the temperature of gage blocks having nominal gage block sizes from 0.01

inches through 4 inches and from 0.1 millimeters through 100 millimeters, the technical user,

who calibrates and measures gage blocks, attaches thermistor probes one each to electromechanical gage block comparators’ large, chrome-plated platens of hardened steel, which

support the gage blocks during gaging. To measure the temperature of long gage blocks having

nominal gage block sizes from 5 inches through 20 inches and from 125 millimeters through 500

millimeters, the user attaches thermistor probes one each to electro-mechanical gage block

comparators’ platens and one each near the bases and tops of these gage blocks during gaging.

2.7 Barometer

The barometer is a PENN-WALT Corporation Model FA-139 aneroid barometer

manufactured by Wallace and Tiernan Division, PENN-WALT Corporation of Belleville, New

Jersey. The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, uses this instrument to

measure barometric pressure. The measuring range of the barometer is from 710.0 millimeters

through 785.0 millimeters of mercury with 0.1-millimeter resolutions. The user measures

barometric pressure during interferometric gage block calibrations and measurements.
Gage Blocks and Instrumentation Specifications 17

2.8 Hygrometer

The hygrometer is a Lufft Model AB167 laboratory relative humidity measuring

instrument manufactured by Lufft of West Germany and originally certified by Abbeon Cal,

Incorporated of Santa Barbara, California. The measuring range of the hygrometer is from zero

through 100 per cent relative humidity with one part per hundred resolutions. The technical user,

who calibrates and measures gage blocks, measures the laboratory’s relative humidity during

interferometric gage block calibrations and measurements. To assure proper conditions for

storing the gages and doing calibrations and measurements, the user always uses the hygrometer

to manage relative humidity levels in the laboratories’ spaces.
18 Chapter 2
Microcomputer Hardware and Software Specifications 19

Chapter 3

Microcomputer Hardware and Software

Specifications

This chapter provides the technical specifications detailing the microcomputer

hardware and software components of the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software

System. These specifications identify the microcomputer hardware and software

components critical for interactive programming, instrument control, data acquisition,

and information processing.

3.1 Introduction to Microcomputer Hardware and Software

The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System employs standalone microcomputer

workstations. Latest microcomputer hardware and software specifications have each workstation

consisting of one independently operating Pentium II microprocessor-based microcomputer with

Microsoft Windows 95 operating system, Profession Edition of Microsoft Office 97, TransEra

High Tech Basic Language DOS Version 4.3 or higher, the software components of the NIST

Gage Block Calibration Software System, and one ordinary quality, dot-matrix line printer. To

run Microsoft Windows 95 operating system, Profession Edition of Microsoft Office 97,

TransEra High Tech Basic Language DOS Version 4.3 or higher, and the calibration and

measurement software components of the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System, the

microcomputers at NIST each have between 24 and 64 megabytes of random access memory [27-

30]. Peripherals shared by all workstations consist of one high-resolution publication-quality

laser printer and one graphics plotter. The workstations’ hardware and software configuration

are virtually compatible, which consists of interchangeable microcomputer hardware

components.

3.2 Microcomputer Hardware and Software System

 The latest specifications to the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System

recommend independently operating Pentium II microprocessor-based microcomputer

workstations. The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software is written in TransEra High Tech
20 Chapter 3

Basic (HTBasic) Language System DOS Version 4.3 or higher, which specifically require Intel

486 and Pentium microprocessor-based IBM-compatible personal computers and Microsoft DOS

Version 5.0 or higher, Microsoft Windows 3.1, or Microsoft Windows 95 [29-30]. Several

calibration and measurement software programs require the microcomputers each to consist of

eight megabytes random access memory minimally. To run the Professional Edition of

Microsoft Office 97, which requires Microsoft Windows 95, and other Microsoft Windows 95

compatible application software together with the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software

System, latest recommendations specify Intel Pentium II microprocessor-based IBM-compatible

personal computers, 64 megabytes of random access memory, 17-inch color monitor (15.9-inch

viewable area), 4-gigabyte hard drive, 12X minimum/32X maximum CD-ROM drive, and 3.5-

inch 1.44-megabyte floppy diskette drive [28].

The workstations’ microcomputer systems each are equipped with one IOtech PC/IEEE488 interface board, three IEEE-488 cables, and one RS-232 parallel cable, which connect each

workstation’s microcomputers to calibration and measurement equipment and computer

peripherals. Each workstation’s microcomputer system has installed inside its system unit and

into an available expansion slot exactly one IOtech PC/IEEE-488 interface board unit according

to IOtech’s installation specifications. Then, daisy-chained mounted to each workstation’s

microcomputer system’s IOtech PC/IEEE-488 interface board, are three cable connectors, one

end only, of the IOtech PC/IEEE-488 cable pair. The leading end of the first cable is mounted to

a Hewlett-Packard Model HP3478A or Model HP34401A digital multimeter, which enables the

automated calibration and measurement software programs, called the Probe and Gage

programs, use the digital voltmeter to measure voltage output from the electro-mechanical gage

block comparators. The leading end of the second cable is mounted to an ordinary dot-matrix

desktop line printer. To share the use of the graphics plotter among workstations, the leading end

of the third cable is mounted to a graphics plotter, which is disconnected and reconnected to

another workstation as needed. The RS-232 parallel cable is mounted, one end to the

workstation’s parallel printer port, the leading end to a shared parallel printer port, which then

connects to the high-resolution, publication-quality laser printer.

3.3 Workstation Digital Voltmeters

The digital voltmeters, which are Hewlett-Packard Model HP3478A and Model

HP34401A digital multimeters, provide automated data transmission when adapted by the

technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, and interfaced between the Federal

electro-mechanical gage block comparators’ RS-232 connection on the back of its digital meter

and the microcomputers’ PC/IEEE-488 interface hardware. This adaptation, which the NIST

technical staff calls “debouncing” the digital voltmeters, allows separately attaching individual

foot switches to the digital voltmeters that, when pressed by the user trigger the NIST Gage

Block Calibration Software System’s software programs to gather voltage readings

automatically from the electro-mechanical gage block comparators, which the digital voltmeters
Microcomputer Hardware and Software Specifications 21

measure. The agreed upon four-part “debouncing” procedure have the user prepare and add to

the digital voltmeters an integrated circuit which debounces incoming signals from the

mechanical foot switches [31-32].

The first part of the “debouncing” procedure has the technical user, who calibrates and

measures gage blocks, separately attaching the foot switch to the digital voltmeter. Every

installation uses the following hardware components:

C One Treadlite foot switch (Type T-91-S, Newark Electronics’ stock number 96F2040)

C One BNC twin connector (Amphenol 31-224)

C One BNC twin connector (Amphenol 31-223)

C One two-meter piece of shielded three-wire cable

In every installation, the user performs the following steps for the first part of the “debouncing”

procedure:

C Step 1: Enlarge the existing hole in the digital voltmeter’s rear panel, which is under the

plastic template that attaches to the metal, for adapting to the new feed-through

connector, performing this action with extreme care to avoid damaging any existing

components or allowing metal filings to fall into the digital voltmeter’s circuit board that

can cause short circuiting when the digital voltmeter is powered up.

C Step 2: Attach the BNC twin connector (Amphenol 31-224) to one end of the two-meter

piece of shielded three-wire cable and attach the BNC twin connector (Amphenol 31-223)

to the other end, which is for the feed-through connector that mounts to the digital

voltmeter’s rear panel.

C Step 3: Attach the feed-through connector to the digital voltmeter’s rear panel just above

the connector labeled “External Trigger.”

C Step 4: Use the two-meter piece of shielded three-wire cable, prepared in the first

procedure’s step 2, to duly connect the foot switch to the digital voltmeter’s new trigger

input.

The second part of the “debouncing” procedure has the technical user, who calibrates and

measures gage blocks, separately interfacing the Federal electro-mechanical gage block

comparator’s RS-232 connection, which is on the back of its digital meter, to the “positive-
22 Chapter 3

and-negative” voltage inputs on the digital voltmeter’s rear panel. Every installation uses the

following hardware components:

C One 5-pin connector, which the manufacturer of the Federal electro-mechanical gage

block comparators normally supplies

C One normal BNC connector (Amphenol 31-30220-12) for 1/8-inch RG-174/U cable

C One BNC-to-double-banana (post-plug) connector

C One two-meter piece of 1/8-inch RG-174/U cable

In every installation, the user performs the following steps for the second part of the

“debouncing” procedure:

C Step 1: Check the polarity of the 5-pin connector’s second and third pins and duly attach

the 5-pin connector to one end of each two-meter piece of 1/8-inch RG-174/U cable and

attach the normal BNC connector (Amphenol 31-30220-12) to the other end.

C Step 2: Plug the BNC-to-double-banana (post-plug) connector into the “positive-andnegative” inputs on the digital voltmeter’s rear panel.

C Step 3: Use the two-meter piece of 1/8-inch RG-174/U cable, prepared in the second

procedure’s step 1, to duly connect the Federal electro-mechanical gage block

comparator’s RS-232 connection, which is on the back of its digital meter, to the

“positive-and-negative” voltage inputs on each digital voltmeter’s rear panel.

The third part of the “debouncing” procedure has the technical user, who calibrates and

measures gage blocks, separately adapting the digital voltmeter. Every installation uses the

following hardware components:

C One 74LS Type 00 (14-pin) Quad NAND Gate integrated circuit,

C One 14-pin dual-in-line extension socket

C Two 4.7 Kohm resistors

C Two jumpers

C Three pieces of AWG Z8 copper wire, each 15-20 centimeters

Soldering every connection inside the digital voltmeter for every installation, the user performs

the following steps for the third part of the “debouncing” procedure:

C Step 1: Trim by half, twelve of the extension socket’s pins, and only leaving the seventh

and fourteenth pins intact.
Microcomputer Hardware and Software Specifications 23

C Step 2: Connect one 4.7 Kohm resistor between the extension socket’s first and fourteen

pins and connect the other 4.7 Kohm resistor between the extension socket’s fifth and

fourteenth pins.

C Step 3: Connect one jumper between the extension socket’s second and sixth pins and

connect the other jumper to the extension socket’s third and fourth pins.

C Step 4: Use the three pieces of AWG Z8 copper wire, separately connecting each piece,

one end only, to the extension socket’s first, third, and fifth pins.

C Step 5: Duly plug the 74LS Type 00 (14-pin) Quad NAND Gate integrated circuit into the

extension socket, making sure the integrated circuit’s orientation matches the wiring

configuration.

C Step 6: Referring to the schematic drawing on page 9-5 of the service guide for the

Hewlett-Packard Model HP34401A digital multimeter, find the two 8-pin integrated

circuits each respectively numbered U506 and U704, which provides the newly wired

integrated circuit its +5 volt supply and ground.

C Step 7: Bend the extension socket’s seventh and fourteenth pins, which were left intact, to

ensure the 74LS Type 00 (14-pin) Quad NAND Gate integrated circuit correctly seats

above both 8-pin integrated circuits each respectively numbered U506 and U704.

C Step 8: Connect the extension socket’s pin, which corresponds to the 74LS Type 00 (14-

pin) Quad NAND Gate integrated circuit’s fourteenth pin, to the second pin of the 8-pin

integrated circuit numbered U506.

C Step 9: Connect the extension socket’s pin, which corresponds to the 74LS Type 00 (14-

pin) Quad NAND Gate integrated circuit’s seventh pin, to the eighth pin of the 8-pin

integrated circuit numbered U704.

C Step 10: Connect the AWG Z8 copper wire leading from the extension socket’s first pin

to the feed-through connector, which corresponds as the female connection on the

opposite side of the feed-through connector.

C Step 11: Connect the AWG Z8 copper wire leading from the extension socket’s fifth pin

to the feed-through connector, which corresponds as the male connection on the opposite

side of the feed-through connector.

C Step 12: Connect the AWG Z8 copper wire leading from the extension socket’s third pin

to the center tap of the external trigger connector on the rear face of the digital

voltmeter’s circuit board just below the feed-through connector.

Referring to the user’s guide for the Hewlett-Packard Model HP34401A digital

multimeter, the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, accomplishes the fourth

part of the “debouncing” procedure, separately changing the digital voltmeter’s programming

language selection to the HP3478A Language and its hardware address to “23” [25].
24 Chapter 3

3.4 Workstation Peripherals

The workstations’ microcomputer systems each are equipped with one ordinary quality

dot-matrix line printer. The printers are Hewlett-Packard ThinkJet Model 2225D dot-matrix line

printers. These printers print text and graphics, offer 150 characters per second printing capacity,

and use disposable print cartridges and 8-1/2 by 11 inch Z-fold paper. The predominant

application consists of printing the observation report, which contains the measurements and

statistical analyses.

The workstation peripherals shared by all workstations consist of one high-resolution,

publication-quality laser printer and one graphics plotter. The workstation printer is a highresolution, publication-quality Hewlett-Packard LaserJet Model 6PXi laser printer, which prints

final reports about calibrations and measurements performed. To run the Professional Edition of

Microsoft Office 97 and other Microsoft Windows 95 compatible application software together

with the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System, recommendations specify a highresolution publication-quality laser printer with 6 megabytes of memory, black print color, 600

dots per inch resolution, 12,000-page monthly duty cycle, 350-sheet media capacity, standard

media sizes (e.g., letter, legal, A4, executive), standard media types (e.g., plain paper, envelopes,

transparencies, labels, and card stock up to 43-lb thickness), and a high-speed interface (e.g.,

IEEE 1284-compliant parallel) [27-28]. The predominant application consists of printing NIST

Reports’ of Calibration.

The graphics plotter is an eight-pen Hewlett-Packard ColorPro Model 7440A plotter. 

The plotter is equipped with a Hewlett-Packard Interface Bus (HPIB) interface and uses HewlettPackard Graphics Language (HPGL) instructions, which resides in the plotter. The HPGL

software controls plotting functions such as pen movement, labeling, character set selection, and

axis placement. The plotter accepts four different media types, which are chart paper, glossy

presentation paper, overhead transparency film, and double-matte polyester film. Pen types

include fiber-tip pens for paper and overhead transparencies and liquid-ink drafting pens for

high-quality drawings on polyester film. Fiber-tip pens are available in ten colors and two tip

widths. The drafting pens are refillable and are available in three different tip widths.

3.5 Microcomputer Software Programming Language

The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System is programmed in TransEra High

Tech Basic (HTBasic) Language System DOS Version 4.3 or higher. TransEra HTBasic

Language System DOS Version 4.3 or higher is a BASIC interpreter compatible to the HewlettPackard Rocky Mountain BASIC Language, which Hewlett-Packard originally developed for the

Hewlett-Packard 9000 Series 200/300 scientific and engineering workstations. Hewlett-Packard

Rocky Mountain BASIC and TransEra HTBasic Language System DOS Version 4.3 or higher
Microcomputer Hardware and Software Specifications 25

are powerful scientific and engineering languages that combine the ease-of-use of BASIC, the

math capabilities of FORTRAN and the structured-programming of Pascal and C, extensive

graphics, instrument control capabilities with IEEE-488 (e.g., Hewlett-Packard Interface Bus

(HPIB), General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB)) or data acquisition plug-in cards, and interactive

programming aids [29-30]. Since the former NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System

was written in Hewlett-Packard Rocky Mountain BASIC, TransEra HTBasic Language System

DOS Version 4.3 or higher was approved for its compatibility with Hewlett-Packard’s Rocky

Mountain BASIC. TransEra HTBasic Language System DOS Version 4.3 or higher utilities

enable transferring data and program files between Intel 486 and Pentium microprocessor-based

IBM-compatible personal computers running Microsoft Windows or Microsoft DOS and

Hewlett-Packard Series 200/300 workstations, Hewlett-Packard Series 700 workstations, or Sun

SPARC workstations [29-30]. Once transferred, programs can run virtually unchanged, which

avoids time consuming and costly program rewrites.

3.6 Installing the Software Programming Language

The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System needs the installation of TransEra

High Tech Basic (HTBasic) Language System DOS Version 4.3 or higher. Installing TransEra

HTBasic Language System DOS Version 4.3 or higher on each workstation’s microcomputer

first comprises copying the language and drivers of TransEra HTBasic Language System DOS

Version 4.3 or higher from the distribution floppy diskettes to the C:\Htb386 folder according to

the manufacturer’s “Installing and Using” manual. Running TransEra HTBasic Language

System DOS Version 4.3 or higher on each workstation’s microcomputer next requires fastening

an ID module one each to the microcomputers’ parallel printer port, which must be plugged into

a parallel printer port during the entire time that TransEra HTBasic Language System DOS

Version 4.3 or higher is running and the printer should be turned on when attached. The

language and drivers of TransEra HTBasic Language System DOS Version 4.3 or higher support

different interfaces, input and output (I/O) ports, displays, tablets, plotters, printers, and graphics

output files [29-30].

3.7 Running the Software Programming Language

Running TransEra High Tech Basic (HTBasic) Language System DOS Version 4.3 or

higher under Microsoft Windows 95 requires following two instructions from the Readme.1st

file, which the manufacturer supplies with the distribution floppy diskettes for TransEra HTBasic

Language System DOS Version 4.3 or higher. The first instruction is copying the Pharlap.386

file, which the manufacturer supplies with the distribution floppy diskettes for TransEra HTBasic

Language System DOS Version 4.3 or higher, from the C:\Htb386 folder to the Windows®
26 Chapter 3

folder. The second instruction is editing the System.ini file for Microsoft Windows 95, which is

in the Windows® folder, and adding the following line in the [386Enh] section:

Device=C:\Windows\Pharlap.386

The Pharlap.386 file is the Pharlap 386 DOS Extender that enables launching TransEra HTBasic

Language System DOS Version 4.3 or higher from within Microsoft Windows 95, which

requires restarting the microcomputer.

TransEra HTBasic Language System DOS Version 4.3 or higher uses the Pharlap 386

DOS Extender to manage the protected mode of the Intel 386, 486, and Pentium

microprocessors. The Cfig386 program alters the DOS Extender configuration after saving

specified settings inside the specified version of TransEra HTBasic Language System DOS

Version 4.3 or higher (e.g., Htb386.exe, Htbno387.exe, htb386c.exe, htbn387c.exe). The NIST

Gage Block Calibration Software System uses the complex version of TransEra HTBasic

Language System DOS Version 4.3 or higher, named Htb386c.exe, with the switches as shipped

[29-30].

3.8 Optimizing the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software

System

Following several instructions can optimize the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software

System, which is Microsoft DOS-based and cannot run in a window, to run in a full screen under

Microsoft Windows 95. In the C:\Htb386 folder is a PIF file, named Htb386.pif, which runs

Htb386.exe and attempts to allocate 16 megabytes of random access memory both by default. 

The first instruction to optimization is copying the PIF file to the Windows® Desktop, My

Computer, or Windows Explorer. The second instruction is editing the program properties of the

PIF item, which includes entering “NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System” for the

name of the Microsoft DOS-based program, changing the command line to run the complex

version of TransEra High Tech Basic (HTBasic) Language System DOS Version 4.3 or higher,

named Htb386c.exe, as follows:

C:\Htb386\Htb386c.exe -W 8M

where the -W 8M switch allocates a smaller random access memory work space, changing the

working folder to C:\Gage, selecting the run mode to Normal Window, checking the box to Close

on Exit, and saving the changes. The third instruction is specifying the icon file, named

Htb386.ico, for TransEra HTBasic Language System DOS Version 4.3 or higher, which is in the

C:\Htb386 folder, to change the icon that Microsoft Windows 95 displays. Renaming the PIF

item to “NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System” is the last instruction.
The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System 27

Chapter 4

The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software

System

This chapter provides the technical specifications detailing the custom, integrated

software components of the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System. These

specifications identify the software components to configure system resources, calculate

or estimate elastic deformations, edit files, and to calibrate and measure gage blocks,

which are length standards having standard features for accuracy, flatness, parallelism,

dimensional stability, and excellent surface finish for exceptional wringing

characteristics. The gage blocks have nominal lengths defined in the metric system, using

millimeters, and in the English system, using the inch that equals 25.4 millimeters. In

keeping with the NIST policy of the International System of Units (SI) for reporting length

in this manual [16], the nominal lengths of gage blocks identify each by name or size. 

The gage blocks have flat and parallel opposing surfaces that are rectangular, square

(Hoke), and circularly cross-sectional shaped. The American standards for gage blocks,

which include the U.S. Federal Specification GGG-G-15C, the American National

Standard ANSI/ASME B89.1.9M, and the U.S. Department of Defense Military Standard

MIL-STD 45662A, gives suggested dimensions and tolerances for rectangular, square

(Hoke), and circular cross-sectional shaped gage blocks [17-19]. The calibration and

measurement software programs provide for calibrating and measuring gage blocks

using interferometric techniques and doing intercomparison using an opposed head

electro-mechanical comparator with automatic data acquisition. Other calibration and

measurement software programs enable the technical user, who calibrates and measures

gage blocks, to create and maintain measurement history and related information and

statistical process control about NIST’s and its gage block calibration customers’ gage

blocks.
28 Chapter 4

4.1 Introduction to the NIST Gage Block Calibration

Software System

The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System consists of two groups of software

files and programs: the accessory software programs and the calibration and measurement

software programs and each their related files. The accessory software programs, which the

Htbutil folder stores, enables the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, to

configure system resources, calculate or estimate elastic deformations, and edit files. The

calibration and measurement software programs, which the Gage folder stores, enable the user to

calibrate and measure gage blocks, which are length standards having standard features for

accuracy, flatness, parallelism, dimensional stability, and excellent surface finish for exceptional

wringing characteristics. The gage blocks have nominal lengths defined in the metric system,

using millimeters, and in the English system, using the inch that equals 25.4 millimeters. In

keeping with the NIST policy of the International System of Units (SI) for reporting length in this

manual [16], the nominal lengths of gage blocks identify each by name or size. The gage blocks

have flat and parallel opposing surfaces that are rectangular, square (Hoke), and circularly crosssectional shaped. The American standards for gage blocks, which include the U.S. Federal

Specification GGG-G-15C, the American National Standard ANSI/ASME B89.1.9M, and the

U.S. Department of Defense Military Standard MIL-STD 45662A, gives suggested dimensions

and tolerances for rectangular, square (Hoke), and circular cross-sectional shaped gage blocks

[17-19]. These software programs provide for calibrating and measuring gage blocks using

interferometric techniques and doing intercomparison using an opposed head electro-mechanical

comparator with automatic data acquisition. Other calibration and measurement software

programs enable the user to create and maintain measurement history and related information and

statistical process control about NIST’s and its gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks. 

The Htbutil, Gage, and Htb386 folders are directly subordinate to the root level folder. The

Htbutil and Gage folders store the custom, integrated calibration and measurement software. The

Htb386 folder stores the programs and drivers of TransEra High Tech Basic Language System

DOS Version 4.3 or higher.

4.2 The Accessory Software Programs

The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System’s accessory software programs are

Autost, Branch, Clock, Config, Edit, Elastic, Format, and Quit. The Htbutil folder stores all

the accessory software programs and general software program libraries that complement the

calibration and measurement software programs. The Autost program, which the Gage folder

stores, is automatically loaded and executed when TransEra High Tech Basic (HTBasic)

Language System DOS Version 4.3 or higher starts in the Gage folder. The Branch program

displays and loads the accessory software programs and the calibration and measurement

software programs. The Clock program displays and sets the microcomputer date and time
The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System 29

properties. The Config program displays and sets the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software

System’s file folder and device properties. The Edit program opens and stores text in any one of

three formats, Logical-Interchange-Format binary, Logical-Interchange-Format ASCII, and DOS

ASCII text. The Elastic program calculates or estimates the compression effects, which

normally occur in measuring and using spheres and cylinders in precise metrology. The Format

program formats floppy diskettes with these formatting options, safe, quick, and destructive. The

Quit program exits the programming environment of TransEra HTBasic Language System DOS

Version 4.3 or higher and returns to the workstations’ microcomputer’s operating system, which

is Microsoft Windows 95. All the accessory software programs and the calibration and

measurement software programs use functions and subprograms from the Main_lib, Math_lib, 

and Tech_lib software program libraries.

4.3 The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs

The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System’s calibration and measurement

software programs are Folder, Gage, History, Intmap, Master, Mecmap, Probe, Report, Setup,

and Spectrum. The Gage folder stores the Autost program, the Gage_lib software program

library, and the calibration and measurement software programs and their related files. The

Autost program is automatically loaded and executed when TransEra High Tech Basic (HTBasic)

Language System DOS Version 4.3 or higher starts in the Gage folder. The Folder program

opens, prints, and stores NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ addresses and test folder

information. To calibrate and measure gage blocks by mechanical intercomparison, the technical

user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, uses the Gage program to analyze measurements

from the electro-mechanical gage block comparators and to print and record the results. The

History program opens, analyzes, prints, and stores NIST’s gage block calibration customers’

gage block calibration history. The Intmap program opens, analyzes, and prints NIST’s master

gage block interferometric calibration history. The Master program opens, prints, and stores

current information about NIST’s master gage blocks. The Mecmap program opens, analyzes,

and prints the mechanical intercomparison control history for all NIST’s gage block mechanical

intercomparison calibrations and measurements, which the Gage program records during its use

in calibrations and measurements. The user uses the Probe program to calibrate the electromechanical gage block comparators. The Report program opens, creates, prints, and stores

NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ NIST Reports’ of Calibration. The Setup program

opens, prints, and stores NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks’ sizes,

identification or serial numbers, and calibration and measurement information. To calibrate and

measure gage blocks by interferometry, the user uses the Spectrum program to analyze

interferometric measurements from the gage block interferometers and to print the results and the

Setup program is then used to record the results. All the calibration and measurement software

programs use functions and subprograms from the Gage_lib software program library.
30 Chapter 4

4.4 File Organization of the NIST Gage Block Calibration

Software Programs

In the Gage folder are the custom, integrated calibration and measurement software

programs and their related files and file folders. The Branch program uses Branch.txt, which is a

DOS ASCII text file that resides in the Gage folder and stores the program names and

descriptions. The Config program uses Config.cfg, which is a DOS ASCII text file that resides

in the Gage folder and stores the system configuration. The Spectrum program uses Instrumt.ini,

Laser.ini, Manufact.ini, Platen.ini, and Spectrum.ini, which are DOS ASCII text files that reside

in the Gage folder.

The file folders, which are subordinate to the Gage folder, are Gagemap, Historys,

Intmaps, Masters, Mecmaps, Probes, Text, and Work and clearly labeled floppy diskettes store

backed-up copies of files stored in these folders. The Gagemap folder stores the mechanical

intercomparison control history for all NIST’s gage block mechanical intercomparison

calibrations and measurements, which the Gage program records during its use in calibrations

and measurements. The Historys folder stores NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage

block calibration history files. The Intmaps folder stores all NIST’s master gage block

interferometric calibration history files. The Master program stores NIST’s master gage block

database files in the Masters folder. The Master program stores the English, or inch, the metric,

and the step master gage block databases in Engmstr.gbk, Metmstr.gbk, and Stepmstr.gbk,

respectively. The Mecmap program restores files containing the mechanical intercomparison

control history for all NIST’s gage block mechanical intercomparison calibrations and

measurements in the Mecmaps folder. The Probe program stores the electro-mechanical gage

block comparators’ probe calibration measurements and results to files in the Probes folder. The

Text folder stores files containing the text the Report program uses to create NIST Reports’ of

Calibrations. The Report program’s text files are Ending.txt, Heading.txt, Rept1all.txt,

Rept2all.txt, Repteng.txt, and Reptmet.txt, which are DOS ASCII text files. The Work folder is

the accepted folder to store files with NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage block

calibration and measurement results.

4.5 Installing the Accessory Software Programs

The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System needs the installation of the

accessory software programs and their related files and the software program libraries. Installing

the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System’s accessory software programs and software

program libraries on each workstation’s microcomputer first requires creating the C:\Htbutil

folder in My Computer or Windows Explorer. The second instruction is copying all the accessory

software programs and their related files and the software program libraries from the distribution

floppy diskette, labeled “National Institute of Standards and Technology HTBASIC LAB
The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System 31

SOFTWARE S UTILITY SOFTWARE S Disk 1 of 1,” to the C:\Htbutil folder. The accessory

software programs are Autost, Branch, Clock, Config, Edit, Elastic, Format, and Quit. The

accessory programs’ related files are Branch.txt and Config.cfg. The software program libraries

are Main_lib, Math_lib, and Tech_lib.

4.6 Installing the Calibration and Measurement Software

Programs

The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System needs the installation of the

calibration and measurement software programs and their related files and file folders and the

software program library. Installing the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System’s

calibration and measurement software programs and their related files and file folders and the

software program library on workstations’ microcomputers first requires creating the C:\Gage

folder in My Computer or Windows Explorer and the subfolders C:\Gage\Gagemap,

C:\Gage\Historys, C:\Gage\Intmaps, C:\Gage\Masters, C:\Gage\Mecmaps, C:\Gage\Probes,

C:\Gage\Text, and C:\Gage\Work.

The second instruction is copying all the calibration and measurement software programs

and their related files, the Probe program’s configuration file, and the software program libraries

from the first distribution floppy diskette, labeled “National Institute of Standards and

Technology GAGE BLOCK LAB SOFTWARE S SYSTEM SOFTWARE S Disk 1 of 4,” to the

C:\Gage folder. The calibration and measurement software programs are Folder, Gage, History,

Intmap, Master, Mecmap, Probe, Report, Setup, and Spectrum. Related files are Branch.txt

and Config.cfg, which are DOS ASCII text files. The Probe program’s configuration file is

Probe.ini, which is a DOS ASCII text file. The software program library is Gage_lib. The

Probe program creates the initial Probe.ini configuration file, which the technical user, who

calibrates and measures gage blocks, can update using the Edit program. Without a probe

calibration, the Gage program only returns to the Branch and Probe programs.

The third instruction is copying the English, or inch, the metric, and the step master gage

block database files from the second distribution floppy diskette, labeled “National Institute of

Standards and Technology GAGE BLOCK LAB SOFTWARE S MASTER FILES S Disk 2 of

4,” to the C:\Gage\Masters folder. The English, or inch, the metric, and the step master gage

block database files are Engmstr.gbk, Metmstr.gbk, and Stepmstr.gbk, which are DOS ASCII text

files. The Master program creates the initial English, or inch, and the metric master gage block

database files, which the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, can update

using this program and backup to the second distribution floppy diskette. The Probe program

creates the initial step master gage block database files, which the user can update using the Edit

program and backup to the second distribution floppy diskette. Without the English, or inch, the
32 Chapter 4

metric, and the step master gage block database files, the calibration and measurement software

programs only return to the Branch and Master programs.

The fourth instruction is copying the Report program’s text files from the third

distribution floppy diskette, labeled “National Institute of Standards and Technology GAGE

BLOCK LAB SOFTWARE S REPORT TEXT FILES S Disk 3 of 4,” to the C:\Gage\Text folder. 

The Report program’s text files are Ending.txt, Heading.txt, Rept1all.txt, Rept2all.txt,

Repteng.txt, and Reptmet.txt, which are DOS ASCII text files that the technical user, who

calibrates and measures gage blocks, can update using the Edit program and backup to the third

distribution floppy diskette.

The fifth instruction is copying the Spectrum program’s configuration files from the

fourth distribution floppy diskette, labeled “National Institute of Standards and Technology

GAGE BLOCK LAB SOFTWARE S SPECTRUM *.INI FILES S Disk 4 of 4,” to the C:\Gage

folder. The Spectrum program’s configuration files are Instrumt.ini, Laser.ini, Manufact.ini,

Platen.ini, and Spectrum.ini, which are DOS ASCII text files. The Spectrum program creates the

initial configuration files, which the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, can

update using the Edit program and backup to the fourth distribution floppy diskette.

4.7 Running the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software

System

The user-friendly characteristics of the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System

ease its use and operation. The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System, by design,

closely adapts and complements the procedures and techniques of the NIST Gage Block

Calibration Software System that the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, is

familiar. Just clicking the Windows® Desktop icon labeled “NIST Gage Block Calibration

Software System” starts the whole system of software programs that runs on a Pentium II

microprocessor-based microcomputer under Microsoft Windows 95, a computer environment the

user has experience. The Autost program automatically loads and runs the Branch program,

which displays the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System’s software programs in a

menu from which the user selects. The Branch program seamlessly loads and runs software

programs the user selects. The software programs operate by executing interactive processes the

user invokes through responding to various input prompts (e.g., selecting and choosing menu

items and options, entering numeric and character data, pressing an auxiliary trigger mechanism). 

When running a software program is complete, the user can select options when prompted to exit

the program, which reloads and runs the Branch program. The Quit program exits the

programming environment of TransEra HTBasic Language System DOS Version 4.3 or higher

programming environment and returns to the workstations’ microcomputer’s operating system,

which is Microsoft Windows 95.
The Accessory Software Programs 33

Chapter 5

The Accessory Software Programs

This chapter provides general information about the NIST Gage Block

Calibration Software System’s accessory software programs. It describes some

characteristics and functionality of these software programs.

5.1 Introduction to the Accessory Software Programs

The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System’s accessory software programs are

Autost, Branch, Clock, Config, Edit, Elastic, Format, and Quit and the software program

libraries are Main_lib, Math_lib, and Tech_lib. The Htbutil folder stores all the accessory

software programs and general software program libraries that complement the calibration and

measurement software programs. The Autost program, which the Gage folder stores, is

automatically loaded and executed when TransEra High Tech Basic (HTBasic) Language System

DOS Version 4.3 or higher starts in the Gage folder. The Branch program displays and loads the

accessory software programs and the calibration and measurement software programs. The

Clock program displays and sets the computer date and time properties. The Config program

displays and sets the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System’s file folder and device

properties. The Edit program opens, prints, and stores text files in any one of three file storage

formats, Logical-Interchange-Format binary, Logical-Interchange-Format ASCII, and DOS

ASCII text. The Elastic program calculates or estimates the compression effects, which

normally occur in measuring and using spheres and cylinders in precise metrology. The Format

program formats floppy diskettes with these formatting options: safe, quick, and destructive. The

Quit program exits the programming environment of TransEra HTBasic Language System DOS

Version 4.3 or higher and returns to the workstations’ microcomputer’s operating system, which

is Microsoft Windows 95. All the accessory software programs and the calibration and

measurement software programs use functions and subprograms from the Main_lib, Math_lib,

and Tech_lib software program libraries.
34 Chapter 5

5.2 The Autost Program

The Autost program, which the Gage folder stores, is automatically loaded and executed

when TransEra High Tech Basic (HTBasic) Language System DOS Version 4.3 or higher starts

in the Gage folder. This program loads necessary device drivers, customizes the programming

environment of TransEra HTBasic Language System DOS Version 4.3 or higher using

programmable statements, and starts the Branch program, which is the default application and

menu program for the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System.

The Autost program shows how to load the serial and General Purpose Interface Bus

(GPIB) data acquisition device drivers of TransEra HTBasic Language System DOS Version 4.3

or higher, change keyboard function keys, set various TransEra HTBasic Language System DOS

Version 4.3 or higher options, use the DOS command line string, and use the DOS environment

strings. The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System needs the GPIB data acquisition

device driver of TransEra HTBasic Language System DOS Version 4.3 or higher to access the

functions of IOtech PC/IEEE-488 interface board, which TransEra HTBasic Language System

DOS Version 4.3 or higher treats as HTBasic devices, from within an HTBasic program. The

Autost program loads the GPIB driver by using the following programmable statement:

LOAD BIN “GPIB;BO PC2A BA 2E1 IN 7” 

5.3 The Branch Program

The Branch program, which the Htbutil folder stores and the Autost program first loads,

is the default application and menu program for the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software

System. This program displays software programs’ names and descriptions of the NIST Gage

Block Calibration Software System’s accessory software programs and calibration and

measurement software programs on the computer monitor and loads the program that the

technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, selects.

The Branch program displays on the computer monitor the NIST Gage Block

Calibration Software System’s accessory software programs and calibration and measurement

software programs among which the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks,

can select. When the user selects a program from the menu, the Branch program then loads and

executes the program selected. When the user does not use the keyboard and mouse for 30

seconds, the Branch program erases the menu of programs and descriptions from the computer

monitor and starts the built-in screen saver, which displays what resembles twinkling stars in the

midnight sky. Refreshing the menu of programs’ names and descriptions to the computer

monitor requires the user simply to press any key on the keyboard or the mouse.
The Accessory Software Programs 35

The Branch program gets the software programs’ names and their descriptions from the

DOS ASCII text file, named Branch.txt. The Branch.txt file resides in the Gage folder, which is

the current and customary program folder for the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software

System under normal operations. As Table 5.3-1 shows, the Branch.txt file contains software

programs’ menu and folder specifications, names, and descriptions. The listing of the Branch.txt

file, as Table 5.3-2 shows, has the latest NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System’s

accessory software programs and calibration and measurement software programs.

Table 5.3-1 Configuration of the Branch.txt File

Column Field Description

1

This field specifies the software program menu (First Menu: 1, Second Menu:

2, Third Menu: 3, . . . , Ninth Menu: 9).

2

This field specifies the software program menu titles, menu, and folders (Menu

Title: 0, Selectable Menu: 1, Accessory Program Folder: 2, Calibration and

Measurement Program Folder: 3).

4-80 This field has the menu title.

4-13 This field has the name of software program menus (“1st Menu,” “2nd Menu,” .

. . , “9th Menu”) or programs.

17-80 This field has the description of the software program menu or program.

Table 5.3-2 Listing of the Branch.txt File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0001:

0002:

0003:

0004:

0005:

0006:

0007:

0008:

0009:

0010:

00 B R A N C H M E N U

01 2nd Menu Second Menu of Programs

03 SETUP File setup for GAGE Program

03 GAGE Gage Block Calibration Program

03 SPECTRUM Compute Lengths from Interferometric Fringe Fractions

03 MASTER Laboratory Master Gage Block Database Management

03 PROBE Probe Calibration of a Gage Block Comparator

03 HISTORY Gage Block Customer History Program

03 FOLDER Gage Block Customer Test Folder Editor

03 REPORT Gage Block Customer Report Program
36 Chapter 5

Table 5.3-2 Listing of the Branch.txt File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0011:

0012:

0013:

0014:

0015:

0016:

0017:

0018:

0019:

0020:

0021:

03 INTMAP Interferometric History MAP Statistical Program

03 MECMAP Mechanical History MAP Statistical Program

02 CONFIG Computer System Configuration Program

02 CLOCK Computer System Clock (Display/Reset Date and Time)

02 EDIT HTBasic Text Editor (BDAT, LIF ASCII, and DOS Files)

02 FORMAT Format Floppy Diskettes for Use by the Computer

02 ELASTIC Compute Elastic Compression of Spheres and Cylinders

02 QUIT Quit HTBasic and return to DOS operating system

10 B R A N C H M E N U

11 1st Menu First Menu of Programs

12 QUIT Quit HTBasic and return to DOS operating system

5.4 The Clock Program

The Clock program, which the Htbutil folder stores, displays and sets the computer date

and time properties. This program displays continuously the day of the week, date, and time and

a clock face on the display monitor, which shows the computer’s current date and time

properties. To change the computer’s date and time properties, the technical user, who calibrates

and measures gage blocks, can press function keys to enter a new date and time, respectively. To

switch sound on and off, the user can press alternatively a function key.

The Clock program ticks every second, beeps every minute, sounds a short melody every

fifteen minutes, and sounds a long melody every hour when sound is on. The short and long

melodies fashion Westminster chimes. The Clock program counts every hour on the hour. The

Clock program bases its music note frequencies on the C Major scales for specified music

octaves one through seven and reference notes from C to B. This program computes the

frequencies on the Equal Tempered Chromatic Scale adopted by the American Standards

Association in 1936. The A note in the fourth octave is the reference note and has a value of 440

Hertz. Every increase of one octave doubles the frequency and every decrease of one octave

halves the frequency. Twelve half-steps compose an octave and its equal spacing is geometric

rather than arithmetic and therefore the ratio of frequencies between any two adjacent notes is a

constant.
The Accessory Software Programs 37

5.5 The Config Program

The Config program, which the Htbutil folder stores, displays and sets the NIST Gage

Block Calibration Software System’s file folder and peripheral device properties. The

installation instructions in Chapter 4 establish the default file folder and device properties for the

NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System’s accessory software programs and calibration

and measurement software programs. The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage

blocks, should expect to designate the customary software program and working folders and

peripheral device configurations.

The Mass Storage Is (MSI) functions assign the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software

System’s software program and working folders. The Utility MSI function assigns the storage

device and folder for the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System’s accessory software

programs. The default Utility MSI storage device and folder is C:\Htbutil. The Utility MSI

function assigns the storage device and folder for the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software

System’s calibration and measurement software programs. The default Program MSI storage

device and folder is C:\Gage. The Storage MSI assigns the working storage device and folder for

the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System’s calibration and measurement software

programs. The default Storage MSI working storage device and folder is C:\Gage\Work.

The Select Code (SC) functions assign the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software

System’s computer system peripheral hardware devices. The Display SC function assigns the

interface select code associated with the computer system’s monitor. The default Display SC

interface select code for the computer system’s monitor is “1” or “CRT.” The Printer SC

function assigns the interface select code associated with the computer system’s printer. The

default Printer SC interface select code for the computer system’s parallel printer is “10” or

“PRT.” The Printer SC interface select code for the computer system’s serial printer “9.” 

Without any printer, the Printer SC interface select code for the computer system is “1” or

“CRT.” The Plotter SC function assigns the interface select code associated with the computer

system’s plotter. The default Plotter SC interface select code for the computer system’s HewlettPackard HPGL language plotter is “3” or “6.” Without any plotter, the Plotter SC interface select

code for the computer system is “1” or “CRT.”

The Mass Storage Is (MSI) functions assign the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software

System’s software program and working folders and the Select Code (SC) functions assign

computer system peripheral hardware devices. When the technical user, who calibrates and

measures gage blocks, designates or changes customary software program and working folders

and peripheral device configurations, selecting the Okay function tests the system configuration,

restores the confirmed system configuration to the DOS ASCII text file, named Config.cfg, that

resides in the Program MSI storage device and folder, and loads and executes the Branch

program.
38 Chapter 5

The Config program gets the software program and working folders and peripheral device

configurations from the DOS ASCII text file, named Config.cfg. The Config.cfg file resides in

the Gage folder, which is the current and customary program folder for the NIST Gage Block

Calibration Software System under normal operations. As Table 5.5-1 shows, the Config.cfg

file contains software program and working folders and peripheral device configurations.

Table 5.5-1 Configuration of the Config.cfg File

Record Software Program and Working Folder and Peripheral Device Description

1

Display SC: Interface Select Code for Monitor (1 or CRT)

Printer SC: Interface Select Code for Printer (No Printer: 1 or CRT, Parallel

Printer: 10 or PRT, Serial Printer: 9, Default: 10)

Plotter Sc: Interface Select Code for Hewlett-Packard HPGL Language Plotter

(No Plotter: 1 or CRT, Plotter: 3 or 6, Default: 6)

Format: Display SC, Printer SC, Plotter SC

2

Utility MSI: Storage Device and Folder for Accessory Software Programs

(Default: C:\Htbutil)

Format: Utility MSI

3

Program MSI: Storage Device and Folder for Calibration and Measurement

Software Programs (Default C:\Gage)

Format: Program MSI

4

Storage MSI: Working Storage Device and Folder for Calibration and

Measurement Software Programs (Default C:\Gage\Work)

Format: Storage MSI

5

Plot$: Plotter Language for the Computer System’s Hewlett-Packard HPGL

Language Plotter (Monochrome Monitor: “INTERNAL”, Color Monitor:

“INTERNAL”;COLOR MAP)

Format: Plot$
The Accessory Software Programs 39

Table 5.5-1 Configuration of the Config.cfg File

Record Software Program and Working Folder and Peripheral Device Description

6

Frame SC: Software Program Frame Screen (Frames Off: 0, Frames On: 1,

Default: 1)

Bgpen: Frame Screen Background Color (Black: 0, White: 1, Red: 2, Yellow:

3, Green: 4, Cyan: 5, Blue: 6, Magenta: 7, Black: 8, Olive Green: 9, Aqua: 10,

Royal Blue: 11, Maroon: 12, Brick Red: 13, Orange: 14, Brown: 15, and

Default: 6)

Bgmap(*): Frame Screen Background Positions (Bgmap(1): Left, Bgmap(2):

Right, Bgmap(3): Top, Bgmap(4): Bottom, Defaults: 1,80,1,23)

Fgpen: Frame Screen Foreground Color (Black: 0, White: 1, Red: 2, Yellow: 3,

Green: 4, Cyan: 5, Blue: 6, Magenta: 7, Black: 8, Olive Green: 9, Aqua: 10,

Royal Blue: 11, Maroon: 12, Brick Red: 13, Orange: 14, Brown: 15, and

Default: 5)

Fgmap(*): Frame Screen Foreground Positions (Fgmap(1): Left, Fgmap(2):

Right, Fgmap(3): Top, Fgmap(4): Bottom, Defaults: 3,76,3,21)

Format: Frame SC, Bgpen, Bgmap(1,2,3,4), Fgpen, Fgmap(1,2,3,4)

7

Frame$: Software Program Frame Screen Style (ALPHANUMERIC, SINGLE

Line, DOUBLE Line, MEDIUM Line, BOLD Line, Default: DOUBLE)

Format: Frame$

8

Shadow$: Software Program Frame Screen Shadow Shade (NONE, WHITE,

LIGHT, MEDIUM, DARK, BLACK, Default: BLACK)

Format: Shadow$

9

Clear SC: Software Program Clear Screen Option (Default: 0 for Off)

Pause: Software Program Pause Option (Default: 0 for Off)

CRT Saver: Screen Saver Option in Seconds (Default: 0 for Off)

Format: Clear SC, Pause, CRT Saver

5.6 The Edit Program

The Edit program, which the Htbutil folder stores, is a single, screen display text

document editor, which opens, prints, and stores text document files in any one of three file
40 Chapter 5

storage formats: Logical-Interchange-Format binary, Logical-Interchange-Format ASCII, and

DOS ASCII text. This text editor’s allowable keyboard input includes all standard ASCII

characters 32 through 127, ASCII characters 0 through 31, and non-ASCII characters 128

through 255. Among the Edit program’s many special function keys include backspace, capslock, control, clear-display, clear-line, clear-to-end of line, continue, delete-character, delete-line,

enter, insert-character, insert-line, pause-program, page-down, page-up, shift, stop-program, tab,

the cursor keys, the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, softkeys, the escape

key, and the pointing device or mouse.

By design, the Edit program loads and runs best using TransEra High Tech Basic

(HTBasic) Language System DOS Version 4.3 or higher minimally configured with 8 megabytes

of random access memory. To hold a text document in internal program memory, the Edit

program sets aside, or allocates, most of the computer’s random access memory available to

TransEra HTBasic Language System DOS Version 4.3 or higher. The Edit program reads text

document files and stores, using internal memory, maximum 128 characters per each line of

document text.

The Edit program, by design, uses screen displays with screen widths, which range from

80 to 120 characters per line, and screen heights, which have 18, 19, 23, or 40 display lines per

screen. Currently, the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System operates with 80-

character per line screen width and a 23-display line screen height. When the Edit program first

loads into program memory one copy of a document file and displays the document on the screen

display, the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, may see part of the

document that the screen display allows. To view other parts of the document, the user can scroll

the document window vertically (e.g., down, up) and horizontally (e.g., left, right). On the

display line during document editing is the editing status information, which includes filename,

current character position, current line number, and typeover mode.

The Edit program has a basic wrap feature to display long document text lines, which

have from 129 to 256 characters per each line, on multiple screen display lines. When reading

text document files and document text lines have from 129 characters to 256 characters per each

line, the Edit program wraps document text to succeeding screen display lines. At the beginning

of each succeeding screen display line, the Edit program automatically inserts “o” characters. 

When storing document files, the Edit program concatenates all multiple screen display lines of

document text to form continuous records without the “o” characters.

The Edit program has many features, as Table 5.6-1, Table 5.6-2, Table 5.6-3,

Table 5.6-4, and Table 5.6-5 show. The Edit program has three sets of user softkey menus,

which include file management and editing functions. The Edit program’s first menu has file

management functions to do the following:

C Create, open, print, and store documents
The Accessory Software Programs 41

C Append documents inside another currently in program memory

C Browse storage devices and folders

C Customize the printing device and working file storage device and folder

The Edit program’s second menu has editing functions to do the following:

C Search and replace character strings in forwards and reverses directions

C Move, delete, and copy one or complete lines of text

C Insert characters through entering their ASCII or non-ASCII character code

C Clear and set tab stops

C Move the insertion point to specified lines and positions in the document

The Edit program’s third menu has miscellaneous functions to do the following:

C Display a help screen with keyboard functions

C Specify file input-output format to any one of three file storage formats (e.g., LogicalInterchange-Format binary, Logical-Interchange-Format ASCII, DOS ASCII text)

C Switch between append on and off

C Specify time between backup operations.

