ISO/DIS 463:2025:2025(en)

ISO TC 213

Secretariat: BSI

Date:2025-11-06

Geometrical product specifications (GPS) – Dimensional measuring equipment – Design and metrological characteristics of indicators

Spécification géométrique des produits (GPS) — Instruments de mesurage dimensionnel: Comparateurs à tige rentrante à affichage numérique — Caractéristiques de conception et caractéristiques métrologiques indicateurs

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Contents Page

Foreword iv

Introduction vi

1 Scope 1

2 Normative references 1

3 Terms and definitions 1

4 Design characteristics 3

4.1 General design and nomenclature 3

4.2 Dimensions 4

4.3 Digital indicating display 5

4.4 Dial and pointer display 5

4.5 Contact element 5

4.6 Zero adjustment 5

4.7 Additional functions 5

5 Metrological characteristics 5

5.1 General 5

5.2 Rated operating conditions 6

5.3 Reference point 6

5.4 Test methods 6

5.5 Hysteresis of error of indication (limited by H_MPE) 6

5.6 Repeatability of error of indication (limited by R_MPE) 6

5.7 Test points 7

5.8 Error of indication for the full measuring range, E (limited by E_MPE) 7

5.9 Error of indication for the partial measuring range (limited by P_MPE) 7

5.10 Measuring forces 7

5.11 Specifications 7

5.11.1 General 7

6 Determination of conformity to specifications 8

6.1 General 8

6.2 Measurement uncertainty 8

6.3 Decision rule 8

7 Marking 8

Annex A (normative) Default MPE values for metrological characteristics 10

Annex B (informative) Calibration guidelines for metrological characteristics 12

Annex C (informative) Example diagram of error of indications 13

Annex D (informative) Relationship to the GPS matrix model 15

D.1 General