Table 5.6-1 The Edit Program’s User 1 Menu

Function Softkeys

F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7 F8 F9 F10

Append

Document

New

Document

Store

Document

Print

Document

Catalog

Filer

New

Printer

New

Storage Exit

Table 5.6-2 The Edit Program’s User 2 Menu

Function Softkeys

F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7 F8 F9 F10

Search

Chars 

Replace

Chars

Move/Del

CopyText

 Any

 Char

Clr Tab

 Goto

 Line

Goto

Position Exit Set Tab
42 Chapter 5

Table 5.6-3 The Edit Program’s User 3 Menu

Function Softkeys

F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7 F8 F9 F10

 Help

File I/O

Format

 Append

[On/Off]

 Backup

[On/Off] Exit

Table 5.6-4 The Edit Program’s System Menu

Function Softkeys

F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7 F8 F9 F10

 Step Continue Run

 Stop

Clr I/O

DmpAlpha DmpGraph

 Recall

IncLabel User

 Pause Alpha Graphics Menu System

Table 5.6-5 The Edit Program’s Function Softkeys

Function

Softkey Function Description

DOS

Keystroke

Append

Document

This function opens a copy of an appending file into the

current document on the editing screen. When text is

already on the editing screen or the insertion point is not in

the home position, a prompt first appears about retrieving

the appending document into the current document. The

function, when the computer user responds affirmatively,

causes the function to open a copy of the appending file

into the current document on the editing screen, starting on

the document line of the insertion point and pushing any

portion of the document past the insertion point to make

room for the incoming document.

User 1 Menu

F1 Softkey
The Accessory Software Programs 43

Table 5.6-5 The Edit Program’s Function Softkeys

Function

Softkey Function Description

DOS

Keystroke

New

Document

This function erases the current document and opens a

copy of a new file on the editing screen at the initial editing

screen position. When text is already on the editing

screen, a prompt first appears about storing the current

document and an affirmative response causes the function

to store the current document and to open a copy of the

new file on the editing screen at the initial editing screen

position.

User 1 Menu

F2 Softkey

Store

Document

This function stores a copy of the current document on the

editing screen to a file in any one of three file storage

formats: Logical-Interchange-Format binary, LogicalInterchange-Format ASCII, and DOS ASCII text. When a

file already exists, a prompt first appears about overwriting

the current document to this file or storing the current

document to a new file.

User 1 Menu

F3 Softkey

Print

Document

This function prints from one to nine copies of the current

document on the editing screen to the printer.

User 1 Menu

F4 Softkey

Catalog

Filer

This function copies, deletes, moves, and renames files in

the current working file storage device and folder. The

function, like the New Document function, erases the

current document and opens a copy of a new file on the

editing screen at the initial editing screen position. When

text is already on the editing screen, a prompt first appears

about storing the current document and an affirmative

response causes the function to store the current document

and to open a copy of the new file on the editing screen at

the initial editing screen position.

User 1 Menu

F5 Softkey

New

Printer

This function assigns the new printing device for the

current session of the Edit program. The Edit program

always starts with the printing device specified inside the

Config.cfg file. Interface select codes for printing devices

include 1 or CRT for no printer, 10 or PRT for a parallel

printer, and 9 for a serial printer.

User 1 Menu

F6 Softkey
44 Chapter 5

Table 5.6-5 The Edit Program’s Function Softkeys

Function

Softkey Function Description

DOS

Keystroke

New

Storage

This function assigns the new working file storage device

and folder for the current session of the Edit program. The

Edit program always starts with the working storage device

and folder for the calibration and measurement software

programs specified inside the Config.cfg, which should be

C:\Gage\Work.

User 1 Menu

F7 Softkey

Exit

This function stops the Edit program and loads and runs

the Branch program. When text is already on the editing

screen, a prompt first appears about storing the current

document and an affirmative response causes the function

to store the current document.

User 1 Menu

F8 Softkey

Search

Chars

This function searches, forwards or backwards, the current

document on the editing screen for a single occurrence of

words, characters, or codes.

User 2 Menu

F1 Softkey

Replace

Chars

This function searches, forwards or backwards, for and

replaces a single occurrence of words, characters, or codes

in the current document on the editing screen.

User 2 Menu

F2 Softkey

Move/Del

CopyText

This function moves, deletes, and copies portions of the

current document on the editing screen. Defining part of

the document to move, delete, or copy requires moving the

cursor to the initial document line, pressing the

Move/Del/CopyText softkey to start the selecting feature,

moving the cursor to the final document line to be selected,

and pressing the Move/Del/CopyText softkey again. Upon

selecting the document signified by the highlighted

document on the editing screen, the features to move,

delete, copy, or an abort is selected. The move or copy

command respectively moves or copies the selected

portion of the document from place to place. The delete

command deletes the selected portion of the document. 

The abort command aborts the process altogether.

User 2 Menu

F3 Softkey
The Accessory Software Programs 45

Table 5.6-5 The Edit Program’s Function Softkeys

Function

Softkey Function Description

DOS

Keystroke

Any

Char

This function inserts one character when the computer user

enters three digits between 000 and 255, which is the code

for all standard ASCII characters 32 through 127, ASCII

characters 0 through 31, and non-ASCII characters 128

through 255.

User 2 Menu

F4 Softkey

Clr Tab

Set Tab

This function switches between two operations, setting a

tab stop at the current insertion point or cursor position and

clearing an existing tab stop.

User 2 Menu

F5 Softkey

Goto

Line

This function moves the insertion point or cursor to a new

document line when the computer user enters a new

document line number.

User 2 Menu

F6 Softkey

Goto

Position

This function moves the insertion point or cursor to a new

document character position when the computer user a new

document character position.

User 2 Menu

F7 Softkey

Exit

This function stops the Edit program and loads and runs

the Branch program. When text is already on the editing

screen, a prompt first appears about storing the current

document and an affirmative response causes the function

to store the current document.

User 2 Menu

F8 Softkey

This softkey is not defined. User 3 Menu

F1 Softkey

Help This function displays the Edit program’s help screen with

keyboard functions.

User 3 Menu

F2 Softkey

This softkey is not defined. User 3 Menu

F3 Softkey

This softkey is not defined. User 3 Menu

F4 Softkey

File I/O

Format

This function assigns any one of three file storage formats,

Logical-Interchange-Format binary, Logical-InterchangeFormat ASCII, and DOS ASCII text.

User 3 Menu

F5 Softkey
46 Chapter 5

Table 5.6-5 The Edit Program’s Function Softkeys

Function

Softkey Function Description

DOS

Keystroke

Append

[On/Off]

This function switches between Append Document On and

Append Document Off modes.

User 3 Menu

F6 Softkey

Backup

[On/Off]

This function switches between Backup Document On and

Backup Document Off modes. The function does timed

backup operations when the computer user enters the time

between backup operations, which switches the function to

Backup Document On mode. The backup file, named

Edit.bk!, is stored in the storage device and folder for the

calibration and measurement software programs.

User 3 Menu

F7 Softkey

Exit

This function stops the Edit program and loads and runs

the Branch program. When text is already on the editing

screen, a prompt first appears about storing the current

document and an affirmative response causes the function

to store the current document.

User 3 Menu

F8 Softkey

The Edit program’s New Document function erases the current document and opens a

copy of a new file on the editing screen at the initial editing screen position. When text is already

on the editing screen, a prompt first appears about storing the current document and an

affirmative response causes the function to store the current document and to open a copy of the

new file on the editing screen at the initial editing screen position. The New Document function

only loads one copy of a document file anytime.

The Append Document function opens a copy of an appending file into the current

document on the editing screen with Append Document On mode. When text is already on the

editing screen or the insertion point is not in the home position, a prompt first appears about

retrieving the appending document into the current document. The function, when the computer

user responds affirmatively, causes the function to open a copy of the appending file into the

current document on the editing screen, starting on the document line of the insertion point and

pushing any portion of the document past the insertion points to make room for the incoming

document. The Append Document On mode enables the Append Document function to copy

additional document files, one at a time, into the current document at the insertion point or cursor

position.
The Accessory Software Programs 47

The Store Document function stores a copy of the current document on the editing screen

to a file in any one of three file storage formats: Logical-Interchange-Format binary, LogicalInterchange-Format ASCII, and DOS ASCII text. When a file already exists, a prompt first

appears about overwriting the current document to this file or storing the current document to a

new file. When storing a document file, the Store Document function always stores the current

document first to an intermediate file, named Edit.tmp, in the current working storage device and

folder. Once successfully stored, this function makes a duplicate copy of the intermediate file

and names it the filename the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, specifies,

replacing any existing document file.

The Edit program’s Backup Document function does automatic backup operations when

the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, specifies the automatic backup

interval, which is minutes between automatic backup operations. Every time the Edit program

starts, the Backup Document Off mode resets no automatic backup operations and begins when

the user enters a non-zero value for the automatic backup interval. This function directs the Edit

program to automatically store, at the time specified, the current document to the DOS ASCII

file, named Edit.bk!, to the storage device and folder for the calibration and measurement

software programs. Turning the Backup Document function off requires entering zero for the

automatic backup interval or running the program again.

The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System’s calibration and measurement

software programs share filenames with the Edit program. Sharing filenames with the Edit

program enables these programs to cause the Edit program to automatically open a document

after loading and running, and completely bypass the Branch program. Loading and running the

Branch program resets filename sharing.

This program illuminates the insertion point or current cursor position, in character insert

mode, through underscoring the current character and, in character typeover mode, through

inverse video. Table 5.6-6 shows the DOS keystrokes to move around in the Edit program’s

documents. Showing about inserting and deleting in the Edit program’s documents are Table

5.6-7 and Table 5.6-8. Lastly, Table 5.6-9 shows the Edit program’s other editing keystrokes.

Table 5.6-6 The Edit Program’s Function Keys

About Moving the Insertion Point in the Document

To Move the Insertion Point to the Press the DOS Keystroke Generic Name

Beginning of the Document Home BOT

Beginning of the Line Shift + Left BOL
48 Chapter 5

Table 5.6-6 The Edit Program’s Function Keys

About Moving the Insertion Point in the Document

To Move the Insertion Point to the Press the DOS Keystroke Generic Name

Beginning of the Next Line Enter ENTER

Beginning of the Screen Shift + Up BEGIN

End of the Document Shift + Home EOT

End of the Line Shift + Right EOL

End of the Screen Shift + Down END

Next Character Right Cursor RIGHT

Next Line Down Cursor DOWN

Next Page (Scroll the Document Upward) Page Up PAGE UP

Next Tab Tab TAB

Next Word Alt + Right NEXT WORD

Previous Character Left Cursor LEFT

Previous Line Up Cursor UP

Previous Page (Scroll the Document

Downward) Page Down PAGE DOWN

Previous Tab Shift + Tab TAB BACK

Previous Word Alt + Left PREV WORD

Specified Character User 2 Menu–F7

Softkey K15

Specified Line User 2 Menu–F6 

Softkey K14
The Accessory Software Programs 49

Table 5.6-7 The Edit Program’s Function Keys

About Inserting in the Document

To Insert Press the DOS Keystroke Generic Name

Any Character (e.g., all standard ASCII

characters 32 through 127, ASCII

characters 0 through 31, non-ASCII

characters 128 through 255.)

Alt + =, Alt + K ANY KEY

New Line at the Insertion Point Shift + Insert INSERT LINE

Table 5.6-8 The Edit Program’s Function Keys

About Deleting in the Document

To Delete the Press the DOS Keystroke Generic Name

Character to the Left of the Insertion Point Backspace

BACKSPACE

and

DELETE LEFT

Current Character at the Insertion Point Delete DELETE CHAR

Current Line Shift + Delete DELETE LINE

Table 5.6-9 The Edit Program’s Function Keys

About Other Editing Keystrokes in the Document

Other Editing Keystrokes Press the DOS Keystroke Generic Name

Clear Line End CLEAR LINE

Clear Tab at the Insertion Point Alt + C, Shift + F5

Softkey CLEAR TAB

Clear to the End of the Line Shift + End CLEAR TO END

Dump Alpha Screen Alt + O DUMP ALPHA

Increment Menu Labels Shift + F9 Softkey INCR LABELS
50 Chapter 5

Table 5.6-9 The Edit Program’s Function Keys

About Other Editing Keystrokes in the Document

Other Editing Keystrokes Press the DOS Keystroke Generic Name

Pause the Edit Program

System

Menu–[F4/F12/F20]

Softkey, Alt + F4

Softkey

PAUSE

Set Tab at the Insertion Point Alt + S, User 2

Menu–F5 Softkey

SET TAB

Softkeys 1 to 8 User 1 Menu

F1 . . . F8 Softkeys

K1 . . . K8

Softkeys 9 to 16 User 2 Menu

F9 . . . F16 Softkeys

K9 . . . K16

Softkeys 17 to 24 User 3 Menu

F17 . . . F24 Softkeys

K17 . . . K24

Stop the Edit Program Shift + Alt +

[F4/F12/F20] Softkey STOP

Switch Caps Lock On/Off Caps Lock CAPS LOCK

Switch Insert/Replace State Insert INSERT CHAR

Switch Menu Labels On/Off F9 Softkey MENU

System Softkeys F10 SYSTEM

User Softkeys Shift + F10 Softkey USER

5.7 The Elastic Program

The Elastic program calculates or estimates the compression effects that normally occur

in measuring and using spheres and cylinders in precise dimensional metrology. To compute

compression effects, or deformations, the Elastic program uses proven compression formulae

based on mathematical formulas, constants, and methodologies.
The Accessory Software Programs 51

The Elastic program calculates the elastic deformation between two surfaces based on its

physical geometry of the surfaces and other physical properties. This program computes the

deformations between two contacting spheres, a sphere contacting a plane, a sphere between two

parallel planes, a sphere contacting an internal spherical surface, equal diameter cylinders crossed

with their axes at right angles, unequal diameter cylinders crossed with their axes at right angles,

unequal diameter cylinders crossed with their axes at any angle, two cylinders contacting with

axes parallel, a cylinder contacting a plane, a cylinder between two parallel planes, a sphere

contacting an external or internal cylinder, a sphere contacting a symmetrical or asymmetrical

cylindrical V-grove, and a cylinder contacting a symmetrical or asymmetrical cylindrical Vgrove. To calculate and report compression effects, the Elastic program prompts the technical

user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, to enter applied force, surface geometry, and

materials.

The Elastic program uses the sixteen compression formulae, each directly based on

equations derived from Hertz’s Law by M. J. Puttock and E. G. Thwaite, to calculate

compression effects. In 1969, these scientists published the equations in “Elastic Compression of

Spheres and Cylinders at Point and Line Contacts” (National Standards Laboratory Technical

Paper No. 25, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Australia, 1969)

[33]. Referenced by the same case numbers that the publication uses, the following list presents

Elastic’s sixteen compression formulae:

Case 01: Two Spheres in Contact

Case 02: Sphere in Contact with Plane

Case 03: Sphere Between Two Parallel Planes

Case 04: Sphere in Contact with Internal Spherical Surface

Case 05: Equal Diameter Cylinders Crossed with Axes at Right Angles

Case 06: Unequal Diameter Cylinders Crossed with Axes at Right Angles

Case 07: Unequal Diameter Cylinders Crossed with Axes at Any Angle

Case 08: Two Cylinders in Contact with Axes Parallel

Case 09: Cylinder in Contact with Plane

Case 10: Cylinder Between Two Parallel Planes

Case 11: Sphere in Contact with External Cylinder

Case 12: Sphere in Contact with Internal Cylinder

Case 13: Sphere in Contact with Symmetrical Cylindrical V-Groove

Case 14: Sphere in Contact with Asymmetrical Cylindrical V-Groove

Case 15: Cylinder in Contact with Asymmetrical Cylindrical V-Groove

Case 16: Cylinder in Contact with Symmetrical Cylindrical V-Groove
52 Chapter 5

The compression formulae consider conditions which closely meet with materials and

applied forces normally encountered in precise dimensional metrology and with finely lapped

surfaces. As identified in Puttock and Thwaite’s publication [33], consider the following

assumptions about the contact surfaces:

Assumption 1: Contact surfaces are perfectly smooth

Assumption 2: Elastic limits of materials are not exceeded

Assumption 3: Materials are homogeneous

Assumption 4: No frictional forces between the contact areas

According to Puttock and Thwaite’s publication, contact surfaces not finely lapped cause

frictional forces and micro-structural surface variations which leads to elastic modulii variations

[33]. As a result, expect compression effects, calculated using this program, will likely differ up

to 10 percent from actual.

Engineers and scientists at NIST and several other laboratories tested the compression

formulae published by Puttock and Thwaite. The compression formulae were determined

remarkably accurate when using proper Young’s modulii and Poisson’s ratios for materials of

objects in contact. At NIST, we tested compression effects for spheres in contact with planes and

cylinders crossed with axes at right angles. We, at NIST, believe agreement between actual

compression effects and calculated compression effects using this program is typically within

0.025 micrometers (1.0 microinches). When we used actual Young’s modulii and Poisson ratios

for materials that are in contact, this agreement improved to 2.0 nanometers (0.08 microinches)

[34-35].

To calculate the compression effects for objects that are in contact, the Elastic program

will prompt the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, to:

Step 1: Select among the sixteen elastic compression cases

Step 2: Enter the applied force (e.g., newtons, grams, pounds, and ounces)

Step 3: For each object, enter the geometry dimension (e.g., angle, diameters, and

length) in angle degrees, millimeters, inches

Step 4: For each object, select among common engineering materials (e.g., aluminum,

tungsten carbide, chromium carbide, steel, glass, brass, fused silica, and

diamond) or enter its elastic constant for the material

The Elastic program uses common properties from standard reference books for its

elastic modulii of some common engineering materials [34]. As Table 5.7-1 shows, the common

engineering materials are aluminum, brass, ceramic, chromium carbide, copper, diamond, glass,

gold, invar, platinum, silica, silver, steel, tungsten carbide, and zerodur with their respective
The Accessory Software Programs 53

common engineering properties [33-35]. Typically, the Young’s modulii and Poisson’s ratios for

these materials can vary between 10 and 15 percent, which affect the accuracy and precision of

calculated compression effects. The Young’s modulii and Poisson’s ratios of cast iron, for

example, can vary more than 20 percent, which Table 5.7-1 does not show [34].

Tab cle 5.7-1 Elastic Constants (V )

for Common Engineering Materials

Name of Material Poisson’s Ratio, F Young’s Modulus, E

Elastic Constant,

Vc = (1!F ) / (B@E) 2

Aluminum 0.345 70 GPa

(10.15 @ 10 lbf/in )

6 2

4.006 @ 10 GPa -3

(2.762 @ 10 lbf/in )

-8 2

Brass, 70% Copper,

30% Zinc 0.374 104 GPa(15.08 @ 10 lbf/in )

6 2

2.633 @ 10 GPa -3

(1.815 @ 10 lbf/in )

-8 2

Ceramic, Alumina 0.300 206 GPa

(29.88 @ 10 lbf/in )

6 2

1.406 @ 10 GPa -3

(0.969 @ 10 lbf/in )

-8 2

Ceramic, Partially

Stabilized Zirconia 0.254 53 GPa(7.69 @ 10 lbf/in )

6 2

5.618 @ 10 GPa -3

(3.874 10 lbf/in )

-8 2

Chromium Carbide,

Carmet CA-815G 0.280 340 GPa(49.31 @ 10 lbf/in )

6 2

0.863 @ 10 GPa -3

(0.595 @ 10 lbf/in )

-8 2

Copper, OFHC 0.350 117 GPa

(16.97 @ 10 lbf/in )

6 2

2.387 @ 10 GPa -3

(1.646 @ 10 lbf/in )

-8 2

Diamond, Natural 0.200 950 GPa

(137.79 @ 10 lbf/in )

6 2

0.322 @ 10 GPa -3

(0.222 @ 10 lbf/in )

-8 2

Diamond 0.200 715 GPa

(103.70 @ 10 lbf/in )

6 2

0.427 @ 10 GPa -3

(0.295 @ 10 lbf/in )

-8 2

Diamond, Synthetic 0.200 860 GPa

(124.73 @ 10 lbf/in )

6 2

0.355 @ 10 GPa -3

(0.245 @ 10 lbf/in )

-8 2

Glass, Heavy Silicate

Flint 0.224 53.50 GPa(7.76 @ 10 lbf/in )

6 2

5.651 @ 10 GPa -3

(3.896 @ 10 lbf/in )

-8 2

Glass, Light Borate

Crown

0.274 46.13 GPa

(6.69 @ 10 lbf/in )

6 2

6.383 @ 10 GPa -3

(4.401 @ 10 lbf/in )

-8 2
54 Chapter 5

Tab cle 5.7-1 Elastic Constants (V )

for Common Engineering Materials

Name of Material Poisson’s Ratio, F Young’s Modulus, E

Elastic Constant,

Vc = (1!F ) / (B@E) 2

Glass, Pyrex 0.240 62.05 GPa

(9.00 @ 10 lbf/in )

6 2

4.834 @ 10 GPa -3

(3.333 @ 10 lbf/in )

-8 2

Gold 0.440 77.91 GPa

(11.30 @ 10 lbf/in )

6 2

3.295 @ 10 GPa -3

(2.272 @ 10 lbf/in )

-8 2

Invar and Super

Invar 0.290 148 GPa(21.47 @ 10 lbf/in )

6 2

1.970 @ 10 GPa -3

(1.358 @ 10 lbf/in )

-8 2

Platinum 0.377 168.03 GPa

(24.37 @ 10 lbf/in )

6 2

1.625 @ 10 GPa -3

(1.121 @ 10 lbf/in )

-8 2

Ruby, Synthetic

Sapphire, Al2 3 0

0.254 53 GPa

(7.69 @ 10 lbf/in )

6 2

5.618 @ 10 GPa -3

(3.874 @ 10 lbf/in )

-8 2

Silica, Fused 0.170 73 GPa

(10.59 @ 10 lbf/in )

6 2

4.234 @ 10 GPa -3

(2.920 @ 10 lbf/in )

-8 2

Silver 0.367 82.74 GPa

(12 @ 10 lbf/in )

6 2

3.329 @ 10 GPa -3

(2.295 @ 10 lbf/in )

-8 2

Steel, 1% Carbon,

Stainless

0.290 197 GPa

(28.57 @ 10 lbf/in )

6 2

1.480 @ 10 GPa -3

(1.020 @ 10 lbf/in )

-8 2

Steel, 52100 0.290 210 GPa

(30.46 @ 10 lbf/in )

6 2

1.388 @ 10 GPa -3

(0.957 @ 10 lbf/in )

-8 2

Tungsten Carbide,

10% Cobalt 0.280 724 GPa(105.01 @ 10 lbf/in )

6 2

0.405 @ 10 GPa -3

(0.279 @ 10 lbf/in )

-8 2

Tungsten Carbide,

10% Cobalt 0.200 600 GPa(87.02 @ 10 lbf/in )

6 2

0.509 @ 10 GPa -3

(0.351 @ 10 lbf/in )

-8 2

Tungsten Carbide,

16% Cobalt 0.220 525 GPa(76.14 @ 10 lbf/in )

6 2

0.577 @ 10 GPa -3

(0.398 @ 10 lbf/in )

-8 2

Zerodur 0.240 91 GPa

(13.20 @ 10 lbf/in )

6 2

3.296 @ 10 GPa -3

(2.273 @ 10 lbf/in )

-8 2
The Accessory Software Programs 55

When selecting among the common engineering materials, the estimated expanded

uncertainty of Elastic’s calculations is 5 percent using a coverage factor of k=2 (95 percent

confidence level). This uncertainty is calculated according to “Guidelines for Evaluating and

Expressing the Uncertainty of NIST Measurement Results” by Barry N. Taylor and Chris E.

Kuyatt (National Institute of Standards and Technology (U.S.) Technical Note 1297, 1994) [36].

Besides selecting among common engineering materials, the Elastic program gives the

technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, the functionality to enter the actual or

better-known elastic constants for materials of the objects that are in contact. This can improve

the accuracy and precision of Elastic’s calculated compression effects.

When the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, enters the elastic

constants for materials of the objects, the estimated expanded uncertainty of Elastic’s

calculations will have two components. The first component is the estimated expanded

uncertainty for Elastic’s formulae, which is 0.005 micrometers (0.2 microinches) using a

coverage factor of k=2 (95 percent confidence level). This uncertainty component is calculated

according to “Guidelines for Evaluating and Expressing the Uncertainty of NIST Measurement

Results” by Barry N. Taylor and Chris E. Kuyatt (National Institute of Standards and Technology

(U.S.) Technical Note 1297, 1994) [36]. The second component is the estimated expanded

uncertainty for Young’s modulii and Poisson’s ratios for materials of the objects. To find the

estimated uncertainty of Elastic’s calculations, solve the square root of the sum of the squares of

the two estimated expanded uncertainty components. We will refer to this procedure “the rootsum-square method.”

The compression formulae of the Elastic program calculate as the compression effects for

conditions and properties which normally occur in measuring and using spheres and cylinders in

precise dimensional metrology. When measuring and using spheres and cylinders in metrology

applications and using the Elastic program to calculate and correct for compression effects,

observe the following basic precautions:

Precaution 1: Know the actual geometry of the objects that are in contact. Deterioration

and wear from use will likely change the dimension and geometry of

objects over time. At NIST, for example, we find the spherical diamond

contacts in our electro-mechanical gage block comparators become

flattened with several months of constant use, which causes compression

effect errors of 0.05 micrometers (2 microinches).

Precaution 2: Apply reasonable measuring forces when measuring and using objects that

are in contact. Do not apply large measuring forces that exceed the yield

strength for materials of objects and permanently deform or dent the

objects, which no longer measure actual length when measuring. Pay

special attention for objects having surfaces of contacts that are small
56 Chapter 5

points and line contacts, such as crossed cylinders or sphere in contact

with any surface.

5.8 The Format Program

The Format program formats floppy diskettes with three formatting options: safe, quick,

and destructive. This program calls the host operating system Microsoft Windows 95 to format

floppy diskettes for use by Microsoft Windows 95 operating system and TransEra High Tech

Basic (HTBasic) Language System DOS Version 4.3 or higher. Formatting creates a new root

directory and file allocation table for the floppy diskette, checks for bad areas on the floppy

diskette, and deletes all data on the floppy diskette. In order for Microsoft DOS Version 5.0 or

higher, Microsoft Windows 3.1, or Microsoft Windows 95 to be able to use a new floppy

diskette, the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, must use the Microsoft

DOS format command to format the floppy diskette, which the Format program does seamlessly.

Formatting a floppy diskette using the Format program requires the technical user, who

calibrates and measures gage blocks, to specify the floppy diskette device or drive, floppy

diskette size, and format method. The Format program first requires the user to select the floppy

diskette device or drive by entering a floppy diskette device or drive letter (e.g., A:, B:). Second,

the Format program requires the user to enter the floppy diskette size. As Table 5.8-1 shows, the

floppy diskette size specification matches both the floppy diskette capacity for the floppy diskette

device or drive selected and the floppy diskette ready for formatting. Floppy diskette size

specifications for 5.25-inch floppy diskettes are 180 kilobytes, 360 kilobytes, and 1.2 megabytes

and floppy diskette size specifications for 3.5-inch floppy diskettes are 720 kilobytes and 1.44

megabytes. Last, the Format program requires the user to select any one of three file storage

formatting methods, as Table 5.8-2 shows.

Table 5.8-1 The Format Program’s Floppy Diskette

Size Specifications

Floppy

Diskette Size Floppy Diskette Size Specification

180 KB One-sided 5.25-inch floppy diskettes. This very low capacity is seldom

used.

360 KB Standard 5.25-inch floppy diskettes. The normal setting to use on 5.25-inch

floppy diskettes which are not marked as high density.
The Accessory Software Programs 57

Table 5.8-1 The Format Program’s Floppy Diskette

Size Specifications

Floppy

Diskette Size Floppy Diskette Size Specification

1.2 MB

High density 5.25-inch floppy diskettes, in a floppy diskette device or drive

capable of supporting this format. The standard AT 5.25-inch drive

supports this format; however, the floppy diskette must be marked high

density.

720 KB Standard 3.5-inch floppy diskettes. This is the normal setting to use 3.5-

inch floppy diskettes which are not marked high density.

1.44 MB

High density 3.5-inch floppy diskettes, in a floppy diskette device or drive

capable of supporting this format. Most 3.5-inch drives supports this

format; however, the floppy diskette must be marked high density.

Table 5.8-2 The Format Program’s Formatting Methods

Name of Method Formatting Method

Safe

When reformatting a floppy diskette, this method makes it possible to

recover from an accidental floppy diskette format. This method copies

information on the floppy diskette to an unused place at the end of the

floppy diskette for later recovery. This method works like the

Destructive Method for unformatted floppy diskettes fresh from the box.

Quick

This method is a fast way to purge a floppy diskette of all files and

folders used only on floppy diskettes already formatted. It simply erases

the contents of the file allocation table and root directory. This method

does not scan the floppy diskette for bad areas; therefore, you should

use this method to format previously formatted floppy diskettes that you

know are in good condition.

Destructive

This method performs a standard floppy diskette initialization. Any

existing data on the floppy diskette is irretrievably lost. This method

formats unformatted floppy diskettes. Be sure you want to do this!
58 Chapter 5

The Format program is for formatting floppy diskettes to prepare them to receive data. 

Therefore, the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, should be careful to

format only floppy diskettes that contain no valuable data to prevent accidental data loss.

5.9 The Quit Program

The Quit program exits the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System and

consequently the programming environment of TransEra High Tech (HTBasic) Language System

DOS Version 4.3 or higher and returns to the workstations’ microcomputer’s operating system,

which is Microsoft Windows 95.

5.10 The Main_lib, Math_lib, and Tech_lib Software

Program Libraries

The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System’s accessory software programs and

calibration and measurement software programs use software routines, which are functions and

subprograms, from the Main_lib, Math_lib, and Tech_lib software program libraries. The

Main_lib software program library, as Table 5.10-1 shows, contains 49 routines. The Math_lib

software program library, as Table 5.10-2 shows, contains five routines. The Tech_lib software

program library, as Table 5.10-3 shows, contains four routines.

Table 5.10-1 The Main_lib Software Program Library

Name of Routine Software Routine Description

Catalog

This subprogram gets file information (e.g., folder and file names, file

type, file size, record size, modification date and time, file access

permissions) from the complete catalog listing, which is based on the

DOS operating system, of the mass storage device and folder passed.

Configuration

This subprogram resets global variables that the NIST Gage Block

Calibration Software System’s accessory software programs and

calibration and measurement software programs use, which includes

subprograms and functions called.

FNAdd_zero$

This function changes the string passed by replacing leading blanks

before decimal numbers between -1 and +1, which consequently

displaces any minus and plus signs, and returns the string resulting.
The Accessory Software Programs 59

Table 5.10-1 The Main_lib Software Program Library

Name of Routine Software Routine Description

FNAsk$

This function gets and returns one alphanumeric character from the

keyboard as the computer user’s response to the question displayed. 

When the escape option is set, this function enables the computer user

to automatically load and run the Branch program while executing the

function.

FNCatalog$

This function displays the files and folders of the current mass storage

device and folder. The function offers the computer user an open

dialogue window to enter a filename or wildcards to find or specify files

with similar filenames, a menu window to select among files of the

current mass storage device and folder, and a menu window to select

between other mass storage devices and folders. Depending on what the

computer user enters, this function opens a file in the current mass

storage device and folder.

FNCenter$

This function changes the string passed by concatenating with leading

and trailing characters, which the length parameter passed restrains what

length of string the function returns, and returns the string resulting.

FNCheck_device

This function determines whether the device-selector passed represents

a valid device. The function returns true (1) to the calling program

when the device-selector is valid; otherwise, the function returns false

(0).

FNCheck_storage

This function determines whether the mass storage device and folder

passed represents a valid path specifier. The function returns true (1) to

the calling program when the mass storage device and folder are valid;

otherwise, the function returns false (0).

FNCount_files This function returns the number of files in the mass storage device and

folder passed.

FNCreate_dir

This function creates a new folder, which already does not exist, in the

mass storage device and folder passed or the current mass storage

device and folder. The function returns true (1) to the calling program

when the function creates the folder; otherwise, the function returns

false (0).
60 Chapter 5

Table 5.10-1 The Main_lib Software Program Library

Name of Routine Software Routine Description

FNCreate_file

This function creates a new file, which already does not exist, in the

mass storage device and folder passed or the current mass storage

device and folder. The function returns true (1) to the calling program

when the function creates the file; otherwise, the function returns false

(0).

FNCrt_height This function returns the screen display height, which is number of lines

of the alpha display.

FNCrt_width This function returns the screen display width, which is number of

characters of the alpha display.

FNDate

This function converts the time and date passed from seconds to years,

and returns the time and date resulting.

FNDate$ This function formats a date string using the time and date, in seconds,

and the date formatting rule passed, and returns the date string resulting.

FNDir_path$ This function returns the folder specified within the file specifier

passed.

FNEdit$

This function gets and returns the alphanumeric keyboard input, which

the uppercase and lowercase correspondence rule and the string length

value passed restrains its character case and length. The function is a

single-line text editor that accepts all ASCII characters 32 through 127

and special control keys, which include backspace, clear-line, clear-toend, cursor keys, the escape key, and the mouse.

FNErrm$

This function gets and returns the associated error message text from

the program’s execution error message passed, which excludes the error

number and the program’s line number on the error occurred.

FNFile$

This function calls the FNText$ function to get alphanumeric characters

from keyboard input and returns the alphanumeric characters, which is a

file specifier restrained by the uppercase and lowercase correspondence

rule and the file specifier’s format rule passed, to the calling program.

FNFile_exist

The function returns true (1) to the calling program when the file

specified by the file specifier passed exists in the mass storage device

and folder passed or the current mass storage device and folder;

otherwise, the function returns false (0).
The Accessory Software Programs 61

Table 5.10-1 The Main_lib Software Program Library

Name of Routine Software Routine Description

FNFile_name$ This function returns the filename specified within the file specifier

passed.

FNFile_spec$ This function returns the filename specified by the mass storage device,

folder, and filename passed.

FNFormat_string

This function returns true (1) to the calling program when the function

can format the string passed using the image specifier passed; otherwise,

the function returns false (0).

FNIth$ This function returns a string representation of the number passed and a

suitable archaic inflexional suffix ending (e.g., “th”, “st”, “nd”, “rd”).

FNLtrim$ This function changes the string passed by removing leading blanks and

tabs, returning the string resulting.

FNMatpick

This function displays one or more two-dimensional menu windows of

items, which the computer user selects from among the items passed,

returning the item pointer the computer user selects to the calling

program.

FNNumber

This function calls the Readit subprogram to get numeric keyboard

input and returns the number, which the relational rule and the numeric

limits passed restrains its value, to the calling program.

FNOpen_file

This function sets up an input-output path specified by the file specifier

passed. The function returns true (1) to the calling program when

assigning the input-output path opens the file; otherwise, the function

returns false (0).

FNPassword

This function gets alphanumeric keyboard input as a string and

determines its equivalence to the password passed. The function returns

true (1) to the calling program when the computer user enters a valid

password; otherwise, the function returns false (0).

FNPfix

This function truncates the numeric value passed to the specified power

of ten, returning the closest integral value between the real value and

zero without changing its type. The effect this function has on the value

is removing any trailing sub-numeric part of its argument. The numeric

value is rounded for numbers having more than 15 digits and the

function returns zero for numbers having less than one digit.
62 Chapter 5

Table 5.10-1 The Main_lib Software Program Library

Name of Routine Software Routine Description

FNPick

This function displays a one-dimensional menu window of items, which

the computer user selects from among the items passed, returning the

item pointer the computer user selects to the calling program.

FNProg_heading$ This function returns the standard program heading having the

program’s name and today’s of the week, date, and time.

FNQuery$

This function displays a window of items, which the computer user

selects from among the items passed to enter alphanumeric keyboard

input, returning to the calling program the alphanumeric keyboard input

entered. The function restrains items’ alphanumeric keyboard input by

applying rules passed governing data type (e.g., alphanumeric character,

integer, real), uppercase and lowercase correspondence rules and string

length limits for alphanumeric keyboard input, value ranges for integers

and reals, and image specifiers for formatting alphanumeric keyboard

input. The items are single-line text editors that accept all ASCII

characters 32 through 127 and special control keys, which include

backspace, clear-line, clear-to-end, cursor keys, the escape key, and the

mouse.

FNReply

This function gets and returns one alphanumeric character from the

keyboard as the computer user’s response to the question displayed. 

When the escape option is set, this function enables the computer user

to automatically load and run the Branch program while executing the

function.

FNRoman$

This function returns a string representation of the number passed based

on the Roman Numeral system. The function returns Roman numerals

for numbers from 1 to 1000 passed to the calling program; otherwise,

the function returns Arabic numerals. Roman numerals are written with

the seven basic symbols (e.g., I for 1, V for 5, X for 10, L for 50, C for

100, D for 500, M for 1000) and no zero. All other numbers are written

by combining these seven symbols from left to right, using the principle

of addition.

FNRtrim$ This function changes the string passed by removing trailing blanks and

tabs, returning the string resulting.
The Accessory Software Programs 63

Table 5.10-1 The Main_lib Software Program Library

Name of Routine Software Routine Description

FNSelect$

This function displays a one-dimensional menu window of items, which

the computer user selects from among the items passed, returning the

item pointer the computer user selects to the calling program.

FNText$

This function gets and returns the alphanumeric keyboard input, which

the uppercase and lowercase correspondence rule and the string length

value passed restrains its character case and length.

FNText_file

This function input and output data to the file specified by the file

specifier passed. The function returns true (1) to the calling program for

successful input or output operations; otherwise, the function returns

false (0).

FNTimedate$

This function calls the FNText$ function to get alphanumeric characters

from keyboard input and returns the alphanumeric characters, which is

the time of day or the date restrained by the time of day or date format

rule passed, to the calling program.

FNValid_number

This function returns true (1) to the calling program when the string

passed represents a valid number; otherwise, the function returns false

(0).

FNVol_spec$ This function returns the mass storage device specified within the file

specifier passed.

Frame This subprogram prints a frame of alphanumeric characters on the

screen display at the positions passed.

Htbasic_reset

This subprogram resets various attributes of the screen display,

keyboard, and printer by setting Crt and Kbd registers and executing

programmable statements.

Load_program

This subprogram gets a previously stored program into memory and

initiates its execution starting at its first line. The subprogram’s options

features include displaying a message on the screen display and

producing an audible tone at the frequency and duration passed.

Number

This subprogram calls the Readit subprogram to get numeric keyboard

input and returns the list of numbers, which the relational rule and the

numeric limits passed restrains its value, to the calling program.
64 Chapter 5

Table 5.10-1 The Main_lib Software Program Library

Name of Routine Software Routine Description

Pause_program

This subprogram pauses program execution. The subprogram’s options

features include displaying a message on the screen display and

producing an audible tone at the frequency and duration passed.

Readit

This subprogram gets numeric keyboard input and returns the list of

numbers, which the numeric limits of the programming environment of

TransEra High Tech Basic (HTBasic) Language System DOS Version

4.3 or higher restrain its value, to the calling program.

Stop_program

This subprogram stops program execution. The subprogram’s options

features include displaying a message on the screen display and

producing an audible tone at the frequency and duration passed.
The Accessory Software Programs 65

Table 5.10-2 The Math_lib Software Program Library

Name of Routine Software Routine Description

Least_squares

This subprogram uses the least squares’ method to compute, in the

sense of a minimum variance, the “best” linear, unbiased estimates for a

finite number of parameters, including drift, from a finite number of

observations, which are the measurements, or differences, and a

restraint by means of Gaussian least squares estimators. When

observing only differences among objects or groups of objects, the

restraint is the designated reference, or standard, to which observations,

which are the measurements, they can refer. The designated restraint is

a known value that can represent one or more objects in a group,

consisting of any combination of objects or all of them. This function

uses the differences, or residuals, between the observed and predicted

values to compute an estimate of the error, or variance, for the process. 

In the equations of expected values for the observations, which are the

measurements, the computations substitute computed values for the

parameters. Mathematical references include “The Use of the Method

of Least Squares in Calibration” by J. M. Cameron (National Bureau of

Standards (U.S.) NBSIR 74-587, 1974) [37], “Designs for the

Calibration of Small Groups of Standards in the Presence of Drift” by J.

M. Cameron and G. E. Hailes (National Bureau of Standards (U.S.)

Technical Note 844, 1974) [6], and “Drift Eliminating Designs for NonSimultaneous Comparison Calibrations” by Dr. Theodore D. Doiron

(Journal of Research of the National Institute of Standards and

Technology 98-2, 1993) [7].
66 Chapter 5

Table 5.10-2 The Math_lib Software Program Library

Name of Routine Software Routine Description

Linear_reg

This subprogram uses the linear regression method to show the straight

line used in predicting or estimating values of one variable, known from

all coordinate values of X, from a knowledge of another variable,

known from Y, for the set of (X,Y) ordered pairs. Predicting values on

Y from values on X means calling Y, the variable being predicted or

estimated, the dependent variable or criterion while calling X, which

provides the information on which bases predictions, the independent

variable or predictor. This programmed relation of the form

Y' = b[YX]x + a[YX]

where Y' is equal to the predicted score on Y, b[YX] is equal to the

slope of the line, also called the linear regression coefficient for

predicting Y, and a[YX] is equal to the Y-intercept, or the value of Y'

when X is equal to zero. The function solves the residuals, or

differences between the actual and predicted values of Y, from the

linear regression of Y on X, and assigns them to the array variable

passed through the argument list. Next, the function assigns statistical

information for the linear regression of Y on X to another variable

passed through the argument list. Statistics for a linear regression for a

specified number of pairs of (X,Y) coordinates for the function include:

(1) number of (X,Y) pairs; (2) slope; (3) mean of all Y; (4) mean of all

X; (5) y-intercept; (6) mean of all Y’s; (7) sum of all Y’s squared; (8)

variance of mean of all Y’s; (9) standard deviation of mean of all Y’s;

(10) mean of all X’s; (11) sum of all X’s squared; (12) variance of mean

of all X’s; (13) standard deviation of mean of all X’s; (14) sum of

residuals; (15) sum of residuals squared; (16) sum of squares mean; (17)

sum of squares slope; (18) variance of residuals; (19) standard deviation

of residuals; (20) variance of squares mean; (21) standard deviation of

squares mean; (22) variance of slope; (23) standard deviation of slope;

(24) variance of Y-intercept; (25) standard deviation of Y-intercept; and

(26) F-Test ratio for slope.
The Accessory Software Programs 67

Table 5.10-2 The Math_lib Software Program Library

Name of Routine Software Routine Description

Ls_fit

This subprogram calls the Least_squares subprogram, which uses the

least squares method to compute, in the sense of a minimum variance,

the best linear, unbiased estimates for a finite number of parameters,

including drift, from a finite number of observations, which are the

measurements, or differences, and a restraint by means of Gaussian least

squares estimators. When observing only differences among objects or

groups of objects, the restraint is the designated reference, or standard,

to which observations, which are the measurements, they can refer. The

designated restraint is a known value that can represent one or more

objects in a group, consisting of any combination of objects or all of

them. This function uses the differences, or residuals, between the

observed and predicted values to compute an estimate of the error, or

variance, for the process. In the equations of expected values for the

observations, which are the measurements, the computations substitute

computed values for the parameters.

Rsplnp

This subprogram exactly fits a periodic cubic spline to a specified set of

(X.Y) ordered pairs where values for the endpoints Y(1) and Y(2) are

equal.

Spline_fit

This subprogram exactly fits a nonperiodic cubic spline to a specified

set of (X.Y) ordered pairs, specifying values either for the first

derivative or the second derivative at the endpoints.

Table 5.10-3 The Tech_lib Software Program Library

Name of Routine Software Routine Description

Ambient

This subprogram prompts the computer user to enter values for a set of

ambient test conditions. These conditions are object temperature, air

temperature, atmospheric pressure, and vapor pressure.
68 Chapter 5

Table 5.10-3 The Tech_lib Software Program Library

Name of Routine Software Routine Description

FNRestraint$

This function translates the accepted material codes (e.g., Steel: 1,

Ceramic: 2, Chrome Carbide: 3, Tungsten Carbide: 4, Stainless Steel: 5,

and Other: 6) passed from the calling program and returns to the calling

program one of three possible string sequences to represent the restraint. 

The restraint is based upon the material codes for the standard and

check standard. The string sequences are “S” for the standard, “C” for

the check standard, and “SC” for the standard and check standard.

Material

This subprogram assigns information to designated variables passed

through the argument list for defining the accepted material code, the

descriptive name, the thermal coefficient of expansion, and the elastic

deformation constant of the object. The subprogram automatically

assigns descriptive attributes and physical constants or prompts the

computer user to select and assign descriptive attributes and physical

constants. The value assigned and passed for the thermal coefficient of

expansion are in parts per million per Celsius degree. The elastic

deformation constants are in foot-pounds per inch squared. To derive

the compression constants, use the following formula:

Vc ( 1 10 ) = ( 1 - F ) / ( B E ) . .

8 2

where F is Poisson's ratio and E is the Young's modulus, in footpounds/inch , of the material of the object. Poisson's ratio is 2

F = ( E / ( 2 . G ) ) - 1

where E is the complete elliptic integral of second class with modulus e

and G, in foot-pounds/inch , is the modulus of rigidity of the material of 2

the object. Do not confuse this integral with E, the Young's modulus. 

Modulus e is the eccentricity of the ellipse of contact and, by definition,

is

e = ( 1 - b / a ) 2 2 1/2

where the quantities a and b are parameters for the materials of the

object and the comparator probe, respectively. These quantities are

generally unknown and are determined from tables furnished in “Elastic

Compression of Spheres and Cylinders at Point and Line Contacts” by

Puttock and Thwaite (National Standards Laboratory Technical Paper

No. 25, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research

Organization, Australia, 1969) [33].
The Accessory Software Programs 69

Table 5.10-3 The Tech_lib Software Program Library

Name of Routine Software Routine Description

Wavelength

This subprogram computes the quantity for fringes per millimeter from

the vacuum wavelength, 8, called Lambda, and the ambient conditions. 

Ambient conditions are object temperature, air temperature,

atmospheric pressure, and vapor pressure. To compute wavelength, the

calculations use the fourth derivation of Edlen's equation for the

refractive index of air, as the following equations show:

 A' P . . (8342.22%2406057 / (130!1/8 )%15997 / (38.9!1/8 )) 10 / 720.775

2 2 !8 

 B' 1%P . (.801!1.30 . . 10 T) . 10 ) / 1%3.661 . . 10 T

!2 !6 !3

 C' F . . (4.9789!5.35 10 

. 1/8 ) . 10 !2 2 !8

 L' (1/8 ) / (1%A B!C) .

2

 F' 2000 / L

where 8 is the vacuum wavelength in micrometers, T is the air

temperature in Celsius degrees, P is the atmospheric pressure in

millimeters, L is the wavelength in microinches at ambient conditions,

and F is the fringes per millimeter. The original 1966 Edlen’s equation

that we, at NIST, now call the first derivation of Edlen’s equation

appears in “A Gage Block Measurement Process using Single

Wavelength Interferometry” by John S. Beers (National Institute of

Standards and Technology Monograph 152, 1975) [8]. The fourth

derivation of Edlen’s equation, which the NIST Gage Block

Calibration Software System’s calibration and measurement software

programs uses, appears in “An Updated NIST Line Scale Interferometer

in 1995” by John S. Beers (Non-published Paper) [38].
70 Chapter 6

Chapter 6

The Calibration and Measurement Software

Programs

This chapter provides general information about the NIST Gage Block

Calibration Software System’s calibration and measurement software programs. It

describes some characteristics and functionality of these software programs.

6.1 Introduction to the Calibration and Measurement

Software Programs

The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System’s calibration and measurement

software programs are Folder, Gage, History, Intmap, Master, Mecmap, Probe, Report, Setup,

and Spectrum and the software program library is Gage_lib. The Gage folder stores the Autost

program, the Gage_lib software program library, and the calibration and measurement software

programs and their related files. The Autost program is automatically loaded and executed when

TransEra High Tech Basic (HTBasic) Language System DOS Version 4.3 or higher starts in the

Gage folder. The Folder program opens, prints, and stores NIST’s gage block calibration

customers’ NIST Reports’ of Calibration information, which includes customers’ names and

addresses. To calibrate and measure gage blocks by mechanical intercomparison, the technical

user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, uses the Gage program to analyze measurements

from the electro-mechanical gage block comparators, print the results, and record the results to

the Setup Document Files. The History program opens, analyzes, prints, and stores NIST’s gage

block calibration customers’ gage block calibration history. The Intmap program opens,

analyzes, and prints NIST’s master gage block interferometric calibration history. The Master

program opens, prints, and stores current information about NIST’s master gage blocks. The

Mecmap program opens, analyzes, and prints the mechanical intercomparison control history for

all NIST’s gage block mechanical intercomparison calibrations and measurements, which the

Gage program records during its use in calibrations and measurements. The user uses the Probe

program to calibrate the electro-mechanical gage block comparators. The Report program opens,

creates, prints, and stores NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ NIST Reports’ of

Calibration. The Setup program opens, prints, and stores NIST’s gage block calibration

customers’ gage blocks’ sizes, identification or serial numbers, and calibration and measurement
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 71

information. To calibrate and measure gage blocks by interferometry, the user uses the Spectrum

program to analyze interferometric measurements from the gage block interferometers and to

print the results and the Setup program is then used to record the results. All the calibration and

measurement software programs use functions and subprograms from the Gage_lib software

program library.

6.2 The Folder Program

The Folder program opens, prints, and stores NIST’s gage block calibration customers’

NIST Reports’ of Calibration information, which includes customers’ names and addresses. As

part of the process of administering NIST’s gage block calibrations and measurements, NIST

assigns official NIST test folders to every gage block calibration and measurement the technical

user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, performs. Called folder information by the user,

the NIST test folders each contain an NIST test folder number, the NIST’s gage block calibration

customer’s name and address, the description of gage blocks calibrated and measured, primary

identification or serial number of gage blocks, the purchase order number, internal or group

control number, and the date of the NIST Report of Calibration. The user uses the Folder

program to record the folder information in Folder Document Files, which are DOS ASCII text

files. To create NIST Reports’ of Calibration, the user runs the Report program, which uses the

folder information from the Folder Document Files and the stored gage block calibration and

measurement results from the Setup and Gage programs.

The Folder program has a Control Menu with nine functions, as Table 6.2-1 shows. The

technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, uses the Control Menu functions to do

the following:

C Create, open, print, store, and archive Folder Document Files

C Switch between opened Folder Document Files

C View opened Folder Document Files

Table 6.2-1 The Folder Program’s Control Menu Functions

Name of Function Function Description

Program Preface . This function displays the Folder program’s introductory statement.

Folders ......... This function switches between Folder Document Files in respective

Folder Document File windows.
72 Chapter 6

Table 6.2-1 The Folder Program’s Control Menu Functions

Name of Function Function Description

New ........... This function opens a copy of a new Folder Document File into a new

Folder Document File window.

Open ........... This function opens a copy of a Folder Document File into a new

Folder Document File window. Folder Document Files include

working Folder Document Files in the working file storage device and

folder, which is C:\Gage\Work, and archived Folder Document Files

from the Historys storage device and folder, which is C:\Gage\Historys,

and on labeled floppy diskettes. This function copies, deletes, moves,

and renames Folder Document Files in file storage devices and folders. 

View ........... This function opens the Folder Document File editing window with the

current Folder Document File.

Print ........... This function prints one copy of the current Folder Document File to

the printer.

Store ........... This function stores a copy of the current Folder Document File in the

current Folder Document File window to a working file (e.g.,

Filename.fdr) in the DOS ASCII text file storage format. When a file

already exists, a prompt first appears about overwriting the current

Folder Document File to this file or storing the current Folder

Document File to a new file.

Archive ......... This function archives a copy of the current Folder Document File in

the current Folder Document File window to an archived file (e.g.,

Filename.fdh) in the DOS ASCII text file storage format. When a file

already exists, a prompt first appears about overwriting the current

Folder Document File to this file or storing the current Folder

Document File to a new file.

Exit FOLDER . . . . This function stops the Folder program and loads and runs the Branch

program. When a Folder Document File is in the current Folder

Document File window, a prompt first appears about storing the current

Folder Document File and an affirmative response causes the function

to store the current Folder Document File and close the current Folder

Document File window.
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 73

The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, follows established file

naming and storing conventions to manage Folder Document Files. The established naming

convention for Folder Document Files is limited to eight characters for filenames with a

three-character extension and a period separating the filename from the extension. The working

Folder Document Files are to record all folder information and the archived Folder Document

Files to record folder information exclusive of an NIST test folder number, the purchase order

number, internal or group control number, and the date of the NIST Report of Calibration. When

NIST’s gage block calibration customers return gage blocks sets for calibrations, the user

retrieves the folder information from the archived Folder Document Files to create new working

Folder Document Files. Using archived Folder Document Files eliminates re-entering all folder

information, provides information about the gage blocks previously calibrated and measured, and

helps with spotting new and missing folder information. The user stores all working Folder

Document Files in the working file storage device and folder, which is C:\Gage\Work, and the

archived Folder Document Files in the Historys storage device and folder, which is

C:\Gage\Historys, and on labeled floppy diskettes. For continuity reasons, the user typically

assigns common filenames to Folder Document Files, Report Document Files, and Setup

Document Files for every NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ calibration. The threecharacter extension for working Folder Document Files is “fdr” and for archived Folder

Document Files is “fdh.”

The Folder program stores folder information in Folder Document Files. The

configuration of working Folder Document Files, as Table 6.2-2 shows, with folder information,

each totaling ten records. This folder information is the NIST test folder number, the description

of gage blocks calibrated and measured, the primary identification or serial number of the gage

block set, and the NIST’s gage block calibration customer’s name and address, which includes

their division or post office box number, street address, city, state, and U.S. Postal Service ZIP

Code+4 within the United States and its territories, the customer’s purchase order number, the

internal or group control number, and the date of the NIST Report of Calibration. The

configuration of archived Folder Document Files, as Table 6.2-3 shows, with folder information,

totaling eight records each, and first records are blank. This folder information is one blank first

record, the description of gage blocks calibrated and measured, the primary identification or

serial number of the gage block set, and the NIST’s gage block calibration customer’s name and

address, which includes their division or post office box number, street address, city, state, and

U.S. Postal Service ZIP Code+4 within the United States and its territories. The technical user,

who calibrates and measures gage blocks, stores working Folder Document Files in the working

file storage device and folder, which is C:\Gage\Work. The user stores archived Folder

Document Files in the Historys storage device and folder, which is C:\Gage\Historys, and on

labeled floppy diskettes. The listing of a sample working Folder Document File, as Table 6.2-4

shows, has the test folder information for an anonymous NIST gage block customer. The listing

of a sample archived Folder Document File, as Table 6.2-5 shows, has the test folder information

for an anonymous NIST gage block calibration customer.
74 Chapter 6

Table 6.2-2 Configuration of Working Folder Document Files

Record Record Description

1 This record has the NIST test folder number.

2 This record has the description of the gage blocks calibrated and measured.

3 This record has the primary identification or serial number of the gage block

set.

4 This record has the customer’s name.

5 This record has the customer’s division or post office box number.

6 This record has the customer’s street address.

7 This record has the customer’s city, state, and U.S. Postal Service ZIP Code+4

within the United States and its territories.

8 This record has the customer’s purchase order number.

9 This record has the internal or group control number.

10 This record has the date appearing on the NIST Report of Calibration.

Table 6.2-3 Configuration of Archived Folder Document Files

Record Record Description

2 This record has the description of the gage blocks calibrated

3 This record has the primary identification or serial number of the gage block

set.

4 This record has the customer’s name.

5 This record has the customer’s division or post office box number.

6 This record has the customer’s street address.

7 This record has the customer’s city, state, and U.S. Postal Service ZIP Code+4

within the United States and its territories.
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 75

Table 6.2-4 Listing of a Sample Working Folder Document File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0001:

0002:

0003:

0004:

0005:

0006:

0007:

0008:

0009:

0010:

821/123456-98

8-Piece Set of Steel English Gage Blocks

123-456-7890

Anonymous Company, Incorporated

Post Office Box 123

123 Anonymous Street

Anytown, USA 12345-6789

AZ-123

M0001

June 16, 1998

Table 6.2-5 Listing of a Sample Archived Folder Document

File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0001:

0002:

0003:

0004:

0005:

0006:

0007:

0008:

8-Piece Set of Steel English Gage Blocks

123-456-7890

Anonymous Company, Incorporated

Post Office Box 123

123 Anonymous Street

Anytown, USA 12345-6789

AZ-123

6.3 The Gage Program

The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, calibrates and measures

gage blocks at NIST by mechanical intercomparison using the Gage program to analyze

measurements from the electro-mechanical gage block comparators and to print and record the

results. The Gage program has two testing modes, the Gage mode to calibrate and measure
76 Chapter 6

NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks and the Test mode to test the NIST Gage

Block Calibration Software System and train personnel. To calibrate and measure NIST’s gage

block calibration customers’ gage blocks, the user first uses the Setup program to record the

setup information in Setup Document Files, which are DOS ASCII text files. To calibrate and

measure gage blocks by mechanical intercomparison, the user uses the Gage program in Gage

mode to analyze measurements from the electro-mechanical gage block comparators, print the

results, and record the results to the Setup Document Files. As part of the process to ensure

quality assurance, the Gage program estimates short-term and long-term measurement process

variability by measuring and recording the differences in length of the two master gage blocks

used for every NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks calibrated and measured by

mechanical intercomparison and comparing past and present calibration and measurement

results. As another part of the process to ensure quality assurance, the user uses the History

program to authenticate past and present calibration and measurement results, which occasionally

requisite retests. Once authenticated, the user then merges and records the present calibration

and measurement results to the History Document Files and creates NIST Reports’ of

Calibration. To create NIST Reports’ of Calibration, the user runs the Report program, which

uses the folder information from the Folder Document Files and the stored gage block calibration

and measurement results from the Setup and Gage programs.

The Gage program has a Control Menu with ten functions, as Table 6.3-1 shows. The

technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, uses the Control Menu functions to do

the following:

C Switch between testing modes, the Gage mode to calibrate and measure NIST’s gage

block calibration customers’ gage blocks and the Test mode to test the NIST Gage Block

Calibration Software System and train personnel

C Switch between master gage block types, the English type to calibrate and measure

NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ English gage blocks and the Metric type to

calibrate and measure NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ metric gage blocks

C Switch between testing methods, Interferometric method that requires running the

Spectrum and Setup programs and Mechanical method that offer fourteen measurement

designs for measurement series from the selection menu listing drift eliminating designs

C Enter initials of observer, the user who calibrates and measures NIST’s gage block

calibration customers’ gage blocks

C View opened Setup Document Files

C Select gage blocks to calibrate and measure

C Enter measuring temperatures of the comparators and gage blocks

C Enter manually electro-mechanical gage block comparators’ readings

C Record automatically the electro-mechanical gage block comparators’ readings every

time by pressing the auxiliary trigger mechanism
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 77

C View and print the gage block calibration and measurement results

C Store the gage block calibration and measurement results to Setup Document Files

Table 6.3-1 The Gage Program’s Control Menu Functions

Name of Function Function Description

Program Preface . This function displays the Gage program’s introductory statement.

Mode .......... This function switches the testing mode between Gage and Test. The

computer user selects Gage mode to calibrate and measure NIST’s gage

block calibration customers’ gage blocks and Test mode to test the

NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System and train personnel. 

Running calibrations and measurements in Gage mode writes results to

the screen display and printer, the Setup Document Files, and the

Gagemap Document Files that the Mecmap program uses to analyze the

mechanical intercomparison control history for all NIST’s gage block

mechanical intercomparison calibrations and measurements. Running

calibrations and measurements in Test mode writes results to the display

and printer only.

Masters ......... This function switches the master gage block types between English and

Metric types of master gage blocks. The computer user selects English

type to calibrate and measure NIST’s gage block calibration customers’

English gage blocks and Metric type to calibrate and measure NIST’s

gage block calibration customers’ metric gage blocks.

Method ......... This function switches the testing methods between Interferometric and

Mechanical methods of calibrations. Since the Gage program is to

calibrate and measure gage blocks by mechanical intercomparison, the

computer user who selects Interferometric testing method is prompted

to select running the Setup or Spectrum programs or select between

testing methods. When the computer user selects Gage mode and

Mechanical testing method, a prompt appears about entering the number

of Setup Document Files for the measurement series. When the

computer user selects Test mode and Mechanical testing method, the

selection menu listing drift eliminating designs appear about selecting

the measurement design for the measurement series.
78 Chapter 6

Table 6.3-1 The Gage Program’s Control Menu Functions

Name of Function Function Description

Observer ........ This function prompts the computer user to enter the observer’s initials,

one to three characters allowed. The observer is the technical user, who

calibrates and measures gage blocks, which includes NIST’s gage block

calibration customers’ gage blocks. Running calibrations and

measurements in the Gage mode writes the observers’ initials to the

Setup Document Files and the Gagemap Document Files that the

Mecmap program uses to analyze the mechanical intercomparison

control history for all NIST’s gage block mechanical intercomparison

calibrations and measurements.

Instrument . . . . . . This function switches the electro-mechanical gage block comparator

assigned to calibrate and measure NIST’s gage block calibration

customers’ gage blocks. When the computer user selects electromechanical gage block comparators with comparator probe calibrations

stored to Probe Calibration Files, a prompt appears about selecting the

measurement method, Automatic for the Gage program to record the

electro-mechanical gage block comparator’s readings every time the

computer user presses the auxiliary trigger mechanism or Manual for

the computer user to enter the electro-mechanical gage block

comparator’s readings when prompted by the Gage program. When the

computer user selects electro-mechanical gage block comparators

without comparator probe calibrations stored to Probe Calibration

Files, a prompt appears about running the Probe program to calibrate

the comparator selected; otherwise, this function stops the Gage

program and loads and runs the Branch program. Running calibrations

and measurements in Gage mode writes the electro-mechanical gage

block comparators assigned to the Gagemap Document Files that the

Mecmap program uses to analyze the mechanical intercomparison

control history for all NIST’s gage block mechanical intercomparison

calibrations and measurements.

New ........... This function opens the Setup Document Files that the computer user

generated beforehand using the Setup program for the measurement

series. The Setup Document Files are working Setup Document Files

from the same working file storage device and folder, which is

C:\Gage\Work, and not archived Setup Document Files from the

Historys storage device and folder, which is C:\Gage\Historys, and on

labeled floppy diskettes.
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 79

Table 6.3-1 The Gage Program’s Control Menu Functions

Name of Function Function Description

Run ............ This function runs NIST’s gage block mechanical intercomparison

calibrations and measurements and measurements. The function

enables the computer user to view opened Setup Document Files, select

gage blocks to calibrate and measure, enter measuring temperatures of

the comparators and gage blocks, enter manually electro-mechanical

gage block comparators’ readings, record automatically the electromechanical gage block comparators’ readings every time by pressing the

auxiliary trigger mechanism, view and print store the calibration and

measurement results, and store the calibration and measurement results

to Setup Document Files.

Backup ......... This function backs up the current calendar years’ Gagemap Document

Files that the Mecmap program uses to analyze the mechanical

intercomparison control history for all NIST’s gage block mechanical

intercomparison calibrations and measurements. Since this function

replaces, or overwrites, existing current calendar years’ files, renaming

the current calendar years’ files backed up on the labeled floppy

diskettes or backing up on separate labeled floppy diskettes gives

incremental backups during current calendar years and better protection

against accidental overwrites.

Exit GAGE . . . . . . This function stops the Gage program and loads and runs the Branch

program.

The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, follows established file

naming and storing conventions to manage Folder Document Files, Setup Document Files,

History Document Files, and Report Document Files. The established naming convention for

Folder Document Files, Setup Document Files, History Document Files, and Report Document

Files is limited to eight characters for filenames with a three-character extension and a period

separating the filename from the extension. The working Folder Document Files are to record

all folder information and the archived Folder Document Files to record folder information

exclusive of an NIST test folder number, the purchase order number, internal or group control

number, and the date of the NIST Report of Calibration. The working Setup Document Files are

to record setup information and calibration and measurement results and the archived Setup

Document Files to record only setup information. The History Document Files are to record

calibration and measurement results, which are NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage

block calibration history. When customers return gage blocks sets for calibrations, the user
80 Chapter 6

retrieves the folder information from the archived Folder Document Files to create new working

Folder Document Files and the setup information from the archived Setup Document Files to

create new working Setup Document Files. The user stores all working Folder Document Files,

Setup Document Files, and Report Document Files in the working file storage device and folder,

which is C:\Gage\Work, and the archived Folder Document Files, Setup Document Files, History

Document Files, and Report Document Files in the Historys storage device and folder, which is

C:\Gage\Historys, and on labeled floppy diskettes. For continuity reasons, the user typically

assigns common filenames to Folder Document Files, Setup Document Files, History Document

Files, and Report Document Files for every NIST’s gage block calibration customers’

calibration. The three-character extension for working Folder Document Files is “fdr” and for

archived Folder Document Files is “fdh,” for working Setup Document Files is “ids” and for

archived Setup Document Files is “idh,” for History Document Files is “his,” and for working

Report Document Files is “rpt” and for archived Report Document Files is “rph.”

The Gage program has two testing modes: Gage and Test. The technical user, who

calibrates and measures gage blocks, runs the Gage program in Gage mode to calibrate and

measure NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks and in Test mode to test the NIST

Gage Block Calibration Software System and train personnel. Running the Gage program in

Gage mode to calibrate and measure gage blocks writes results to the screen display and printer,

the Setup Document Files, and the Gagemap Document Files that the Mecmap program uses to

analyze the mechanical intercomparison control history for all NIST’s gage block mechanical

intercomparison calibrations and measurements. The results the Gage program writes to the

Gagemap Document Files that the Mecmap program uses to analyze the mechanical

intercomparison control history for all NIST’s gage block mechanical intercomparison

calibrations and measurements the user refers as gagemap information. Running the Gage

program in Test mode to calibrate and measure gage blocks writes results to the display and

printer only.

The Gage program enables the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks,

to calibrate and measure two master gage block types, English and Metric gage blocks. The user

selects English type to calibrate and measure NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ English

gage blocks and Metric type to calibrate and measure NIST’s gage block calibration customers’

metric gage blocks.

The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System’s calibration and measurement

software programs offer the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, many

measurement designs to calibrate and measure gage blocks, one measurement design for

interferometry and fourteen measurement designs to calibrate and measure one-to-nine NIST’s

gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks simultaneously by mechanical intercomparison, as

Table 6.3-2 shows. The symbol denoting NIST’s standard gage block is “S,” the symbol

denoting NIST’s check standard gage block is “C,” and the symbols denoting NIST’s gage block

calibration customers’ unknown gage blocks are “1,” “2,” “3,” “4,” “5,” “6,” “7,” “8,” and “9.”
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 81

The user uses the first measurement design for interferometry and the fourteenth measurement

design, named “ABCA Design,” for fast and less-accurate intercomparisons. The second through

thirteenth measurement designs allow the user to measure from one-to-nine sets of NIST’s gage

block calibration customers' gage blocks simultaneously, which allow for constant drift among

all measurements, providing for one or more process control measurements [7]. The names of

these twelve measurement designs refer first to the number of gage blocks measured, two NIST’s

master gage blocks and one-to-nine NIST’s gage block customers’ gage blocks, and second to the

number of measurements per gage block. Since Dr. Theodore D. Doiron developed the second

through thirteenth measurement designs in 1989 and published them in “Drift Eliminating

Designs for Non-Simultaneous Comparison Calibrations” (Journal of Research of the National

Institute of Standards and Technology 98-2, 1993) [7], seldom used is the fifteenth measurement

design, named “4-1 Design,” which J. M. Cameron and G. E. Hailes published in “Designs for

the Calibration of Small Groups of Standards in the Presence of Drift” (National Bureau of

Standards (U.S.) Technical Note 844, 1974) [6] and John. S. Beers and Clyde D. Tucker

published in “Intercomparison Procedures for Gage Blocks Using Electromechanical

Comparators” (National Bureau of Standards (U.S.) NBSIR 76-979, 1976) [4]. To calibrate and

measure NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks, the user typically uses the fourth

measurement design, named “3-6 Design,” and exception to the second measurement design,

named “3-2 Design,” and the third measurement design, named “3-4 Design,” for long gage

blocks.

Table 6.3-2 Gage Block Measurement Designs

Number

of Design

Name of

Design Design Description

1 Interferometry 1 Unknown, 1 Measurement Each

y =1 S

2 3-2 Design 2 Masters and 1 Unknown, 2 Measurements Each

y =1 S ! C

y =2 1 ! C

y =3 S ! 1
82 Chapter 6

Table 6.3-2 Gage Block Measurement Designs

Number

of Design

Name of

Design Design Description

3 3-4 Design 2 Masters and 1 Unknown, 4 Measurements Each

y =1 S ! C

y =2 1 ! S

y =3 C ! 1

y =4 C ! S

y =5 1 ! C

y =6 S ! 1

4 3-6 Design 2 Masters and 1 Unknown, 6 Measurements Each

y =1 S ! C

y =2 1 ! C

y =3 S ! 1

y =4 C ! S

y =5 1 ! S

y =6 C ! 1

y =7 C ! S

y =8 1 ! C

y =9 S ! 1

5 4-4 Design 2 Masters and 2 Unknowns, 4 Measurements Each

y =1 S ! C

y =2 1 ! 2

y =3 2 ! S

y =4 C ! 1

y =5 C ! S

y =6 2 ! 1

y =7 S ! 2

y =8 1 ! C
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 83

Table 6.3-2 Gage Block Measurement Designs

Number

of Design

Name of

Design Design Description

6 4-6 Design 2 Masters and 2 Unknowns, 6 Measurements Each

y =1 S ! C

y =2 2 ! S

y =3 1 ! 2

y =4 C ! S

y =5 C ! 1

y =6 2 ! C

y =7 S ! 1

y =8 C ! 2

y =9 S ! 2

y = 10 1 ! C

y = 11 1 ! S

y = 12 2 ! 1

7 5-4 Design 2 Masters and 3 Unknowns, 4 Measurements Each

y =1 S ! C

y =2 3 ! 2

y =3 S ! 1

y =4 3 ! C

y =5 2 ! 1

y =6 C ! 2

y =7 1 ! S

y =8 1 ! 3

y =9 2 ! S

y = 10 C ! 3
84 Chapter 6

Table 6.3-2 Gage Block Measurement Designs

Number

of Design

Name of

Design Design Description

8 6-4 Design 2 Masters and 4 Unknowns, 4 Measurements Each

y =1 S ! C

y =2 3 ! 2

y =3 4 ! 1

y =4 4 ! 3

y =5 2 ! C

y =6 1 ! 2

y =7 S ! 4

y =8 C ! 3

y =9 C ! 1

y = 10 3 ! S

y = 11 1 ! 4

y = 12 2 ! S

9 7-4 Design 2 Masters and 5 Unknowns, 4 Measurements Each

y =1 S ! C

y =2 4 ! 2

y =3 1 ! 3

y =4 C ! 5

y =5 S ! 4

y =6 3 ! 1

y =7 C ! 2

y =8 1 ! 5

y =9 3 ! 4

y = 10 5 ! S

y = 11 4 ! C

y = 12 2 ! 1

y = 13 2 ! S

y = 14 5 ! 3
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 85

Table 6.3-2 Gage Block Measurement Designs

Number

of Design

Name of

Design Design Description

10 8-4 Design 2 Masters and 6 Unknowns, 4 Measurements Each

y =1 S ! C

y =2 4 ! 6

y =3 5 ! 2

y =4 3 ! S

y =5 1 ! 4

y =6 6 ! 5

y =7 2 ! 1

y =8 4 ! C

y =9 5 ! 3

y = 10 2 ! S

y = 11 C ! 6

y = 12 3 ! 1

y = 13 4 ! S

y = 14 6 ! 2

y = 15 1 ! 3

y = 16 C ! 5
86 Chapter 6

Table 6.3-2 Gage Block Measurement Designs

Number

of Design

Name of

Design Design Description

11 9-4 Design 2 Masters and 7 Unknowns, 4 Measurements Each

y =1 S ! C

y =2 7 ! 5

y =3 C ! 1

y =4 3 ! 2

y =5 4 ! 6

y =6 2 ! C

y =7 1 ! 5

y =8 6 ! 7

y =9 3 ! S

y = 10 1 ! 4

y = 11 7 ! S

y = 12 6 ! 3

y = 13 2 ! 4

y = 14 C ! 2

y = 15 5 ! 3

y = 16 S ! 7

y = 17 4 ! 1

y = 18 5 ! 6
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 87

Table 6.3-2 Gage Block Measurement Designs

Number

of Design

Name of

Design Design Description

12 10-4 Design 2 Masters and 8 Unknowns, 4 Measurements Each

y =1 S ! C

y =2 5 ! 6

y =3 8 ! 2

y =4 3 ! 4

y =5 C ! 7

y =6 1 ! 2

y =7 6 ! 7

y =8 8 ! S

y =9 4 ! 5

y = 10 7 ! 8

y = 11 3 ! 5

y = 12 C ! 1

y = 13 2 ! 8

y = 14 7 ! 4

y = 15 1 ! 6

y = 16 S ! 3

y = 17 5 ! 1

y = 18 2 ! 3

y = 19 6 ! S

y = 20 4 ! C
88 Chapter 6

Table 6.3-2 Gage Block Measurement Designs

Number

of Design

Name of

Design Design Description

13 11-4 Design 2 Masters and 9 Unknowns, 4 Measurements Each

y =1 S ! C

y =2 3 ! 4

y =3 6 ! 8

y =4 2 ! 7

y =5 C ! 1

y =6 8 ! 9

y =7 7 ! 5

y =8 3 ! S

y =9 1 ! 2

y = 10 S ! 4

y = 11 C ! 6

y = 12 5 ! 1

y = 13 4 ! 5

y = 14 9 ! C

y = 15 2 ! 3

y = 16 7 ! 9

y = 17 5 ! 6

y = 18 8 ! S

y = 19 1 ! 7

y = 20 6 ! 3

y = 21 9 ! 2

y = 22 4 ! 8

14 ABCA Design 2 Masters and 1 Unknown, 1 - 2 Measurements Each

y =1 1 ! S

y =2 C ! 1
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 89

Table 6.3-2 Gage Block Measurement Designs

Number

of Design

Name of

Design Design Description

15 4-1 Design 2 Masters and 2 Unknowns, 4 Measurements Each

y =1 S ! C

y =2 2 ! S

y =3 1 ! 2

y =4 C ! 1

y =5 C ! 2

y =6 2 ! S

y =7 S ! 1

y =8 1 ! C

The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System’s calibration and measurement

software programs afford the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, the

following configurations:

C One-to-nine electro-mechanical gage block comparators to calibrate and measure gage

blocks by mechanical intercomparison

C Electro-mechanical gage block comparators’ probe calibration cycles, number of days

between comparators’ probe calibration and number of tests completed using the Gage

program

With one-to-nine electro-mechanical gage block comparators configured, the technical

user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, switches among the electro-mechanical gage

block comparators when running the Probe program to calibrate the comparators’ measuring

probes and the Gage program to calibrate and measure NIST’s gage block calibration customers’

gage blocks. The user selects electro-mechanical gage block comparators with comparator probe

calibrations stored to Probe Calibration Files, selecting the measurement method, Automatic for

the Gage program to record the electro-mechanical gage block comparator’s readings every time

the computer user presses the auxiliary trigger mechanism or Manual for the computer user to

enter the electro-mechanical gage block comparator’s readings when prompted by the Gage

program. With the electro-mechanical gage block comparators’ probe calibration cycles

configured, when the user exceeds probe calibration cycles, last comparator calibrations or the

gage blocks calibrated and measured, or they store no probe calibrations to Probe Calibration

Files, the Gage program alerts the user to run the Probe program to calibrate the comparator
90 Chapter 6

selected. Running calibrations and measurements in Gage mode writes the electro-mechanical

gage block comparators assigned to the Gagemap Document Files that the Mecmap program

uses to analyze the mechanical intercomparison control history for all NIST’s gage block

mechanical intercomparison calibrations and measurements.

The Gage program, running in Gage mode to calibrate and measure gage blocks, writes

results, which the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, refers as gagemap

information, to the Gagemap Document Files that the Mecmap program uses to analyze the

mechanical intercomparison control history for all NIST’s gage block mechanical

intercomparison calibrations and measurements. To the DOS ASCII text file, named

Gbkupmap.ini, the Gage program, running in Gage mode, automatically stores the filename

storing the last backup of NIST’s gage block mechanical intercomparison calibration history, the

date of last backup, and the number of records that the Gage program stored since the last

backup. The Gage program affords the user two ways to back up current calendar years’

mechanical intercomparison control history files the Gage program writes. The first method,

when first running the Gage program in Gage mode, the Gage program checks information

stored to the Gbkupmap.ini file, prompting the user to back up the current calendar years’

mechanical intercomparison control history files when the last backup was done more than one

quarter of one calendar year or more than 100 records have been added to the file since the last

backup. The second method, the user uses the Control Menu’s backup function. Since this

function replaces, or overwrites, existing current calendar years’ files, renaming the current

calendar years’ files backed up on the labeled floppy diskettes or backing up on separate labeled

floppy diskettes gives incremental backups during current calendar years and better protection

against accidental overwrites.

The Gbkupmap.ini file resides in the Gage folder, which is the current and customary

program folder for the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System under normal operations. 

As Table 6.3-3 shows, the Gbkupmap.ini file contains the filename storing the last backup of

NIST’s gage block mechanical intercomparison calibration history, the date of last backup, and

the number of records that the Gage program stored since the last backup. The latest listing of a

Gbkupmap.ini file, as Table 6.3-4 shows, has the filename storing the last backup of NIST’s gage

block mechanical intercomparison calibration history, the date of the last backup, and the number

of NIST’s gage block mechanical intercomparison calibration history records that the Gage

program stored since the last backup.

.

Table 6.3-3 Configuration of the Gbkupmap.ini File

Row Record Description

1

This record has the filename storing the last backup of NIST’s gage block

mechanical intercomparison calibration history.
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 91

Table 6.3-3 Configuration of the Gbkupmap.ini File

Row Record Description

2

This record has the date of the last backup of NIST’s gage block mechanical

intercomparison calibration history.

3

This record has the number of NIST’s gage block mechanical intercomparison

calibration history records that the Gage program stored since the last backup

of NIST’s gage block mechanical intercomparison calibration history.

Table 6.3-4 Latest Listing of a Gbkupmap.ini File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0001:

0002:

0003:

A:GAGE1998.MAP

02 Jul 1998

 10

The Gage program stores gagemap information in Gagemap Document Files. The

configuration of Gagemap Document Files, as Table 6.3-5 shows, with gagemap information,

each totaling fourteen fields and extending 80 characters. This gagemap information is the

remark status, NIST’s master gage blocks’ nominal sizes, identification or serial numbers, master

type, material codes, accepted master gage block mechanical intercomparison controls, accepted

master gage block mechanical intercomparison within standard deviations, testing method codes,

electro-mechanical gage block comparators’ identification codes, observed temperatures,

observers’ initials, testing dates, statistical process control codes , observed master gage block

mechanical intercomparison controls, and observed master gage block mechanical

intercomparison within standard deviations. The technical user, who calibrates and measures

gage blocks, stores working Gagemap Document Files in the working file storage device and

folder, which is C:\Gage\Gagemap. The user stores backed up Gagemap Document Files in the

working file storage device and folder, which is C:\Gage\Mecmaps, and on labeled floppy

diskettes. The listing of a sample working Gagemap Document File, as Table 6.3-6 shows, has

information that the Gage program wrote when running in Gage mode to calibrate and measure

gage blocks at NIST’s first gage block calibration workstation.
92 Chapter 6

Table 6.3-5 Configuration of Gagemap Document Files

Column Field Description

1

This field has the testing status (Yes: Blank, No: Asterisk, Remarked:

Exclamation Point).

2-11 This field has the gage block nominal size (English: in inches, Metric: in

millimeters).

13-18

This field has the standard gage block identification or serial number (zero to

six characters accepted, “NONE” for no identification or serial number is

recommended).

20-25

This field has the check standard gage block identification or serial number

(zero to six characters accepted, “NONE” for no identification or serial number

is recommended).

27 This field has the master gage block type (English: 1, Metric: 2).

28-35 This field has the accepted master gage block mechanical intercomparison

control, in nanometers.

37-41 This field has the accepted master gage block mechanical intercomparison

within standard deviation, in nanometers.

43-44

This field has the testing method code (Exempt: 0 , Interferometry: 1, 3-2

Design: 2, 3-4 Design: 3, 3-6 Design: 4, 4-4 Design: 5, 4-6 Design: 6, 5-4

Design: 7, 6-4 Design: 8, 7-4 Design: 9, 8-4 Design: 10, 9-4 Design: 11, 10-4

Design: 12, 11-4 Design: 13, ABCA Design: 14, 4-1 Design: 15).

45-46

This field has the electro-mechanical gage block comparators’ identification

code (Workstation One: F1, Workstation Two: F2, Workstation Three: F3,

Workstation Four: F4, Workstation Five: F5, Workstation Six: F6, Workstation

Seven: F7, Workstation Eight: F8, and Workstation Nine: F9).

48-53 This field has the observed temperature, in degrees Celsius.

55-57

This field has the observer’s initials, one to three alphanumeric characters

accepted, all initials recommended. The observer is the technical user, who

calibrates and measures gage blocks, which includes NIST’s gage block

calibration customers’ gage blocks.

58-61 This field has the year for the testing date, four numeric digit characters with

leading zeros displayed, century mandatory.
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 93

Table 6.3-5 Configuration of Gagemap Document Files

Column Field Description

62-63

This field has the month for the testing date, two numeric digit characters with

leading zeros displayed (January: 01, February: 02, March: 03, April: 04, May:

05, June: 06, July: 07, August: 08, September: 09, October: 10, November: 11,

December: 12).

64-65

This field has the day of the month for the testing date, two numeric digit

characters with leading zeros displayed (1 Day of Month: 01, 2 Day of st nd

Month: 02, 3 Day of Month: 03, . . . , 31 Day of Month: 31). rd st

66

This field has the statistical process control codes (Test Passed: 0, Test Failed

on the F-test: 1, Test Failed on the T-test: 2, Test Failed on both the F-test and

the T-test: 3).

67-74 This field has the observed master gage block mechanical intercomparison

control, in nanometers.

76-80 This field has the observed master gage block mechanical intercomparison

within standard deviation, in nanometers.

Table 6.3-6 Listing of a Sample Gagemap Document File

from NIST’s First Gage Block Calibration Workstation

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0001:

0002:

0003:

0004:

0005:

0006:

0007:

0008:

0009:

0010:

0011:

0012:

0013:

 0.010050 4527 VJV5 1 33.0 6.2 04F1 20.020 EMT199801050 20.3 4.1

 0.010200 5116 W7W17 1 36.5 5.7 04F1 20.050 EMT199801050 50.5 6.9

 0.010600 5108 VJV5 1 113.8 5.7 04F1 20.070 EMT199801050 96.9 6.7

 0.010800 5105 VJV5 1 1.1 5.7 04F1 20.070 EMT199801050 11.2 8.1

 0.013000 6110 VJV5 1 145.3 5.7 04F1 20.080 EMT199801050 143.9 4.5

 0.015000 6216 VJV5 1 110.3 5.7 04F1 20.090 EMT199801051 93.2 14.9

 0.018000 1108 VJV5 1 68.7 5.7 04F1 20.100 EMT199801050 71.8 7.5

 0.020300 2358 VJV5 1 -44.2 7.0 04F1 20.110 EMT199801050 -29.2 9.0

 0.020500 2807 VJV5 1 32.9 7.0 04F1 20.130 EMT199801050 23.3 9.1

 0.020900 2638 VJV5 1 -66.2 7.0 04F1 20.130 EMT199801050 -64.0 5.5

 0.022000 2226 VJV5 1 -84.8 7.0 04F1 20.140 EMT199801050 -81.8 10.9

 0.026000 2528 VJV5 1 -1.9 7.0 04F1 20.140 EMT199801050 2.8 4.2

 0.028000 2252 VJV5 1 25.3 7.0 04F1 20.160 EMT199801050 32.2 5.2
94 Chapter 6

Table 6.3-6 Listing of a Sample Gagemap Document File

from NIST’s First Gage Block Calibration Workstation

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0014:

0015:

0016:

0017:

0018:

0019:

0020:

0021:

0022:

0023:

0024:

0025:

•

•

•

1649:

1650:

1651:

1652:

1653:

1654:

1655:

1656:

1657:

1658:

 0.040000 2435 VJV5 1 64.7 6.2 04F1 20.160 EMT199801050 56.5 1.6

 0.050000 D4249 VJV5 1 -9.4 6.2 04F1 20.180 EMT199801051 -5.8 15.3

 0.078125 040 VJV5 1 -136.2 6.2 04F1 20.190 EMT199801051 -134.9 23.8

 4.000000 4361 1UN6 1 -348.3 10.1 04F1 19.810 EMT199801060 -346.4 11.8

 2.000000 2110 1UN6 1 -159.2 9.4 04F1 19.830 EMT199801060 -144.8 10.4

 0.850000 4793 1UN6 1 -52.8 5.3 04F1 20.110 EMT199801060 -51.2 5.9

 0.750000 5019 1UN6 1 -14.6 5.3 04F1 20.120 EMT199801060 -19.3 5.1

 0.550000 4225 1UN6 1 -3.5 5.3 04F1 20.120 EMT199801061 -12.0 10.8

 0.550000 4225 1UN6 1 -3.5 5.3 04F1 20.120 EMT199801060 -10.9 2.1

 0.450000 6318 1UN6 1 -29.3 4.7 04F1 20.120 EMT199801061 -23.4 11.4

 0.450000 6318 1UN6 1 -29.3 4.7 04F1 20.120 EMT199801060 -30.2 3.1

 0.300000 5835 1UN6 1 -0.5 4.7 04F1 20.130 EMT199801060 -6.2 2.2

••••••••

••••••••

••••••••

 0.550000 4225 1UN6 1 -3.9 5.3 04F1 19.940 SRF199807090 -10.1 5.5

 0.500000 6185 1UN6 1 -49.8 4.7 04F1 19.950 SRF199807090 -56.2 4.1

 0.450000 6318 1UN6 1 -29.2 4.7 04F1 19.950 SRF199807090 -34.9 1.5

 0.400000 5398 1UN6 1 -133.1 4.7 04F1 19.950 SRF199807090 -134.1 7.3

 0.350000 3389 1UN6 1 57.2 4.7 04F1 19.960 SRF199807090 51.2 3.2

 0.300000 5835 1UN6 1 -0.2 4.7 04F1 19.960 SRF199807090 0.9 7.7

 0.250000 6592 1UN6 1 30.3 4.7 04F1 19.970 SRF199807091 17.8 18.3

 0.250000 6592 1UN6 1 30.3 4.7 04F1 19.970 SRF199807090 24.3 7.5

 0.200000 4766 1UN6 1 -205.5 4.7 04F1 19.980 SRF199807090 -212.6 5.9

 0.109375 1029 1UN6 1 12.1 5.0 04F1 19.990 SRF199807090 10.5 6.1

6.4 The History Program

The History program opens, analyzes, prints, and stores NIST’s gage block calibration

customers’ gage block calibration history. To calibrate and measure NIST’s gage block

calibration customers’ gage blocks, the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks,

first uses the Setup program to record the setup information in Setup Document Files, which are

DOS ASCII text files. To calibrate and measure gage blocks by mechanical intercomparison, the

user uses the Gage program in Gage mode to analyze measurements from the electro-mechanical
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 95

gage block comparators, print the results, and record the results to the Setup Document Files. As

part of the process to ensure quality assurance, the user uses the History program to authenticate

past and present calibration and measurement results, which occasionally requisite retests. Once

authenticated, the user then merges and records the present calibration and measurement results

to the History Document Files and creates NIST Reports’ of Calibration. To create NIST

Reports’ of Calibration, the user runs the Report program, which uses the folder information

from the Folder Document Files and the stored gage block calibration and measurement results

from the Setup and Gage programs.

The use of the History program is the third of three parts of NIST’s gage block

measurement assurance program. The first part is the continuous calibration and measurement of

NIST’s master gage blocks by interferometry under process control. The technical user, who

calibrates and measures gage blocks, together through using the Spectrum, Edit, and Intmap

programs, analyzes and records NIST’s master gage block interferometric measurement results

from the gage block interferometers and NIST’s master gage block interferometric calibration

history. After accumulating NIST’s master gage block interferometric measurement results, the

user plots control charts to individually check the variability of NIST’s master gage blocks’

interferometric calibration history. When the user uses NIST’s master gage blocks to calibrate

and measure NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks by mechanical

intercomparison, NIST Reports’ of Calibration report, for every calibration and measurement, the

interferometric measurement uncertainty combined in quadrature with the mechanical

intercomparison uncertainty. The second part of NIST’s gage block measurement assurance

program the user accomplishes together through running the Gage program in Gage mode to

calibrate and measure NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks by mechanical

intercomparison and using the Mecmap program to analyze NIST’s gage block mechanical

intercomparison calibration history. Providing process control parameters for the mechanical

intercomparison process and estimating measurement process variability is NIST’s gage block

mechanical intercomparison calibration history, which records the measured differences between

the NIST’s two master gage blocks used in every calibration and measurement and the derived

standard deviations of every calibration and measurement. As the third part of NIST’s gage

block measurement assurance program, the user uses the History program to authenticate past

and present calibration and measurement results.

The History program simplifies efforts by the technical user, who calibrates and measures

gage blocks, to manage and statistically analyze NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage

block calibration history. To reduce risks of reporting inaccurate measurements and improve

complete measurement confidence, the History program helps the user to routinely monitor the

following:

C NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage block calibration history

C Individual gage blocks’ history in NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage block

calibration history
96 Chapter 6

C Offsets of individual gage blocks’ history, which are between the latest and all previous

calibrations and measurements, in NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage block

calibration history

C Gage block sets’ offset, which is between averages of the latest and all previous

calibrations and measurements, in NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage block

calibration history

The History program has a Control Menu with thirteen functions, as Table 6.4-1 shows. 

The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, uses the Control Menu functions to

do the following:

C Open working Folder Document Files and Setup Document Files

C Open archived History Document Files

C Assemble New History Document Files by generating anew or updating NIST’s gage

block calibration customers’ gage block calibration history, merging complete records

from opened working Folder Document Files and Setup Document Files, indexing and

reordering all records by gage blocks’ nominal sizes, identification or serial numbers, and

calibration and measurement dates

C View and print NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage block calibration history

C View, plot, and print individual gage blocks’ history in NIST’s gage block calibration

customers’ gage block calibration history

C View, plot, and print the offsets of individual gage blocks’ history, which are between the

latest and all previous calibrations and measurements, in NIST’s gage block calibration

customers’ gage block calibration history

C View, plot, and print the gage block sets’ offset, which is between averages of the latest

and all previous calibrations and measurements, in NIST’s gage block calibration

customers’ gage block calibration history

C Load and run the Edit program to automatically open archived History Document Files

C Archive New History Document Files to archived files stored in the DOS ASCII text file

storage format

Table 6.4-1 The History Program’s Control Menu Functions

Name of Function Function Description

Program Preface . This function displays the History program’s introductory statement.
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 97

Table 6.4-1 The History Program’s Control Menu Functions

Name of Function Function Description

Open Folder . . . . . This function opens a copy of a Folder Document File. The Folder

Document Files are working Folder Document Files in the working file

storage device and folder, which is C:\Gage\Work. This function

copies, deletes, moves, and renames Folder Document Files in file

storage devices and folders.

Open Setup . . . . . . This function opens a copy of a Setup Document File. The Setup

Document Files are working Setup Document Files in the working file

storage device and folder, which is C:\Gage\Work. This function

copies, deletes, moves, and renames Setup Document Files in file

storage devices and folders.

Open History . . . . This function opens a copy of a History Document File. The History

Document Files are archived History Document Files from the Historys

storage device and folder, which is C:\Gage\Historys, and on labeled

floppy diskettes. This function copies, deletes, moves, and renames

History Document Files in file storage devices and folders.

Run ............ This function assembles the New History Document File by generating

anew or updates an NIST’s gage block calibration customer’s gage

block calibration history or merging complete records from the opened

Setup Document File and opened History Document File, reordering all

records by the gage blocks’ nominal sizes, identification or serial

numbers, and calibration and measurement dates.

View ........... This function opens the New History Document File viewing window

with the New History Document File for examining and printing an

NIST’s gage block calibration customer’s gage block calibration history.

Plot ............ This function opens the New History Document File plotting window

with the New History Document File for examining, plotting, and

printing individual gage blocks’ history in an NIST’s gage block

calibration customer’s gage block calibration history.

Plot Latest Offset . This function opens the New History Document File latest offset

plotting window with the New History Document File for examining,

plotting, and printing the offsets of individual gage blocks’ history,

which are between the latest and all previous calibrations and

measurements, in an NIST’s gage block calibration customer’s gage

block calibration history.
98 Chapter 6

Table 6.4-1 The History Program’s Control Menu Functions

Name of Function Function Description

Plot Set Bias . . . . . This function opens the New History Document File set offset plotting

window with the New History Document File for examining, plotting,

and printing the gage block set’s offset, which is between averages of

the latest and all previous calibrations and measurements, in an NIST’s

gage block calibration customer’s gage block calibration history.

Edit ............ This function stops the History program and loads and runs the Edit

program. When the New History Document File needs archiving, a

prompt first appears about archiving the New History Document File

and an affirmative response causes the function to archive the New

History Document File, stop the History program, and load and run the

Edit program, which automatically opens the archived History

Document File.

Print ........... This function prints one copy of the New History Document File to the

printer.

Archive ......... This function archives a copy of the New History Document File to an

archived file, such as Filename.his, and stored in the DOS ASCII text

file storage format. When a file already exists, a prompt first appears

about overwriting the New History Document File to this file or storing

the New History Document File to a new file.

Exit HISTORY . . . This function stops the History program and loads and runs the Branch

program. When a New History Document File needs archiving, a

prompt first appears about archiving the New History Document File

and an affirmative response causes the function to archive the New

History Document File and closes all document files opened, which

include the Folder Document File, the Setup Document File, the History

Document File, and the New History Document File.

The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, follows established file

naming and storing conventions to manage Folder Document Files, Setup Document Files,

History Document Files, and Report Document Files. The established naming convention for

Folder Document Files, Setup Document Files, History Document Files, and Report Document

Files is limited to eight characters for filenames with a three-character extension and a period

separating the filename from the extension. The working Folder Document Files are to record

all folder information and the archived Folder Document Files to record folder information
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 99

exclusive of an NIST test folder number, the purchase order number, internal or group control

number, and the date of the NIST Report of Calibration. The working Setup Document Files are

to record setup information and calibration and measurement results and the archived Setup

Document Files to record only setup information. The History Document Files are to record

calibration and measurement results, which are NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage

block calibration history. When customers return gage blocks sets for calibrations, the user

retrieves the folder information from the archived Folder Document Files to create new working

Folder Document Files and the setup information from the archived Setup Document Files to

create new working Setup Document Files. The user stores all working Folder Document Files,

Setup Document Files, and Report Document Files in the working file storage device and folder,

which is C:\Gage\Work, and the archived Folder Document Files, Setup Document Files, History

Document Files, and Report Document Files in the Historys storage device and folder, which is

C:\Gage\Historys, and on labeled floppy diskettes. For continuity reasons, the user typically

assigns common filenames to Folder Document Files, Setup Document Files, History Document

Files, and Report Document Files for every NIST’s gage block calibration customers’

calibration. The three-character extension for working Folder Document Files is “fdr” and for

archived Folder Document Files is “fdh,” for working Setup Document Files is “ids” and for

archived Setup Document Files is “idh,” for History Document Files is “his,” and for working

Report Document Files is “rpt” and for archived Report Document Files is “rph.”

The History program assembles a New History Document File by generating anew or

updates an NIST’s gage block calibration customer’s gage block calibration history or merging

complete records from the opened Setup Document File and opened History Document File,

reordering all records by the gage blocks’ nominal sizes, identification or serial numbers, and

calibration and measurement dates. This program uses copies opened of either or both the

following: working Setup Document File in the working file storage device and folder, which is

C:\Gage\Work, and archived History Document File from the Historys storage device and folder,

which is C:\Gage\Historys, and on labeled floppy diskettes. As part of assembling an NIST’s

gage block calibration customer’s gage block calibration history, the technical user, who

calibrates and measures gage blocks, completes running the History program with archiving a

New History Document File for future uses. Archiving a New History Document Files stores the

archived file, such as Filename.his, in the DOS ASCII text file storage format.

The History program’s Control Menu has three plotting functions, as Table 6.4-1 shows,

to analyze NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage block calibration history by performing

linear regression analysis. The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, uses the

plotting functions to analyze and plot the following:

C Individual gage blocks’ calibration history

C Offsets of individual gage blocks’ calibration history, which are between the latest and all

previous calibrations and measurements
100 Chapter 6

C Gage block set’s offset, which is between averages of the latest and all previous

calibrations and measurements

The plotting functions are analysis tools that perform linear regression analysis by using

the “least squares” method to fit lines through sets of observations, which are the measurements. 

By using linear regression analysis to examine individual gage blocks’ calibration history, the

technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, can visualize, in charts, the individual

gage blocks’ history to show patterns or trends clearly, which describes nominal length

variations. The analysis tool assumes straight-line relationships between the independent

variable, which are the calibrated and measured nominal lengths, and the dependent variable,

which are the calibration and measurement dates. In keeping with the NIST policy of the

International System of Units (SI) for reporting length in this manual [16], the nominal lengths of

gage blocks identify each by name or size. By using linear regression analysis to examine offsets

of individual gage blocks’ history, the user can visualize, in charts, the offsets of individual gage

blocks’ history, which are between the latest and all previous calibrations and measurements, to

show patterns or trends clearly, which describes compared nominal length variations. The

analysis tool assumes straight-line relationships between the independent variable, which are the

calibrated and measured nominal lengths, and the dependent variable, which are the dates of the

calibrations and measurements. By using linear regression analysis to examine the gage block

set’s offset, the user can visualize, in charts, the gage block set’s offset, which is between

averages of the latest and all previous calibrations and measurements, to show patterns or trends

clearly, which describes the gage block set’s average compared nominal length variations and

average process variations.

6.5 The Intmap Program

The Intmap program opens, analyzes, and prints NIST’s master gage block

interferometric calibration history. To calibrate and measure NIST’s master gage blocks by

interferometry, the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, uses the Spectrum

program to analyze interferometric measurements from the gage block interferometers and to

print the interferometric measurement results, which the user refers as NIST’s master gage block

interferometric calibration history. To archive NIST’s master gage block interferometric

calibration history, the user uses the Edit program to record the interferometric measurement

results to Intmap Document Files, which are DOS ASCII text files. The user uses the Intmap

program to analyze NIST’s master gage block interferometric calibration history from the Intmap

Document Files and to print the interferometric calibration history results, which the user refers

as intmap information, and the Master program is then used to record the interferometric

calibration history results, which the user refers as master information. The intmap information

is the master gage blocks’ nominal sizes, identification or serial numbers, material codes,

interferometrically-derived nominal deviations, and interferometry standard deviations. The
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 101

Intmap Document Files organize into groups NIST’s master gage blocks’ interferometric

calibration history gage blocks with common physical length characteristics, which improves the

significance of the statistical analyses. The master information is the master gage blocks’

nominal sizes, identification or serial numbers, material codes, interferometrically-derived

nominal deviations, interferometry standard deviations, master gage block mechanical

intercomparison controls, master gage block mechanical intercomparison within standard

deviations, and master gage block mechanical intercomparison total standard deviations.

The use of the Intmap program is the first of three parts of NIST’s gage block

measurement assurance program. The first part is the continuous calibration and measurement of

NIST’s master gage blocks by interferometry under process control. The technical user, who

calibrates and measures gage blocks, together through using the Spectrum, Edit, and Intmap

programs, analyzes and records NIST’s master gage block interferometric measurement results

from the gage block interferometers and NIST’s master gage block interferometric calibration

history. After accumulating NIST’s master gage block interferometric measurement results, the

user plots control charts to individually check the variability of NIST’s master gage blocks’

interferometric calibration history. When the user use NIST’s master gage blocks to calibrate

and measure NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks by mechanical

intercomparison, NIST Reports’ of Calibration report, for every calibration and measurement, the

interferometric measurement uncertainty combined in quadrature with the mechanical

intercomparison uncertainty. The second part of NIST’s gage block measurement assurance

program the user accomplishes together through running the Gage program in Gage mode to

calibrate and measure NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks by mechanical

intercomparison and using the Mecmap program to analyze NIST’s gage block mechanical

intercomparison calibration history. Providing process control parameters for the mechanical

intercomparison process and estimating measurement process variability is NIST’s gage block

mechanical intercomparison calibration history, which records the measured differences between

the NIST’s two master gage blocks used in every calibration and measurement and the derived

standard deviations of every calibration and measurement. As the third part of NIST’s gage

block measurement assurance program, the user uses the History program to authenticate past

and present calibration and measurement results.

The Intmap program simplifies efforts by the technical user, who calibrates and measures

gage blocks, to manage and statistically analyze NIST’s master gage block interferometric

calibration history. In the past, to determine the “best” length for each of NIST’s master gage

blocks from interferometric calibrations, the user used the most recently-gathered data. Today,

with the Intmap program, to determine or predict the “best” length for each of NIST’s master

gage blocks, the user uses all NIST’s master gage block interferometric calibration history, which

makes optimal use of the available information. To improve complete measurement confidence,

the Intmap program helps the user to routinely monitor NIST’s master gage block

interferometric calibration history. For NIST’s master gage blocks having less than five years of

available interferometric calibration history or exhibiting dimensional stability or negligible
102 Chapter 6

length changes, the user uses the Intmap program to average the interferometric calibration

history for finding “mean” length, which has lower measurement uncertainty than using only the

most recently-gathered data. For NIST’s master gage blocks exhibiting general patterns of length

changes, the user uses the Intmap program to do linear regression analysis by using the “least

squares” method to fit lines through sets of measurements for establishing “predicted” length,

which has higher measurement uncertainty.

The Intmap program has a Control Menu with thirteen functions, as Table 6.5-1 shows. 

The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, uses the Control Menu functions to

do the following:

C Customize the Intmap program’s current preferences

C Switch between Intmap Document Files

C View and print NIST’s master gage block interferometric calibration history

C View, plot, and print individual gage blocks’ history in NIST’s master gage block

interferometric calibration history

C Load and run the Edit program to automatically open Intmap Document Files

C Backup and restore Intmap Document Files

Table 6.5-1 The Intmap Program’s Control Menu Functions

Name of Function Function Description

Program Preface . This function displays the Intmap program’s introductory statement.

Preferences . . . . . This function opens the Preferences window with the Intmap program’s

current preferences. In this window, the computer user customizes the

file storage devices and folders that the Intmap program uses to open,

backup, and restore Intmap Document Files. Among other preferences

in this window, the computer user customizes the method and date that

the Intmap program uses to predict future nominal length variations and

perform linear regression analysis.

Select .......... This function prompts the computer user to select among the working

Intmap Document Files with NIST’s master gage block interferometric

calibration history stored in the working file storage device and folder,

which is C:\Gage\Intmaps by default. When the computer user selects

an Intmap Document File, this function opens a copy of a Intmap

Document File into the Intmap Document File window.
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 103

Table 6.5-1 The Intmap Program’s Control Menu Functions

Name of Function Function Description

Run ............ This function assembles the Intmap Report Document by generating

anew a report about NIST’s master gage block interferometric

calibration history from the current Intmap Document File in the Intmap

Report Document viewing window, recording from all records the

master gage blocks’ nominal sizes, identification or serial numbers,

current and predicted nominal deviations and standard deviations, latest

calibration and measurement dates, and tests to date.

View Report . . . . . This function opens the Intmap Report Document viewing window with

the current Intmap Report Document.

Print Report . . . . . This function prints one copy of the current Intmap Report Document in

the Intmap Report Document viewing window to the printer.

Store Report . . . . . This function stores the current Intmap Report Document in the Intmap

Report Document viewing window to an Intmap Report Document File

stored in the DOS ASCII text file storage format in the file storage

device and folder that the Intmap program uses, which is

C:\Gage\Intmaps by default.

View ........... This function opens the Intmap Document File viewing window with

the current Intmap Document File for examining and printing an NIST’s

master gage block interferometric calibration history.

Plot ............ This function opens the Intmap Document File plotting window with

the current Intmap Document File for examining, plotting, and printing

individual master gage blocks’ history in an NIST’s master gage block

interferometric calibration history

Edit ............ This function stops the Intmap program and loads and runs the Edit

program, which automatically opens the working file of the current

Intmap Document File in the Intmap Document File window.

Backup ......... This function backs up the working file of the current Intmap Document

File in the Intmap Document File window or all working Intmap

Document Files from the file storage device and folder that the Intmap

program uses, which is C:\Gage\Intmaps by default, to backup files

each stored in the DOS ASCII text file storage format on labeled floppy

diskettes.
104 Chapter 6

Table 6.5-1 The Intmap Program’s Control Menu Functions

Name of Function Function Description

Restore ......... This function restores the working file of the current Intmap Document

File in the Intmap Document File window or all working Intmap

Document Files from backup files each stored in the DOS ASCII text

file storage format on labeled floppy diskettes to the file storage device

and folder that the Intmap program uses, which is C:\Gage\Intmaps by

default.

Exit INTMAP . . . . This function stops the Intmap program and loads and runs the Branch

program. When an Intmap Document File is in the Intmap Document

File window, the function closes the current Intmap Document File and

Intmap Report Document File windows.

The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, follows established file

naming and storing conventions to manage Intmap Document Files. The established naming

convention for Intmap Document Files is limited to eight characters for filenames with a

three-character extension and a period separating the filename from the extension. The working

Intmap Document Files are to record current intmap information and the backed up Intmap

Document Files to record minimally the current intmap information. When working Intmap

Documents Files are corrupted or lost, the user restores the intmap information from the backed

up Intmap Document Files, which eliminates re-entering all intmap information. The user stores

all working Intmap Document Files in the working file storage device and folder, which is

C:\Gage\Intmaps, and the backed up Intmap Document Files on labeled floppy diskettes.

The Intmap program uses intmap information in Intmap Document Files. The Intmap

Document Files, as Table 6.5-2 shows, organize into groups NIST’s master gage blocks’

interferometric calibration history gage blocks with common physical length characteristics,

which improves the significance of the statistical analyses. The configuration of Intmap

Document Files, as Table 6.5-3a, Table 6.5-3b, and Table 6.5-3c show, with intmap information,

each respectively totaling six fields and extending up to 35 characters, totaling one field and

extending up to 80 characters, and totaling five fields and extending up to 80 characters. Header

records have “[SIZE=” keywords followed by NIST’s master gage blocks’ nominal sizes, master

gage block length unit keywords, “ID=” keywords, identification or serial numbers,

“MATERIAL=” keywords, and names of the gage blocks’ materials, which follow with closing

square bracket characters. Remarked records have remarked statements, which open with all

characters except following characters in the first column: [1234567890. Interferometry

measurement records have NIST’s master gage blocks’ testing dates and interferometricallyderived nominal deviations, which follow with remarked statements. The technical user, who
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 105

calibrates and measures gage blocks, stores working Intmap Document Files in the working file

storage device and folder, which is C:\Gage\Intmaps. The user backs up the Intmap Document

Files on labeled floppy diskettes. The listing of a sample working Intmap Document File, as

Table 6.5-4 shows, has information that the Gage program wrote when running in Gage mode to

calibrate and measure gage blocks at NIST’s first gage block calibration workstation.

Table 6.5-2 Organization Groups of NIST’s

Master Gage Block Interferometric

Calibration History in Intmap Document Files

and Intmap Report Document Files

Group Name

Master Gage Block

Nominal Sizes in Group

Name of Intmap

Document File

Name of

Intmap Report

Document File

GROUP 01

English Thins

0.010 to 0.09375 Inches IMAPGRP.001 IMAPRPT.001

GROUP 02

English Gage

Blocks

0.100 to 0.107 Inches IMAPGRP.002 IMAPRPT.002 

GROUP 03

English Gage

Blocks

0.108 to 0.126 Inches IMAPGRP.003 IMAPRPT.003

GROUP 04

English Gage

Blocks

0.127 to 0.146 Inches IMAPGRP.004 IMAPRPT.004

GROUP 05

English Gage

Blocks

0.147 to 0.500 Inches IMAPGRP.005 IMAPRPT.005

GROUP 06

English Gage

Blocks

0.550 to 4.000 Inches IMAPGRP.006 IMAPRPT.006

GROUP 07

English Long

Blocks

5.0 to 20.0 Inches IMAPGRP.007 IMAPRPT.007
106 Chapter 6

Table 6.5-2 Organization Groups of NIST’s

Master Gage Block Interferometric

Calibration History in Intmap Document Files

and Intmap Report Document Files

Group Name

Master Gage Block

Nominal Sizes in Group

Name of Intmap

Document File

Name of

Intmap Report

Document File

GROUP 08

English 010 Series

Thins

0.01005 to 0.019 Inches IMAPGRP.008 IMAPRPT.008

GROUP 09

English 020 Series

Thins

0.02005 to 0.029 Inches IMAPGRP.009 IMAPRPT.009

GROUP 10

English 050 Series

Thins

0.05005 to 0.059 Inches IMAPGRP.010 IMAPRPT.010

GROUP 11

English Step Gage

Blocks

0.100 to 0.1001 Inches

(Formerly 0.200 to

0.2001 Inches)

IMAPGRP.011 IMAPRPT.011

GROUP 13

Metric Thins 0.10 to 0.95 Millimeters IMAPGRP.013 IMAPRPT.013

GROUP 14

Metric Gage Blocks 1.00 to 1.09 Millimeters IMAPGRP.014 IMAPRPT.014

GROUP 15

Metric Gage Blocks 1.10 to 1.29 Millimeters IMAPGRP.015 IMAPRPT.015

GROUP 16

Metric Gage Blocks 1.30 to 1.49 Millimeters IMAPGRP.016 IMAPRPT.016

GROUP 17

Metric Gage Blocks 1.50 to 2.09 Millimeters IMAPGRP.017 IMAPRPT.017

GROUP 18

Metric Gage Blocks 2.10 to 2.29 Millimeters IMAPGRP.018 IMAPRPT.018
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 107

Table 6.5-2 Organization Groups of NIST’s

Master Gage Block Interferometric

Calibration History in Intmap Document Files

and Intmap Report Document Files

Group Name

Master Gage Block

Nominal Sizes in Group

Name of Intmap

Document File

Name of

Intmap Report

Document File

GROUP 19

Metric Gage Blocks 2.30 to 2.49 Millimeters IMAPGRP.019 IMAPRPT.019

GROUP 20

Metric Gage Blocks 2.50 to 10.0 Millimeters IMAPGRP.020 IMAPRPT.020

GROUP 21

Metric Gage Blocks 10.5 to 20.0 Millimeters IMAPGRP.021 IMAPRPT.021

GROUP 22

Metric Gage Blocks 20.5 to 50 Millimeters IMAPGRP.022 IMAPRPT.022

GROUP 23

Metric Gage Blocks 60 to 100 Millimeters IMAPGRP.023 IMAPRPT.023

GROUP 24

Metric Gage Blocks 125 to 500 Millimeters IMAPGRP.024 IMAPRPT.024

Table 6.5-3a Configuration of the Intmap Document Files

Header Records

Column Field Description

1-6 This field has the “[SIZE=” keyword, which begins with the opening square

bracket character.

7-16 This field has the master gage block nominal size (English: in inches, Metric: in

millimeters).

18-21 This field has the master gage block length unit keyword (English: “INCH,”

Metric: “MM”).
108 Chapter 6

Table 6.5-3a Configuration of the Intmap Document Files

Header Records

Column Field Description

25-27 This field has the “ID=” keyword.

28-33

This field has the master gage block identification or serial number (zero to six

characters accepted, “NONE” for no identification or serial number is

recommended).

37-45 This field has the “MATERIAL=” keyword.

46-62

This field has the name of the master gage block material (e.g., “STEEL,”

“CERAMIC,” “CHROME CARBIDE,” “TUNGSTEN CARBIDE,” and

“STAINLESS STEEL”), which follows with the closing square bracket

character.

Table 6.5-3b Configuration of the Intmap Document Files

Remarked Records

Column Field Description

1-80 This field has the remarked statement. Do not use the following characters in

the first column: [1234567890.

Table 6.5-3c Configuration of the Intmap Document Files

Interferometry Measurement Records

Column Field Description

1-4 This field has the year for the testing date, four numeric digit characters with

leading zeros displayed, century mandatory.

5-6

This field has the month for the testing date, two numeric digit characters with

leading zeros displayed (January: 01, February: 02, March: 03, April: 04, May:

05, June: 06, July: 07, August: 08, September: 09, October: 10, November: 11,

December: 12).
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 109

Table 6.5-3c Configuration of the Intmap Document Files

Interferometry Measurement Records

Column Field Description

7-8

This field has the day of the month for the testing date, two numeric digit

characters with leading zeros displayed (1 Day of Month: 01, 2 Day of st nd

Month: 02, 3 Day of Month: 03, . . . , 31 Day of Month: 31). rd st

10-16 This field has the master gage block interferometrically-derived nominal

deviation, in nanometers.

17-80 This field has the end-of-line remarked statement. Do use all characters.

Table 6.5-4 Listing of a Sample Intmap Document File

for Group One of NIST’s Gage Block

Interferometric Calibration History

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0001:

0002:

0003:

0004:

0005:

0006:

0007:

0008:

0009:

0010:

0011:

0012:

0013:

0014:

0015:

0016:

0017:

0018:

0019:

0020:

[SIZE= 0.010000 INCH ID=6537 MATERIAL=STEEL]

$ 0.00 THN ST REC DOALL

#ONE DOT (*) MASTERS - Replaced SN: 4154 3/94

19940301 106.7

19940301 81.3

19940301 101.6

[SIZE= 0.010000 INCH ID=VJV5 MATERIAL=CC]

$ 0.00 THN CC REC CROBLOX

#TWO DOT (**) MASTERS NEW 10/94

19941001 51.0

19941001 28.0

19941001 28.0

19941001 51.0

19941001 18.0

19941001 41.0

19960301 -9.0

19960301 26.0

19960301 4.0

[SIZE= 0.010050 INCH ID=4527 MATERIAL=STEEL]

$ 0.00 THN ST REC DOALL
110 Chapter 6

Table 6.5-4 Listing of a Sample Intmap Document File

for Group One of NIST’s Gage Block

Interferometric Calibration History

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0021:

0022:

0023:

0024:

0025:

0026:

0027:

0028:

0029:

0030:

0031:

0032:

0033:

0034:

0035:

0036:

0037:

0038:

0039:

0040:

0041:

0042:

0043:

•

•

•

0446:

0447:

0448:

0449:

0450:

0451:

0452:

0453:

0454:

0455:

#ONE DOT (*) MASTERS

19630101 99.1

19670101 88.9

19830101 22.9

19880316 121.9

19880316 129.5

19880316 132.1

19900401 111.8

19900401 94.0

19900401 96.5

19940701 109.2

19940701 101.6

19940701 101.6

[SIZE= 0.010050 INCH ID=VJV5 MATERIAL=CC]

$ 0.00 THN CC REC CROBLOX

#TWO DOT (**) MASTERS NEW 10/94

19941001 71.0

19941001 10.0

19941001 10.0

19941001 41.0

19941001 74.0

19941001 46.0

19960301 34.0

••••••••

••••••••

••••••••

19960301 -58.0

19960301 -54.0

[SIZE= 0.093750 INCH ID=043 MATERIAL=STEEL]

$ 0.00 THN ST REC HOMMEL

#ONE DOT (*) MASTERS

19590101 43.2

19630101 17.8

19670101 10.2

19830101 7.6

19880323 20.3
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 111

Table 6.5-4 Listing of a Sample Intmap Document File

for Group One of NIST’s Gage Block

Interferometric Calibration History

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0456:

0457:

0458:

0459:

0460:

0461:

0462:

0463:

0464:

0465:

0466:

0467:

0468:

0469:

0470:

0471:

0472:

0473:

0474:

19880323 -15.2

19880323 5.1

19900301 -10.2

19900301 7.6

19900301 -5.1

19900301 15.2

19940301 12.7

19940301 10.2

19940301 22.9

[SIZE= 0.093750 INCH ID=VJV5 MATERIAL=CC]

$ 0.00 THN CC REC CROBLOX

#TWO DOT (**) MASTERS NEW 10/94

19941001 3.0

19941001 30.0

19941001 25.0

19941001 25.0

19941001 23.0

19941001 56.0

19960301 37.0

The Intmap program’s Control Menu has a plotting function, as Table 6.5-1 shows, to

analyze NIST’s master gage block interferometric calibration history by performing linear

regression analysis. The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, uses the

plotting function to analyze and plot the individual gage blocks’ interferometric calibration

history. The plotting function is an analysis tool that performs linear regression analysis by using

the “least squares” method to fit lines through sets of observations, which are the measurements. 

By using linear regression analysis to examine individual gage blocks’ calibration history, the

user can visualize, in charts, the individual gage blocks’ history to show patterns or trends

clearly, which describes nominal length variations. The analysis tool assumes straight-line

relationships between the independent variable, which are the calibrated and measured nominal

lengths, and the dependent variable, which are the calibration and measurement dates. For

individual gage blocks’ history in NIST’s master gage block interferometric calibration history,

the Intmap program’s features afford the user to compute the best fit line through interferometric

calibration history with significant slopes or to compute the average with no significant slope. 
112 Chapter 6

The Intmap program determines slopes insignificant with less than five years of available

interferometric calibration history or the computed slope is within the three-sigma standard

deviation confidence level.

6.6 The Master Program

The Master program opens, prints, and stores current information about NIST’s master

gage blocks. As part of the process of starting any NIST’s gage block calibration customers’

calibrations, the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, uses the Master

program to record current information about NIST’s master gage blocks, which the user refers as

master information. This master information is the master gage blocks’ nominal sizes,

identification or serial numbers, material codes, interferometrically-derived nominal deviations,

interferometry standard deviations, master gage block mechanical intercomparison controls,

master gage block mechanical intercomparison within standard deviations, and master gage block

mechanical intercomparison total standard deviations. The user uses the Master program to

record the master information in Master Document Files, which are DOS ASCII text files. To

calibrate and measure NIST’s master gage blocks by interferometry, the user uses the Spectrum

program to analyze interferometric measurements from the gage block interferometers and to

print the interferometric measurement results, the Intmap program to analyze the master gage

block interferometric calibration history and to print the interferometric calibration history

results, and the Master program is then used to record the interferometric calibration history

results. Before calibrating and measuring any NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage

blocks by mechanical intercomparison, the user finds through the brute force method the NIST’s

master gage block mechanical intercomparison controls using the electro-mechanical gage block

comparators, estimates the master gage block mechanical intercomparison within standard

deviations and master gage block mechanical intercomparison total standard deviations, and

records the results to the Master Document Files. After calibrating and measuring NIST’s gage

block calibration customers’ gage blocks by mechanical intercomparison for at least one year, the

user uses the Mecmap program to compute NIST’s master gage block mechanical

intercomparison controls, the master gage block mechanical intercomparison within standard

deviations, and the master gage block mechanical intercomparison total standard deviations, and

records the results to the Master Document Files.

The Master program has a Control Menu with eight functions, as Table 6.6-1 shows. The

technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, uses the Control Menu functions to do

the following:

C Switch between Master Document Files

C Edit, print, and store Master Document Files

C Backup and restore Master Document Files
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 113

C View Master Document Files

Table 6.6-1 The Master Program’s Control Menu Functions

Name of Function Function Description

Program Preface . This function displays the Master program’s introductory statement.

Masters ......... This function switches between Master Document Files in respective

Master Document File windows.

View ........... This function opens the Master Document File editing window with the

current Master Document File.

Print ........... This function prints one copy of the current Master Document File to

the printer.

Store ........... This function stores a copy of the current Master Document File in the

current Master Document File window to a working file, Engmstr.gbk

for English master gage blocks, Metmstr.gbk for metric master gage

blocks, and both files stored in the DOS ASCII text file storage format.

Backup ......... This function backs up the working file of the current Master Document

File in the current Master Document File window to a backup file,

Engmstr.gbk for English master gage blocks, Metmstr.gbk for metric

master gage blocks, and both files stored in the DOS ASCII text file

storage format on labeled floppy diskettes.

Restore ......... This function restores the backup file of the current Master Document

File in the current Master Document File window from a backup file,

Engmstr.gbk for English master gage blocks, Metmstr.gbk for metric

master gage blocks, and both files stored in the DOS ASCII text file

storage format on labeled floppy diskettes.

Exit MASTER . . . . This function stops the Master program and loads and runs the Branch

program. When a Master Document File is in the current Master

Document File window, a prompt first appears about storing the current

Master Document File and an affirmative response causes the function

to store the current Master Document File and close the current Master

Document File window.

The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, follows established file

naming and storing conventions to manage Master Document Files. The established naming
114 Chapter 6

convention for Master Document Files is limited to eight characters for filenames with a

three-character extension and a period separating the filename from the extension (e.g.,

Engmstr.gbk for English master gage blocks, Metmstr.gbk for metric master gage blocks). The

working Master Document Files are to record current master information and the backed up

Master Document Files to record minimally the current master information. When working

Master Documents Files are corrupted or lost, the user restores the master information from the

backed up Master Document Files, which eliminates re-entering all master information. The

user stores all working Master Document Files in the working file storage device and folder,

which is C:\Gage\Masters, and the backed up Master Document Files on labeled floppy

diskettes.

The Master program stores master information in Master Document Files. The

configuration of the Master Document Files, as Table 6.6-2 shows, with master information,

each totaling twelve fields and extending 80 characters. This master information is the master

gage blocks’ nominal sizes, identification or serial numbers, material codes, interferometricallyderived nominal deviations, interferometry standard deviations, master gage block mechanical

intercomparison controls, master gage block mechanical intercomparison within standard

deviations, and master gage block mechanical intercomparison total standard deviations. The

technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, stores working Master Document Files

in the working file storage device and folder, which is C:\Gage\Masters. The user backs up the

Master Document Files on labeled floppy diskettes. The listing of the Master Document File,

named Engmstr.gbk, as Table 6.6-3 shows, has the latest information for NIST’s English master

gage blocks. The listing of the Master Document File, named Metmstr.gbk, as Table 6.6-4

shows, has the latest information for NIST’s metric master gage blocks.

Table 6.6-2 Configuration of the English and Metric

Master Document Files

Column Field Description

1-10 This field has the master gage block nominal size (English: in inches, Metric: in

millimeters).

12-17

This field has the standard master gage block identification or serial number

(zero to six characters accepted, “NONE” for no identification or serial number

is recommended).

19-24

This field has the check standard master gage block identification or serial

number (zero to six characters accepted, “NONE” for no identification or serial

number is recommended).
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 115

Table 6.6-2 Configuration of the English and Metric

Master Document Files

Column Field Description

26-29

This field has the standard master gage block material code, four numeric digit

characters with leading zeros displayed (Steel: 0001, Ceramic: 0002, Chrome

Carbide: 0003, Tungsten Carbide: 0004, Stainless Steel: 0005, and Other:

0006).

31-34

This field has the check standard master gage block material code, four numeric

digit characters with leading zeros displayed (Steel: 0001, Ceramic: 0002,

Chrome Carbide: 0003, Tungsten Carbide: 0004, Stainless Steel: 0005, and

Other: 0006).

37-41 This field has the standard master gage block interferometrically-derived

nominal deviation, in nanometers.

43-47 This field has the check standard master gage block interferometrically-derived

nominal deviation, in nanometers.

49-53 This field has the standard master gage block interferometry standard deviation,

in nanometers.

55-59 This field has the check standard master gage block interferometry standard

deviation, in nanometers.

61-68 This field has the master gage block mechanical intercomparison control, in

nanometers.

70-74 This field has the master gage block mechanical intercomparison within

standard deviation, in nanometers.

76-80 This field has the master gage block mechanical intercomparison total standard

deviation, in nanometers.

Table 6.6-3 Latest Listing of the Engmstr.gbk File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0001: 0.010000 6537 VJV5 0001 0003 97 26 25.0 13.0 73.7 6.6 8.5
116 Chapter 6

Table 6.6-3 Latest Listing of the Engmstr.gbk File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0002:

0003:

0004:

0005:

0006:

0007:

0008:

0009:

0010:

0011:

0012:

0013:

0014:

0015:

0016:

0017:

0018:

0019:

0020:

0021:

0022:

0023:

0024:

0025:

0026:

0027:

0028:

0029:

0030:

0031:

0032:

0033:

0034:

0035:

0036:

0037:

0038:

0039:

0040:

 0.010050 4527 VJV5 0001 0003 101 41 12.5 25.0 36.4 6.6 8.5

 0.010100 5113 VJV5 0001 0003 104 -54 5.7 25.0 116.6 6.5 10.8

 0.010200 5116 W7W17 0001 0003 83 49 13.0 13.0 37.7 6.5 10.8

 0.010300 5108 VJV5 0001 0003 105 -85 7.6 25.0 224.8 6.5 10.8

 0.010400 3215 VJV5 0001 0003 40 -10 13.0 13.0 78.4 6.5 10.8

 0.010500 5101 VJV5 0001 0003 -3 54 10.9 13.0 -52.0 6.5 10.8

 0.010600 5108 VJV5 0001 0003 10 -104 13.0 25.0 106.8 6.5 10.8

 0.010700 1007 VJV5 0001 0003 22 -26 7.7 13.0 49.7 6.5 10.8

 0.010800 5105 VJV5 0001 0003 -5 -6 13.0 5.9 31.0 6.5 10.8

 0.010900 5106 VJV5 0001 0003 2 13 5.5 13.0 5.7 6.5 10.8

 0.011000 3105 VJV5 0001 0003 13 45 10.3 11.6 12.4 6.5 10.8

 0.012000 1107 VJV5 0001 0003 -88 -34 6.1 8.4 -59.7 6.5 10.8

 0.013000 6110 VJV5 0001 0003 122 -51 10.0 2.7 145.6 6.5 10.8

 0.014000 5105 VJV5 0001 0003 72 33 8.1 13.0 62.8 6.5 10.8

 0.015000 6216 VJV5 0001 0003 49 -13 10.7 5.3 111.1 6.5 10.8

 0.015625 1225 VJV5 0001 0003 -41 2 8.7 9.5 -32.2 6.6 8.5

 0.016000 5112 VJV5 0001 0003 55 1 13.4 11.1 8.2 6.5 10.8

 0.017000 6103 VJV5 0001 0003 114 49 11.9 13.0 81.2 6.5 10.8

 0.018000 1108 VJV5 0001 0003 45 -18 3.1 7.1 68.7 6.5 10.8

 0.019000 6103 VJV5 0001 0003 61 -54 8.9 10.2 132.7 6.5 10.8

 0.020000 3126 VJV5 0001 0003 51 59 8.9 25.0 -46.4 6.6 8.5

 0.020050 1017 VJV5 0001 0003 113 -67 11.1 13.0 131.6 6.6 8.5

 0.020100 2016 VJV5 0001 0003 111 56 6.6 25.0 27.2 7.6 9.1

 0.020200 2609 VJV5 0001 0003 50 49 9.6 13.0 -33.5 7.6 9.1

 0.020300 2358 VJV5 0001 0003 80 78 9.1 21.2 -42.1 7.6 9.1

 0.020400 2322 VJV5 0001 0003 60 55 7.7 9.0 -36.2 7.6 9.1

 0.020500 2807 VJV5 0001 0003 105 35 7.1 25.0 32.4 7.6 9.1

 0.020600 2124 VJV5 0001 0003 90 4 5.6 8.2 56.1 7.6 9.1

 0.020700 059 VJV5 0001 0003 75 14 8.3 9.2 8.4 7.6 9.1

 0.020800 2559 VJV5 0001 0003 15 39 7.1 25.0 -79.6 7.6 9.1

 0.020900 2638 VJV5 0001 0003 29 103 13.9 5.6 -64.7 7.6 9.1

 0.021000 2428 VJV5 0001 0003 138 28 10.3 20.0 114.2 7.6 9.1

 0.022000 2226 VJV5 0001 0003 -50 -1 9.5 13.0 -84.5 7.6 9.1

 0.023000 2355 VJV5 0001 0003 -45 -32 6.0 12.8 26.0 7.6 9.1

 0.024000 2728 VJV5 0001 0003 98 41 6.9 21.0 22.2 7.6 9.1

 0.025000 2323 VJV5 0001 0003 49 39 10.3 10.2 -14.8 7.6 9.1

 0.026000 2528 VJV5 0001 0003 -20 -1 8.3 5.2 0.6 7.6 9.1

 0.027000 061 VJV5 0001 0003 110 27 8.9 25.0 24.5 7.6 9.1

 0.028000 2252 VJV5 0001 0003 93 44 5.5 21.3 27.4 7.6 9.1
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 117

Table 6.6-3 Latest Listing of the Engmstr.gbk File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0041:

0042:

0043:

0044:

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0050:

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0067:

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0070:

0071:

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0074:

0075:

0076:

0077:

0078:

0079:

 0.029000 2133 VJV5 0001 0003 9 87 6.0 8.2 -75.2 7.6 9.1

 0.030000 063 VJV5 0001 0003 -39 -25 9.5 8.1 -24.0 6.6 8.5

 0.031250 2306 VJV5 0001 0003 20 53 4.5 25.0 -63.6 6.6 8.5

 0.040000 2435 VJV5 0001 0003 84 29 7.5 13.0 53.9 6.6 8.5

 0.046875 1859 VJV5 0001 0003 15 0 7.3 13.0 23.0 6.6 8.5

 0.050000 D4249 VJV5 0001 0003 21 47 8.0 10.0 -11.0 6.6 8.5

 0.050050 S ZWV25 0001 0003 -93 5 9.7 10.1 -78.4 6.6 8.5

 0.050100 S PMS-1 0001 0003 -153 -3 8.7 5.3 -116.7 5.6 10.4

 0.050200 S PMS-1 0001 0003 -119 3 10.8 5.6 -76.7 5.6 10.4

 0.050300 S PMS-1 0001 0003 -61 -6 9.5 4.5 -60.9 5.6 10.4

 0.050400 S PMS-1 0001 0003 -74 -3 12.3 4.9 -51.5 5.6 10.4

 0.050500 S PMS-1 0001 0003 -155 41 8.0 5.4 -176.6 5.6 10.4

 0.050600 S PMS-1 0001 0003 -115 16 12.1 5.9 -119.9 5.6 10.4

 0.050700 S PMS-1 0001 0003 -54 29 11.1 5.5 -82.6 5.6 10.4

 0.050800 S PMS-1 0001 0003 -95 39 8.4 3.0 -114.6 5.6 10.4

 0.050900 S PMS-1 0001 0003 -108 63 6.6 4.6 -171.8 5.6 10.4

 0.051000 3 15 PMS-1 0001 0003 58 38 8.5 7.3 37.2 5.6 10.4

 0.052000 4 06 PMS-1 0001 0003 207 4 5.0 7.7 184.7 5.6 10.4

 0.053000 3 29 PMS-1 0001 0003 10 60 5.4 8.1 -97.6 5.6 10.4

 0.054000 3 28 PMS-1 0001 0003 -6 12 8.6 6.6 -26.1 5.6 10.4

 0.055000 3 24 PMS-1 0001 0003 212 -29 6.9 4.0 224.6 5.6 10.4

 0.056000 4 26 PMS-1 0001 0003 120 20 6.1 11.0 46.6 5.6 10.4

 0.057000 3 12 PMS-1 0001 0003 -14 0 4.9 7.1 -11.6 5.6 10.4

 0.058000 3 26 PMS-1 0001 0003 35 -11 6.3 4.8 64.2 5.6 10.4

 0.059000 3 25 PMS-1 0001 0003 -61 19 10.1 6.4 -79.0 5.6 10.4

 0.060000 2230 VJV5 0001 0003 97 -2 5.4 7.3 65.9 6.6 8.5

 0.062500 2160 VJV5 0001 0003 27 41 9.2 11.5 -50.3 6.6 8.5

 0.070000 065 VJV5 0001 0003 -9 28 7.4 13.0 -44.6 6.6 8.5

 0.078125 040 VJV5 0001 0003 -115 25 5.6 25.0 -137.2 6.6 8.5

 0.080000 2218 VJV5 0001 0003 19 24 9.5 9.2 -15.8 6.6 8.5

 0.090000 066 VJV5 0001 0003 15 -35 9.3 23.4 22.1 6.6 8.5

 0.093750 043 VJV5 0001 0003 10 28 5.3 25.0 -31.8 6.6 8.5

 0.100000 5 83 1UN6 0001 0003 5 -27 4.4 13.0 20.5 4.7 5.7

 0.100005 0001 0001 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

 0.100010 S. S.. 0001 0001 0 0 12.7 12.7 0.0 0.0 0.0

 0.100015 0001 0001 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

 0.100020 S. S.. 0001 0001 0 0 12.7 12.7 0.0 0.0 0.0

 0.100025 3320 1UN6 0001 0003 65 35 4.0 13.0 20.6 4.7 5.7

 0.100030 S. S.. 0001 0001 0 0 12.7 12.7 0.0 0.0 0.0
118 Chapter 6

Table 6.6-3 Latest Listing of the Engmstr.gbk File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0080:

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0086:

0087:

0088:

0089:

0090:

0091:

0092:

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0096:

0097:

0098:

0099:

0100:

0101:

0102:

0103:

0104:

0105:

0106:

0107:

0108:

0109:

0110:

0111:

0112:

0113:

0114:

0115:

0116:

0117:

0118:

 0.100035 0001 0001 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

 0.100040 S. S.. 0001 0001 0 0 12.7 12.7 0.0 0.0 0.0

 0.100045 0001 0001 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

 0.100050 1986 1UN6 0001 0003 41 39 5.2 13.0 -22.6 4.7 5.7

 0.100055 0001 0001 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

 0.100060 S. S.. 0001 0001 0 0 12.7 12.7 0.0 0.0 0.0

 0.100065 0001 0001 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

 0.100070 S. S.. 0001 0001 0 0 12.7 12.7 0.0 0.0 0.0

 0.100075 8 06 1UN6 0001 0003 109 39 5.2 13.0 64.3 4.7 5.7

 0.100080 S. S.. 0001 0001 0 0 12.7 12.7 0.0 0.0 0.0

 0.100085 0001 0001 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

 0.100090 S. S.. 0001 0001 0 0 12.7 12.7 0.0 0.0 0.0

 0.100095 0001 0001 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

 0.100100 3688 1UN6 0001 0003 46 56 4.6 13.0 -27.5 4.7 5.7

 0.100200 3 45 1UN6 0001 0003 41 11 5.9 13.0 23.9 4.7 5.7

 0.100300 D4815 1UN6 0001 0003 -52 62 4.6 8.5 -102.3 4.7 5.7

 0.100400 D4321 1UN6 0001 0003 84 2 3.9 13.0 81.9 4.7 5.7

 0.100500 4756 1UN6 0001 0003 -5 35 5.6 7.8 -54.4 4.7 5.7

 0.100600 D4063 1UN6 0001 0003 89 27 4.4 13.0 74.3 4.7 5.7

 0.100700 D4601 1UN6 0001 0003 74 16 3.8 13.0 56.0 4.7 5.7

 0.100800 3 42 1UN6 0001 0003 57 4 5.1 11.8 57.4 4.7 5.7

 0.100900 D4261 1UN6 0001 0003 87 -8 4.7 13.0 99.7 4.7 5.7

 0.101000 3316 1UN6 0001 0003 0 29 5.8 11.7 -15.3 4.7 5.7

 0.102000 3 15 1UN6 0001 0003 22 2 5.0 8.8 7.3 4.7 5.7

 0.103000 3359 1UN6 0001 0003 101 -1 6.6 13.0 82.5 4.7 5.7

 0.104000 D4512 1UN6 0001 0003 58 42 7.4 12.1 5.3 4.7 5.7

 0.105000 4178 1UN6 0001 0003 27 24 5.9 11.6 -3.6 4.7 5.7

 0.106000 3371 1UN6 0001 0003 35 51 6.7 13.0 -4.8 4.7 5.7

 0.107000 D4504 1UN6 0001 0003 70 23 4.7 13.0 23.0 4.7 5.7

 0.108000 D4206 1UN6 0001 0003 39 -1 4.3 13.0 45.9 5.0 6.9

 0.109000 D4662 1UN6 0001 0003 45 11 6.4 9.5 23.1 5.0 6.9

 0.109375 1029 1UN6 0001 0003 -3 -9 3.8 13.0 12.1 5.0 6.9

 0.110000 D4552 1UN6 0001 0003 -29 -17 4.4 13.0 -33.8 5.0 6.9

 0.111000 D1344 1UN6 0001 0003 36 35 3.2 13.0 -8.7 5.0 6.9

 0.112000 3161 1UN6 0001 0003 20 13 5.7 13.0 14.6 5.0 6.9

 0.113000 D1446 1UN6 0001 0003 -49 16 3.7 8.7 -101.7 5.0 6.9

 0.114000 D1859 1UN6 0001 0003 -41 58 4.9 13.0 -91.8 5.0 6.9

 0.115000 D1243 1UN6 0001 0003 55 12 5.0 13.0 36.7 5.0 6.9

 0.116000 D1222 1UN6 0001 0003 59 6 3.3 8.1 47.8 5.0 6.9
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 119

Table 6.6-3 Latest Listing of the Engmstr.gbk File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

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0128:

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0145:

0146:

0147:

0148:

0149:

0150:

0151:

0152:

0153:

0154:

0155:

0156:

0157:

 0.117000 D1402 1UN6 0001 0003 -50 27 3.5 13.0 -94.2 5.0 6.9

 0.118000 D1713 1UN6 0001 0003 33 58 4.9 13.0 -45.6 5.0 6.9

 0.119000 D1154 1UN6 0001 0003 35 15 4.1 5.3 3.9 5.0 6.9

 0.120000 D4517 1UN6 0001 0003 8 1 5.2 10.6 4.3 5.0 6.9

 0.121000 2617 1UN6 0001 0003 87 7 4.8 13.0 34.3 5.0 6.9

 0.122000 9937 1UN6 0001 0003 92 42 3.2 12.8 33.6 5.0 6.9

 0.123000 D1924 1UN6 0001 0003 22 22 4.6 6.7 -30.3 5.0 6.9

 0.124000 D1551 1UN6 0001 0003 -51 -13 4.7 11.7 -64.0 5.0 6.9

 0.125000 D3145 1UN6 0001 0003 -7 -36 5.7 13.0 15.8 5.0 6.9

 0.126000 2762 1UN6 0001 0003 59 18 3.3 13.0 49.2 5.0 6.9

 0.127000 1 29 1UN6 0001 0003 57 16 5.3 8.8 9.5 4.7 5.6

 0.128000 2452 1UN6 0001 0003 21 23 6.9 13.0 -11.9 4.7 5.6

 0.129000 9911 1UN6 0001 0003 93 21 6.7 13.0 57.0 4.7 5.6

 0.130000 3475 1UN6 0001 0003 -5 9 7.4 13.0 -31.1 4.7 5.6

 0.131000 D1929 1UN6 0001 0003 -42 13 4.5 13.0 -95.7 4.7 5.6

 0.132000 D1712 1UN6 0001 0003 16 41 5.7 13.0 -52.6 4.7 5.6

 0.133000 D1309 1UN6 0001 0003 46 18 6.7 13.0 20.6 4.7 5.6

 0.134000 9938 1UN6 0001 0003 72 36 6.1 13.0 -2.4 4.7 5.6

 0.135000 D1160 1UN6 0001 0003 13 -14 4.3 13.0 18.2 4.7 5.6

 0.136000 D1005 1UN6 0001 0003 78 46 5.3 13.0 19.0 4.7 5.6

 0.137000 D1851 1UN6 0001 0003 57 31 3.9 13.0 17.5 4.7 5.6

 0.138000 2 23 1UN6 0001 0003 63 -2 5.8 13.0 37.4 4.7 5.6

 0.139000 3260 1UN6 0001 0003 -5 2 6.4 13.0 21.2 4.7 5.6

 0.140000 3431 1UN6 0001 0003 75 36 8.8 13.0 30.5 4.7 5.6

 0.141000 D1132 1UN6 0001 0003 45 -4 4.9 9.9 39.9 4.7 5.6

 0.142000 D1353 1UN6 0001 0003 -5 6 4.7 13.0 -35.1 4.7 5.6

 0.143000 D1649 1UN6 0001 0003 -46 12 7.7 13.0 -69.1 4.7 5.6

 0.144000 D1358 1UN6 0001 0003 -30 49 4.8 12.5 -94.9 4.7 5.6

 0.145000 D1140 1UN6 0001 0003 13 33 6.8 13.0 -43.3 4.7 5.6

 0.146000 D1754 1UN6 0001 0003 -21 11 4.0 12.6 -67.4 4.7 5.6

 0.147000 D1230 1UN6 0001 0003 28 47 2.7 13.0 -24.8 4.7 5.1

 0.148000 D1244 1UN6 0001 0003 23 43 4.4 13.0 -36.7 4.7 5.1

 0.149000 D1707 1UN6 0001 0003 25 19 5.0 13.0 -23.3 4.7 5.1

 0.150000 D5219 1UN6 0001 0003 -29 6 3.6 13.0 -33.4 4.7 5.1

 0.160000 3340 1UN6 0001 0003 154 -11 8.3 10.3 137.3 4.7 5.1

 0.170000 8650 1UN6 0001 0003 45 12 4.9 13.0 16.5 4.7 5.1

 0.180000 8632 1UN6 0001 0003 27 -19 5.3 13.0 27.6 4.7 5.1

 0.190000 8444 1UN6 0001 0003 58 -12 10.6 13.0 27.8 4.7 5.1

 0.200000 4766 1UN6 0001 0003 -230 3 6.6 13.0 -205.5 4.7 5.1
120 Chapter 6

Table 6.6-3 Latest Listing of the Engmstr.gbk File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0158:

0159:

0160:

0161:

0162:

0163:

0164:

0165:

0166:

0167:

0168:

0169:

0170:

0171:

0172:

0173:

0174:

0175:

0176:

0177:

0178:

0179:

0180:

0181:

0182:

0183:

0184:

 0.250000 6592 1UN6 0001 0003 73 27 6.0 13.0 30.3 4.7 5.1

 0.300000 5835 1UN6 0001 0003 70 40 7.8 13.0 -0.2 4.7 5.1

 0.350000 3389 1UN6 0001 0003 65 -13 8.4 13.0 57.2 4.7 5.1

 0.400000 5398 1UN6 0001 0003 -33 73 5.0 13.0 -133.1 4.7 5.1

 0.450000 6318 1UN6 0001 0003 25 39 8.2 13.0 -29.2 4.7 5.1

 0.500000 6185 1UN6 0001 0003 24 57 9.1 13.0 -49.8 4.7 5.1

 0.550000 4225 1UN6 0001 0003 59 58 6.4 13.0 -3.9 5.3 6.4

 0.600000 6496 1UN6 0001 0003 35 58 8.8 13.0 -27.4 5.3 6.4

 0.650000 3639 1UN6 0001 0003 42 17 9.6 13.0 -46.6 5.3 6.4

 0.700000 6225 1UN6 0001 0003 125 42 8.8 13.0 107.3 5.3 6.4

 0.750000 5019 1UN6 0001 0003 54 42 6.8 13.0 -15.5 5.3 6.4

 0.800000 3840 1UN6 0001 0003 30 45 9.0 13.0 -25.4 5.3 6.4

 0.850000 4793 1UN6 0001 0003 -39 -6 10.5 13.0 -58.1 5.3 6.4

 0.900000 2942 1UN6 0001 0003 12 -4 5.7 11.3 12.0 5.3 6.4

 0.950000 3647 1UN6 0001 0003 34 67 6.5 13.0 -54.8 5.3 6.4

 1.000000 3360 1UN6 0001 0003 -27 14 8.3 13.0 -23.3 5.3 6.4

 2.000000 2110 1UN6 0001 0003 -80 69 6.9 8.1 -160.4 9.7 13.3

 3.000000 1452 1UN6 0001 0003 -40 99 8.9 8.8 -153.4 9.3 17.2

 4.000000 4361 1UN6 0001 0003 -350 -5 7.5 11.2 -340.9 10.4 20.5

 5.000000 M136A H178 0001 0001 -202 135 38.8 38.8 -353.7 5.7 10.9

 6.000000 M115A H312 0001 0001 842 -716 27.7 27.7 1626.6 4.8 26.2

 7.000000 W202A H105 0001 0001 383 -1343 41.6 41.6 1755.2 6.8 24.0

 8.000000 M103A H143 0001 0001 1406 -819 34.3 34.3 2225.0 6.9 31.5

 10.000000 M109A H148 0001 0001 1635 -1119 44.4 44.4 2746.6 7.5 22.6

 12.000000 M135A H249 0001 0001 1846 -88 36.7 36.7 1932.8 9.8 38.0

 16.000000 M109A H155 0001 0001 1756 -570 46.7 46.7 2266.3 10.9 43.6

 20.000000 A157 H146 0001 0001 -851 395 46.6 46.6 -1409.4 12.3 55.5

Table 6.6-4 Latest Listing of the Metmstr.gbk File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0001:

0002:

0003:

 0.100000 0001 0001 0 0 12.7 12.7 0.0 0.0 0.0

 0.200000 0001 0001 0 0 12.7 12.7 0.0 0.0 0.0

 0.250000 0001 0001 0 0 12.7 12.7 0.0 0.0 0.0
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 121

Table 6.6-4 Latest Listing of the Metmstr.gbk File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0004:

0005:

0006:

0007:

0008:

0009:

0010:

0011:

0012:

0013:

0014:

0015:

0016:

0017:

0018:

0019:

0020:

0021:

0022:

0023:

0024:

0025:

0026:

0027:

0028:

0029:

0030:

0031:

0032:

0033:

0034:

0035:

0036:

0037:

0038:

0039:

0040:

0041:

0042:

 0.300000 NONE ZWV25 0001 0003 32 24 13.0 15.3 14.3 6.3 7.9

 0.350000 0001 0001 0 0 12.7 12.7 0.0 0.0 0.0

 0.400000 NONE ZWV25 0001 0003 103 95 17.0 14.6 12.6 6.3 7.9

 0.405000 NONE ZWV25 0001 0003 55 21 6.3 11.3 22.8 6.3 7.9

 0.410000 NONE ZWV25 0001 0003 39 -105 21.3 11.5 114.2 6.3 7.9

 0.420000 NONE ZWV25 0001 0003 -46 23 12.1 12.5 -56.8 6.3 7.9

 0.430000 NONE ZWV25 0001 0003 195 140 22.6 15.8 25.3 6.3 7.9

 0.440000 NONE ZWV25 0001 0003 12 -94 27.8 12.3 71.6 6.3 7.9

 0.450000 NONE ZWV25 0001 0003 4 -65 8.2 9.7 58.2 6.3 7.9

 0.460000 NONE ZWV25 0001 0003 57 -23 8.3 9.5 37.3 6.3 7.9

 0.470000 NONE ZWV25 0001 0003 116 -88 13.6 8.3 186.7 6.3 7.9

 0.480000 NONE ZWV25 0001 0003 73 32 16.0 10.5 31.6 6.3 7.9

 0.490000 NONE ZWV25 0001 0003 77 -49 14.7 12.7 84.3 6.3 7.9

 0.500000 229 2HN30 0001 0003 41 -11 7.7 8.1 53.9 5.4 15.4

 0.550000 0001 0001 0 0 12.7 12.7 0.0 0.0 0.0

 0.600000 NONE ZWV25 0001 0003 73 13 17.7 13.4 28.9 6.3 7.9

 0.650000 0001 0001 0 0 12.7 12.7 0.0 0.0 0.0

 0.700000 NONE ZWV25 0001 0003 44 -118 14.5 8.9 119.2 6.3 7.9

 0.750000 0001 0001 0 0 12.7 12.7 0.0 0.0 0.0

 0.800000 NONE ZWV25 0001 0003 -27 -43 16.6 8.6 2.0 6.3 7.9

 0.850000 0001 0001 0 0 12.7 12.7 0.0 0.0 0.0

 0.900000 NONE ZWV25 0001 0003 51 -71 25.3 5.8 129.7 6.3 7.9

 0.950000 0001 0001 0 0 12.7 12.7 0.0 0.0 0.0

 1.000000 F15 2HN30 0001 0003 -133 51 7.7 6.2 -150.6 4.7 4.9

 1.000500 0123 2HN30 0001 0003 108 45 17.0 7.0 62.5 4.7 4.9

 1.001000 Z 2HN30 0001 0003 -9 30 10.4 5.9 -8.8 4.7 4.9

 1.002000 99 2HN30 0001 0003 -61 22 12.0 7.2 -75.6 4.7 4.9

 1.003000 231 2HN30 0001 0003 6 18 6.1 7.8 11.8 4.7 4.9

 1.004000 Z 2HN30 0001 0003 44 12 8.6 8.3 59.3 4.7 4.9

 1.005000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -94 4 8.6 10.7 -114.3 4.7 4.9

 1.006000 99 2HN30 0001 0003 243 -13 12.9 11.2 257.6 4.7 4.9

 1.007000 233 2HN30 0001 0003 52 25 6.9 6.9 41.7 4.7 4.9

 1.008000 Z 2HN30 0001 0003 43 39 7.2 4.2 -12.1 4.7 4.9

 1.009000 Z 2HN30 0001 0003 -3 5 4.9 4.7 -21.2 4.7 4.9

 1.010000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 74 28 6.6 6.9 58.5 4.7 4.9

 1.020000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -196 -14 8.2 7.8 -132.0 4.7 4.9

 1.030000 Z 2HN30 0001 0003 -9 7 6.5 11.2 0.6 4.7 4.9

 1.040000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -37 12 7.8 7.4 -48.3 4.7 4.9

 1.050000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -148 -21 9.6 8.8 -137.5 4.7 4.9
122 Chapter 6

Table 6.6-4 Latest Listing of the Metmstr.gbk File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0043:

0044:

0045:

0046:

0047:

0048:

0049:

0050:

0051:

0052:

0053:

0054:

0055:

0056:

0057:

0058:

0059:

0060:

0061:

0062:

0063:

0064:

0065:

0066:

0067:

0068:

0069:

0070:

0071:

0072:

0073:

0074:

0075:

0076:

0077:

0078:

0079:

0080:

0081:

 1.060000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -100 7 6.7 4.6 -107.5 4.7 4.9

 1.070000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -94 42 7.2 9.3 -102.4 4.7 4.9

 1.080000 99 2HN30 0001 0003 -9 56 7.5 10.9 -63.6 4.7 4.9

 1.090000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 76 10 9.4 5.7 65.0 4.7 4.9

 1.100000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 30 -20 9.8 9.7 30.1 4.5 5.0

 1.110000 F 154 2HN30 0001 0003 -68 -1 8.1 6.5 -88.6 4.5 5.0

 1.120000 99 2HN30 0001 0003 56 39 10.9 7.1 -9.0 4.5 5.0

 1.130000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -53 19 8.3 9.0 -60.9 4.5 5.0

 1.140000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -46 5 7.6 6.0 -62.1 4.5 5.0

 1.150000 Z 2HN30 0001 0003 95 18 9.7 7.7 60.9 4.5 5.0

 1.160000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -79 16 11.8 6.0 -102.9 4.5 5.0

 1.170000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 15 27 6.2 7.7 1.2 4.5 5.0

 1.180000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -114 10 7.5 7.3 -110.2 4.5 5.0

 1.190000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 49 40 9.9 3.7 16.8 4.5 5.0

 1.200000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 51 53 7.5 5.3 -1.7 4.5 5.0

 1.210000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -183 1 11.4 6.8 -192.7 4.5 5.0

 1.220000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 61 11 6.6 3.2 -28.0 4.5 5.0

 1.230000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -2 58 10.6 8.2 -28.0 4.5 5.0

 1.240000 Z 2HN30 0001 0003 31 6 7.7 4.6 64.1 4.5 5.0

 1.250000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -143 18 8.6 6.8 -150.8 4.5 5.0

 1.260000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -22 49 6.6 9.4 -47.9 4.5 5.0

 1.270000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 99 11 6.7 5.6 104.6 4.5 5.0

 1.280000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -29 13 8.1 8.9 -16.6 4.5 5.0

 1.290000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -45 19 10.1 5.1 -71.5 4.5 5.0

 1.300000 Z 2HN30 0001 0003 82 21 9.1 7.5 75.9 4.4 5.9

 1.310000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 0 -15 7.4 7.0 45.8 4.4 5.9

 1.320000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 71 29 9.0 7.4 62.7 4.4 5.9

 1.330000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 50 7 7.9 12.4 32.4 4.4 5.9

 1.340000 Z 2HN30 0001 0003 35 13 8.3 5.1 55.4 4.4 5.9

 1.350000 237 2HN30 0001 0003 60 19 11.2 8.9 52.4 4.4 5.9

 1.360000 238 2HN30 0001 0003 20 7 9.4 8.4 27.2 4.4 5.9

 1.370000 Z 2HN30 0001 0003 18 22 10.3 6.8 -26.6 4.4 5.9

 1.380000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -91 0 4.7 10.5 -62.1 4.4 5.9

 1.390000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -90 9 10.2 8.9 -103.0 4.4 5.9

 1.400000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 94 -5 6.8 4.2 78.7 4.4 5.9

 1.410000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -91 34 8.0 10.7 -130.6 4.4 5.9

 1.420000 Z 2HN30 0001 0003 51 18 5.6 6.6 45.3 4.4 5.9

 1.430000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 41 23 8.0 8.4 18.4 4.4 5.9

 1.440000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 22 -2 7.1 6.9 23.6 4.4 5.9
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 123

Table 6.6-4 Latest Listing of the Metmstr.gbk File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0082:

0083:

0084:

0085:

0086:

0087:

0088:

0089:

0090:

0091:

0092:

0093:

0094:

0095:

0096:

0097:

0098:

0099:

0100:

0101:

0102:

0103:

0104:

0105:

0106:

0107:

0108:

0109:

0110:

0111:

0112:

0113:

0114:

0115:

0116:

0117:

0118:

0119:

0120:

 1.450000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -110 41 10.6 9.7 -134.1 4.4 5.9

 1.460000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -35 13 7.8 10.0 -33.7 4.4 5.9

 1.470000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -40 17 6.2 6.5 -78.4 4.4 5.9

 1.480000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -52 23 11.2 8.3 -36.9 4.4 5.9

 1.490000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -50 0 9.5 5.0 -67.8 4.4 5.9

 1.500000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -107 39 10.2 7.6 -133.7 4.4 6.4

 1.600000 0112 ZWV25 0001 0003 40 44 10.3 8.5 8.1 4.4 6.4

 1.700000 0121 ZWV25 0001 0003 62 1 9.2 12.9 77.9 4.4 6.4

 1.800000 9114 ZWV25 0001 0003 66 10 8.5 8.8 83.0 4.4 6.4

 1.900000 240 ZWV25 0001 0003 -29 8 8.8 6.7 -39.2 4.4 6.4

 2.000000 99 2HN30 0001 0003 52 -7 5.1 6.1 36.6 4.4 6.4

 2.000500 1-61 ZWV25 0001 0003 -28 52 11.7 13.3 -46.7 4.4 6.4

 2.001000 8114 ZWV25 0001 0003 9 6 5.4 12.1 7.3 4.4 6.4

 2.002000 0114 ZWV25 0001 0003 10 -10 10.8 13.0 26.7 4.4 6.4

 2.003000 0135 ZWV25 0001 0003 44 -10 12.6 13.0 29.0 4.4 6.4

 2.004000 0102 ZWV25 0001 0003 63 30 10.2 13.0 46.8 4.4 6.4

 2.005000 0136 ZWV25 0001 0003 11 35 9.9 13.0 -4.9 4.4 6.4

 2.006000 0134 ZWV25 0001 0003 24 43 5.4 5.2 -12.5 4.4 6.4

 2.007000 0144 ZWV25 0001 0003 32 21 6.8 14.9 20.7 4.4 6.4

 2.008000 0140 ZWV25 0001 0003 24 11 7.6 9.4 15.1 4.4 6.4

 2.009000 8148 ZWV25 0001 0003 -53 -19 10.9 6.5 -59.5 4.4 6.4

 2.010000 0101 ZWV25 0001 0003 -32 -39 11.0 13.0 -21.5 4.4 6.4

 2.020000 9131 ZWV25 0001 0003 8 -16 5.5 13.0 38.8 4.4 6.4

 2.030000 9114 ZWV25 0001 0003 61 -41 11.4 13.0 111.8 4.4 6.4

 2.040000 0138 ZWV25 0001 0003 43 12 13.0 13.0 20.1 4.4 6.4

 2.050000 9134 ZWV25 0001 0003 176 8 9.8 13.0 172.1 4.4 6.4

 2.060000 0112 ZWV25 0001 0003 65 -40 7.6 13.0 69.9 4.4 6.4

 2.070000 0123 ZWV25 0001 0003 28 -9 8.3 8.1 51.9 4.4 6.4

 2.080000 9135 ZWV25 0001 0003 -134 20 7.7 13.0 -122.9 4.4 6.4

 2.090000 0121 ZWV25 0001 0003 -20 -36 7.9 13.0 36.2 4.4 6.4

 2.100000 0145 ZWV25 0001 0003 49 14 5.9 7.3 39.8 4.1 7.9

 2.110000 1-47 ZWV25 0001 0003 48 -38 6.8 13.0 38.3 4.1 7.9

 2.120000 1-41 ZWV25 0001 0003 41 -9 9.9 13.0 43.1 4.1 7.9

 2.130000 1-36 ZWV25 0001 0003 9 43 4.8 13.0 -33.1 4.1 7.9

 2.140000 1-08 ZWV25 0001 0003 64 -6 13.0 13.0 29.4 4.1 7.9

 2.150000 1-40 ZWV25 0001 0003 35 40 6.6 11.0 6.3 4.1 7.9

 2.160000 1-90 ZWV25 0001 0003 30 -57 8.9 13.0 71.8 4.1 7.9

 2.170000 1-70 ZWV25 0001 0003 -42 -15 5.2 12.1 -40.6 4.1 7.9

 2.180000 1-58 ZWV25 0001 0003 81 51 3.3 13.3 49.1 4.1 7.9
124 Chapter 6

Table 6.6-4 Latest Listing of the Metmstr.gbk File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0121:

0122:

0123:

0124:

0125:

0126:

0127:

0128:

0129:

0130:

0131:

0132:

0133:

0134:

0135:

0136:

0137:

0138:

0139:

0140:

0141:

0142:

0143:

0144:

0145:

0146:

0147:

0148:

0149:

0150:

0151:

0152:

0153:

0154:

0155:

0156:

0157:

0158:

0159:

 2.190000 1-67 ZWV25 0001 0003 -7 -43 8.8 13.0 30.6 4.1 7.9

 2.200000 9109 ZWV25 0001 0003 64 12 8.8 8.3 60.5 4.1 7.9

 2.210000 1-13 ZWV25 0001 0003 4 -47 11.4 13.0 19.6 4.1 7.9

 2.220000 1-47 ZWV25 0001 0003 28 -11 7.6 9.0 27.1 4.1 7.9

 2.230000 1-18 ZWV25 0001 0003 73 15 4.5 9.7 69.9 4.1 7.9

 2.240000 1-30 ZWV25 0001 0003 2 -10 10.5 13.0 -3.9 4.1 7.9

 2.250000 1-33 ZWV25 0001 0003 20 19 6.4 9.0 -35.8 4.1 7.9

 2.260000 0134 ZWV25 0001 0003 8 -53 7.8 13.0 36.4 4.1 7.9

 2.270000 1-53 ZWV25 0001 0003 -40 -15 6.1 9.4 -24.8 4.1 7.9

 2.280000 1-91 ZWV25 0001 0003 7 32 9.6 10.7 -28.0 4.1 7.9

 2.290000 1-34 ZWV25 0001 0003 -18 -36 13.0 9.0 0.8 4.1 7.9

 2.300000 0140 ZWV25 0001 0003 62 2 9.7 13.0 74.7 4.6 6.8

 2.310000 1-64 ZWV25 0001 0003 59 -26 12.9 13.0 74.9 4.6 6.8

 2.320000 1-70 ZWV25 0001 0003 21 12 8.7 13.0 -13.0 4.6 6.8

 2.330000 1-42 ZWV25 0001 0003 21 17 10.7 13.0 31.6 4.6 6.8

 2.340000 1-02 ZWV25 0001 0003 -91 -14 6.8 13.0 -91.4 4.6 6.8

 2.350000 1-37 ZWV25 0001 0003 29 -7 11.2 6.6 31.0 4.6 6.8

 2.360000 1-54 ZWV25 0001 0003 -47 40 10.5 13.0 -64.6 4.6 6.8

 2.370000 1-14 ZWV25 0001 0003 -18 -30 6.4 12.1 8.4 4.6 6.8

 2.380000 0109 ZWV25 0001 0003 68 10 6.7 11.8 78.3 4.6 6.8

 2.390000 1-51 ZWV25 0001 0003 -36 35 13.0 13.0 -43.4 4.6 6.8

 2.400000 0108 ZWV25 0001 0003 22 8 7.5 13.0 30.6 4.6 6.8

 2.410000 1-49 ZWV25 0001 0003 61 14 10.3 12.7 20.7 4.6 6.8

 2.420000 1-23 ZWV25 0001 0003 82 -24 11.9 8.6 84.8 4.6 6.8

 2.430000 1-35 ZWV25 0001 0003 -37 18 14.0 13.0 -41.0 4.6 6.8

 2.440000 1-02 ZWV25 0001 0003 84 85 9.2 13.0 -3.1 4.6 6.8

 2.450000 1-76 ZWV25 0001 0003 33 -14 8.1 10.7 15.2 4.6 6.8

 2.460000 1-88 ZWV25 0001 0003 -3 31 13.0 13.0 -8.1 4.6 6.8

 2.470000 1-69 ZWV25 0001 0003 -25 -18 9.6 13.0 -2.7 4.6 6.8

 2.480000 1-45 ZWV25 0001 0003 -49 26 12.6 9.3 -62.3 4.6 6.8

 2.490000 1-29 ZWV25 0001 0003 -17 18 13.0 13.0 -11.4 4.6 6.8

 2.500000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -31 16 6.3 10.0 -62.1 4.7 6.9

 2.600000 0116 ZWV25 0001 0003 54 -15 10.3 13.1 75.7 4.7 6.9

 2.700000 0105 ZWV25 0001 0003 24 23 13.0 12.5 -0.2 4.7 6.9

 2.800000 0110 ZWV25 0001 0003 0 -27 10.6 13.0 28.5 4.7 6.9

 2.900000 0114 ZWV25 0001 0003 70 10 13.0 12.3 48.6 4.7 6.9

 3.000000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -24 2 8.9 7.6 -45.6 4.7 6.9

 3.500000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -43 57 9.5 13.0 -95.1 4.7 6.9

 4.000000 Z 2HN30 0001 0003 31 18 5.2 7.8 36.2 4.7 6.9
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 125

Table 6.6-4 Latest Listing of the Metmstr.gbk File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0160:

0161:

0162:

0163:

0164:

0165:

0166:

0167:

0168:

0169:

0170:

0171:

0172:

0173:

0174:

0175:

0176:

0177:

0178:

0179:

0180:

0181:

0182:

0183:

0184:

0185:

0186:

0187:

0188:

0189:

0190:

0191:

0192:

0193:

0194:

0195:

0196:

0197:

0198:

 4.500000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 79 7 9.2 9.5 72.7 4.7 6.9

 5.000000 Z 2HN30 0001 0003 -40 -32 9.6 12.1 -14.0 4.7 6.9

 5.500000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -51 44 13.0 13.0 -90.6 4.7 6.9

 6.000000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -84 35 9.2 13.0 -125.4 4.7 6.9

 6.500000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -16 46 10.3 8.2 -45.2 4.7 6.9

 7.000000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -47 25 4.6 11.7 -95.9 4.7 6.9

 7.500000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 95 48 5.5 13.0 42.0 4.7 6.9

 8.000000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 38 67 5.0 12.6 -47.0 4.7 6.9

 8.500000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 66 24 6.8 13.0 -5.5 4.7 6.9

 9.000000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -49 40 10.7 13.0 -119.0 4.7 6.9

 9.500000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 26 51 11.4 13.0 -19.4 4.7 6.9

 10.000000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 62 41 9.2 13.6 17.8 4.7 6.9

 10.500000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -132 45 9.8 12.8 -183.8 4.7 5.0

 11.000000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -10 73 7.6 13.0 -94.5 4.7 5.0

 11.500000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 74 48 8.8 13.0 32.9 4.7 5.0

 12.000000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 35 70 9.2 6.9 -42.6 4.7 5.0

 12.500000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -54 63 9.4 13.0 -100.3 4.7 5.0

 13.000000 0120 2HN30 0001 0003 12 0 6.6 6.8 -48.9 4.7 5.0

 13.500000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -5 53 10.6 8.7 -74.0 4.7 5.0

 14.000000 6-22 2HN30 0001 0003 -18 64 8.7 13.0 -79.6 4.7 5.0

 14.500000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 25 80 3.7 5.6 -74.6 4.7 5.0

 15.000000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 102 34 10.0 6.2 48.0 4.7 5.0

 15.500000 3-48 2HN30 0001 0003 -53 12 6.9 13.0 -92.5 4.7 5.0

 16.000000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 -31 46 8.7 13.0 -114.6 4.7 5.0

 16.500000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 107 50 6.1 10.2 25.1 4.7 5.0

 17.000000 H7 2HN30 0001 0003 90 71 7.2 13.5 -23.5 4.7 5.0

 17.500000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 22 60 8.8 11.4 -47.3 4.7 5.0

 18.000000 6-37 2HN30 0001 0003 -27 54 11.5 9.2 -95.4 4.7 5.0

 18.500000 1104 2HN30 0001 0003 100 54 10.5 13.0 29.2 4.7 5.0

 19.000000 6-41 2HN30 0001 0003 -3 41 7.2 10.8 -47.7 4.7 5.0

 19.500000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 28 88 10.4 13.1 -85.7 4.7 5.0

 20.000000 391 2HN30 0001 0003 50 15 9.5 12.6 11.8 4.7 5.0

 20.500000 1134 2HN30 0001 0003 96 62 12.2 13.0 52.9 4.5 5.4

 21.000000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 75 90 12.9 8.0 -17.0 4.5 5.4

 21.500000 1101 2HN30 0001 0003 10 59 11.0 11.7 -44.9 4.5 5.4

 22.000000 112 2HN30 0001 0003 148 64 12.6 13.0 82.5 4.5 5.4

 22.500000 0131 2HN30 0001 0003 -48 49 13.0 12.6 -108.5 4.5 5.4

 23.000000 243 2HN30 0001 0003 51 83 8.7 13.0 -6.9 4.5 5.4

 23.500000 9118 2HN30 0001 0003 -140 74 12.1 13.0 -195.1 4.5 5.4
126 Chapter 6

Table 6.6-4 Latest Listing of the Metmstr.gbk File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0199:

0200:

0201:

0202:

0203:

0204:

0205:

0206:

0207:

0208:

0209:

0210:

0211:

0212:

0213:

0214:

0215:

0216:

0217:

0218:

 24.000000 7-43 2HN30 0001 0003 -148 72 10.1 13.0 -218.9 4.5 5.4

 24.500000 760 2HN30 0001 0003 16 79 12.9 9.2 -55.5 4.5 5.4

 25.000000 F 15 2HN30 0001 0003 18 30 11.3 10.9 -17.6 4.5 5.4

 30.000000 9119 4DN8 0001 0003 92 64 6.7 11.2 58.6 7.6 11.2

 40.000000 0115 4DN8 0001 0003 -65 71 5.9 9.9 -122.2 7.5 13.8

 50.000000 1248 2HN30 0001 0003 -254 36 8.6 13.5 -281.2 7.3 8.5

 60.000000 9-15 4DN8 0001 0003 -180 64 12.2 9.3 -244.1 7.0 12.0

 70.000000 0210 4DN8 0001 0003 -175 135 11.1 12.8 -314.5 10.1 13.2

 75.000000 0136 2HN30 0001 0003 -50 155 10.0 12.5 -203.6 7.3 12.5

 80.000000 9-45 66N12 0001 0003 86 103 10.2 12.5 -10.3 8.9 9.6

 90.000000 1020 66N12 0001 0003 -47 160 13.4 17.1 -224.2 8.3 12.6

100.000000 0111 2HN30 0001 0003 -89 142 11.9 17.8 -197.3 9.3 21.7

125.000000 PMS-2 3-13 0001 0001 1050 -111 26.5 26.5 1154.5 4.8 55.4

150.000000 PMS-2 1-20 0001 0001 386 -400 46.3 46.3 822.4 5.9 33.9

175.000000 PMS-2 1-09 0001 0001 -115 -130 56.5 56.5 -101.1 4.0 21.2

200.000000 PMS-2 P122 0001 0001 25 461 27.7 27.7 -391.2 6.2 49.3

250.000000 PMS-2 R111 0001 0001 753 60 33.7 33.7 654.2 8.2 48.8

300.000000 0124 R109 0001 0001 42 -51 77.2 77.2 65.3 6.3 41.4

400.000000 P113 2-02 0001 0001 -630 819 77.0 77.0 -1493.2 7.9 44.5

500.000000 N106 3-11 0001 0001 -51 787 36.2 36.2 -829.6 13.0 67.7

6.7 The Mecmap Program

The Mecmap program opens, analyzes, and prints the mechanical intercomparison

control history for all NIST’s gage block mechanical intercomparison calibrations and

measurements, which the Gage program records during its use in calibrations and measurements. 

The second part of NIST’s gage block measurement assurance program the technical user, who

calibrates and measures gage blocks, accomplishes together through running the Gage program

in Gage mode to calibrate and measure NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks by

mechanical intercomparison and using the Mecmap program to analyze NIST’s gage block

mechanical intercomparison calibration history. Running the Gage program in Gage mode to

calibrate and measure gage blocks writes results to the screen display and printer, the Setup

Document Files, and the Gagemap Document Files that the Mecmap program uses to analyze the

mechanical intercomparison control history for all NIST’s gage block mechanical

intercomparison calibrations and measurements. Running the Mecmap program’s Mapsort
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 127

function assembles the Mecmap Document Files, by generating anew the mechanical

intercomparison control history for all NIST’s gage block mechanical intercomparison

calibrations and measurements from the Gage program’s Gagemap Document Files selected,

reordering all records by the gage blocks’ nominal sizes, identification or serial numbers, and

calibration and measurement dates. Running the Mecmap program provides process control

parameters for the mechanical intercomparison process and estimates measurement process

variability of NIST’s gage block mechanical intercomparison calibration history, which records

the measured differences between the NIST’s two master gage blocks used in every calibration

and measurement and the derived standard deviations of every calibration and measurement.

The use of the Mecmap program is the second of three parts of NIST’s gage block

measurement assurance program. The first part is the continuous calibration and measurement of

NIST’s master gage blocks by interferometry under process control. The technical user, who

calibrates and measures gage blocks, together through using the Spectrum, Edit, and Intmap

programs, analyzes and records NIST’s master gage block interferometric measurement results

from the gage block interferometers and NIST’s master gage block interferometric calibration

history. After accumulating NIST’s master gage block interferometric measurement results, the

user plots control charts to individually check the variability of NIST’s master gage blocks’

interferometric calibration history. When the user use NIST’s master gage blocks to calibrate

and measure NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks by mechanical

intercomparison, NIST Reports’ of Calibration report, for every calibration and measurement, the

interferometric measurement uncertainty combined in quadrature with the mechanical

intercomparison uncertainty. The second part of NIST’s gage block measurement assurance

program the user accomplishes together through running the Gage program in Gage mode to

calibrate and measure NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks by mechanical

intercomparison and using the Mecmap program to analyze NIST’s gage block mechanical

intercomparison calibration history. Providing process control parameters for the mechanical

intercomparison process and estimating measurement process variability is NIST’s gage block

mechanical intercomparison calibration history, which records the measured differences between

the NIST’s two master gage blocks used in every calibration and measurement and the derived

standard deviations of every calibration and measurement. As the third part of NIST’s gage

block measurement assurance program, the user uses the History program to authenticate past

and present calibration and measurement results.

The Mecmap program simplifies efforts by the technical user, who calibrates and

measures gage blocks, to manage and statistically analyze NIST’s master gage block mechanical

intercomparison calibration history. Today, with the Mecmap program, to quantitatively

characterize NIST’s master gage block mechanical intercomparison calibration process, the user

uses NIST’s master gage block mechanical intercomparison calibration history for determining or

predicting measurement process variability. To improve complete measurement confidence, the

Mecmap program helps the user to routinely monitor NIST’s master gage block mechanical

intercomparison calibration history. Providing process control parameters for the mechanical
128 Chapter 6

intercomparison process and estimating measurement process variability is NIST’s gage block

mechanical intercomparison calibration history, which records the measured differences between

the NIST’s each two master gage blocks used in every mechanical intercomparison calibration

and measurement and the derived standard deviations of every mechanical intercomparison

calibration and measurement.

For short term variability, the user uses the Mecmap program to analyze NIST’s master

gage block mechanical intercomparison calibration history from which determine or predict the

within standard deviations against which the Gage program checks the derived standard

deviations of every mechanical intercomparison calibration and measurement. When running the

Gage program in Gage mode to calibrate and measure NIST’s gage block calibration customers’

gage blocks by mechanical intercomparison, the derived standard deviations of every mechanical

intercomparison calibration and measurement are checked against the within standard deviations

the Mecmap program determines or predicts from previous mechanical intercomparison

calibrations and measurements and stored for determining or predicting new within standard

deviations. In the Gage program, the within standard deviations the Mecmap program

determines or predicts are called the “accepted” standard deviations and the derived standard

deviations of every mechanical intercomparison calibration and measurement are called the

“observed” standard deviations. Because error sources for similarly-sized gage blocks are alike,

the Mecmap program, to enhance statistical precision, pools the derived standard deviations of

mechanical intercomparison calibrations and measurements for similarly-sized gage blocks from

NIST’s master gage block mechanical intercomparison calibration history.

For measurement process control, the user uses the Mecmap program to analyze NIST’s

master gage block mechanical intercomparison calibration history from which determine or

predict the “best” measurement process controls against which the Gage program checks the

derived differences between each two of NIST’s master gage blocks of every mechanical

intercomparison calibration and measurement. When running the Gage program in Gage mode

to calibrate and measure NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks by mechanical

intercomparison, the derived differences between each two of NIST’s master gage blocks of

every mechanical intercomparison calibration and measurement are checked against the “best”

measurement process controls the Mecmap program determines or predicts from previous

mechanical intercomparison calibrations and measurements and stored for determining or

predicting new measurement process controls. In the Gage program, the “best” measurement

process controls the Mecmap program determines or predicts are called the “accepted”

mechanical and measurement process controls and the derived differences between each two of

NIST’s master gage blocks of every mechanical intercomparison calibration and measurement

are called the “observed” mechanical and measurement process controls. For NIST’s master

gage blocks having lesser amounts of available mechanical intercomparison calibration history or

exhibiting dimensional stability or negligible length changes, the user uses the Mecmap program

to average the mechanical intercomparison calibration history for finding “mean” difference

between each two of NIST’s master gage blocks of every mechanical intercomparison calibration
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 129

and measurement. For NIST’s master gage blocks exhibiting general patterns of length changes,

the user uses the Mecmap program to do linear regression analysis by using the “least squares”

method to fit lines through sets of measurements for establishing “predicted” difference between

each two of NIST’s master gage blocks of every mechanical intercomparison calibration and

measurement.

For long term variability, the user uses the Mecmap program to analyze NIST’s master

gage block mechanical intercomparison calibration history from which determine or predict the

total standard deviations against which the Gage program checks the derived standard deviations

of every mechanical intercomparison calibration and measurement. The measurement process

variability can be estimated and reported for every mechanical intercomparison calibration and

measurement completed by combining in quadrature the standard deviations that the Intmap

program determines or predicts from the interferometric calibration history and the total standard

deviations that the Mecmap program determines from the mechanical intercomparison

calibration history all combined in quadrature using a coverage factor of k=2 (95 percent

confidence level). These uncertainties are calculated according to “Guidelines for Evaluating

and Expressing the Uncertainty of NIST Measurement Results” by Barry N. Taylor and Chris E.

Kuyatt (National Institute of Standards and Technology (U.S.) Technical Note 1297, 1994) [36].

The Mecmap program has a Control Menu with seventeen functions, as Table 6.7-1

shows. The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, uses the Control Menu

functions to do the following:

C Customize the Mecmap program’s current preferences

C Switch between Mecmap Document Files

C View and print NIST’s gage block mechanical intercomparison calibration history

C View, plot, and print individual gage blocks’ history in NIST’s gage block mechanical

intercomparison calibration history

C Load and run the Edit program to automatically open Mecmap Document Files

C Backup and restore Mecmap Document Files

C Assemble Mecmap Document Files by generating anew the mechanical intercomparison

control history for all NIST’s gage block mechanical intercomparison calibrations and

measurements from the Gage program’s Gagemap Document Files selected, reordering

all records by the gage blocks’ nominal sizes, identification or serial numbers, and

calibration and measurement dates
130 Chapter 6

Table 6.7-1 The Mecmap Program’s Control Menu Functions

Name of Function Function Description

Program Preface . This function displays the Mecmap program’s introductory statement.

Preferences . . . . . This function opens the Preferences window with the Mecmap

program’s current preferences. In this window, the computer user

customizes the file storage devices and folders that the Mecmap

program uses to open, backup, and restore Mecmap Document Files. 

Among other preferences in this window, the computer user customizes

the method and date that the Mecmap program uses to predict future

nominal length variations and perform linear regression analysis.

Catalog ......... This function catalogs the working Mecmap Document Files in the

working file storage device and folder, which is C:\Gage\Mecmaps by

default.

Select Group . . . . . This function prompts the computer user to select among the groups of

working Mecmap Document Files with the mechanical intercomparison

control history for NIST’s gage block mechanical intercomparison

calibrations and measurements stored in the working file storage device

and folder, which is C:\Gage\Mecmaps by default.

Select Files . . . . . . This function prompts the computer user to select among the working

Mecmap Document Files with the mechanical intercomparison control

history for NIST’s gage block mechanical intercomparison calibrations

and measurements stored in the working file storage device and folder,

which is C:\Gage\Mecmaps by default.

Open ........... This function opens copies of Mecmap Document Files into the

Mecmap Document File window. Mecmap Document Files are working

Mecmap Document Files in the working file storage device and folder,

which is C:\Gage\Mecmaps by default.

Run ............ This function assembles the Mecmap Report Document by generating

anew a report about the mechanical intercomparison control history for

NIST’s gage block mechanical intercomparison calibrations and

measurements from the current Mecmap Document Files in the Mecmap

Report Document viewing window, recording from all records the gage

blocks’ nominal sizes, identification or serial numbers, current and

predicted statistical mechanical intercomparison controls and standard

deviations, and good tests to date.
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 131

Table 6.7-1 The Mecmap Program’s Control Menu Functions

Name of Function Function Description

View Report . . . . . This function opens the Mecmap Report Document viewing window

with the current Mecmap Report Document.

Print Report . . . . . This function prints one copy of the current Mecmap Report Document

in the Mecmap Report Document viewing window to the printer.

Store Report . . . . . This function stores the current Mecmap Report Document in the

Mecmap Report Document viewing window to a Mecmap Report

Document File stored in the DOS ASCII text file storage format in the

file storage device and folder that the Mecmap program uses, which is

C:\Gage\Mecmaps by default.

View Masters . . . . This function opens the Master Document File editing window with the

current Master Document File.

View ........... This function opens the Mecmap Document File viewing window with

the current Mecmap Document Files for examining and printing an

NIST’s gage block mechanical intercomparison calibration history.

Plot ............ This function opens the Mecmap Document File plotting window with

the current Mecmap Document Files for examining, plotting, and

printing individual gage blocks’ history in an NIST’s gage block

mechanical intercomparison calibration history

Backup ......... This function backs up the working files of the current Mecmap

Document Files in the Mecmap Document File window or all working

Mecmap Document Files, among selected years, from the file storage

device and folder that the Mecmap program uses, which is

C:\Gage\Mecmap s by default, to backup files each stored in the DOS

ASCII text file storage format on labeled floppy diskettes.

Restore ......... This function restores the working files of the current Mecmap

Document Files in the Mecmap Document File window or all working

Mecmap Document Files, among selected years, from backup files each

stored in the DOS ASCII text file storage format on labeled floppy

diskettes to the file storage device and folder that the Mecmap program

uses, which is C:\Gage\Mecmaps by default.
132 Chapter 6

Table 6.7-1 The Mecmap Program’s Control Menu Functions

Name of Function Function Description

Mapsort ........ This function assembles the Mecmap Document Files by generating

anew the mechanical intercomparison control history for all NIST’s

gage block mechanical intercomparison calibrations and measurements

from the Gage program’s Gagemap Document Files selected, reordering

all records by the gage blocks’ nominal sizes, identification or serial

numbers, and calibration and measurement dates.

Exit MECMAP . . . This function stops the Mecmap program and loads and runs the

Branch program. When Mecmap Document Files are in the Mecmap

Document File window, the function closes the current Mecmap

Document File and Mecmap Report Document File windows.

The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, follows established file

naming and storing conventions to manage Mecmap Document Files. The established naming

convention for Mecmap Document Files is limited to eight characters for filenames with a

three-character extension and a period separating the filename from the extension. The working

Mecmap Document Files are to record current mecmap information and the backed up Mecmap

Document Files to record minimally the current mecmap information. When working Mecmap

Documents Files are corrupted or lost, the user restores the mecmap information from the backed

up Mecmap Document Files, which eliminates re-entering all mecmap information. The user

stores all working Mecmap Document Files in the working file storage device and folder, which

is C:\Gage\Mecmaps, and the backed up Mecmap Document Files on labeled floppy diskettes.

The Mecmap program uses mecmap information in Mecmap Document Files. The

Mecmap Document Files, as Table 6.7-2 shows, organize into groups NIST’s gage block

mechanical intercomparison calibration history gage blocks with common physical length

characteristics, which improves the significance of the statistical analyses. The configuration of

Mecmap Document Files, as Table 6.7-3 shows, with mecmap information, each totaling fourteen

fields and extending 80 characters. This mecmap information is the remark status, NIST’s

master gage blocks’ nominal sizes, identification or serial numbers, master type, material codes,

accepted master gage block mechanical intercomparison controls, accepted master gage block

mechanical intercomparison within standard deviations, testing method codes, electromechanical gage block comparators’ identification codes, observed temperatures, observers’

initials, testing dates, statistical process control codes, observed master gage block mechanical

intercomparison controls, and observed master gage block mechanical intercomparison within

standard deviations. The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, stores

working Mecmap Document Files in the working file storage device and folder, which is
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 133

C:\Gage\Mecmaps. The user stores backed up Mecmap Document Files on labeled floppy

diskettes. The listing of a sample working Mecmap Document File, as Table 6.7-4 shows, has

information that the Gage program wrote when running in Gage mode to calibrate and measure

gage blocks at NIST’s first gage block calibration workstation and the Mecmap program

assembles.

Table 6.7-2 Organization Groups of NIST’s

Gage Block Mechanical Intercomparison

Calibration History in Mecmap Document Files

and Mecmap Report Document Files

Group Name

Master Gage Block

Nominal Sizes in Group

Name of Mecmap

Document File

Name of

Mecmap Report

Document File

GROUP 01

English Thins

0.010 to 0.09375 Inches MMAPGRP.001 MMAPRPT.001

GROUP 02

English Gage

Blocks

0.100 to 0.107 Inches MMAPGRP.002 MMAPRPT.002 

GROUP 03

English Gage

Blocks

0.108 to 0.126 Inches MMAPGRP.003 MMAPRPT.003

GROUP 04

English Gage

Blocks

0.127 to 0.146 Inches MMAPGRP.004 MMAPRPT.004

GROUP 05

English Gage

Blocks

0.147 to 0.500 Inches MMAPGRP.005 MMAPRPT.005

GROUP 06

English Gage

Blocks

0.550 to 4.000 Inches MMAPGRP.006 MMAPRPT.006

GROUP 07

English Long

Blocks

5.0 to 20.0 Inches MMAPGRP.007 MMAPRPT.007
134 Chapter 6

Table 6.7-2 Organization Groups of NIST’s

Gage Block Mechanical Intercomparison

Calibration History in Mecmap Document Files

and Mecmap Report Document Files

Group Name

Master Gage Block

Nominal Sizes in Group

Name of Mecmap

Document File

Name of

Mecmap Report

Document File

GROUP 08

English 010 Series

Thins

0.01005 to 0.019 Inches MMAPGRP.008 MMAPRPT.008

GROUP 09

English 020 Series

Thins

0.02005 to 0.029 Inches MMAPGRP.009 MMAPRPT.009

GROUP 10

English 050 Series

Thins

0.05005 to 0.059 Inches MMAPGRP.010 MMAPRPT.010

GROUP 13

Metric Thins 0.10 to 0.95 Millimeters MMAPGRP.013 MMAPRPT.013

GROUP 14

Metric Gage Blocks 1.00 to 1.09 Millimeters MMAPGRP.014 MMAPRPT.014

GROUP 15

Metric Gage Blocks 1.10 to 1.29 Millimeters MMAPGRP.015 MMAPRPT.015

GROUP 16

Metric Gage Blocks 1.30 to 1.49 Millimeters MMAPGRP.016 MMAPRPT.016

GROUP 17

Metric Gage Blocks 1.50 to 2.09 Millimeters MMAPGRP.017 MMAPRPT.017

GROUP 18

Metric Gage Blocks 2.10 to 2.29 Millimeters MMAPGRP.018 MMAPRPT.018

GROUP 19

Metric Gage Blocks 2.30 to 2.49 Millimeters MMAPGRP.019 MMAPRPT.019
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 135

Table 6.7-2 Organization Groups of NIST’s

Gage Block Mechanical Intercomparison

Calibration History in Mecmap Document Files

and Mecmap Report Document Files

Group Name

Master Gage Block

Nominal Sizes in Group

Name of Mecmap

Document File

Name of

Mecmap Report

Document File

GROUP 20

Metric Gage Blocks 2.50 to 10.0 Millimeters MMAPGRP.020 MMAPRPT.020

GROUP 21

Metric Gage Blocks 10.5 to 20.0 Millimeters MMAPGRP.021 MMAPRPT.021

GROUP 22

Metric Gage Blocks 20.5 to 50 Millimeters MMAPGRP.022 MMAPRPT.022

GROUP 23

Metric Gage Blocks 60 to 100 Millimeters MMAPGRP.023 MMAPRPT.023

GROUP 24

Metric Gage Blocks 125 to 500 Millimeters MMAPGRP.024 MMAPRPT.024

Table 6.7-3 Configuration of Mecmap Document Files

Column Field Description

1

This field has the testing status (Yes: Blank, No: Asterisk, Remarked:

Exclamation Point).

2-11 This field has the gage block nominal size (English: in inches, Metric: in

millimeters).

13-18

This field has the standard gage block identification or serial number (zero to

six characters accepted, “NONE” for no identification or serial number is

recommended).

20-25

This field has the check standard gage block identification or serial number

(zero to six characters accepted, “NONE” for no identification or serial number

is recommended).
136 Chapter 6

Table 6.7-3 Configuration of Mecmap Document Files

Column Field Description

27 This field has the master gage block type (English: 1, Metric: 2).

28-35 This field has the accepted master gage block mechanical intercomparison

control, in nanometers.

37-41 This field has the accepted master gage block mechanical intercomparison

within standard deviation, in nanometers.

43-44

This field has the testing method code (Exempt: 0 , Interferometry: 1, 3-2

Design: 2, 3-4 Design: 3, 3-6 Design: 4, 4-4 Design: 5, 4-6 Design: 6, 5-4

Design: 7, 6-4 Design: 8, 7-4 Design: 9, 8-4 Design: 10, 9-4 Design: 11, 10-4

Design: 12, 11-4 Design: 13, ABCA Design: 14, 4-1 Design: 15).

45-46

This field has the electro-mechanical gage block comparators’ identification

code (Workstation One: F1, Workstation Two: F2, Workstation Three: F3,

Workstation Four: F4, Workstation Five: F5, Workstation Six: F6, Workstation

Seven: F7, Workstation Eight: F8, and Workstation Nine: F9).

48-53 This field has the observed temperature, in degrees Celsius.

55-57

This field has the observer’s initials, one to three alphanumeric characters

accepted, all initials recommended. The observer is the technical user, who

calibrates and measures gage blocks, which includes NIST’s gage block

calibration customers’ gage blocks.

58-61 This field has the year for the testing date, four numeric digit characters with

leading zeros displayed, century mandatory.

62-63

This field has the month for the testing date, two numeric digit characters with

leading zeros displayed (January: 01, February: 02, March: 03, April: 04, May:

05, June: 06, July: 07, August: 08, September: 09, October: 10, November: 11,

December: 12).

64-65

This field has the day of the month for the testing date, two numeric digit

characters with leading zeros displayed (1 Day of Month: 01, 2 Day of st nd

Month: 02, 3 Day of Month: 03, . . . , 31 Day of Month: 31). rd st

66

This field has the statistical process control codes (Test Passed: 0, Test Failed

on the F-test: 1, Test Failed on the T-test: 2, Test Failed on both the F-test and

the T-test: 3).
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 137

Table 6.7-3 Configuration of Mecmap Document Files

Column Field Description

67-74 This field has the observed master gage block mechanical intercomparison

control, in nanometers.

76-80 This field has the observed master gage block mechanical intercomparison

within standard deviation, in nanometers.

Table 6.7-4 Listing of a Sample Mecmap Document File

for Group One of NIST’s Gage Block

Mechanical Intercomparison Calibration Workstation

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0001:

0002:

0003:

0004:

0005:

0006:

0007:

0008:

0009:

0010:

0011:

0012:

0013:

0014:

0015:

0016:

0017:

0018:

0019:

0020:

0021:

0022:

0023:

0024:

 0.010050 4527 VJV5 1 33.0 6.2 04F1 20.020 EMT199801050 20.3 4.1

 0.040000 2435 VJV5 1 64.7 6.2 04F1 20.160 EMT199801050 56.5 1.6

 0.050000 D4249 VJV5 1 -9.4 6.2 04F1 20.180 EMT199801051 -5.8 15.3

 0.078125 040 VJV5 1 -136.2 6.2 04F1 20.190 EMT199801051 -134.9 23.8

 0.020000 3126 VJV5 1 -38.9 6.2 04F1 20.160 EMT199801060 -57.5 8.9

 0.050000 D4249 VJV5 1 -9.4 6.2 04F1 20.160 EMT199801060 -19.4 7.9

 0.078125 040 VJV5 1 -136.2 6.2 04F1 20.170 EMT199801061 -121.9 33.3

 0.078125 040 VJV5 1 -136.2 6.2 04F1 20.180 EMT199801060 -138.4 3.7

 0.090000 066 VJV5 1 22.8 6.2 04F1 20.200 EMT199801060 18.1 3.5

 0.050000 D4249 VJV5 1 -9.4 6.2 04F1 19.680 EMT199801083 -210.7 12.3

 0.050000 D4249 VJV5 1 -9.4 6.2 04F1 19.680 EMT199801083 -220.7 11.5

 0.050000 D4249 VJV5 1 -9.4 6.2 04F1 19.840 EMT199801100 -7.5 6.3

 0.050000 D4249 VJV5 1 -9.4 6.2 04F1 19.840 EMT199801100 -11.5 5.2

 0.050000 D4249 VJV5 1 -9.4 6.2 04F1 19.670 EMT199801113 -81.8 208.5

 0.050000 D4249 VJV5 1 -9.4 6.2 04F1 19.670 EMT199801121 -33.2 95.6

 0.050000 D4249 VJV5 1 -9.4 6.2 04F1 19.840 EMT199801170 -8.0 8.8

 0.050000 D4249 VJV5 1 -9.4 6.2 04F1 19.850 MTS199805210 -16.1 10.0

 0.031250 2306 VJV5 1 -63.6 6.6 04F1 19.770 SRF199806010 -53.5 4.6

 0.046875 1859 VJV5 1 23.0 6.6 04F1 19.780 SRF199806010 18.6 3.0

 0.050000 D4249 VJV5 1 -11.0 6.6 04F1 19.800 SRF199806010 -11.8 7.3

 0.062500 2160 VJV5 1 -50.3 6.6 04F1 19.810 SRF199806010 -45.3 3.0

 0.078125 040 VJV5 1 -137.2 6.6 04F1 19.810 SRF199806010 -143.2 6.1

 0.093750 043 VJV5 1 -31.8 6.6 04F1 19.830 SRF199806010 -34.8 2.2

 0.010000 6537 VJV5 1 73.7 6.6 04F1 19.870 SRF199806070 67.8 6.6
138 Chapter 6

Table 6.7-4 Listing of a Sample Mecmap Document File

for Group One of NIST’s Gage Block

Mechanical Intercomparison Calibration Workstation

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0025:

0026:

0027:

0028:

0029:

0030:

0031:

0032:

0033:

0034:

0035:

0036:

0037:

0038:

0039:

0040:

0041:

0042:

0043:

0044:

0045:

0046:

0047:

0048:

0049:

0050:

0051:

0052:

0053:

0054:

0055:

0056:

0057:

0058:

0059:

0060:

 0.020000 3126 VJV5 1 -46.4 6.6 04F1 19.880 SRF199806070 -54.4 4.6

 0.020050 1017 VJV5 1 131.6 6.6 04F1 19.880 SRF199806070 135.6 3.0

 0.030000 063 VJV5 1 -24.0 6.6 04F1 19.780 SRF199806140 -15.8 3.8

 0.040000 2435 VJV5 1 53.9 6.6 04F1 19.780 SRF199806140 56.4 2.3

 0.050000 D4249 VJV5 1 -11.0 6.6 04F1 19.800 SRF199806140 -10.0 4.7

 0.060000 2230 VJV5 1 65.9 6.6 04F1 19.800 SRF199806140 65.2 1.6

 0.070000 065 VJV5 1 -44.6 6.6 04F1 19.800 SRF199806140 -39.9 3.0

 0.080000 2218 VJV5 1 -15.8 6.6 04F1 19.800 SRF199806140 -17.2 10.5

 0.090000 066 VJV5 1 22.1 6.6 04F1 19.800 SRF199806141 20.6 11.7

 0.090000 066 VJV5 1 22.1 6.6 04F1 19.800 SRF199806140 19.0 6.8

 0.010000 6537 VJV5 1 73.7 6.6 04F1 19.660 SRF199806160 60.5 7.1

 0.010000 6537 VJV5 1 73.7 6.6 04F1 19.850 SRF199806160 71.5 5.2

 0.020000 3126 VJV5 1 -46.4 6.6 04F1 19.780 SRF199806160 -56.2 2.8

 0.020000 3126 VJV5 1 -46.4 6.6 04F1 19.890 SRF199806160 -54.1 3.4

 0.030000 063 VJV5 1 -24.0 6.6 04F1 19.900 SRF199806160 -25.0 5.8

 0.030000 063 VJV5 1 -24.0 6.6 04F1 19.900 SRF199806161 -21.9 11.4

 0.030000 063 VJV5 1 -24.0 6.6 04F1 19.900 SRF199806160 -20.3 4.6

 0.040000 2435 VJV5 1 53.9 6.6 04F1 19.900 SRF199806160 54.0 2.3

 0.040000 2435 VJV5 1 53.9 6.6 04F1 19.900 SRF199806160 58.5 4.3

 0.050000 D4249 VJV5 1 -11.0 6.6 04F1 19.900 SRF199806160 -12.0 3.3

 0.050000 D4249 VJV5 1 -11.0 6.6 04F1 19.940 SRF199806160 -4.8 4.8

 0.010000 6537 VJV5 1 73.7 6.6 04F1 19.660 SRF199806191 72.1 16.1

 0.010000 6537 VJV5 1 73.7 6.6 04F1 19.660 SRF199806190 82.5 8.3

 0.010050 4527 VJV5 1 36.4 6.6 04F1 19.670 SRF199806190 41.1 5.5

 0.015625 1225 VJV5 1 -32.2 6.6 04F1 19.760 SRF199806191 -29.2 13.8

 0.015625 1225 VJV5 1 -32.2 6.6 04F1 19.760 SRF199806191 -28.4 37.8

 0.015625 1225 VJV5 1 -32.2 6.6 04F1 19.780 SRF199806190 -27.4 10.7

 0.020000 3126 VJV5 1 -46.4 6.6 04F1 19.780 SRF199806190 -59.4 3.6

 0.020050 1017 VJV5 1 131.6 6.6 04F1 19.790 SRF199806190 131.2 3.9

 0.030000 063 VJV5 1 -24.0 6.6 04F1 19.760 SRF199806200 -25.5 8.1

 0.031250 2306 VJV5 1 -63.6 6.6 04F1 19.780 SRF199806200 -65.5 7.3

 0.040000 2435 VJV5 1 53.9 6.6 04F1 19.780 SRF199806200 56.3 3.3

 0.046875 1859 VJV5 1 23.0 6.6 04F1 19.780 SRF199806200 19.3 3.5

 0.050000 D4249 VJV5 1 -11.0 6.6 04F1 19.790 SRF199806202 18.8 4.9

 0.050000 D4249 VJV5 1 -11.0 6.6 04F1 19.790 SRF199806202 20.4 5.3

 0.050050 S ZWV25 1 -78.4 6.6 04F1 19.790 SRF199806200 -89.4 5.7
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 139

Table 6.7-4 Listing of a Sample Mecmap Document File

for Group One of NIST’s Gage Block

Mechanical Intercomparison Calibration Workstation

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0061:

0062:

0063:

0064:

0065:

0066:

0067:

0068:

0069:

0070:

0071:

0072:

0073:

0074:

0075:

0076:

0077:

0078:

0079:

0080:

0081:

0082:

0083:

0084:

0085:

0086:

0087:

0088:

0089:

0090:

0091:

0092:

0093:

0094:

0095:

0096:

 0.050000 D4249 VJV5 1 -11.0 6.6 04F1 19.710 SRF199806240 -12.7 5.3

 0.060000 2230 VJV5 1 65.9 6.6 04F1 19.770 SRF199806241 80.3 54.2

 0.060000 2230 VJV5 1 65.9 6.6 04F1 19.770 SRF199806240 65.2 3.8

 0.062500 2160 VJV5 1 -50.3 6.6 04F1 19.770 SRF199806240 -50.3 6.7

 0.070000 065 VJV5 1 -44.6 6.6 04F1 19.770 SRF199806240 -41.2 1.6

 0.078125 040 VJV5 1 -137.2 6.6 04F1 19.800 SRF199806240 -143.4 2.3

 0.080000 2218 VJV5 1 -15.8 6.6 04F1 19.800 SRF199806240 -22.7 3.2

 0.090000 066 VJV5 1 22.1 6.6 04F1 19.800 SRF199806240 20.2 2.6

 0.093750 043 VJV5 1 -31.8 6.6 04F1 19.840 SRF199806240 -34.8 2.5

 0.010000 6537 VJV5 1 73.7 6.6 04F1 19.760 SRF199806270 72.8 6.9

 0.020000 3126 VJV5 1 -46.4 6.6 04F1 19.770 SRF199806270 -54.3 4.9

 0.020050 1017 VJV5 1 131.6 6.6 04F1 19.770 SRF199806271 142.0 14.4

 0.020050 1017 VJV5 1 131.6 6.6 04F1 19.770 SRF199806270 136.8 5.0

 0.030000 063 VJV5 1 -24.0 6.6 04F1 19.900 SRF199806270 -30.1 6.6

 0.040000 2435 VJV5 1 53.9 6.6 04F1 19.900 SRF199806270 56.5 4.3

 0.050000 D4249 VJV5 1 -11.0 6.6 04F1 19.900 SRF199806270 -6.9 7.5

 0.060000 2230 VJV5 1 65.9 6.6 04F1 19.920 SRF199806270 69.1 8.7

 0.070000 065 VJV5 1 -44.6 6.6 04F1 19.930 SRF199806271 -41.3 11.4

 0.070000 065 VJV5 1 -44.6 6.6 04F1 19.930 SRF199806270 -45.4 3.2

 0.080000 2218 VJV5 1 -15.8 6.6 04F1 19.950 SRF199806270 -14.9 8.4

 0.090000 066 VJV5 1 22.1 6.6 04F1 19.950 SRF199806270 20.8 4.3

 0.010000 6537 VJV5 1 73.7 6.6 04F1 19.780 SRF199806280 77.1 2.8

 0.020000 3126 VJV5 1 -46.4 6.6 04F1 19.780 SRF199806280 -56.4 9.7

 0.020050 1017 VJV5 1 131.6 6.6 04F1 19.790 SRF199806280 134.6 9.5

 0.030000 063 VJV5 1 -24.0 6.6 04F1 19.740 SRF199806280 -26.5 5.0

 0.040000 2435 VJV5 1 53.9 6.6 04F1 19.770 SRF199806280 51.4 4.5

 0.050000 D4249 VJV5 1 -11.0 6.6 04F1 19.790 SRF199806280 -17.5 6.1

 0.060000 2230 VJV5 1 65.9 6.6 04F1 19.800 SRF199806280 65.2 4.2

 0.070000 065 VJV5 1 -44.6 6.6 04F1 19.820 SRF199806280 -42.5 5.9

 0.080000 2218 VJV5 1 -15.8 6.6 04F1 19.830 SRF199806280 -18.8 6.1

 0.090000 066 VJV5 1 22.1 6.6 04F1 19.840 SRF199806280 18.6 9.1

 0.050000 D4249 VJV5 1 -11.0 6.6 04F1 19.730 SRF199807010 -8.8 7.8

 0.062500 2160 VJV5 1 -50.3 6.6 04F1 19.730 SRF199807010 -52.0 7.8

 0.078125 040 VJV5 1 -137.2 6.6 04F1 19.730 SRF199807010 -141.2 4.6

 0.093750 043 VJV5 1 -31.8 6.6 04F1 19.770 SRF199807010 -33.1 2.9

 0.015625 1225 VJV5 1 -32.2 6.6 04F1 19.810 SRF199807071 -11.6 31.0
140 Chapter 6

Table 6.7-4 Listing of a Sample Mecmap Document File

for Group One of NIST’s Gage Block

Mechanical Intercomparison Calibration Workstation

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0097:

0098:

0099:

0100:

0101:

0102:

0103:

0104:

0105:

0106:

0107:

0108:

0109:

0110:

0011:

 0.015625 1225 VJV5 1 -32.2 6.6 04F1 19.810 SRF199807070 -32.1 6.8

 0.031250 2306 VJV5 1 -63.6 6.6 04F1 19.840 SRF199807070 -67.2 3.3

 0.046875 1859 VJV5 1 23.0 6.6 04F1 19.850 SRF199807070 14.8 3.4

 0.050000 D4249 VJV5 1 -11.0 6.6 04F1 19.870 SRF199807071 -20.4 16.9

 0.050000 D4249 VJV5 1 -11.0 6.6 04F1 19.870 SRF199807070 -22.7 8.2

 0.062500 2160 VJV5 1 -50.3 6.6 04F1 19.890 SRF199807070 -58.6 3.8

 0.078125 040 VJV5 1 -137.2 6.6 04F1 19.900 SRF199807071 -138.5 11.2

 0.078125 040 VJV5 1 -137.2 6.6 04F1 19.900 SRF199807070 -143.4 5.1

 0.093750 043 VJV5 1 -31.8 6.6 04F1 19.910 SRF199807071 -33.1 14.0

 0.093750 043 VJV5 1 -31.8 6.6 04F1 19.910 SRF199807070 -36.3 1.9

 0.050000 D4249 VJV5 1 -11.0 6.6 04F1 19.740 MTS199807081 -6.8 12.6

 0.050000 D4249 VJV5 1 -11.0 6.6 04F1 19.740 MTS199807080 -19.3 6.9

 0.062500 2160 VJV5 1 -50.3 6.6 04F1 19.740 MTS199807080 -50.9 7.8

 0.078125 040 VJV5 1 -137.2 6.6 04F1 19.750 MTS199807080 -138.8 4.5

 0.093750 043 VJV5 1 -31.8 6.6 04F1 19.770 MTS199807080 -35.4 4.1

6.8 The Probe Program

The Probe program opens, prints, and stores the measurements and probe calibration

results of NIST’s electro-mechanical gage block comparators’ calibrations. The technical user,

who calibrates and measures gage blocks, calibrates NIST’s electro-mechanical gage block

comparators, using the Probe program to measure NIST’s two or three eleven-piece sets of gage

blocks, which the NIST technical staff refers as step master gage blocks, analyze the

measurements, and print, plot, and record the measurements and probe calibration results the

Gage program uses to help the user better calibrate and measure NIST’s gage block calibration

customers’ gage blocks. The three eleven-piece sets of gage blocks, which the NIST technical

staff refers as step master gage blocks, each consists of a selection of rectangular gage blocks

having nominal gage block sizes from 0.1 through 0.1001 inches, in increments of 0.00001

inches, one each of steel, chrome carbide, and tungsten carbide gage blocks. When the user uses

the Gage program to calibrate and measure NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage

blocks, the Gage program uses the probe calibration results the Probe program records to

automatically compensate measurements for effects of NIST’s electro-mechanical gage block
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 141

comparators’ scale magnification and variable measuring forces and measuring probe tip

geometry. The Probe program records the measurements and probe calibration results of NIST’s

electro-mechanical gage block comparators’ calibrations to Probe Document Files, which are

DOS ASCII text files.

The Probe and Gage programs alike derive length differences between gage blocks when

the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, inserts gage blocks, one at a time,

between the two diamond-tipped measuring probe tips of NIST’s electro-mechanical gage block

comparators and the Gage program takes differences between pairs of measurements. The

electro-mechanical gage block comparators each use one linear variable differential transformer

(LVDT) to measure the relative displacement of two measuring probe tips [1]. The Probe and

Gage programs use the digital voltmeters to read the LVDT analog signals that, when triggered

by the user pressing the auxiliary trigger mechanisms, send the measured voltages to the

microcomputers. The Probe program, by design, relates the LVDT analog signals to measuring

probe tip displacement and relates the elastic deformation properties of the three gage blocks’

materials to the measuring probe tip penetration of gage blocks’ gaging faces, which together the

Gage program then uses. The probe calibration results the Probe program records, which the

user calls probe calibration information, enables NIST to measure, with better accuracy, NIST’s

gage block calibration customers’ steel, chrome carbide, and tungsten carbide gage blocks.

The Probe program’s two probe calibration procedures requires the technical user, who

calibrates and measures gage blocks, to measure NIST’s two or three eleven-piece sets of gage

blocks, which the NIST technical staff refers as step master gage blocks, starting with one gage

block randomly selected and designated the repeat block, going in successive measurement

sequences of progressing order from nominal gage block sizes 0.1 through 0.1001 inches and

together measuring blocks matching in nominal sizes one at a time, alternatively measuring

repeatedly the repeat block between sequences. The Probe program records the measurements,

which are the LVDT analog signals the digital voltmeters read, as voltages, when triggered by the

user pressing the auxiliary trigger mechanism, and uses linear regression analysis to solve the

linear equation of length differences that is equal to the slope times voltage plus the y-intercept.

The Probe program has a Control Menu with fifteen functions, as Table 6.8-1 shows. 

The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, uses the Control Menu functions to

do the following:

C Create, open, print, store, and archive Probe Document Files, which stores the

measurements and probe calibration results of NIST’s electro-mechanical gage block

comparators’ calibrations

C Switch between NIST’s electro-mechanical gage block comparators the Probe program

calibrates and the Gage program uses when calibrating and measuring NIST’s gage block

calibration customers’ gage blocks
142 Chapter 6

C Switch between the probe calibration method the Gage program uses when calibrating

and measuring NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks

C Switch between the probe calibration baseline the Gage program uses when calibrating

and measuring NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks

C Switch between Probe Document Files stored and the Gage program uses when

calibrating and measuring NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks

C View opened Probe Document Files

C Record automatically, when running the Probe program’s probe calibration procedure,

the electro-mechanical gage block comparators’ readings every time by pressing the

auxiliary trigger mechanism

C View, plot, and print the measurements and probe calibration results of NIST’s electromechanical gage block comparators’ probe calibration history

C View and print the measurements and probe calibration results of NIST’s electromechanical gage block comparators’ calibrations

C View the Step Master Document File

Table 6.8-1 The Probe Program’s Control Menu Functions

Name of Function Function Description

Program Preface . This function displays the Probe program’s introductory statement.

View Masters . . . . This function opens the Step Master Document File viewing window

with the Step Master Document File.

Instrument . . . . . . This function prompts the computer user to select the electromechanical gage block comparator the Gage program uses when

calibrating and measuring NIST’s gage block calibration customers’

gage blocks.

Method ......... This function prompts the computer user to select the probe calibration

method the Gage program uses when calibrating and measuring NIST’s

gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks.

Baseline . . . . . . . . This function prompts the computer user to select the probe calibration

baseline the Gage program uses when calibrating and measuring NIST’s

gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks.

New ........... This function opens a copy of a new Probe Document File into the

Probe Document File window.
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 143

Table 6.8-1 The Probe Program’s Control Menu Functions

Name of Function Function Description

Open ........... This function opens a copy of a Probe Document File into the Probe

Document File window. Probe Document Files include working Probe

Document Files in the working and archived file storage device and

folders, which are C:\Gage\Probes\F1 for Workstation One,

C:\Gage\Probes\F2 for Workstation Two, C:\Gage\Probes\F3 for

Workstation Three, C:\Gage\Probes\F4 for Workstation Four,

C:\Gage\Probes\F5 for Workstation Five, C:\Gage\Probes\F6 for

Workstation Six, C:\Gage\Probes\F7 for Workstation Seven,

C:\Gage\Probes\F8 for Workstation Eight, and C:\Gage\Probes\F9 for

Workstation Nine, and archived Probe Document Files on labeled

floppy diskettes. This function copies, deletes, moves, and renames

Probe Document Files in file storage devices and folders.

Run ............ This function runs the probe calibration procedure, which directs the

computer user to measure NIST’s one-to-three eleven-piece sets of gage

blocks, which the NIST technical staff refers as step master gage blocks,

starting with one gage block randomly selected and designated the

repeat block, going in successive measurement sequences of

progressing order from nominal gage block sizes 0.1 through 0.1001

inches and together measuring blocks matching in nominal sizes one at

a time, alternatively measuring repeatedly the repeat block between

sequences. The function prompts the computer user when all

measurements complete to record the measurements, which are the

LVDT analog signals, in voltage, the digital voltmeters read when

triggered by the user pressing the auxiliary trigger mechanisms, and uses

linear regression analysis to solve the linear equation of length

differences is equal to the slope times voltage plus the y-intercept.

View Plot . . . . . . . This function opens the Probe Document File plotting window with the

Probe Document File for examining, plotting, and printing the

measurements and probe calibration results in a Probe Document File.

View Report . . . . . This function opens the Probe Report Document viewing window with

the Probe Report Document for examining and printing the

measurements and probe calibration results in a Probe Document File.

Select .......... This function prompts the computer user to select the probe calibration

among the Probe Document Files stored the Gage program uses for

calibrations of NIST’s electro-mechanical gage block comparators.
144 Chapter 6

Table 6.8-1 The Probe Program’s Control Menu Functions

Name of Function Function Description

View History . . . . . This function opens the Probe History Document viewing window with

the Probe History Document for examining and printing the electromechanical gage block comparators’ probe calibration history.

Store ........... This function stores a copy of the current Probe Document File in the

current Probe Document File window to a working file and stored in the

DOS ASCII text file storage format. When a file already exists, a

prompt first appears about overwriting the current Probe Document File

to this file or storing the current Probe Document File to a new file.

Archive ......... This function archives a copy of the current Probe Document File in the

current Probe Document File window to an archived file and stored in

the DOS ASCII text file storage format. When a file already exists, a

prompt first appears about overwriting the current Probe Document File

to this file or storing the current Probe Document File to a new file.

Exit PROBE . . . . . This function stops the Probe program and loads and runs the Branch

program. When a Probe Document File is in the current Probe

Document File window, a prompt first appears about storing the current

Probe Document File and an affirmative response causes the function to

store the current Probe Document File and close the current Probe

Document File window.

The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System’s calibration and measurement

software programs offer the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, two probe

calibration procedures to calibrate NIST’s electro-mechanical gage block comparators, as Table

6.8-2 shows. As the two probe calibration procedures prescribe, the user randomly selects and

designates as the repeat block one gage block nominally sized from 0.1 to 0.1001 inches, which

typically the NIST technical staff selects among NIST’s two or three sets of step master gage

blocks. The Two-Set Method uses the steel and chrome carbide step master gage blocks and the

Three-Set Method uses the steel, chrome carbide, and tungsten carbide step master gage blocks. 

Following one of the two probe calibration procedures, the user measures all step master gage

blocks, one gage block at a time, in the following way:

C Grouping all step master gage blocks by nominal size from 0.1 through 0.1001 inches

C Grouping each group of step master gage blocks farther by order of material, steel,

chrome carbide, and optionally tungsten carbide
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 145

Alternatively, the user measures the repeat block between successive nominal size sequences. 

The Probe program’s two calibration procedures both call for using any repeat block among

NIST’s two or three sets of step master gage blocks between probe calibrations and using the

same repeat block during a probe calibration.

Table 6.8-2 Probe Calibration Method Designs

Method Design Description

TWO-SET y0 = Randomly Selected Repeat Step Master Gage Block

y1 = 0.100000 Inch, 1DOT (Steel) Step Master Gage Block

y2 = 0.100000 Inch, 2DOT (Chrome Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y3 = Randomly Selected Repeat Step Master Gage Block

y4 = 0.100010 Inch, 1DOT (Steel) Step Master Gage Block

y5 = 0.100010 Inch, 2DOT (Chrome Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y6 = Randomly Selected Repeat Step Master Gage Block

y7 = 0.100020 Inch, 1DOT (Steel) Step Master Gage Block

y8 = 0.100020 Inch, 2DOT (Chrome Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y9 = Randomly Selected Repeat Step Master Gage Block

y10 = 0.100030 Inch, 1DOT (Steel) Step Master Gage Block

y11 = 0.100030 Inch, 2DOT (Chrome Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y12 = Randomly Selected Repeat Step Master Gage Block

y13 = 0.100040 Inch, 1DOT (Steel) Step Master Gage Block

y14 = 0.100040 Inch, 2DOT (Chrome Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y15 = Randomly Selected Repeat Step Master Gage Block

y16 = 0.100050 Inch, 1DOT (Steel) Step Master Gage Block

y17 = 0.100050 Inch, 2DOT (Chrome Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y18 = Randomly Selected Repeat Step Master Gage Block
146 Chapter 6

Table 6.8-2 Probe Calibration Method Designs

Method Design Description

y19 = 0.100060 Inch, 1DOT (Steel) Step Master Gage Block

y20 = 0.100060 Inch, 2DOT (Chrome Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y21 = Randomly Selected Repeat Step Master Gage Block

y22 = 0.100070 Inch, 1DOT (Steel) Step Master Gage Block

y23 = 0.100070 Inch, 2DOT (Chrome Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y24 = Randomly Selected Repeat Step Master Gage Block

y25 = 0.100080 Inch, 1DOT (Steel) Step Master Gage Block

y26 = 0.100080 Inch, 2DOT (Chrome Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y27 = Randomly Selected Repeat Step Master Gage Block

y28 = 0.100090 Inch, 1DOT (Steel) Step Master Gage Block

y29 = 0.100090 Inch, 2DOT (Chrome Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y30 = Randomly Selected Repeat Step Master Gage Block

y31 = 0.100100 Inch, 1DOT (Steel) Step Master Gage Block

y32 = 0.100100 Inch, 2DOT (Chrome Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y33 = Randomly Selected Repeat Step Master Gage Block

THREE-SET y0 = Randomly Selected Repeat Step Master Gage Block

y1 = 0.100000 Inch, 1DOT (Steel) Step Master Gage Block

y2 = 0.100000 Inch, 2DOT (Chrome Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y3 = 0.100000 Inch, 3DOT (Tungsten Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y4 = Randomly Selected Repeat Step Master Gage Block

y5 = 0.100010 Inch, 1DOT (Steel) Step Master Gage Block

y6 = 0.100010 Inch, 2DOT (Chrome Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y7 = 0.100010 Inch, 3DOT (Tungsten Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y8 = Randomly Selected Repeat Step Master Gage Block
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 147

Table 6.8-2 Probe Calibration Method Designs

Method Design Description

y9 = 0.100020 Inch, 1DOT (Steel) Step Master Gage Block

y10 = 0.100020 Inch, 2DOT (Chrome Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y11 = 0.100020 Inch, 3DOT (Tungsten Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y12 = Randomly Selected Repeat Step Master Gage Block

y13 = 0.100030 Inch, 1DOT (Steel) Step Master Gage Block

y14 = 0.100030 Inch, 2DOT (Chrome Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y15 = 0.100030 Inch, 3DOT (Tungsten Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y16 = Randomly Selected Repeat Step Master Gage Block

y17 = 0.100040 Inch, 1DOT (Steel) Step Master Gage Block

y18 = 0.100040 Inch, 2DOT (Chrome Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y19 = 0.100040 Inch, 3DOT (Tungsten Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y20 = Randomly Selected Repeat Step Master Gage Block

y21 = 0.100050 Inch, 1DOT (Steel) Step Master Gage Block

y22 = 0.100050 Inch, 2DOT (Chrome Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y23 = 0.100050 Inch, 3DOT (Tungsten Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y24 = Randomly Selected Repeat Step Master Gage Block

y25 = 0.100060 Inch, 1DOT (Steel) Step Master Gage Block

y26 = 0.100060 Inch, 2DOT (Chrome Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y27 = 0.100060 Inch, 3DOT (Tungsten Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y28 = Randomly Selected Repeat Step Master Gage Block

y29 = 0.100070 Inch, 1DOT (Steel) Step Master Gage Block

y30 = 0.100070 Inch, 2DOT (Chrome Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y31 = 0.100070 Inch, 3DOT (Tungsten Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y32 = Randomly Selected Repeat Step Master Gage Block

y33 = 0.100080 Inch, 1DOT (Steel) Step Master Gage Block

y34 = 0.100080 Inch, 2DOT (Chrome Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y35 = 0.100080 Inch, 3DOT (Tungsten Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y36 = Randomly Selected Repeat Step Master Gage Block
148 Chapter 6

Table 6.8-2 Probe Calibration Method Designs

Method Design Description

y37 = 0.100090 Inch, 1DOT (Steel) Step Master Gage Block

y38 = 0.100090 Inch, 2DOT (Chrome Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y39 = 0.100090 Inch, 3DOT (Tungsten Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y40 = Randomly Selected Repeat Step Master Gage Block

y41 = 0.100100 Inch, 1DOT (Steel) Step Master Gage Block

y42 = 0.100100 Inch, 2DOT (Chrome Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y43 = 0.100100 Inch, 3DOT (Tungsten Carbide) Step Master Gage Block

y44 = Randomly Selected Repeat Step Master Gage Block

The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, follows established file

naming and storing conventions to manage the Step Master Document File. The established

naming convention for the Step Master Document File is limited to eight characters for the

filename with a three-character extension and a period separating the filename from the extension

(e.g., Stepmstr.gbk for NIST’s step master gage blocks). The working Step Master Document

File is to record current step master information and the backed up Step Master Document File to

record minimally the current step master information. When the working Step Master Document

File is corrupted or lost, the user restores the step master information from the backed up Step

Master Document File, which eliminates re-entering all step master information. The user stores

the working Step Master Document File in the working file storage device and folder, which is

C:\Gage\Masters, and the backed up Step Master Document File on labeled floppy diskettes.

The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, uses the Edit program to

store step master information in the Step Master Document File. The configuration of the Step

Master Document File, as Table 6.8-3 shows, with step master information, each totaling ten

fields and extending 64 characters. This step master information is the step master gage blocks’

nominal sizes, identification or serial numbers, material codes, and interferometrically-derived

nominal deviations, which the user orders respectively by material type as follows: steel, chrome

carbide, and tungsten carbide. The user stores the working Step Master Document File in the

working file storage device and folder, which is C:\Gage\Masters. The user backs up the Step

Master Document File on labeled floppy diskettes. The listing of the Step Master Document

File, named Stepmstr.gbk, as Table 6.8-4 shows, has the latest information for NIST’s three sets

of step master gage blocks.
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 149

Table 6.8-3 Configuration of the Step Master Document File

Column Field Description

1-10 This field has the step master gage block nominal size (English: in inches).

12-17

This field has the first set’s step gage block identification or serial number (zero

to six characters accepted, “NONE” for no identification or serial number is

recommended).

19-24

This field has the second set’s step gage block identification or serial number

(zero to six characters accepted, “NONE” for no identification or serial number

is recommended).

26-31

This field has the third set’s step gage block identification or serial number

(zero to six characters accepted, “NONE” for no identification or serial number

is recommended).

33-36

This field has the first set’s step gage block material code, four numeric digit

characters with leading zeros displayed (Steel: 0001, Ceramic: 0002, Chrome

Carbide: 0003, Tungsten Carbide: 0004, Stainless Steel: 0005, and Other:

0006).

38-41

This field has the second set’s step gage block material code, four numeric digit

characters with leading zeros displayed (Steel: 0001, Ceramic: 0002, Chrome

Carbide: 0003, Tungsten Carbide: 0004, Stainless Steel: 0005, and Other:

0006).

43-46

This field has the third set’s step gage block material code, four numeric digit

characters with leading zeros displayed (Steel: 0001, Ceramic: 0002, Chrome

Carbide: 0003, Tungsten Carbide: 0004, Stainless Steel: 0005, and ).

48-52 This field has the first set’s step gage block interferometrically-derived nominal

deviation, in nanometers.

54-58 This field has the second set’s standard step gage block interferometricallyderived nominal deviation, in nanometers.

40-64 This field has the third set’s standard step gage block interferometricallyderived nominal deviation, in nanometers.
150 Chapter 6

Table 6.8-4 Latest Listing of the Stepmstr.gbk File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0001:

0002:

0003:

0004:

0005:

0006:

0007:

0008:

0009:

0010:

0011:

 0.100000 950028 W7W17 1780 0001 0003 0004 60 25 6

 0.100010 960064 W7W17 1780 0001 0003 0004 129 -4 74

 0.100020 960070 W7W17 1780 0001 0003 0004 103 -9 -31

 0.100030 960076 W7W17 1780 0001 0003 0004 71 32 -73

 0.100040 960084 W7W17 1780 0001 0003 0004 34 5 69

 0.100050 900808 W7W17 1780 0001 0003 0004 49 -6 24

 0.100060 960093 W7W17 1780 0001 0003 0004 50 26 -83

 0.100070 960100 W7W17 1780 0001 0003 0004 71 -24 -68

 0.100080 960107 W7W17 1780 0001 0003 0004 15 -25 90

 0.100090 960090 W7W17 1780 0001 0003 0004 19 -31 39

 0.100100 940694 W7W17 1780 0001 0003 0004 17 35 -7

The Probe and Gage programs get probe setup information for NIST’s electromechanical gage block comparator workstations from the DOS ASCII text file, named Probe.ini. 

The Probe.ini file resides in the Gage folder, which is the current and customary program folder

for the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System under normal operations. As Table 6.8-5

shows, the Probe.ini file contains ten sections. The first section, which the statement “[PROBE

CALIBRATION]” identifies, has the number of electro-mechanical gage block comparators in the

NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System and the technical user, who calibrates and

measures gage blocks, latest selection among NIST’s electro-mechanical gage block comparator

workstation. When running the Probe and Gage programs and selecting among the NIST’s

electro-mechanical gage block comparator workstations, every time the user makes workstation

selections the Probe and Gage programs records the workstations selected to the Probe.ini file’s

first section. Following the first section are nine sections, such that, the statement

“[WORKSTATION 1 PROBE SETUP]” identifies the first section, “[WORKSTATION 2 PROBE

SETUP]” identifies the second section, “[WORKSTATION 3 PROBE SETUP]” identifies the

third section, “[WORKSTATION 4 PROBE SETUP]” identifies the fourth section,

“[WORKSTATION 5 PROBE SETUP]” identifies the fifth section, “[WORKSTATION 6 PROBE

SETUP]” identifies the sixth section, “[WORKSTATION 7 PROBE SETUP]” identifies the

seventh section, “[WORKSTATION 8 PROBE SETUP]” identifies the eighth section, and

“[WORKSTATION 9 PROBE SETUP]” identifies the ninth section. These sections store the

workstations’ respective hardware devices’ select codes, digital voltmeters’ voltage scales,

electro-mechanical gage comparators’ descriptions, lower and upper probe forces, and probe

calibration cycles.
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 151

The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, uses the Edit program to

change the probe setup information in the Probe.ini file. This probe setup information is the

workstations’ respective hardware devices’ select codes, digital voltmeters’ voltage scales,

electro-mechanical gage comparators’ descriptions, lower and upper probe forces, and probe

calibration cycles. The user stores the working Probe.ini file in the Gage folder. The user backs

up the Probe.ini file on labeled floppy diskettes. The listing of the Probe.ini file, as Table 6.8-5

shows, has the latest information for NIST’s electro-mechanical gage block comparator

workstations.

Table 6.8-5 Latest Listing of the Probe.ini File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0001:

0002:

0003:

0004:

0005:

0006:

0007:

0008:

0009:

0010:

0011:

0012:

0013:

0014:

0015:

0016:

0017:

0018:

0019:

0020:

0021:

0022:

0023:

0024:

0025:

0026:

0027:

0028:

[PROBE CALIBRATION]

Workstations=6

WorkstationSelected=1

[WORKSTATION 1 PROBE SETUP]

WorkstationSelectCode=723

WorkstationVoltsScale=30 DCVolts

Description=Station 1 ..... 4-Inch Federal Comparator ... NIST Property No. 529558

ProbeForce[Lower]=.0625 Pounds

ProbeForce[Upper]=.1875 Pounds

ProbeCalibrationCycle=30 Days

ProbeCalibrationCycle=400 Tests

[WORKSTATION 2 PROBE SETUP]

WorkstationSelectCode=723

WorkstationVoltsScale=30 DCVolts

Description=Station 2 ..... 4-Inch Federal Comparator ... NIST Property No. 512752

ProbeForce[Lower]=.0625 Pounds

ProbeForce[Upper]=.1875 Pounds

ProbeCalibrationCycle=30 Days

ProbeCalibrationCycle=400 Tests

[WORKSTATION 3 PROBE SETUP]

WorkstationSelectCode=723

WorkstationVoltsScale=30 DCVolts

Description=Station 3 ..... 4-Inch Federal Comparator ... NIST Property No. 578914

ProbeForce[Lower]=.0625 Pounds

ProbeForce[Upper]=.1875 Pounds
152 Chapter 6

Table 6.8-5 Latest Listing of the Probe.ini File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0029:

0030:

0031:

0032:

0033:

0034:

0035:

0036:

0037:

0038:

0039:

0040:

0041:

0042:

0043:

0044:

0045:

0046:

0047:

0048:

0049:

0050:

0051:

0052:

0053:

0054:

0055:

0056:

0057:

0058:

0059:

0060:

0061:

0062:

0063:

0064:

0065:

0066:

0067:

ProbeCalibrationCycle=30 Days

ProbeCalibrationCycle=400 Tests

[WORKSTATION 4 PROBE SETUP]

WorkstationSelectCode=723

WorkstationVoltsScale=3 DCVolts

Description=Station 4 .... 20-Inch Federal Comparator ... NIST Property No. 175902

ProbeForce[Lower]=.125 Pounds

ProbeForce[Upper]=.25 Pounds

ProbeCalibrationCycle=90 Days

ProbeCalibrationCycle=50 Tests

[WORKSTATION 5 PROBE SETUP]

WorkstationSelectCode=723

WorkstationVoltsScale=30 DCVolts

Description=Station 5 .... 20-Inch Federal Comparator ... NIST Property No. 555121

ProbeForce[Lower]=.125 Pounds

ProbeForce[Upper]=.25 Pounds

ProbeCalibrationCycle=90 Days

ProbeCalibrationCycle=50 Tests

[WORKSTATION 6 PROBE SETUP]

WorkstationSelectCode=722

WorkstationVoltsScale=30 DCVolts

Description=Station 6 .... 20-Inch Federal Comparator ... NIST Property No. 567570

ProbeForce[Lower]=.125 Pounds

ProbeForce[Upper]=.25 Pounds

ProbeCalibrationCycle=90 Days

ProbeCalibrationCycle=50 Tests

[WORKSTATION 7 PROBE SETUP]

WorkstationSelectCode=0

WorkstationVoltsScale=0 DCVolts

Description=Station 7 ..... X-Inch Federal Comparator ... NIST Property No. XXXXXX

ProbeForce[Lower]=0 Pounds

ProbeForce[Upper]=0 Pounds

ProbeCalibrationCycle=0 Days

ProbeCalibrationCycle=0 Tests
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 153

Table 6.8-5 Latest Listing of the Probe.ini File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0068:

0069:

0070:

0071:

0072:

0073:

0074:

0075:

0076:

0077:

0078:

0079:

0080:

0081:

0082:

0083:

[WORKSTATION 8 PROBE SETUP]

WorkstationSelectCode=0

WorkstationVoltsScale=0 DCVolts

Description=Station 8 ..... X-Inch Federal Comparator ... NIST Property No. XXXXXX

ProbeForce[Lower]=0 Pounds

ProbeForce[Upper]=0 Pounds

ProbeCalibrationCycle=0 Days

ProbeCalibrationCycle=0 Tests

[WORKSTATION 9 PROBE SETUP]

WorkstationSelectCode=0

WorkstationVoltsScale=0 DCVolts

Description=Station 9 ..... X-Inch Federal Comparator ... NIST Property No. XXXXXX

ProbeForce[Lower]=0 Pounds

ProbeForce[Upper]=0 Pounds

ProbeCalibrationCycle=0 Days

ProbeCalibrationCycle=0 Tests

Every time the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, selects the Probe

Document Files and probe calibration methods and baselines that the Gage program uses to

calibrate and measure NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks, the Probe program

records the selections’ probe calibration record information in the Probe Document Log File,

which is a DOS ASCII text file, named Probe.log. The Probe Document Log File resides in the

Gage folder, which is the current and customary program folder for the NIST Gage Block

Calibration Software System under normal operations. The configuration of the Probe

Document Log File, as Table 6.8-6 shows, with probe calibration record information, each

totaling ten fields and extending 78 characters. This probe calibration information, which the

Probe program appends to the Probe Document Log File every time the user selects the Probe

Document Files and probe calibration methods and baselines, have workstation numbers that

identify NIST’s electro-mechanical gage block comparators, the Probe Document Files’ file

names storing the probe calibration information and calibration and measurement results, dates

user selects the Probe Document Files and probe calibration methods and baselines, the probe

calibration methods and baselines, the scale magnifications and standard deviations for the probe

calibrations, and the probe calibration residuals for NIST’s first, second, and optionally third step

master gage block sets. The listing of a sample Probe Document Log File, as Table 6.8-7 shows,
154 Chapter 6

has information that the Probe program writes every time the user selects the Probe Document

Files and probe calibration methods and baselines at NIST’s gage block calibration workstations.

Table 6.8-6 Configuration of the Probe Document Log File

Column Field Description

1-2

This field has the number that identifies NIST’s electro-mechanical gage block

comparator the computer user selects for the Probe program to calibrate and the

Gage program to use when calibrating and measuring NIST’s gage block

calibration customers’ gage blocks (e.g., “F1” for Workstation One, “F2” for

Workstation Two, “F3” for Workstation Three, “F4” for Workstation Four,

“F5” for Workstation Five, “F6” for Workstation Six, “F7” for Workstation

Seven, “F8” for Workstation Eight, and “F9” for Workstation Nine).

4-15 This field has the file name of the Probe Document File storing probe

calibration that the computer user selects.

17-27 This field has the date the computer user selects the Probe Document File and

probe calibration method and baseline.

29-32 This field has the probe calibration method the computer user selects (e.g.,

“2SET” for Two-Set Method, “3SET” for Three-Set Method).

34-37

This field has the probe calibration baseline the computer user selects (e.g.,

“1DOT” to use as a baseline NIST’s first step master gage block set, “2DOT” to

use as a baseline NIST’s second step master gage block set, “3DOT”to use as a

baseline NIST’s third step master gage block set).

39-47 This field has the probe calibration scale magnification.

49-54 This field has the probe calibration standard deviation, in nanometers.

56-62 This field has the probe calibration residual for NIST’s first step master gage

block set.

64-70 This field has the probe calibration residual for NIST’s second step master gage

block set.

72-78 This field has the probe calibration residual for NIST’s third step master gage

block set.
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 155

Table 6.8-7 Latest Listing of a Sample Probe.log File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0001:

0002:

0003:

0004:

0005:

0006:

0007:

0008:

0009:

0010:

0011:

0012:

0013:

0014:

0015:

0016:

0017:

0018:

0019:

0020:

0021:

0022:

0023:

0024:

0025:

0026:

0027:

0028:

0029:

0030:

0031:

0032:

0033:

F1:19960807.001 07-Aug-1996 3SET 2DOT 511.51 18.690 36.35 0.00 29.00

F1:19960808.001 08-Aug-1996 3SET 2DOT 513.31 20.732 38.10 0.00 28.23

F1:19960809.001 09-Aug-1996 3SET 2DOT 510.00 19.018 36.55 0.00 25.63

F1:19960809.002 09-Aug-1996 2SET 2DOT 511.33 22.082 36.08 0.00 

F1:19960809.003 09-Aug-1996 2SET 2DOT 511.31 21.988 33.82 0.00 

F1:19960812.001 10-Aug-1996 2SET 2DOT 511.46 21.953 34.81 0.00 

F1:19960916.001 16-Sep-1996 2SET 2DOT 513.29 21.842 34.61 0.00 

F1:19961029.001 29-Oct-1996 2SET 2DOT 511.35 21.869 35.04 0.00 

F1:19961122.001 22-Nov-1996 3SET 2DOT 510.70 19.032 36.01 0.00 24.92

F1:19961122.002 22-Nov-1996 3SET 2DOT 511.95 23.219 37.23 0.00 12.55

F1:19961122.003 22-Nov-1996 3SET 2DOT 511.58 22.696 38.21 0.00 20.97

F1:19961123.001 23-Nov-1996 3SET 2DOT 511.18 19.944 36.18 0.00 21.43

F1:19961219.001 19-Dec-1996 2SET 2DOT 509.28 25.519 35.05 0.00 

F1:19970205.001 05-Feb-1997 3SET 2DOT 509.87 12.900 15.29 0.00 1.15

F1:19970206.001 06-Feb-1997 3SET 2DOT 512.23 14.382 14.15 0.00 -1.56

F1:19970420.001 20-Apr-1997 2SET 2DOT 512.05 14.820 16.97 0.00 

F1:19970420.001 21-Apr-1997 2SET 1DOT 512.05 14.820 0.00 -16.97 

F1:19970420.001 15-May-1997 2SET 1DOT 512.05 14.820 0.00 -16.97 

F1:19970528.001 28-May-1997 2SET 2DOT 511.27 13.244 11.60 0.00 

F1:19970611.001 11-Jun-1997 2SET 2DOT 512.22 13.500 13.29 0.00 

F1:19970611.001 22-Jun-1997 2SET 2DOT 512.22 13.500 13.29 0.00 

F1:19970711.001 11-Jul-1997 2SET 2DOT 510.58 13.731 14.15 0.00 

F1:19970711.002 11-Jul-1997 2SET 2DOT 511.09 13.056 9.73 0.00 

F1:19970711.001 11-Jul-1997 2SET 2DOT 510.58 13.731 14.15 0.00 

F1:19970730.001 29-Jul-1997 2SET 2DOT 511.97 14.817 13.86 0.00 

F1:19970903.002 03-Sep-1997 2SET 2DOT 510.69 13.462 11.29 0.00 

F1:19971222.001 14-Dec-1997 2SET 2DOT 510.56 13.110 10.84 0.00 

F1:19980105.001 05-Jan-1998 2SET 2DOT 510.11 13.723 12.98 0.00 

F1:19980202.001 02-Feb-1998 2SET 2DOT 509.51 14.302 12.78 0.00 

F1:19980514.001 14-May-1998 2SET 2DOT 512.70 13.243 6.93 0.00 

F1:19980519.001 19-May-1998 2SET 2DOT 510.84 13.916 13.03 0.00 

F1:19980607.001 07-Jun-1998 2SET 2DOT 511.58 13.675 11.58 0.00 

F1:19980707.002 07-Jul-1998 2SET 2DOT 511.40 13.224 9.68 0.00 

Every time the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, selects the Probe

Document Files and probe calibration methods and baselines that the Gage program uses to

calibrate and measure NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks, the Probe program
156 Chapter 6

records the selections’ probe calibration record information in Probe Configuration Document

Files, which are DOS ASCII text files. The Probe program stores respectively the workstations’

probe calibration record information in Probe Configuration Document Files in the following

way:

C Workstation One’s Probe Calibration Record Information in the Probef1.ini file

C Workstation Two ’s Probe Calibration Record Information in the Probef2.ini file

C Workstation Three’s Probe Calibration Record Information in the Probef3.ini file

C Workstation Four’s Probe Calibration Record Information in the Probef4.ini file

C Workstation Five’s Probe Calibration Record Information in the Probef5.ini file

C Workstation Six’s Probe Calibration Record Information in the Probef6.ini file

C Workstation Seven’s Probe Calibration Record Information in the Probef7.ini file

C Workstation Eight’s Probe Calibration Record Information in the Probef8.ini file

C Workstation Nine’s Probe Calibration Record Information in the Probef9.ini file

The Probe Configuration Document Files each have the file name of the Probe Document File

complete with the working file storage device and folder, which stores the probe calibration, the

probe calibration method and baseline, the measurement drift and standard deviation for the

repeat block, the scale magnification, slope, y-intercept, and standard deviation for the probe

calibration, the probe calibration’s normalized residuals and standard deviations for NIST’s first,

second, and optionally third step master gage block sets, and the temperature, date, time of the

probe calibration, the observer’s initials, and the number of tests the Gage program uses the

probe calibration information since the user selected the Probe Document File and probe

calibration method and baseline. The listing of a sample Probe Configuration Document File, as

Table 6.8-8 shows, has information that the Probe program writes every time the user stores and

selects the Probe Document Files and probe calibration methods and baselines at NIST’s gage

block calibration workstations.

Table 6.8-8 Latest Listing of a Probe Configuration

Document File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0001:

0002:

0003:

0004:

[WORKSTATION 1 PROBE CALIBRATION]

FileName=C:\GAGE\PROBES\F1\19980707.002

ProbeCalibrationMethod=1:2-SET (1-2 DOT)

ProbeCalibrationBaselineSet=2:2-DOT
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 157

Table 6.8-8 Latest Listing of a Probe Configuration

Document File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0005:

0006:

0007:

0008:

0009:

0010:

0011:

0012:

0013:

0014:

0015:

0016:

0017:

0018:

0019:

0020:

0021:

RepeatBlockDrift=.00388752913753 VoltsPerMeasurement

RepeatBlockDriftStandardDeviation=4.84016015321 Nanometers

ScaleMagnification=511.403308692 NanometersPerVolt

ScaleMagnificationSlope=.00195540385251 VoltsPerNanometer

ScaleMagnificationYIntercept=-.0770042419682 Volts

ScaleMagnificationStandardDeviation=13.2235873491 Nanometers

NormalizedResidual[Steel.............]=9.68141850561 Nanometers

NormalizedResidual[Chrome Carbide....]=0 Nanometers

NormalizedResidual[Tungsten Carbide..]=0 Nanometers

ResidualStandardDeviation[Steel.............]=11.4821434693 Nanometers

ResidualStandardDeviation[Chrome Carbide....]=13.7298105879 Nanometers

ResidualStandardDeviation[Tungsten Carbide..]=0 Nanometers

Temperature=19.73 DegreesCelsius

Date= 7 Jul 1998

Time=08:02:06

Observer=SRF

Tests=147

The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, follows established file

naming and storing conventions to manage Probe Document Files. The established naming

convention for Probe Document Files is limited to eight characters for filenames with a

three-character extension and a period separating the filename from the extension. The working

and archived Probe Document Files are to record probe calibration information and calibration

and measurement results. When working Probe Documents Files are corrupted or lost, the user

restores the probe calibration information from the archived Probe Document Files, which

eliminates re-entering all probe calibration information. The user stores respectively all

workstations’ working Probe Document Files in the working file storage device and folders in

the following way:

C Workstation One’s Probe Document Files in the C:\Gage\Probes\F1 folder

C Workstation Two ’s Probe Document Files in the C:\Gage\Probes\F2 folder

C Workstation Three’s Probe Document Files in the C:\Gage\Probes\F3 folder

C Workstation Four’s Probe Document Files in the C:\Gage\Probes\F4 folder

C Workstation Five’s Probe Document Files in the C:\Gage\Probes\F5 folder
158 Chapter 6

C Workstation Six’s Probe Document Files in the C:\Gage\Probes\F6 folder

C Workstation Seven’s Probe Document Files in the C:\Gage\Probes\F7 folder

C Workstation Eight’s Probe Document Files in the C:\Gage\Probes\F8 folder

C Workstation Nine’s Probe Document Files in the C:\Gage\Probes\F9 folder

The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, stores archived Probe Document

Files on labeled floppy diskettes. For continuity reasons, the user typically names Probe

Document Files using literally the actual dates they calibrate NIST’s electro-mechanical gage

block comparators. The user typically assigns specific, numerically increasing three-digit

extensions for Probe Document Files to order the calibrating of NIST’s electro-mechanical gage

block comparators. The user, for example, will name the first Probe Document File stored on

January 02, 1998 using “19980102.001,” the second Probe Document File stored on January 02,

1998 using “19980102.002,” the third Probe Document File stored on January 02, 1998 using

“19980102.003,” and so forth.

The Probe program stores probe calibration information and calibration and

measurement results in Probe Document Files. Probe Document Files contain three sections, the

first section stores the probe calibration information, the second section is a copy of the step

master information from Step Master Document File, and the third section stores the calibration

and measurement results. In the first section, the probe calibration information is the file name

of the Probe Document File complete with the working file storage device and folder, which

stores the probe calibration, the probe calibration method and baseline, the measurement drift

and standard deviation for the repeat block, the scale magnification, slope, y-intercept, and

standard deviation for the probe calibration, the probe calibration’s normalized residuals and

standard deviations for NIST’s first, second, and optionally third step master gage block sets, and

the temperature, date, time of the probe calibration, and the observer’s initials. The observer is

the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, which includes NIST’s gage block

calibration customers’ gage blocks. In the second section, the step master information is the step

master gage blocks’ nominal sizes, identification or serial numbers, material codes, and

interferometrically-derived nominal deviations, which the user respectively orders by material

type as follows: steel, chrome carbide, and tungsten carbide. In the third section, the calibration

and measurement results are the step heights and the voltage measurements. The listing of a

sample Probe Document File, as Table 6.8-9 shows, has probe calibration information and

calibration and measurement results that the Probe program writes every time NIST’s technical

staff stores Probe Document Files at NIST’s gage block calibration workstations.
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 159

Table 6.8-9 Latest Listing of a Sample Probe Document File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0001:

0002:

0003:

0004:

0005:

0006:

0007:

0008:

0009:

0010:

0011:

0012:

0013:

0014:

0015:

0016:

0017:

0018:

0019:

0020:

0021:

0022:

0023:

0024:

0025:

0026:

0027:

0028:

0029:

0030:

0031:

0032:

0033:

0034:

0035:

0036:

0037:

0038:

0039:

[PROBE CALIBRATION]

FileName=C:\GAGE\PROBES\F1\19980707.002

ProbeCalibrationMethod=1:2-SET (1-2 DOT)

ProbeCalibrationBaselineSet=2:2-DOT

RepeatBlockDrift=.00388752913753 VoltsPerMeasurement

RepeatBlockStandardDeviation=4.84016015321 Nanometers

ScaleMagnification=511.403308692 NanometersPerVolt

ScaleMagnificationSlope=.00195540385251 VoltsPerNanometer

ScaleMagnificationYIntercept=-.0770042419682 Volts

ScaleMagnificationStandardDeviation=13.2235873491 Nanometers

NormalizedResidual[Steel.............]=9.68141850561 Nanometers

NormalizedResidual[Chrome Carbide....]=0 Nanometers

NormalizedResidual[Tungsten Carbide..]=0 Nanometers

ResidualStandardDeviation[Steel.............]=11.4821434693 Nanometers

ResidualStandardDeviation[Chrome Carbide....]=13.7298105879 Nanometers

ResidualStandardDeviation[Tungsten Carbide..]=0 Nanometers

Temperature=19.73 DegreesCelsius

Date= 7 Jul 1998

Time=08:02:06

Observer=SRF

[STEP GAGE BLOCK MASTERS]

 English Gage Block Gage Block Gage Block

Gage Block Serial Number Material Specifier Nominal Deviation

 Nominal 1DOT 2DOT 3DOT 1DOT 2DOT 3DOT 1DOT 2DOT 3DOT

========== ====== ====== ====== ==== ==== ==== ===== ===== =====

 0.100000 950028 W7W17 1780 0001 0003 0004 60 25 6

 0.100010 960064 W7W17 1780 0001 0003 0004 129 -4 74

 0.100020 960070 W7W17 1780 0001 0003 0004 103 -9 -31

 0.100030 960076 W7W17 1780 0001 0003 0004 71 32 -73

 0.100040 960084 W7W17 1780 0001 0003 0004 34 5 69

 0.100050 900808 W7W17 1780 0001 0003 0004 49 -6 24

 0.100060 960093 W7W17 1780 0001 0003 0004 50 26 -83

 0.100070 960100 W7W17 1780 0001 0003 0004 71 -24 -68

 0.100080 960107 W7W17 1780 0001 0003 0004 15 -25 90

 0.100090 960090 W7W17 1780 0001 0003 0004 19 -31 39

 0.100100 940694 W7W17 1780 0001 0003 0004 17 35 -7

[OBSERVATIONS]
160 Chapter 6

Table 6.8-9 Latest Listing of a Sample Probe Document File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0040:

0041:

0042:

0043:

0044:

0045:

0046:

0047:

0048:

0049:

0050:

0051:

0052:

0053:

0054:

0055:

0056:

0057:

0058:

0059:

0060:

0061:

0062:

0063:

0064:

0065:

0066:

0067:

0068:

0069:

0070:

0071:

0072:

0073:

0074:

0075:

Point StepHeight (Nanometers) Point Voltage (Volts)

===== ================================ ===== ================================

X[00] 0 Y[00] -2.5185

X[01] 60 Y[01] -2.463

X[02] 25 Y[02] -2.5105

X[03] 0 Y[03] -2.512

X[04] 129 Y[04] -1.78425

X[05] -4 Y[05] -2.10575

X[06] 0 Y[06] -2.48875

X[07] 103 Y[07] -1.39125

X[08] -9 Y[08] -1.55925

X[09] 0 Y[09] -2.49

X[10] 71 Y[10] -.93925

X[11] 32 Y[11] -.963

X[12] 0 Y[12] -2.47725

X[13] 34 Y[13] -.447

X[14] 5 Y[14] -.4625

X[15] 0 Y[15] -2.46575

X[16] 49 Y[16] .068

X[17] -6 Y[17] -.022

X[18] 0 Y[18] -2.457

X[19] 50 Y[19] .54275

X[20] 26 Y[20] .54475

X[21] 0 Y[21] -2.42375

X[22] 71 Y[22] 1.12425

X[23] -24 Y[23] .963

X[24] 0 Y[24] -2.4185

X[25] 15 Y[25] 1.50425

X[26] -25 Y[26] 1.49575

X[27] 0 Y[27] -2.4

X[28] 19 Y[28] 2.02575

X[29] -31 Y[29] 1.94625

X[30] 0 Y[30] -2.40675

X[31] 17 Y[31] 2.5315

X[32] 35 Y[32] 2.58025

X[33] 0 Y[33] -2.40575
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 161

6.9 The Report Program

The Report program opens, creates, prints, and stores NIST’s gage block calibration

customers’ NIST Reports’ of Calibration. To calibrate and measure NIST’s gage block

calibration customers’ gage blocks, the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks,

first uses the Setup program to record the setup information in Setup Document Files, which are

DOS ASCII text files. To calibrate and measure gage blocks by mechanical intercomparison, the

user uses the Gage program in Gage mode to analyze measurements from the electro-mechanical

gage block comparators, print the results, and record the results to the Setup Document Files. As 

part of the process to ensure quality assurance, the Gage program estimates short-term and longterm measurement process variability by measuring and recording the differences in length of the

two master gage blocks used for every NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks

calibrated and measured by mechanical intercomparison and comparing past and present

calibration and measurement results. As another part of the process to ensure quality assurance,

the user uses the History program to authenticate past and present calibration and measurement

results, which occasionally requisite retests. Once authenticated, the user then merges and

records the present calibration and measurement results to the History Document Files and

creates NIST Reports’ of Calibration. To create NIST Reports’ of Calibration, the user runs the

Report program, which uses the folder information from the Folder Document Files and the

stored gage block calibration and measurement results from the Setup and Gage programs.

The Report program has a Control Menu with ten functions, as Table 6.9-1 shows. The

technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, uses the Control Menu functions to do

the following:

C Create, open, print, store, archive, and edit Report Document Files

C Open working Folder Document Files and Setup Document Files

C Assembles the Report Document File by generating anew an official NIST Report of

Calibration, which uses the folder information from the Folder Document File and the

setup information from the Setup Document File

C Load and run the Edit program to automatically open stored Report Document Files

C View and print NIST Reports’ of Calibration

Table 6.9-1 The Report Program’s Control Menu Functions

Name of Function Function Description

Program Preface . This function displays the Report program’s introductory statement.
162 Chapter 6

Table 6.9-1 The Report Program’s Control Menu Functions

Name of Function Function Description

Open Folder . . . . . This function opens a copy of a Folder Document File. The Folder

Document Files are working Folder Document Files in the working file

storage device and folder, which is C:\Gage\Work. This function

copies, deletes, moves, and renames Folder Document Files in file

storage devices and folders.

Open Setup . . . . . . This function opens a copy of a Setup Document File. The Setup

Document Files are working Setup Document Files in the working file

storage device and folder, which is C:\Gage\Work. This function

copies, deletes, moves, and renames Setup Document Files in file

storage devices and folders.

Run ............ This function assembles the Report Document File by generating anew

an official NIST Report of Calibration, which uses the folder

information from the Folder Document File and the setup information

from the Setup Document File. The setup information is gage block

calibration and measurement results the Setup and Gage programs store.

View ........... This function opens the Report Document File viewing window with

the Report Document File for examining and printing the official NIST

Report of Calibration.

Edit ............ This function stops the Report program and loads and runs the Edit

program. When the Report Document File needs storing, a prompt first

appears about storing the Report Document File and an affirmative

response causes the function to store the Report Document File, stop the

Report program, and load and run the Edit program, which

automatically opens the stored Report Document File.

Print ........... This function prints one copy of the Report Document File to the

printer.

Store ........... This function stores a copy of the Report Document File in the Report

Document File window to a working file, such as Filename.rpt, and

stored in the DOS ASCII text file storage format. When a file already

exists, a prompt first appears about overwriting the Report Document

File to this file or storing the Report Document File to a new file.
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 163

Table 6.9-1 The Report Program’s Control Menu Functions

Name of Function Function Description

Archive ......... This function archives a copy of the Report Document File in the Report

Document File window to an archived file, such as Filename.rph, and

stored in the DOS ASCII text file storage format. When a file already

exists, a prompt first appears about overwriting the Report Document

File to this file or storing the Report Document File to a new file.

Exit REPORT . . . . This function stops the Report program and loads and runs the Branch

program. When a Report Document File is in the current Report

Document File window, a prompt first appears about storing the Report

Document File and an affirmative response causes the function to store

the Report Document File and closes all document files opened, which

include the Folder Document File, the Setup Document File, and the

Report Document File.

The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, follows established file

naming and storing conventions to manage Report Document Files. The established naming

convention for Report Document Files is limited to eight characters for filenames with a

three-character extension and a period separating the filename from the extension. The working

and archived Report Document Files are to record official NIST Report of Calibration

documentation plus the folder information and setup information, which has the calibration and

measurement results. The user stores all working Report Document Files in the working file

storage device and folder, which is C:\Gage\Work, and the archived Report Document Files in

the Historys storage device and folder, which is C:\Gage\Historys, and on labeled floppy

diskettes. For continuity reasons, the user typically assigns common filenames to Folder

Document Files, Report Document Files, and Setup Document Files for every NIST’s gage block

calibration customers’ calibration. The three-character extension for working Report Document

Files is “rpt” and for archived Report Document Files is “rph.”

The Report program stores report information in Report Document Files. This report

information is the official NIST Report of Calibration documentation and plus the folder

information, which has correspondence information, and setup information, which has the

calibration and measurement results. The folder information is the NIST test folder number, the

description of gage blocks calibrated and measured, the primary identification or serial number of

the gage block set, and the NIST’s gage block calibration customer’s name and address, which

includes their division or post office box number, street address, city, state, and U.S. Postal

Service ZIP Code+4 within the United States and its territories. The setup information is the

gage blocks’ testing status, nominal sizes, identification or serial numbers, master type, material
164 Chapter 6

codes, thermal coefficients of expansion, observed nominal deviations and uncertainties, testing

dates, observers’ initials, and testing method codes. The technical user, who calibrates and

measures gage blocks, stores working Report Document Files in the working file storage device

and folder, which is C:\Gage\Work. The user stores archived Report Document Files and

History Document Files in the Historys storage device and folder, which is C:\Gage\Historys,

and on labeled floppy diskettes.

As Table 6.9-2 through Table 6.9-7 shows, the Report program gets documentation for

NIST Reports’ of Calibration from the following files: Heading.txt, Ending.txt, Repteng.txt,

Reptmet.txt, Rept1all.txt, and Rept2all.txt, which are DOS ASCII text files. For the

correspondence page of NIST Reports’ of Calibration, which the technical user, who calibrates

and measures gage blocks, refers as the report page, the Report program gets the letterhead text

from Heading.txt and the signatory text from Ending.txt. For the body of the correspondence

page, the Report program gets the report text for the interferometric calibration and measurement

of English gage blocks from Repteng.txt, the report text for the interferometric calibration and

measurement of metric gage blocks from Reptmet.txt, the report text for the mechanical

intercomparison calibration and measurement of English and metric gage blocks from

Rept1all.txt, which is for calibrations for individual gage blocks, and Rept2all.txt, which is for

calibrations of gage block sets. For the interferometric calibration and measurement of English

and metric gage blocks, the Report program decides which paragraphs to use from Repteng.txt or

Reptmet.txt by prompting the user to enter the following information:

C Flatness measured when calibrating and measuring gage blocks

C Parallelism measured when calibrating and measuring gage blocks

C Reference flats of various diameters, which the NIST technical staff refers as optical flats

and platens, used belonging to NIST or NIST’s gage block calibration customers for

calibrating and measuring gage blocks

C Gage block type calibrated and measured, which include rectangular, square (Hoke), or

and circularly cross-sectional shaped

Table 6.9-2 Latest Listing of the Heading.txt File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0001:

0002:

0003:

0004:

 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

 NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY

 GAITHERSBURG, MARYLAND 20899
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 165

Table 6.9-2 Latest Listing of the Heading.txt File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0005: R E P O R T O F C A L I B R A T I O N

Table 6.9-3 Latest Listing of the Ending.txt File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0001:

0002:

0003:

0004:

0005:

0006:

0007:

0008:

0009:

0010:

0011:

Measurements made by ____________________________ (301) 975-3468.

 For the Director,

 National Institute of Standards and Technology

 Dr. Howard H. Harary, Group Leader

 Engineering Metrology Group

 Precision Engineering Division

 Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory

Table 6.9-4 Latest Listing of the Repteng.txt File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0001:

0002:

0003:

0004:

0005:

0006:

0007:

0008:

0009:

0010:

11 This gage block has been wrung to a steel platen and measured

 by static interferometry using a stabilized helium-neon as the

 intrinsic length standard. Details of the process are covered in

 NBS Monograph 152, "A Gage Block Measurement Process Using Single

 Wavelength Interferometry," which is considered to be a part of

 this report.

12 These gages blocks have been wrung to a steel platen and measured

 by static interferometry using a stabilized helium-neon as the

 intrinsic length standard. Details of the process are covered in

 NBS Monograph 152, "A Gage Block Measurement Process Using Single
166 Chapter 6

Table 6.9-4 Latest Listing of the Repteng.txt File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0011:

0012:

0013:

0014:

0015:

0016:

0017:

0018:

0019:

0020:

0021:

0022:

0023:

0024:

0025:

0026:

0027:

0028:

0029:

0030:

0031:

0032:

0033:

0034:

0035:

0036:

0037:

0038:

0039:

0040:

0041:

0042:

0043:

0044:

0045:

0046:

0047:

0048:

0049:

 Wavelength Interferometry," which is considered to be a part of

 this report.

21 This gage block was compared with the standards of the United

 States. The comparison process employs electromechanical

 comparators, NIST standard and check standard gage blocks, and

 test gage blocks.

22 These gage blocks were compared with the standards of the United

 States. The comparison process employs electromechanical

 comparators, NIST standard and check standard gage blocks, and

 test gage blocks.

31 The length of a square gage block wrung to a platen is the

 perpendicular distance from a point on the top surface of the

 gage block midway between the hole and the reference edge to the

 surface of the platen. The reference edge is defined as the edge

 on the side of the block with the size marking, or the edge to

 the right of the size marking when it is marked on the contact

 surface.

32 The length of a wrung gage block is the perpendicular distance

 from a point on the middle of the top surface of the gage block

 to the surface of the platen.

33 The length of the gage block is the perpendicular distance from a

 point on one contact surface to a point on the other surface

 midway between the hole and the reference edge. The reference

 edge is defined as the edge on the side of the block with the

 size marking, or the edge to the right of the size marking when

 it is marked on the contact surface.

34 The length of the gage block is the perpendicular distance from a

 point on one contact surface to a point on the middle of the

 other contact surface.

41 If a minus sign is given with the reported length deviation, it

 indicates that the block is shorter than the nominal length. If

 no sign or a plus sign is given, the block is longer than the

 nominal length.

51 The customer's platen was used during these measurements and no

 correction for phase shift of light was included in the reported

 deviations.

61 The flatness of the blocks were not measured.

62 Blocks less than 0.100000 inch in length were not measured for

 flatness since most thin blocks are warped.
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 167

Table 6.9-4 Latest Listing of the Repteng.txt File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0050:

0051:

0052:

0053:

0054:

0055:

0056:

0057:

0058:

0059:

0060:

0061:

0062:

0063:

0064:

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0066:

0067:

0068:

0069:

0070:

0071:

0072:

0073:

0074:

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0076:

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0078:

0079:

0080:

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0083:

0084:

0085:

0086:

0087:

0088:

63 Neither flatness nor parallelism of the blocks were measured.

71 The deviations in flatness of the contact surfaces are measured

 along lines midway between each pair of opposite sides (see lines

 a and b in figure 2).

72 The deviation in flatness of the contact surfaces are measured

 along lines midway between the sides both across the width and

 along the length of the surfaces (see lines a and b in figure 1),

 but the measurement along the length does not include 0.02 inch

 of the surface nearest each end.

73 Only those flatness deviations are reported which exceed

 3 microinches in either of the two directions.

74 Only those flatness deviations are reported which exceed

 3 microinches in either of the two directions for blocks up to

 and including 2 inches in length, and 4 microinches for blocks

 longer than 2 inches.

75 Only those flatness deviations across the width are reported

 which exceed 2 microinches or along the length of contact

 surfaces which exceed 3 microinches.

76 Only whose flatness deviations across the width are reported

 which exceed 2 microinches for blocks up to and including

 2 inches in length, and 3 microinches for blocks longer than

 2 inches; flatness deviations along the length of the contact

 surfaces which exceed 3 microinches for blocks up to and

 including 2 inches in length, 4 microinches for all blocks longer

 than 2 inches.

81 The deviations in parallelism of the contact surfaces are

 measured in both directions parallel to the edges across the

 middle of the block. The deviation in parallelism along a line

 perpendicular to the reference edge is the total variation in

 length across the middle of the block and when reported is shown

 as plus when the length increases with respect to the length at

 the reference edge (see figure 2). The deviation in parallelism

 in the other direction is shown without sign and when reported is

 designated by the letter "b".

82 The deviations in parallelism of the contact surfaces are

 measured both across the width and along the length of the

 blocks. The deviation in parallelism across the width is the

 total variation in length across the middle of the block and,

 when reported, is shown as plus if the length increases with
168 Chapter 6

Table 6.9-4 Latest Listing of the Repteng.txt File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0089:

0090:

0091:

0092:

0093:

0094:

0095:

0096:

0097:

0098:

0099:

0100:

0101:

0102:

0103:

0104:

0105:

0106:

0107:

0108:

0109:

0110:

0111:

0112:

0113:

0114:

0115:

0116:

0117:

0118:

0119:

0120:

0121:

0122:

 respect to the length at the reference edge (see figure 1). The

 deviation in parallelism along the length is the total variation

 in length measured midway between the sides but excluding

 0.02 inch at each end of the contact surfaces. This deviation,

 when reported, is designated by the letter "b"; neither positive

 nor negative signs are used.

83 Only those parallelism deviations are reported which exceed

 3 microinches.

84 Only those parallelism deviations are reported which exceed

 3 microinches for blocks up to and including 2 inches in length,

 and 4 microinches for blocks longer than 2 inches.

85 Only those parallelism deviations are reported which exceed

 2 microinches.

86 Only those parallelism deviations are reported which exceed

 2 microinches for blocks up to and including 2 inches in length,

 and 3 microinches for blocks longer than 2 inches.

91 The uncertainty value placed on the length determination was

 calculated according to NIST Technical Note 1297, "Guidelines for

 Evaluating and Expressing the Uncertainty of NIST Measurement

 Results," which is considered to be a part of this report. The

 expanded uncertainty, U, is reported on the following page using

 a coverage factor of k = 2.

 The average deviation in length from the nominal size at

 20 degrees Celsius is reported on the following page.

92 The uncertainty values placed on the length determinations were

 calculated according to NIST Technical Note 1297, "Guidelines for

 Evaluating and Expressing the Uncertainty of NIST Measurement

 Results," which is considered to be a part of this report. The

 expanded uncertainties, U, are reported on the following pages

 using a coverage factor of k = 2.

 The average deviations in length from the nominal size at

 20 degrees Celsius are reported on the following pages.
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 169

Table 6.9-5 Latest Listing of the Reptmet.txt File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0001:

0002:

0003:

0004:

0005:

0006:

0007:

0008:

0009:

0010:

0011:

0012:

0013:

0014:

0015:

0016:

0017:

0018:

0019:

0020:

0021:

0022:

0023:

0024:

0025:

0026:

0027:

0028:

0029:

0030:

0031:

0032:

0033:

0034:

0035:

0036:

0037:

0038:

0039:

11 This gage block has been wrung to a steel platen and measured

 by static interferometry using a stabilized helium-neon as the

 intrinsic length standard. Details of the process are covered in

 NBS Monograph 152, "A Gage Block Measurement Process Using Single

 Wavelength Interferometry," which is considered to be a part of

 this report.

12 These gages blocks have been wrung to a steel platen and measured

 by static interferometry using a stabilized helium-neon as the

 intrinsic length standard. Details of the process are covered in

 NBS Monograph 152, "A Gage Block Measurement Process Using Single

 Wavelength Interferometry," which is considered to be a part of

 this report.

21 This gage block was compared with the standards of the United

 States. The comparison process employs electromechanical

 comparators, NIST standard and check standard gage blocks, and

 test gage blocks.

22 These gage blocks were compared with the standards of the United

 States. The comparison process employs electromechanical

 comparators, NIST standard and check standard gage blocks, and

 test gage blocks.

31 The length of a square gage block wrung to a platen is the

 perpendicular distance from a point on the top surface of the

 gage block midway between the hole and the reference edge to the

 surface of the platen. The reference edge is defined as the edge

 on the side of the block with the size marking, or the edge to

 the right of the size marking when it is marked on the contact

 surface.

32 The length of a wrung gage block is the perpendicular distance

 from a point on the middle of the top surface of the gage block

 to the surface of the platen.

33 The length of the gage block is the perpendicular distance from a

 point on one contact surface to a point on the other surface

 midway between the hole and the reference edge. The reference

 edge is defined as the edge on the side of the block with the

 size marking, or the edge to the right of the size marking when

 it is marked on the contact surface.

34 The length of the gage block is the perpendicular distance from a

 point on one contact surface to a point on the middle of the

 other contact surface.
170 Chapter 6

Table 6.9-5 Latest Listing of the Reptmet.txt File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0040:

0041:

0042:

0043:

0044:

0045:

0046:

0047:

0048:

0049:

0050:

0051:

0052:

0053:

0054:

0055:

0056:

0057:

0058:

0059:

0060:

0061:

0062:

0063:

0064:

0065:

0066:

0067:

0068:

0069:

0070:

0071:

0072:

0073:

0074:

0075:

0076:

0077:

0078:

41 If a minus sign is given with the reported length deviation, it

 indicates that the block is shorter than the nominal length. If

 no sign or a plus sign is given, the block is longer than the

 nominal length.

51 The customer's platen was used during these measurements and no

 correction for phase shift of light was included in the reported

 deviations.

61 The flatness of the blocks were not measured.

62 Blocks less than 2.50000 millimeter in length were not measured

 for flatness since most thin blocks are warped.

63 Neither flatness nor parallelism of the blocks were measured.

71 The deviations in flatness of the contact surfaces are measured

 along lines midway between each pair of opposite sides (see lines

 a and b in figure 2).

72 The deviation in flatness of the contact surfaces are measured

 along lines midway between the sides both across the width and

 along the length of the surfaces (see lines a and b in figure 1),

 but the measurement along the length does not include

 0.5 millimeter of the surface nearest each end.

73 Only those flatness deviations are reported which exceed

 50 millimeters in either of the two directions.

74 Only those flatness deviations are reported which exceed

 50 millimeters in either of the two directions for blocks up to

 and including 50 millimeters in length, and 100 nanometers for

 blocks longer than 50 millimeters.

75 Only those flatness deviations across the width are reported

 which exceed 50 nanometers or along the length of contact

 surfaces which exceed 80 nanometers.

76 Only whose flatness deviations across the width are reported

 which exceed 50 nanometers for blocks up to and including

 50 millimeters in length, and 80 nanometers for blocks longer

 than 50 millimeters; flatness deviations along the length of the

 contact surfaces which exceed 80 nanometers for blocks up to and

 including 50 millimeters in length, 100 nanometers for all blocks

 longer than 50 millimeters.

81 The deviations in parallelism of the contact surfaces are

 measured in both directions parallel to the edges across the

 middle of the block. The deviation in parallelism along a line

 perpendicular to the reference edge is the total variation in
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 171

Table 6.9-5 Latest Listing of the Reptmet.txt File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0079:

0080:

0081:

0082:

0083:

0084:

0085:

0086:

0087:

0088:

0089:

0090:

0091:

0092:

0093:

0094:

0095:

0096:

0097:

0098:

0099:

0100:

0101:

0102:

0103:

0104:

0105:

0106:

0107:

0108:

0109:

0110:

0111:

0112:

0113:

0114:

0115:

0116:

0117:

 length across the middle of the block and when reported is shown

 as plus when the length increases with respect to the length at

 the reference edge (see figure 2). The deviation in parallelism

 in the other direction is shown without sign and when reported is

 designated by the letter "b".

82 The deviations in parallelism of the contact surfaces are

 measured both across the width and along the length of the

 blocks. The deviation in parallelism across the width is the

 total variation in length across the middle of the block and,

 when reported, is shown as plus if the length increases with

 respect to the length at the reference edge (see figure 1). The

 deviation in parallelism along the length is the total variation

 in length measured midway between the sides but excluding

 0.5 millimeter at each end of the contact surfaces. This

 deviation, when reported, is designated by the letter "b";

 neither positive nor negative signs are used.

83 Only those parallelism deviations are reported which exceed

 80 nanometers.

84 Only those parallelism deviations are reported which exceed

 80 nanometers for blocks up to and including 50 millimeters in

 length, and 100 nanmoeters for blocks longer than 50 millimeters.

85 Only those parallelism deviations are reported which exceed

 50 nanometers.

86 Only those parallelism deviations are reported which exceed

 50 nanometers for blocks up to and including 50 millimeters in

 length, and 80 nanometers for blocks longer than 50 millimeters.

91 The uncertainty value placed on the length determination was

 calculated according to NIST Technical Note 1297, "Guidelines for

 Evaluating and Expressing the Uncertainty of NIST Measurement

 Results," which is considered to be a part of this report. The

 expanded uncertainty, U, is reported on the following page using

 a coverage factor of k = 2.

 The average deviation in length from the nominal size at

 20 degrees Celsius is reported on the following page.

92 The uncertainty values placed on the length determinations were

 calculated according to NIST Technical Note 1297, "Guidelines for

 Evaluating and Expressing the Uncertainty of NIST Measurement

 Results," which is considered to be a part of this report. The
172 Chapter 6

Table 6.9-5 Latest Listing of the Reptmet.txt File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0118:

0119:

0120:

0121:

0122:

 expanded uncertainties, U, are reported on the following pages

 using a coverage factor of k = 2.

 The average deviations in length from the nominal size at

 20 degrees Celsius are reported on the following pages.

Table 6.9-6 Latest Listing of the Rept1all.txt File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0001:

0002:

0003:

0004:

0005:

0006:

0007:

0008:

0009:

0010:

0011:

0012:

0013:

0014:

0015:

0016:

0017:

0018:

0019:

0020:

0021:

This gage block was compared with the standards of the United

States. The comparison process employs electromechanical

comparators, NIST standard and check standard gage blocks, and

test gage blocks in a least squares intercomparison schedule

designed to eliminate the effects of linear thermal drift.

This process together with its statistical analysis constitutes a

continuous measurement assurance program at NIST. Details of the

process are covered in NIST Monograph 180, "The Gage Block

Handbook," which is considered to be a part of this report and

available upon request.

The uncertainty values placed on the length determinations were

calculated according to NIST Technical Note 1297, "Guidelines for

Evaluating and Expressing the Uncertainty of NIST Measurement

Results," which is considered to be a part of this report. The

expanded uncertainty, U, is reported on the following page using

a coverage factor of k = 2.

The deviation in length from the nominal size at 20 degrees

Celsius is reported on the following page.
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 173

Table 6.9-7 Latest Listing of the Rept2all.txt File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0001:

0002:

0003:

0004:

0005:

0006:

0007:

0008:

0009:

0010:

0011:

0012:

0013:

0014:

0015:

0016:

0017:

0018:

0019:

0020:

0021:

These gage blocks were compared with the standards of the United

States. The comparison process employs electromechanical

comparators, NIST standard and check standard gage blocks, and

test gage blocks in a least squares intercomparison schedule

designed to eliminate the effects of linear thermal drift.

This process together with its statistical analysis constitutes a

continuous measurement assurance program at NIST. Details of the

process are covered in NIST Monograph 180, "The Gage Block

Handbook," which is considered to be a part of this report and

available upon request.

The uncertainty values placed on the length determinations were

calculated according to NIST Technical Note 1297, "Guidelines for

Evaluating and Expressing the Uncertainty of NIST Measurement

Results," which is considered to be a part of this report. The

expanded uncertainties, U, are reported on the following pages

using a coverage factor of k = 2.

The deviations in length from the nominal size at 20 degrees

Celsius are reported on the following pages.

6.10 The Setup Program

The Setup program opens, prints, and stores NIST’s gage block calibration customers’

gage blocks’ sizes, identification or serial numbers, and calibration and measurement

information. As part of the process of starting NIST’s gage block calibration customers’

calibrations, the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, completes customer

summary sheets, as Figure 6.10-1 shows, for every gage block calibration. Called setup

information by the user, customer summary sheets each contain the NIST test folder number, the

NIST gage block customer’s name and address, description of gage blocks calibrated, primary

identification or serial number of a gage block set, the purchase order number, internal or group

control number, and the individual gage blocks’ sizes and identification or serial numbers. The

user uses the Setup program to record the setup information in Setup Document Files, which are

DOS ASCII text files. To calibrate and measure gage blocks by interferometry, the user uses the
174 Chapter 6

Customer Summary Sheet

_____ of _____ Page(s) 

 Customer: File:

 Maker: Set S/N: Type: G English G Metric

 Pieces: Material: Start: Finish:

 Style: G Square (Hoke) G Rectangular G Other Observer:

SIZE ID MATL DEV RECHK RECHK SIZE ID MATL DEV RECHK RECHK

Figure 6.10-1 Sample Customer Summary Sheet
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 175

Spectrum program to analyze interferometric measurements from the gage block interferometers

and to print the results and the Setup program is then used to record the results. To calibrate and

measure gage blocks by mechanical intercomparison, the user uses the Gage program to analyze

measurements from the electro-mechanical gage block comparators, print the results, and record

the results to the Setup Document Files. As part of the process to ensure quality assurance, the

user uses the History program to compare past and present calibration and measurement results,

which they then merge and record to the History Document Files. To create NIST Reports’ of

Calibration, the user runs the Report program, which uses the folder information from the Folder

Document Files and the stored gage block calibration and measurement results from the Setup

and Gage programs.

The Setup program has a Control Menu with nine functions, as Table 6.10-1 shows. The

technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, uses the Control Menu functions to do

the following:

C Create, open, print, store, and archive Setup Document Files

C Switch between opened Setup Document Files

C View opened Setup Document Files

The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, follows established file

naming and storing conventions to manage Setup Document Files. The established naming

convention for Setup Document Files is limited to eight characters for filenames with a

three-character extension and a period separating the filename from the extension. The working

Setup Document Files are to record setup information and calibration and measurement results

and the archived Setup Document Files to record only setup information. When NIST’s gage

block calibration customers return gage blocks sets for calibrations, the technical user, who

calibrates and measures gage blocks, retrieves the setup information from the archived Setup

Document Files to create new working Setup Document Files. Using archived Setup Document

Files eliminates re-entering all setup information, provides information about the gage blocks

previously calibrated and measured, and helps with spotting new and missing gage blocks. The

user stores all working Setup Document Files in the working file storage device and folder,

which is C:\Gage\Work, and the archived Setup Document Files in the Historys storage device

and folder, which is C:\Gage\Historys, and on labeled floppy diskettes. For continuity reasons,

the typically assigns common filenames to Folder Document Files, Report Document Files, and

Setup Document Files for every NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ calibration. The threecharacter extension for working Setup Document Files is “ids” and for archived Setup Document

Files is “idh.”
176 Chapter 6

Table 6.10-1 The Setup Program’s Control Menu Functions

Name of Function Function Description

Program Preface . This function displays the Setup program’s introductory statement.

Setups .......... This function switches between Setup Document Files in respective

Setup Document File windows.

New ........... This function opens a copy of a new Setup Document File into a new

Setup Document File window.

Open ........... This function opens a copy of a Setup Document File into a new Setup

Document File window. Setup Document Files include working Setup

Document Files in the working file storage device and folder, which is

C:\Gage\Work, and archived Setup Document Files from the Historys

storage device and folder, which is C:\Gage\Historys, and on labeled

floppy diskettes. This function copies, deletes, moves, and renames

Setup Document Files in file storage devices and folders.

View ........... This function opens the Setup Document File editing window with the

current Setup Document File.

Print ........... This function prints one copy of the current Setup Document File to the

printer.

Store ........... This function stores a copy of the current Setup Document File in the

current Setup Document File window to a working file, such as

Filename.ids, and stored in the DOS ASCII text file storage format. 

When a file already exists, a prompt first appears about overwriting the

current Setup Document File to this file or storing the current Setup

Document File to a new file.

Archive ......... This function archives a copy of the current Setup Document File in the

current Setup Document File window to an archived file, such as

Filename.idh, and stored in the DOS ASCII text file storage format. 

When a file already exists, a prompt first appears about overwriting the

current Setup Document File to this file or storing the current Setup

Document File to a new file.
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 177

Table 6.10-1 The Setup Program’s Control Menu Functions

Name of Function Function Description

Exit SETUP . . . . . This function stops the Setup program and loads and runs the Branch

program. When a Setup Document File is in the current Setup

Document File window, a prompt first appears about storing the current

Setup Document File and an affirmative response causes the function to

store the current Setup Document File and close the current Setup

Document File window.

The Setup program stores setup information in Setup Document Files. The configuration

of working Setup Document Files, as Table 6.10-2 shows, with setup information, each totaling

fourteen fields and extending 80 characters. This setup information is the gage blocks’ testing

status, nominal sizes, identification or serial numbers, master type, material codes, thermal

coefficients of expansion, observed nominal deviations and uncertainties, testing dates,

observers’ initials, and testing method codes. The configuration of archived Setup Document

Files, as Table 6.10-3 shows, with setup information, each totaling eight fields and extending 80

characters, the first field and single column of characters is blank when not remarked, and

columns 39 through 78 are blank. This setup information is the gage blocks’ testing status,

nominal sizes, identification or serial numbers, master type, material codes, thermal coefficients

of expansion, and testing method codes. In Table 6.10-2 and Table 6.10-3, all columns not

specified are blank. The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, stores working

Setup Document Files in the working file storage device and folder, which is C:\Gage\Work. 

The user stores archived Setup Document Files and History Document Files in the Historys

storage device and folder, which is C:\Gage\Historys, and on labeled floppy diskettes. The

listing of a sample working Setup Document File, as Table 6.10-4 shows, has the customer

summary sheet information for an anonymous NIST gage block calibration customer. The listing

of a sample archived Setup Document File, as Table 6.10-5 shows, has the customer summary

sheet information for an anonymous NIST gage block calibration customer.

Table 6.10-2 Configuration of Working Setup Document Files

Column Field Description

1

This field has the testing status (Yes: Blank, No: Asterisk, Remarked:

Exclamation Point).

2-11 This field has the gage block nominal size (English: in inches, Metric: in

millimeters).
178 Chapter 6

Table 6.10-2 Configuration of Working Setup Document Files

Column Field Description

13-18

This field has the gage block identification or serial number (zero to six

characters accepted, “NONE” for no identification or serial number is

recommended).

20 This field has the master gage block type (English: 1, Metric: 2).

22-25

This field has the gage block material code, four numeric digit characters with

leading zeros displayed (Steel: 0001, Ceramic: 0002, Chrome Carbide: 0003,

Tungsten Carbide: 0004, Stainless Steel: 0005, and Other: 0006).

27-31 This field has the gage block material thermal coefficient, in parts per million.

33-37

This field has the gage block material elastic constant, in 10 foot-pounds per -8

inch squared.

The elastic deformation constants are in foot-pounds per inch squared. To

derive the compression constants, use the following formula:

Vc ( 1 10 ) = ( 1 - F ) / ( B E ) . .

8 2

where F is Poisson's ratio and E is the Young's modulus, in foot-pounds/inch ,

2

of the material of the object. Poisson's ratio is

F = ( E / ( 2 . G ) ) - 1

where E is the complete elliptic integral of second class with modulus e and G,

in foot-pounds/inch , is the modulus of rigidity of the material of the object. 2

Do not confuse this integral with E, the Young's modulus. Modulus e is the

eccentricity of the ellipse of contact and, by definition, is

e = ( 1 - b / a ) 2 2 1/2

where the quantities a and b are parameters for the materials of the object and

the comparator probe, respectively. These quantities are generally unknown

and are determined from tables furnished in “Elastic Compression of Spheres

and Cylinders at Point and Line Contacts” by Puttock and Thwaite (National

Standards Laboratory Technical Paper No. 25, Commonwealth Scientific and

Industrial Research Organization, Australia, 1969) [33].

39-43 This field has the observed nominal deviation, in nanometers.

45-49 This field has the observed uncertainty, in nanometers.
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 179

Table 6.10-2 Configuration of Working Setup Document Files

Column Field Description

68-71 This field has the year for the testing date, four numeric digit characters with

leading zeros displayed, century mandatory.

72-73

This field has the month for the testing date, two numeric digit characters with

leading zeros displayed (January: 01, February: 02, March: 03, April: 04, May:

05, June: 06, July: 07, August: 08, September: 09, October: 10, November: 11,

December: 12).

74-75

This field has the day of the month for the testing date, two numeric digit

characters with leading zeros displayed (1 Day of Month: 01, 2 Day of st nd

Month: 02, 3 Day of Month: 03, . . . , 31 Day of Month: 31). rd st

76-78

This field has the observer’s initials, one to three alphanumeric characters

accepted, all initials recommended. The observer is the technical user, who

calibrates and measures gage blocks, which includes NIST’s gage block

calibration customers’ gage blocks.

79-80

This field has the testing method code (Exempt: 0 , Interferometry: 1, 3-2

Design: 2, 3-4 Design: 3, 3-6 Design: 4, 4-4 Design: 5, 4-6 Design: 6, 5-4

Design: 7, 6-4 Design: 8, 7-4 Design: 9, 8-4 Design: 10, 9-4 Design: 11, 10-4

Design: 12, 11-4 Design: 13, ABCA Design: 14, 4-1 Design: 15).

Table 6.10-3 Configuration of Archived Setup Document Files

Column Field Description

1

This field has the testing status (Yes/No: Blank, Remarked: Exclamation

Point).

2-11 This field has the gage block nominal size (English: in inches, Metric: in

millimeters).

13-18

This field has the gage block identification or serial number (zero to six

characters accepted, “NONE” for no identification or serial number is

recommended).

20 This field has the master gage block type (English: 1, Metric: 2).
180 Chapter 6

Table 6.10-3 Configuration of Archived Setup Document Files

Column Field Description

22-25

This field has the gage block material code, four numeric digit characters with

leading zeros displayed (Steel: 0001, Ceramic: 0002, Chrome Carbide: 0003,

Tungsten Carbide: 0004, Stainless Steel: 0005, and Other: 0006).

27-31 This field has the gage block material thermal coefficient, in parts per million.

33-37

This field has the gage block material elastic constant, in 10 foot-pounds per -8

inch squared.

The elastic deformation constants are in foot-pounds per inch squared. To

derive the compression constants, use the following formula:

Vc ( 1 10 ) = ( 1 - F ) / ( B E ) . .

8 2

where F is Poisson's ratio and E is the Young's modulus, in foot-pounds/inch ,

2

of the material of the object. Poisson's ratio is

F = ( E / ( 2 . G ) ) - 1

where E is the complete elliptic integral of second class with modulus e and G,

in foot-pounds/inch , is the modulus of rigidity of the material of the object. 2

Do not confuse this integral with E, the Young's modulus. Modulus e is the

eccentricity of the ellipse of contact and, by definition, is

e = ( 1 - b / a ) 2 2 1/2

where the quantities a and b are parameters for the materials of the object and

the comparator probe, respectively. These quantities are generally unknown

and are determined from tables furnished in “Elastic Compression of Spheres

and Cylinders at Point and Line Contacts” by Puttock and Thwaite (National

Standards Laboratory Technical Paper No. 25, Commonwealth Scientific and

Industrial Research Organization, Australia, 1969) [33].

79-80

This field has the testing method code (Exempt: 0 , Interferometry: 1, 3-2

Design: 2, 3-4 Design: 3, 3-6 Design: 4, 4-4 Design: 5, 4-6 Design: 6, 5-4

Design: 7, 6-4 Design: 8, 7-4 Design: 9, 8-4 Design: 10, 9-4 Design: 11, 10-4

Design: 12, 11-4 Design: 13, ABCA Design: 14, 4-1 Design: 15).
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 181

Table 6.10-4 Listing of a Sample Working Setup Document File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0001:

0002:

0003:

0004:

0005:

0006:

0007:

0008:

 5.000000 3456 1 0001 11.50 0.955 73 64.5 19980615ATR03

 6.000000 B546 1 0001 11.50 0.955 241 73.2 19980615ATR03

 7.000000 43 1 0001 11.50 0.955 -354 75.9 19980615ATR03

 8.000000 444 1 0001 11.50 0.955 -4 76.4 19980615ATR03

 10.000000 MBZ3 1 0001 11.50 0.955 359 85.7 19980615ATR03

 12.000000 9912 1 0001 11.50 0.955 32 88.4 19980615ATR03

 16.000000 FFG887 1 0001 11.50 0.955 -152 95.4 19980615ATR03

 20.000000 0132 1 0001 11.50 0.955 172 101.3 19980615ATR03

Table 6.10-5 Listing of a Sample Archived Setup Document

File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0001:

0002:

0003:

0004:

0005:

0006:

0007:

0008:

 5.000000 3456 1 0001 11.50 0.955 03

 6.000000 B546 1 0001 11.50 0.955 03

 7.000000 43 1 0001 11.50 0.955 03

 8.000000 444 1 0001 11.50 0.955 03

 10.000000 MBZ3 1 0001 11.50 0.955 03

 12.000000 9912 1 0001 11.50 0.955 03

 16.000000 FFG887 1 0001 11.50 0.955 03

 20.000000 0132 1 0001 11.50 0.955 03

6.11 The Spectrum Program

The calibration and measurement of gage blocks at NIST depends on interferometry,

which the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, uses the Spectrum program

to analyze interferometric measurements from the gage block interferometers and to print the

results and the Setup program is then used to record the results. Through interferometric

measurements of NIST’s master gage blocks, NIST transfers the unit of length defined from the

speed of light to its master gage blocks, which are then used for its mechanical intercomparison
182 Chapter 6

process [1]. The Spectrum program calculates the optical lengths of gage blocks based on

interferometric measurements, which are individual readings, or estimates of fringe fractions,

obtained using single wavelength and multicolor interferometry. When computing optical

lengths of gage blocks, the Spectrum program compensates for both linear thermal expansion

and phase shifts between the reference flat, which the NIST technical staff refers as an optical

flat or platen, and the gage block surfaces.

The use of the Spectrum program is a practical approach to analyzing single wavelength

and multicolor interferometry. When prompted by the Spectrum program, the technical user,

who calibrates and measures gage blocks, enters information about the gage block (e.g., nominal

length, best-known length, identification or serial number, manufacturer, material, phase

correction), the platen (e.g., manufacturer, material, phase correction), the interferometer

correction (e.g., obliquity angle correction), the environmental conditions (e.g., gage block

temperature, air temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity), and the interferometer

wavelengths and respective fringe fractions observed and uncertainties. The fringe fractions

observed are the interferometric measurement readings. For each fringe fraction, the Spectrum

program adds the fringe fraction observed to the whole number of expected fringes the gage

block’s known length contains. The Spectrum program compensates for both linear thermal

expansion and phase shifts between the reference flat, which the NIST technical staff refers as an 

optical flat or platen, and the gage block surfaces. Using the environmental conditions and

corrections, the Spectrum program calculates the actual wavelength for single wavelength

interferometry and wavelengths for multicolor interferometry. Then, using the fringe fractions

observed, the Spectrum program shows feasible lengths of the gage block near its nominal length

where wavelengths agree. Typically, the user accepts as the true gage block length the length at

which wavelengths agree within 0.030 micrometers [32,34-35]. When the gage block

wavelengths’ fringe fractions do not overlap with the Spectrum program’s best fit method, the

user assumes operator error and re-measures the gage block.

The Spectrum program helps the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage

blocks, to compute the optical lengths of gage blocks if the user knows very well the lengths of

gage blocks. When measuring gage blocks interferometrically, the user typically derives the

lengths of gage blocks derived from mechanical measurements and then comparing the relative

lengths of currently measured gage blocks to lengths of one or more transfer standards such as

master gage blocks. To ensure quality assurance, the user compares past and present calibration

and measurement results.

The Spectrum program has a Control Menu with seventeen functions, as Table 6.11-1

shows. The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, uses the Control Menu

functions to do the following:

C Enter gage block information (e.g., nominal length, best-known length, identification or

serial number, the manufacturer, material, phase correction)
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 183

C Enter platen information (e.g., the manufacturer, material, phase correction)

C Enter the interferometer correction (e.g., obliquity angle correction)

C Enter environmental conditions (e.g., gage block and air temperature, atmospheric

pressure, humidity)

C Enter interferometer wavelengths and respective fringe fractions observed and

uncertainties

C Compute the gage block’s feasible lengths near its nominal length where wavelengths

agree and then display and print results

Table 6.11-1 The Spectrum Program’s Control Menu

Functions

Name of Function Function Description

Program Preface . This function displays the Spectrum program’s introductory statement.

Gage Block

Nominal Size . . . .

This function prompts the computer user to enter a master gage block

type (e.g., English, metric), nominal length or size (e.g., inches for

English gage blocks, millimeters for metric gage blocks), and the bestknown length in terms of correction, which is nanometers for both

master gage block types.

Gage Block Best

Known Length . . .

This function prompts the computer user to enter the best-known length

in terms of correction, which is nanometers for both master gage block

types.

Gage Block Serial

Number .........

This function prompts the computer user to enter a gage block’s

identification or serial number.

Gage Block

Manufacturer . . . .

This function prompts the computer user to select a gage block’s

manufacturer.

Gage Block

Material . . . . . . . .

This function prompts the computer user to select a gage block’s

material (e.g., steel, ceramic, chrome carbide, tungsten Carbide,

stainless steel, other) and enter the thermal coefficient of expansion, in

parts per million per Celsius degree.

Gage Block Phase

Correction . . . . . .

This function prompts the computer user to enter a gage block’s phase

correction, in nanometers.

Platen and Phase

Correction . . . . . .

This function prompts the computer user to select a gage block’s

manufacturer and enter a gage block’s phase correction, in nanometers.
184 Chapter 6

Table 6.11-1 The Spectrum Program’s Control Menu

Functions

Name of Function Function Description

Instrument and

Correction . . . . . .

This function prompts the computer user to select a gage block’s

manufacturer and enter a gage block’s obliquity angle correction, in

parts per million.

Gage Block

Temperature . . . . .

This function prompts the computer user to enter a gage block’s

temperature, in degrees Celsius.

Air Temperature . . This function prompts the computer user to enter the air temperature, in

degrees Celsius.

Atmospheric

Pressure . . . . . . . .

This function prompts the computer user to enter the atmospheric

pressure, in millimeters of mercury.

Vapor Pressure . . This function prompts the computer user to enter the humidity, or vapor

pressure, in millimeters of mercury.

Wavelengths . . . . . This function prompts the computer user first to select the laser light

source and the spectrums used to estimate fringe fractions and second to

enter the laser light source’s spectrums’ respective fringe fractions

observed and uncertainties. When using undefined spectrums, the

computer user is prompted to enter the spectrums’ respective names and

wavelengths, in nanometers.

Fringe Fractions

and Errors . . . . . .

This function prompts the computer user to enter the laser light source’s

spectrums’ respective fringe fractions observed and uncertainties.

Compute and

Report ..........

This function computes the gage block’s feasible lengths near its

nominal length where wavelengths agree and then prompts the computer

user about displaying and printing results.

Exit SPECTRUM . This function stops the Spectrum program and loads and runs the

Branch program..

The Spectrum program gets the laser light sources’ menu’s title and the laser light

sources’ respective names and wavelengths, in nanometers, from the DOS ASCII text file, named

Laser.ini. The Laser.ini file resides in the Gage folder, which is the current and customary

program folder for the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System under normal operations. 

As Table 6.11-2 shows, the Laser.ini file contains the laser light sources’ menu’s title and the
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 185

laser light sources’ respective names and wavelengths, in nanometers. The listing of the

Laser.ini file, as Table 6.11-3 shows, has the latest NIST Gage Block Calibration Software

System’s laser light sources’ respective names and wavelengths, in nanometers.

Table 6.11-2 Configuration of the Laser.ini File

Column Field Description

1-40 This field has the laser light sources’ menu title, first row only.

1-16

This field has the name of laser light source.

Exception: Use “Laser Not Used” for the last menu item on last row only.

18-29

This field has the wavelength of laser light source, in nanometers.

Exception: Use “0.00000000” for the last menu item on last row only.

Table 6.11-3 Latest Listing of the Laser.ini File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0001:

0002:

0003:

0004:

0005:

0006:

0007:

0008:

0009:

LASERS

Spectra Physics 632.99096254

Tropel 632.99148600

Coherent 632.99124500

Iodine Stablized 632.99123100

ZEISS HP HeNe 632.99133500

HILGER HP HeNe 632.99136400

1981 LASER CAL. 632.99141700

Laser Not Used 0.00000000

The Spectrum program gets the gage block manufacturers’ menu’s title and the gage

block manufacturers’ respective names and materials’ names and thermal coefficients of

expansion, in parts per million per Celsius degree, from the DOS ASCII text file, named

Manufact.ini. The Manufact.ini file resides in the Gage folder, which is the current and

customary program folder for the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System under normal

operations. As Table 6.11-4 shows, the Manufact.ini file contains the laser light sources’ menu’s
186 Chapter 6

title and the gage block manufacturers’ respective names and materials’ names and thermal

coefficients of expansion, in parts per million per Celsius degree. The listing of the Manufact.ini

file, as Table 6.11-5 shows, has the latest NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System’s gage

block manufacturers’ respective names and materials’ names and thermal coefficients of

expansion, in parts per million per Celsius degree.

Table 6.11-4 Configuration of the Manufact.ini File

Column Field Description

1-80 This field has the gage block manufacturers’ menu title, which is first row only.

1-28

This field has the name of the gage block manufacturer.

Exception: Use “Other Manufacturer” for the last menu item on last row only.

30-48

This field has the name of the gage block manufacturer’s material.

Exception: Use “Other Material” for the last menu item on last row only.

50-55

This field has the thermal coefficient of expansion of the gage block

manufacturer’s material, in parts per million per Celsius degree.

Exception: Use “0.000” for the last menu item on last row only.

57-61

This field has the units label; use “ppm/c” for units of thermal coefficient of

expansion of the gage block manufacturer’s material, which is parts per million

per Celsius degree.

18-29

This field has the phase correction of the gage block manufacturer’s material, in

nanometers.

Exception: Use “0.00000000” for the last menu item on last row only.

71-72 This field has the units label; use “nm” for units of phase correction of the gage

block manufacturer’s material, which is nanometers.

Table 6.11-5 Latest Listing of the Manufact.ini File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 187

0001:

0002:

0003:

0004:

0005:

0006:

0007:

0008:

0009:

0010:

0011:

0012:

0013:

0014:

0015:

0016:

0017:

0018:

0019:

0020:

0021:

0022:

GAGE BLOCK MANUFACTURERS AND MATERIALS

Brown and Sharpe Steel 11.500 ppm/C 50.80 nm

Carl Zeiss Steel 11.500 ppm/C 48.30 nm

Cary Steel 11.500 ppm/C 36.00 nm

CEJohansson Steel 11.500 ppm/C 50.80 nm

Doall Steel 11.500 ppm/C 28.90 nm

Ellstrom Steel 11.500 ppm/C 58.40 nm

Fonda Gage Steel 11.500 ppm/C 63.50 nm

Hommell Steel 11.500 ppm/C 43.20 nm

Jansson Tungsten Carbide 4.600 ppm/C 17.70 nm

Kuroda Steel 11.500 ppm/C 33.00 nm

Matrix Steel 11.500 ppm/C 30.50 nm

Opus Tungsten Carbide 4.600 ppm/C 10.40 nm

Pratt and Whitney Steel 11.500 ppm/C 50.80 nm

Select Tungsten Carbide 4.600 ppm/C 13.30 nm

Mitutoyo Steel 11.500 ppm/C 28.90 nm

Mitutoyo Ceramic 9.250 ppm/C 16.50 nm

Van Keuren Steel 11.500 ppm/C 58.40 nm

Webber Steel 11.500 ppm/C 58.70 nm

Webber Ceramic 9.250 ppm/C 17.80 nm

Webber Chrome Carbide 8.400 ppm/C 32.00 nm

Other Manufacturer Other Material 0.000 ppm/C 0.00 nm

The Spectrum program gets the platens’ menu’s title and the platens’ respective names

and phase corrections, in nanometers, from the DOS ASCII text file, named Platen.ini. The

Platen.ini file resides in the Gage folder, which is the current and customary program folder for

the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System under normal operations. As Table 6.11-6

shows, the Platen.ini file contains the platens’ menu’s title and the platens’ respective names and

phase corrections, in nanometers. The listing of the Platen.ini file, as Table 6.11-7 shows, has

the latest NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System’s platens’ respective names and

corrections, in nanometers.

Table 6.11-6 Configuration of the Platen.ini File

Column Field Description

1-40 This field has the name of platens menu title, first row only.

1-16

This field has the name of platen.

Exception: Use “Other” for the last menu item on last row only.
188 Chapter 6

Table 6.11-6 Configuration of the Platen.ini File

Column Field Description

18-21

This field has the phase correction of platen, in nanometers.

Exception: Use “0.0” for the last menu item on last row only.

Table 6.11-7 Latest Listing of the Platen.ini File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0001:

0002:

0003:

0004:

0005:

0006:

0007:

0008:

0009:

0010:

0011:

0012:

PLATENS

Hilger 4 30.5

Hilger 6 19.7

Hilger 7 25.8

Hilger 19 20.8

Hilger 23 21.6

Hilger 25 21.6

Z1 43.2

Z2 55.9

Quartz 1 0.0

Quartz 2 0.0

Other 0.0

The Spectrum program gets the spectrum lines’ menu’s spectrum lines’ respective names

and wavelengths, in nanometers, from the DOS ASCII text file, named Spectrum.ini. The

Spectrum.ini file resides in the Gage folder, which is the current and customary program folder

for the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System under normal operations. As Table 6.11-

8 shows, the Spectrum.ini file contains the spectrum lines’ respective names and wavelengths, in

nanometers. The listing of the Spectrum.ini file, as Table 6.11-9 shows, has the latest NIST

Gage Block Calibration Software System’s spectrum lines’ respective names and wavelengths,

in nanometers.
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 189

Table 6.11-8 Configuration of the Spectrum.ini File

Column Field Description

1-16 This field has the name of spectrum line.

18-29 This field has the wavelength of spectrum line, in nanometers.

Table 6.11-9 Latest Listing of the Spectrum.ini File

Row:

Column: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80



1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012

0001:

0002:

0003:

0004:

0005:

Cadmium Red 644.02491150

Cadmium Green 508.72378400

Cadmium Blue 480.12520700

Cadmium Violet 467.94587600

Krypton Orange 605.78021000

The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, uses the Edit program to

change the information in the Spectrum program’s four configuration files, which are Laser.ini,

Manufact.ini, Platen.ini, and Spectrum.ini. The user stores the working copies of these files in

the Gage folder and backs up these files on labeled floppy diskettes. When these working files

are corrupted or lost, the user restores the information from the backed up files, which eliminates

re-entering all the information.

6.12 The Gage_lib Software Program Library

The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System’s calibration and measurement

software programs use software routines, which are functions, from the Gage_lib software

program library. The Gage_lib software program library, as Table 6.12-1 shows, contains three

routines.
190 Chapter 6

Table 6.12-1 The Gage_lib Software Program Library

Name of Routine Software Routine Description

FNObserve$

This function displays a single-page menu with labeled fields for

complete measurement sets and prompts the computer user to enter data

in valid fields. Layout parameters and detail features for display of

record, data input and image parameters, field labels, and any starting or

default values are precisely defined by values passed through the

argument list. This function is so designed to allow the computer user

to select any valid item by using a pointing device or arrow key to move

the selection cursor to the item wanted. The computer user may choose

to enter data in field by pressing the continue or enter key. This

function does return the current position of the string-array pointer and

the last keystroke responsible for returning control to the calling

program. The Pause key can suspend program execution and the Stop

key can stop the program. Screen height and width help determine

number of items that can be displayed on the screen.

FNPcwrkst

This function has procedures that are specifiable by the calling program. 

These procedures will create, initialize, read, store, and verify the probe

initialization file, initialize global program variables, and prompts the

computer user to select the calibration baseline, the calibration method,

the measurement method, and the probe calibration.

FNVolt$

This function gets numeric information from the specified IEEE-488

device. This function is specifically designed to provide support to the

Hewlett-Packard Model HP3478A and Model HP34401A digital

multimeters. When the input and output (I/O) path is satisfactorily

assigned to the device, all specified numeric values are accepted as

input from the assigned I/O path, and a mean of these values is

computed and assigned to a variable passed in the parameters list and an

expected event-initiated statement is returned to the calling program that

signify a successful measurement; otherwise, other assigned branch

statements may be returned. When numeric values are not accepted as

input from the assigned I/O path within the non-zero allotted time

specified by way of the time passed through a variable in the parameter

list, this function automatically interrupts measurements when

measurements are not taken within specified allotted time and a branch

statement signifying the function has aborted is returned to the calling

program and control is returned to the calling program.
The Calibration and Measurement Software Programs 191
192 Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Using the NIST Gage Block Calibration

Software System

This chapter provides general instruction about using the NIST Gage Block

Calibration Software System as a complete calibration system with custom integrated

software to calibrate and measure gage blocks, which are length standards having

standard features for accuracy, flatness, parallelism, dimensional stability, and excellent

surface finish for exceptional wringing characteristics. The gage blocks have nominal

lengths defined in the metric system, using millimeters, and in the English system, using

the inch that equals 25.4 millimeters. In keeping with the NIST policy of the International

System of Units (SI) for reporting length in this manual [16], the nominal lengths of gage

blocks identify each by name or size. The gage blocks have flat and parallel opposing

surfaces that are rectangular, square (Hoke), and circularly cross-sectional shaped. The

American standards for gage blocks, which include the U.S. Federal Specification

GGG-G-15C, the American National Standard ANSI/ASME B89.1.9M, and the U.S.

Department of Defense Military Standard MIL-STD 45662A, gives suggested dimensions

and tolerances for rectangular, square (Hoke), and circular cross-sectional shaped gage

blocks [17-19]. It generalizes the methodical use of the NIST Gage Block Calibration

Software System’s software programs for configuring system resources, creating and

maintaining measurement history and related information and statistical process control

of NIST’s and its gage block customers’ gage blocks, and measuring gage blocks using

interferometric and mechanical intercomparison techniques.

7.1 Introduction to Using the NIST Gage Block Calibration

Software System

The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, uses the NIST Gage Block

Calibration Software System as a complete calibration system with custom integrated software

to calibrate and measure gage blocks, which the NIST technical staff refers as master gage

blocks, as individual blocks or sets, both English and metric. In the sections ahead is an

accounting of methodically using the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System’s software
Using the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System 193

programs for configuring system resources, creating and maintaining measurement history and

related information and statistical process control of gage blocks belonging to NIST and its gage

block customers, and measuring gage blocks using interferometric and mechanical

intercomparison techniques.

7.2 Starting the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software

System

The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System starts, in a full screen under

Microsoft Windows 95, when the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, does

any of the following:

C Click the icon identified “NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System”on the

Microsoft Windows 95 desktop

C Click the Start button on the Microsoft Windows 95 desktop taskbar, point to Programs,

and click the program identified “NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System”

When the user starts the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System, the current folder

changes to the Gage folder and TransEra High Tech Basic (HTBasic) Language System DOS

Version 4.3 or higher starts. TransEra HTBasic Language System DOS Version 4.3 or higher

looks for the Autost program, which resides in the Gage folder and contains command line

switches to affect the behavior of TransEra HTBasic Language System DOS Version 4.3 or

higher by configuring the running environment and loading device drivers. The last command

line in the Autost program loads the Branch program, which resides in the Htbutil folder.

An alternative to starting the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System, in a full

screen under Microsoft Windows 95, is starting the system under Microsoft DOS Version 5.0 or

higher. To start the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System under Microsoft DOS

Version 5.0 or higher, the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, places, as the

last commands in the Autoexec.bat file, the commands for changing the current folder to the

Gage folder and starting the programming environment of TransEra HTBasic Language System

DOS Version 4.3 or higher.

7.3 Running the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software

System

The Branch program displays continuously the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software

System’s accessory software programs and calibration and measurement software programs on
194 Chapter 7

the computer monitor among which the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks,

can select. When the user selects a program from the menu, the Branch program automatically

loads and executes the program selected. When the user does not use the keyboard and mouse

for 30 seconds, the Branch program starts the built-in screen saver that resembles twinkling stars

in the midnight sky. To refresh the menu of programs’ names and descriptions, the user presses

any key on the keyboard or the mouse.

7.4 Configuring of the NIST Gage Block Calibration

Software System

The Config program displays and sets the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software

System’s file folder and peripheral device properties, which the technical user, who calibrates

and measures gage blocks, uses the Config program’s functions to edit. When running the NIST

Gage Block Calibration Software System under normal conditions, the storage device and

folders are the following:

C Accessory Software Program Folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C:\Htbutil Folder

C Calibration and Measurement Software Program Folder . . . C:\Gage Folder

C Working Storage Device and Folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C:/Gage/Work Folder

The normal interface select codes for the computer system’s peripheral devices are the following:

C Monitor ........................................ “1”

C Serial Printer .................................... “9”

C Parallel Printer ................................... “10”

C Plotter .......................................... “705”

When the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, selects “Okay,” the Config

program tests the system configuration, stores file folder and peripheral device properties to the

configuration file, named Config.cfg, in the current program folder, which is normally the

C:\Gage folder, and loads and runs the Branch program.

7.5 Knowing the Basics About Calibrating Gage Blocks

The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, understands gage blocks are

length standards having standard features for accuracy, flatness, parallelism, dimensional

stability, and excellent surface finish for exceptional wringing characteristics. The gage blocks

have nominal lengths defined in the metric system, using millimeters, and in the English system,
Using the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System 195

using the inch that equals 25.4 millimeters. In keeping with the NIST policy of the International

System of Units (SI) for reporting length in this manual [16], the nominal lengths of gage blocks

identify each by name or size. The gage blocks have flat and parallel opposing surfaces that are

rectangular, square (Hoke), and circularly cross-sectional shaped. The American standards for

gage blocks, which include the U.S. Federal Specification GGG-G-15C, the American National

Standard ANSI/ASME B89.1.9M, and the U.S. Department of Defense Military Standard

MIL-STD 45662A, gives suggested dimensions and tolerances for rectangular, square (Hoke),

and circular cross-sectional shaped gage blocks [17-19].

The definition of gage block length is the perpendicular distance from a gaging point on

one end of the block to an auxiliary true plane wrung to the other end of the gage block. To

define the lengths of gage blocks belonging to NIST and its gage block customers, the technical

user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, uses the following standard reference conditions:

C Temperature ......................... 20 degrees Celsius

C Barometric pressure ................... 101,325 pascal (1 atmosphere)

C Humidity or water vapor pressure . . . . . . . . 1,333 pascal (10 millimeter of mercury)

C Carbon dioxide content of air . . . . . . . . . . . 0.03 percent

Among these environmental conditions, temperature affects the physical length of gage blocks

greatly. Since the primary measurement of gage block length is the comparison with the

wavelength of light, we need all these environmental conditions. Although the frequency of light

for standard light is constant, its wavelength depends on temperature, barometric pressure,

humidity, and carbon dioxide content of air [1,8].

Using the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System’s Spectrum program, the

technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, calibrates and measures gage blocks,

which belong to NIST and its gage block customers, by interferometry according to the definition

of gage block length. Every NIST master gage block carries a wringing layer with it, and this

wringing layer the user transfers to every gage block they calibrate at NIST by mechanical

intercomparison [1].

The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, uses the NIST Gage Block

Calibration Software System’s Gage program to find the mechanical lengths of gage blocks by

mechanical intercomparison of gage blocks. This technique compares gage blocks to other gage

blocks having known lengths determined by interferometry. The mechanical intercomparisons

are measurements that use two designated points, one on each end of the gage blocks. Besides
196 Chapter 7

temperature, deformation effects can greatly bias every mechanical measurement, which affects

the physical length of gage blocks. Hosting deformation biases are the following:
Using the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System 197

C Effects of NIST’s electro-mechanical gage block comparators’ scale magnification and

variable measuring forces and measuring probe tip geometry

C Gage blocks the user calibrates and measures each have different materials and contact

elastic corrections

Before the user uses the Gage program to calibrate and measure NIST’s gage block calibration

customers’ gage blocks, the user records probe calibration results using one of the Probe

program’s two calibration procedures and NIST’s two or three sets of step master gage blocks. 

The Gage program, which the user uses to calibrate and measure NIST’s gage block calibration

customers’ gage blocks, uses the recorded probe calibration results to automatically compensate

measurements for effects of NIST’s electro-mechanical gage block comparators’ scale

magnification and variable measuring forces and measuring probe tip geometry and the different

materials and contact elastic corrections [1,33].

7.6 Knowing about NIST’s Measurement Assurance

Program

The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System implements NIST’s gage block

measurement assurance program. The first part of NIST’s gage block measurement assurance

program is the continuous calibration and measurement of NIST’s master gage blocks by

interferometry under process control. The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage

blocks, together through using the Spectrum, Edit, and Intmap programs, analyzes and records

NIST’s master gage block interferometric measurement results from the gage block

interferometers and NIST’s master gage block interferometric calibration history. After

accumulating NIST’s master gage block interferometric measurement results, the user plots

control charts to individually check the variability of NIST’s master gage blocks’ interferometric

calibration history. When the user use NIST’s master gage blocks to calibrate and measure

NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks by mechanical intercomparison, NIST

Reports’ of Calibration report, for every calibration and measurement, the interferometric

measurement uncertainty combined in quadrature with the mechanical intercomparison

uncertainty. The second part of NIST’s gage block measurement assurance program the user

accomplishes, together through running the Gage program in Gage mode, to calibrate and

measure NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks by mechanical intercomparison

and using the Mecmap program to analyze NIST’s gage block mechanical intercomparison

calibration history. Providing process control parameters for the mechanical intercomparison

process and estimating measurement process variability is NIST’s gage block mechanical

intercomparison calibration history, which records the measured differences between the NIST’s

two master gage blocks used in every calibration and measurement and the derived standard

deviations of every calibration and measurement. As the third part of NIST’s gage block
198 Chapter 7

measurement assurance program, the user uses the History program to authenticate past and

present calibration and measurement results.

7.7 Calibrating NIST’s Master Gage Blocks Using

Interferometry

The calibration and measurement of gage blocks at NIST depends on interferometry,

which the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, uses the Spectrum program

to analyze interferometric measurements from the gage block interferometers and to print the

interferometric measurement results. The user calls interferometric measurement results NIST’s

master gage block interferometric history. The Spectrum program calculates the optical lengths

of gage blocks based on interferometric measurements, which are individual readings, or

estimates of fringe fractions, obtained using single wavelength and multicolor interferometry,

compensating for both linear thermal expansion and phase shifts between the reference flat,

which the NIST technical staff refers as an optical flat or platen, and the gage block surfaces. 

Through interferometric measurements of NIST’s master gage blocks, NIST transfers the unit of

length defined from the speed of light to its master gage blocks, which are then used for its

mechanical intercomparison process [1,8]. To archive NIST’s master gage block interferometric

calibration history, the user uses the Edit program to record interferometric measurement results

to Intmap Document Files.

7.8 Archiving NIST’s Master Gage Blocks’ Interferometric

History

The archiving of NIST’s master gage block interferometric calibration history has the

technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, using the Edit program to record

interferometric measurement results to Intmap Document Files. The Intmap Document Files

organize into groups NIST’s master gage blocks’ interferometric calibration history gage blocks

with common physical length characteristics, which improves the significance of the statistical

analyses when using the Intmap program. The Intmap Document Files organize into groups

NIST’s master gage blocks’ interferometric calibration history in the following way:

C GROUP 01 English Thins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sizes: 0.010 to 0.09375 Inches

C GROUP 02 English Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . Sizes: 0.100 to 0.107 Inches

C GROUP 03 English Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . Sizes: 0.108 to 0.126 Inches

C GROUP 04 English Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . Sizes: 0.127 to 0.146 Inches

C GROUP 05 English Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . Sizes: 0.147 to 0.500 Inches
Using the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System 199

C GROUP 06 English Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . Sizes: 0.550 to 4.000 Inches

C GROUP 07 English Long Blocks . . . . . . . . Sizes: 5.0 to 20.0 Inches

C GROUP 08 English 010 Series Thins . . . . . Sizes: 0.01005 to 0.019 Inches

C GROUP 09 English 020 Series Thins . . . . . Sizes: 0.02005 to 0.029 Inches

C GROUP 10 English 050 Series Thins . . . . . Sizes: 0.05005 to 0.059 Inches

C GROUP 11 English Step Gage Block . . . . . Sizes: 0.100 to 0.1001 Inches

C GROUP 13 Metric Thins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sizes: 0.10 to 0.95 Millimeters

C GROUP 14 Metric Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . . Sizes: 1.00 to 1.09 Millimeters

C GROUP 15 Metric Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . . Sizes: 1.10 to 1.29 Millimeters

C GROUP 16 Metric Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . . Sizes: 1.30 to 1.49 Millimeters

C GROUP 17 Metric Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . . Sizes: 1.50 to 2.09 Millimeters

C GROUP 18 Metric Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . . Sizes: 2.10 to 2.29 Millimeters

C GROUP 19 Metric Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . . Sizes: 2.30 to 2.49 Millimeters

C GROUP 20 Metric Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . . Sizes: 2.50 to 10.0 Millimeters

C GROUP 21 Metric Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . . Sizes: 10.5 to 20.0 Millimeters

C GROUP 22 Metric Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . . Sizes: 20.5 to 50 Millimeters

C GROUP 23 Metric Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . . Sizes: 60 to 100 Millimeters

C GROUP 24 Metric Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . . Sizes: 125 to 500 Millimeters

The user enters the following information about NIST’s master gage blocks into Intmap

Document Files:

C Nominal sizes

C Identification or serial numbers

C Materials

C Test dates

C Interferometrically-derived nominal deviations, in nanometers

C Documentation and remarks

The user stores working Intmap Document Files in the working file storage device and folder,

which is C:\Gage\Intmaps, and backs up these files on labeled floppy diskettes.
200 Chapter 7

7.9 Analyzing NIST’s Master Gage Blocks’ Interferometric

History

The use of the Intmap program to analyze NIST’s master gage block interferometric

calibration history is the first of the three parts of NIST’s gage block measurement assurance

program. The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, together through using

the Spectrum, Edit, and Intmap programs, analyzes and records NIST’s master gage block

interferometric measurement results from the gage block interferometers and NIST’s master gage

block interferometric calibration history. After accumulating and recording NIST’s master gage

block interferometric measurement results into Intmap Document Files, the user uses the Intmap

program to generate anew reports about NIST’s master gage block interferometric calibration

history and plots control charts to individually check the variability of NIST’s master gage

blocks’ interferometric history. After running the Intmap program to analyze NIST’s master

gage block interferometric calibration history, the user uses the Master program to record the

interferometric history results, which the user calls master information. The Intmap program

simplifies efforts by the user to manage and statistically analyze NIST’s master gage block

interferometric calibration history, which the user routinely monitors to improve complete

measurement confidence.

7.10 Setting Up and Managing NIST’s Master Gage Blocks’

Master Files

As part of the process of starting any NIST’s gage block calibration customers’

calibrations, the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, uses the Master

program to record current information about NIST’s master gage blocks, which the user calls

master information, to Master Document Files. The Master Document Files organize into two

groups NIST’s master gage blocks’ interferometric calibration and mechanical intercomparison

control history in the following way:

C English Gage Blocks .................. Sizes: 0.01 to 20 Inches

C Metric Gage Blocks ................... Sizes: 0.1 to 500 Millimeters

The user enters the following information about NIST’s master gage blocks into Master

Document Files:

C Nominal sizes

C Identification or serial numbers

C Material codes
Using the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System 201

C Interferometrically-derived nominal deviations and standard deviations, in nanometers

C Mechanical intercomparison controls, within standard deviations, and total standard

deviations, in nanometers

The user stores working Master Document Files in the working file storage device and folder,

which is C:\Gage\Masters, and backs up these files on labeled floppy diskettes.

The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, uses the Intmap program to

find the interferometrically-derived nominal deviations and standard deviations. First, to

calibrate and measure NIST’s master gage blocks by interferometry, the user uses the Spectrum

program to analyze interferometric measurements from the gage block interferometers and to

print the interferometric measurement results. Second, the user uses the Intmap program to

analyze NIST’s master gage blocks’ interferometric calibration history and print the

interferometric calibration history results. Third, the user uses the Master program to record the

interferometric calibration history results to the Master Document Files.

The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, has one or two approaches

to finding for NIST’s master gage blocks’ the master gage blocks’ mechanical intercomparison

controls, the master gage blocks’ mechanical intercomparison within standard deviations, and the

master gage blocks’ mechanical intercomparison total standard deviations. For newly

introducing master gage blocks or replacing NIST’s master gage blocks, the only approach for

finding NIST’s master gage blocks’ mechanical intercomparison controls, the master gage

blocks’ mechanical intercomparison within standard deviations, and the master gage blocks’

mechanical intercomparison total standard deviations are the user uses NIST’s electromechanical gage block comparators to measure every master gage block, which is being newlyintroduced or replacement, and then to estimate the mechanical intercomparison controls, within

standard deviations, and total standard deviations, which typically the user bases on a minimum

of ten measurements each master gage block. The user records the estimated mechanical

intercomparison controls, within standard deviations, and total standard deviations for NIST’s

master gage blocks to the Master Document Files. For NIST’s master gage blocks used

successfully to calibrate and measure NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks by

mechanical intercomparison for a minimum of one year and for ten different calibrations, the

user uses the Mecmap program, which uses the recorded mechanical intercomparison control

history for all NIST’s gage block mechanical intercomparison calibrations and measurements, to

compute NIST’s master gage blocks’ mechanical intercomparison controls, the master gage

blocks’ mechanical intercomparison within standard deviations, and the master gage blocks’

mechanical intercomparison total standard deviations, and records the results to the Master

Document Files.
202 Chapter 7

7.11 Setting Up and Using NIST’s Gage Block Customers’

Folder and Setup Files for Calibrating NIST’s Gage

Block Customers’ Gage Blocks

Before starting every NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ calibrations, the technical

user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, uses the Folder program to record customers’

names and addresses, which the user calls folder information, to Folder Document Files and the

Setup program to record customers’ gage blocks’ sizes, identification or serial numbers, and

calibration and measurement information, which the user calls setup information, to Setup

Document Files. This folder information has the following information about NIST’s gage block

customers’ gage block calibrations:

C NIST test folder number

C Description of gage blocks calibrated and measured

C Primary identification or serial number of the gage block set

C Name and address, which includes their division or post office box number, street

address, city, state, and U.S. Postal Service ZIP Code+4 within the United States and its

territories

C Purchase order number

C Internal or group control number

C Date of the NIST Report of Calibration

This setup information has the following information about NIST’s gage block customers’ gage

blocks:

C Testing status

C Nominal sizes

C Identification or serial numbers

C Master type

C Material codes

C Thermal coefficients of expansion, in parts per million

C Observed nominal deviations and uncertainties, in nanometers

C Testing dates

C Observers’ initials

C Testing method codes
Using the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System 203

The user stores working Folder Document Files in the working file storage device and folder,

which is C:\Gage\Work, and archived Folder Document Files in the Historys storage device and

folder, which is C:\Gage\Historys, and on labeled floppy diskettes. The user stores all working

Setup Document Files in the working file storage device and folder, which is C:\Gage\Work, and

the archived Setup Document Files in the Historys storage device and folder, which is

C:\Gage\Historys, and on labeled floppy diskettes. When NIST’s gage block calibration

customers return gage block sets for calibrations, the user retrieves archived Folder Document

Files and Setup Document Files. This eliminates the user having to re-enter all folder

information and setup information and it provides information about gage blocks previously

calibrated and measured, which helps with spotting new and missing folder information, setup

information, and gage blocks.

When calibrating gage blocks for NIST’s gage block customers, the technical user, who

calibrates and measures gage blocks, together setup and use Folder Document Files and Setup

Document Files. To calibrate and measure gage blocks by interferometry, the user uses the

Spectrum program to analyze interferometric measurements from the gage block interferometers

and to print the results and the Setup program is then used to record the results. To calibrate and

measure gage blocks by mechanical intercomparison, the user uses the Gage program to analyze

measurements from the electro-mechanical gage block comparators, print the results, and record

the results to the Setup Document Files. To create NIST Reports’ of Calibration, the user runs

the Report program, which uses the folder information from the Folder Document Files and the

stored gage block calibration and measurement results from the Setup and Gage programs. 

7.12 Calibrating NIST’s Gage Block Customers’ Gage Blocks

Using Interferometry

To calibrate and measure gage blocks by interferometry, the technical user, who calibrates

and measures gage blocks, uses the Spectrum program to analyze interferometric measurements

from the gage block interferometers and to print the results and the Setup program is then used to

record the results. For every interferometric gage block calibration, the Spectrum program

prompts the user to enter the following information:

C Gage block (e.g., nominal length, best-known length, identification or serial number,

manufacturer, material, phase correction)

C Platen (e.g., manufacturer, material, phase correction)

C Interferometer correction (e.g., obliquity angle correction)

C Environmental conditions (e.g., gage block temperature, air temperature, atmospheric

pressure, humidity)

C Interferometers’ wavelengths and the respective fringe fractions observed and
204 Chapter 7

uncertainties

The Spectrum program uses the information that the technical user, who calibrates and

measures gage blocks, entered about the gage block, the platen, the interferometer correction, the

environmental conditions, and the interferometers’ wavelengths and the respective fringe

fractions observed and uncertainties to calculate the optical lengths of gage blocks based on

interferometric measurements, which are individual readings, or estimates of fringe fractions,

obtained using single wavelength and multicolor interferometry. When measuring gage blocks

interferometrically, the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, typically derives

the lengths of gage blocks derived from mechanical measurements and then comparing the

relative lengths of currently measured gage blocks to lengths of one or more transfer standards

such as master gage blocks. When computing optical lengths of gage blocks, the Spectrum

program compensates for both linear thermal expansion and phase shifts between the reference

flat, which the NIST technical staff refers as an optical flat or platen, and the gage block

surfaces. Then, using the fringe fractions observed, the Spectrum program shows feasible

lengths of the gage block near its nominal length where wavelengths agree. Typically, the user

accepts as the true gage block length the length at which wavelengths agree within 0.030

micrometers [32,34-35]. When the gage block wavelengths’ fringe fractions do not overlap with

the Spectrum program’s best fit method, the user assumes operator error and re-measures the

gage block. To ensure quality assurance, the user compares past and present calibration and

measurement results.

7.13 Calibrating NIST’s Gage Block Comparators

Before calibrating and measuring every NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage

blocks by mechanical intercomparison, the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage

blocks, calibrates NIST’s electro-mechanical gage block comparators, using the Probe program

to measure NIST’s two or three eleven-piece sets of gage blocks, which the NIST technical staff

refers as step master gage blocks, analyze the measurements, and print, plot, and record the

measurements and probe calibration results that the Gage program uses to help the user better

calibrate and measure NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks. The three elevenpiece sets of gage blocks, which the NIST technical staff refers as step master gage blocks, each

consists of a selection of rectangular gage blocks having nominal gage block sizes from 0.1

through 0.1001 inches, in increments of 0.00001 inches, one each of steel, chrome carbide, and

tungsten carbide gage blocks. When the user uses the Gage program to calibrate and measure

NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks, the Gage program uses the probe

calibration results the Probe program records to automatically compensate measurements for

effects of NIST’s electro-mechanical gage block comparators’ scale magnification and variable

measuring forces and measuring probe tip geometry. The Probe program records the

measurements and probe calibration results of NIST’s electro-mechanical gage block
Using the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System 205

comparators’ calibrations to Probe Document Files, which are DOS ASCII text files.

The NIST technical staff, in 1996, decidedly changed the equipment and procedure that

the user uses to calibrate NIST’s electro-mechanical gage block comparators. The three elevenpiece sets of gage blocks, which the NIST technical staff refers as step master gage blocks, each

consisting of a selection of rectangular gage blocks having nominal gage block sizes from 0.1

through 0.1001 inches, in increments of 0.00001 inches, one each of steel, chrome carbide, and

tungsten carbide gage blocks replaces the single eleven-piece set of steel gage blocks, which the

NIST technical staff also referred as step master gage blocks, consisting of a selection of

rectangular gage blocks having nominal gage block sizes from 0.2 through 0.2001 inches, in

increments of 0.00001 inches. This selection of rectangular gage blocks, having nominal gage

block sizes from 0.1 through 0.1001 inches instead of from 0.2 through 0.2001 inches, offers the

following advantages or improvements:

C Reduced thermal effects on calibration and measurement results

C Reduced costs (e.g., rectangular gage blocks having nominal gage block sizes from 0.2

through 0.2001 inches, in increments of 0.00001 inches, are more affordable)

C Improved availability (e.g., rectangular gage blocks having nominal gage block sizes from

0.2 through 0.2001 inches, in increments of 0.00001 inches, are available for these

commonly used materials: steel, chrome carbide, and tungsten carbide)

These three eleven-piece sets of rectangular gage blocks having nominal gage block sizes from

0.1 through 0.1001 inches, in increments of 0.00001 inches, one each of steel, chrome carbide,

and tungsten carbide gage blocks instead of a single eleven-piece set of steel rectangular gage

blocks offer the advantage and improvement of directly measuring the actual penetration due to

variable measuring forces and measuring probe tip geometry, which the Gage program uses to

help the user better calibrate and measure NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks.

7.14 Calibrating NIST’s Gage Block Customers’ Gage Blocks

Using Mechanical Intercomparison

To calibrate and measure gage blocks by mechanical intercomparison, as Figure 7.14-1

shows, the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, uses the Gage program to

analyze measurements from the electro-mechanical gage block comparators, print the results, and

record the results to the Setup Document Files. The Gage program has two testing modes, the

Gage mode to calibrate and measure NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks and

the Test mode to test the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System and train personnel. 

To calibrate and measure NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks, the user first

uses the Setup program to record the setup information in Setup Document Files, which are DOS
206 Chapter 7

ASCII text files. To calibrate and measure gage blocks by mechanical intercomparison, the user

uses the Gage program in Gage mode to analyze measurements from the electro-mechanical gage

block comparators, print the results, and record the results to the Setup Document Files. As part

of the process to ensure quality assurance, the Gage program estimates short-term and long-term

measurement process variability by measuring and recording the differences in length of the two

master gage blocks used for every NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage blocks

calibrated and measured by mechanical intercomparison and comparing past and present

calibration and measurement results.

7.15 Analyzing NIST’s Gage Block Customers’ Gage Blocks’

Calibration History

As part of the process to ensure quality assurance, the technical user, who calibrates and

measures gage blocks, uses the History program to authenticate past and present calibration and

measurement results, which occasionally requisite retests. Once authenticated, the user then

merges and records the present calibration and measurement results to the History Document

Files and creates NIST Reports’ of Calibration. To create NIST Reports’ of Calibration, the user

runs the Report program, which uses the folder information from the Folder Document Files and

the stored gage block calibration and measurement results from the Setup and Gage programs.

The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, uses the History program to

manage and statistically analyze NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage block calibration

history. To reduce risks of reporting inaccurate measurements and improve complete

measurement confidence, the History program helps the user to routinely monitor the following:

C NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage block calibration history

C Individual gage blocks’ history in NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage block

calibration history

C Offsets of individual gage blocks’ history, which are between the latest and all previous

calibrations and measurements, in NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage block

calibration history

C Gage block sets’ offset, which is between averages of the latest and all previous

calibrations and measurements, in NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ gage block

calibration history
Using the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System 207

Figure 7.14-1 Calibration and Measurement of Gage Blocks

by Mechanical Intercomparison in Progress
208 Chapter 7

7.16 Issuing NIST Reports’ of Calibration for NIST’s Gage

Block Customers’ Gage Block Calibrations

The issuing of NIST Reports’ of Calibration to NIST’s gage block calibration customers’

completes every gage block calibration. To create NIST Reports’ of Calibration, the technical

user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, runs the Report program, which uses the folder

information from the Folder Document Files and the stored gage block calibration and

measurement results from the Setup and Gage programs. The user uses the Report program to

open, create, print, and store NIST’s gage block calibration customers’ NIST Reports’ of

Calibration.

7.17 Archiving NIST’s Gage Block Mechanical

Intercomparison Control History

The archiving of NIST’s master gage blocks’ mechanical intercomparison control history

has the technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, using the Mecmap program’s

Mapsort function to assemble Mecmap Document Files, by generating anew the mechanical

intercomparison control history for all NIST’s gage blocks’ mechanical intercomparison

calibrations and measurements from the Gage program’s Gagemap Document Files selected. 

The Mecmap Document Files organize into groups NIST’s master gage block mechanical

intercomparison control history gage blocks with common physical length characteristics, which

improves the significance of the statistical analyses when using the Mecmap program. The

Mecmap Document Files organize into groups NIST’s master gage block mechanical

intercomparison control history in the following way:

C GROUP 01 English Thins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sizes: 0.010 to 0.09375 Inches

C GROUP 02 English Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . Sizes: 0.100 to 0.107 Inches

C GROUP 03 English Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . Sizes: 0.108 to 0.126 Inches

C GROUP 04 English Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . Sizes: 0.127 to 0.146 Inches

C GROUP 05 English Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . Sizes: 0.147 to 0.500 Inches

C GROUP 06 English Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . Sizes: 0.550 to 4.000 Inches

C GROUP 07 English Long Blocks . . . . . . . . Sizes: 5.0 to 20.0 Inches

C GROUP 08 English 010 Series Thins . . . . . Sizes: 0.01005 to 0.019 Inches

C GROUP 09 English 020 Series Thins . . . . . Sizes: 0.02005 to 0.029 Inches

C GROUP 10 English 050 Series Thins . . . . . Sizes: 0.05005 to 0.059 Inches

C GROUP 13 Metric Thins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sizes: 0.10 to 0.95 Millimeters
Using the NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System 209

C GROUP 14 Metric Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . . Sizes: 1.00 to 1.09 Millimeters

C GROUP 15 Metric Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . . Sizes: 1.10 to 1.29 Millimeters

C GROUP 16 Metric Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . . Sizes: 1.30 to 1.49 Millimeters

C GROUP 17 Metric Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . . Sizes: 1.50 to 2.09 Millimeters

C GROUP 18 Metric Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . . Sizes: 2.10 to 2.29 Millimeters

C GROUP 19 Metric Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . . Sizes: 2.30 to 2.49 Millimeters

C GROUP 20 Metric Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . . Sizes: 2.50 to 10.0 Millimeters

C GROUP 21 Metric Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . . Sizes: 10.5 to 20.0 Millimeters

C GROUP 22 Metric Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . . Sizes: 20.5 to 50 Millimeters

C GROUP 23 Metric Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . . Sizes: 60 to 100 Millimeters

C GROUP 24 Metric Gage Blocks . . . . . . . . . Sizes: 125 to 500 Millimeters

In the Mecmap Document Files is the following information about NIST’s gage block

mechanical intercomparison control history for all NIST’s gage block mechanical

intercomparison calibrations and measurements:

C Nominal sizes

C Identification or serial numbers

C Master type

C Material codes

C Accepted master gage block mechanical intercomparison controls

C Accepted master gage block mechanical intercomparison within standard deviations

C Testing method codes

C Electro-mechanical gage block comparators’ identification codes

C Observed temperatures

C Observers’ initials

C Testing dates

C Statistical process control codes

C Observed master gage block mechanical intercomparison controls

C Observed master gage block mechanical intercomparison within standard deviations. 

The user stores working Mecmap Document Files in the working file storage device and folder,

which is C:\Gage\Mecmaps, and backs up these files on labeled floppy diskettes.
210 Chapter 7

7.18 Analyzing NIST’s Gage Block Mechanical

Intercomparison Calibration History

The use of the Mecmap program is to analyze the mechanical intercomparison control

history for all NIST’s gage block mechanical intercomparison calibrations and measurements,

which is the second of the three parts of NIST’s gage block measurement assurance program. 

The technical user, who calibrates and measures gage blocks, uses the Mecmap program to open,

analyze, and print the mechanical intercomparison control history for all NIST’s gage block

mechanical intercomparison calibrations and measurements, which the Gage program records

during its uses in calibrations and measurements. After using the Mecmap program’s Mapsort

function to assemble Mecmap Document Files, the technical user, who calibrates and measures

gage blocks, uses the Mecmap program to generate anew reports about NIST’s gage block

mechanical intercomparison calibration history and plots control charts to individually check the

variability of NIST’s gage block mechanical intercomparison calibration history. After running

the Mecmap program to analyze NIST’s gage block mechanical intercomparison calibration

history, the user uses the Master program to record the mechanical intercomparison calibration

history results, which the user calls master information. The Mecmap program simplifies efforts

by the user to manage and statistically analyze NIST’s gage block mechanical intercomparison

calibration history, which the user routinely monitors to improve complete measurement

confidence.
References 211

Chapter 8

References

This chapter provides the references for this user documentation and the NIST

Gage Block Calibration Software System. These references identify the gage blocks,

instruments, and documentation that the NIST technical staff uses to perform gage block

calibrations and measurements.

[1] T. Doiron and J. S. Beers, “The Gage Block Handbook,” National Institute of Standards

and Technology (U.S.) Monograph 180, June 1995, 147 p.

[2] C. D. Tucker, “Preparations for Gage Block Comparisons,” National Bureau of

Standards (U.S.) NBSIR 74-523, 1974, 12 p.

[3] J. S. Beers and C. D. Tucker, “Gage Block Flatness and Parallelism Measurement,”

National Bureau of Standards (U.S.) NBSIR 73-239, 1973, 8p.

[4] J. S. Beers and C. D. Tucker, “Intercomparison Procedures for Gage Blocks Using

Electromechanical Comparators,” National Bureau of Standards (U.S.) NBSIR 76-979,

1976, 22 p.

[5] J. S. Beers and J. E. Taylor, “Contact Deformation in Gage Block Comparisons,”

National Bureau of Standards (U.S.) Technical Note 962, 1978, 46 p.

[6] J. M. Cameron and G. E. Hailes, “Designs for the Calibration of Small Groups of

Standards in the Presence of Drift,” National Bureau of Standards (U.S.) Technical Note

844, 1974, 35 p.

[7] T. Doiron, “Drift Eliminating Designs for Non-Simultaneous Comparison Calibrations,”

Journal of Research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology 98-2, 1993, pp

217-224.

[8] J. S. Beers, “A Gage Block Measurement Process Using Single Wavelength

Interferometry,” National Bureau of Standards (U.S.) Monograph 152, 1975, 34 p.

[9] R. N. Varner, “FORTRAN Program To Determine Length of Gage Blocks Using Single

Wavelength Interferometry,” National Bureau of Standards (U.S.) Technical Note 956,

1977, 55 p.
212 Chapter 8

[10] C. D. Tucker, “The NBS Gage Block Calibration Process Using a Measurement

Assurance Program,” National Bureau of Standards (U.S.) NBSIR 80-2078, 1980, 8 p.

[11] C. Croarkin, J. Beers, and C. Tucker, “Measurement Assurance for Gage Blocks,”

National Bureau of Standards (U.S.) Monograph 163, 1969, 78 p.

[12] P. E. Pontius, “Measurement Assurance Program - A Case Study: Length Measurements.

Part 1. Long Gage Blocks (5 in to 20 in),” National Bureau of Standards (U.S.)

Monograph 149, 1975, 75 p.

[13] B. Belanger, “Measurement Assurance Programs - Part I: General Introduction,” National

Bureau of Standards (U.S.) Special Publication 676-I, 1984, 71 p.

[14] C. Croarkin, “Measurement Assurance Programs - Part II: Development and

Implementation,” National Bureau of Standards (U.S.) Special Publication 676-II, 1984,

124 p.

[15] R. N. Varner, “Computer Software for Measurement of Gage Blocks,” National Bureau

of Standards (U.S.) Technical Note 1168, 1982, 58 p.

[16] B. N. Taylor, “Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI),” National

Institute of Standards and Technology (U.S.) Special Publication 811, 1995, 74 p.

[17] Federal Specification: Gage Blocks and Accessories (Inch and Metric), Federal

Specification GGG-G-15C, March 20, 1975.

[18] Precision Gage Blocks for Length Measurement (Through 20 in. and 500 mm), American

National Standard ANSI/ASME B89.1.9M-1984, The American Society of Mechanical

Engineers, 1984.

[19] U. S. Department of Defense Military Standard MIL-STD 45662A: 1988, Calibration

Systems Requirement, 1988.

[20] ANSI/NCSL Z540-1-1994, American National Standard for Calibration - Calibration

Laboratories and Measuring and Test Equipment - General Requirements, 1994.

[21] ISO Guide 25: 1990, International Organization for Standardization / International

Electrotechnical Commission General Requirements for the Competence of Calibration

and Testing Laboratories.

[22] Equipment Manual - Model #130B-24/V5288 Gageblock Comparator System - K-5014 -

P.O. #40NANB804350 - Designed and Built for National Bureau of Standards -

Gaithersburg, MD - June, 1988, Providence, Rhode Island: Federal Products

Corporation, 1988, 15 p.

[23] Model 130B-16 Gage Block Comparator - Instruction Manual, Providence, Rhode Island:

Federal Products Corporation, 35 p.
References 213

[24] Operator’s Manual: 3478A Multimeter, Loveland, Colorado: Hewlett-Packard Company,

1983, 102 p.

[25] Operator’s Manual: HP34401A Multimeter, Loveland, Colorado: Hewlett-Packard

Company, 1983, 102 p.

[26] Models 5810 & 5820 - Thermistor Thermometers - Digitec Instrumentation, Dayton,

Ohio: United Systems Corporation, 1981, 33 p.

 [27] Microsoft Windows95 home page: http://www.microsoft.com/windows95.

[28] Microsoft Office home page: http://www.microsoft.com/office.

[29] TransEra HTBasic - Installing and Using the DOS PC and DOS 386 Versions, Provo,

Utah: TransEra Corporation, 1992, 108 p.

[30] TransEra HTBasic - User’s Guide, Provo, Utah: TransEra Corporation, 1992, 342 p.

[31] W. B. Penzes, Private Communication, 1998.

[32] E. S. Stanfield, Private Communication, 1998.

[33] M. J. Puttock and E. G. Thwaite, “Elastic Compression of Spheres and Cylinders at Point

and Line Contacts,” National Standards Laboratory Technical Paper No. 25,

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Australia, 1969, 65 p.

[34] T. D. Dorion, Private Communication, 1998.

[35] J. R. Stoup, Private Communication, 1998.

[36] B. N. Taylor and C. E. Kuyatt, “Guidelines for Evaluating and Expressing the Uncertainty

of NIST Measurement Results,” National Institute of Standards and Technology (U.S.)

Technical Note 1297, 1994, 15 p.

[37] J. M. Cameron, “The Use of the Method of Least Squares in Calibration,” National

Bureau of Standards (U.S.) NBSIR 74-587, 1974, 30 p.

[38] J. S. Beers, “A Gage Block Measurement Process Using Single Wavelength

Interferometry,” Non-published Paper, 1995.
214 Chapter 8
The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System User’s Manual 215

Appendix A.

The Accessory Software

This appendix documents the accessory software programs and their related files.

Accessory Software Programs

In the Htbutil Folder are the following accessory software programs:

Branch

Clock

Config

Edit

Elastic

Format

Quit

Accessory Software Program Libraries

for all Software Programs

In the Htbutil Folder are the following accessory software program libraries:

Main_lib

Math_lib

Tech_lib
216 Appendices

Accessory Software Program Configuration Files

In the Htbutil Folder are the following accessory software program configuration files:

Branch.txt ...................................... for the Branch Program

Config.cfg ....................................... for the Config Program
The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System User’s Manual 217

Appendix B.

NIST Gage Block Calibration and

Measurement Software

This appendix documents the NIST Gage Block Calibration and Measurement software

programs and their related files.

NIST Gage Block Calibration and Measurement

Software Programs

In the Gage Folder are the following calibration and measurement software programs:

Autost

Folder

Gage

History

Intmap

Master

Mecmap

Probe

Report

Setup

Spectrum
218 Appendices

NIST Gage Block Calibration and Measurement

Software Program Library

In the Gage Folder is the following calibration and measurement software program

library:

Gage_lib

Accessory Software Program Configuration Files

In the Gage Folder are the following accessory software program configuration files:

Branch.txt ...................................... for the Branch Program

Config.cfg ....................................... for the Config Program
The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System User’s Manual 219

Appendix C.

NIST Gage Block Calibration and

Measurement Software’s Configuration Files

This appendix documents the configuration files the NIST Gage Block Calibration

Software System uses.

In the Gage Folder are the following calibration and measurement software configuration

files:

Federal.ini

Gbkupmap.ini
220 Appendices
The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System User’s Manual 221

Appendix D.

NIST Gage Block Calibration and

Measurement Software’s Mecmap Program’s

Configuration File

This appendix documents the configuration file the NIST Gage Block Calibration and

Measurement Software’s Mecmap Program uses.

In the Gage Folder is the following calibration and measurement software configuration

file that the Mecmap program uses:

Mecmap.ini
222 Appendices
The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System User’s Manual 223

Appendix E.

NIST Gage Block Calibration and

Measurement Software’s Probe Program’s

Configuration Files

This appendix documents the configuration files the NIST Gage Block Calibration and

Measurement Software’s Probe Program uses.

In the Gage Folder are the following calibration and measurement software configuration

files that the Probe program uses:

Probe.ini

Probe.log

Probef1.ini

Probef2.ini

Probef3.ini

Probef4.ini

Probef5.ini

Probef6.ini

Probef7.ini

Probef8.ini

Probef9.ini
224 Appendices
The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System User’s Manual 225

Appendix F.

NIST Gage Block Calibration and

Measurement Software’s Report Program’s

NIST Reports’ of Calibration Documentation

Files

This appendix documents the NIST Reports’ of Calibration documentation files the NIST

Gage Block Calibration and Measurement Software’s Report Program uses.

In the Gage Folder are the following calibration and measurement software

documentation files that the Report program uses:

Heading.txt

Ending.txt

Repteng.txt

Reptmet.txt

Rept1all.txt

Rept2all.txt
226 Appendices
The NIST Gage Block Calibration Software System User’s Manual 227

Appendix G.

NIST Gage Block Calibration and

Measurement Software’s Spectrum

Program’s Configuration Files

This appendix documents the configuration files the NIST Gage Block Calibration and

Measurement Software’s Spectrum Program uses.

In the Gage Folder are the following calibration and measurement software configuration

files that the Spectrum program uses:

Federal.ini

Laser.ini

Manufact.ini

Platen.ini

Spectrum.ini
228 Appendices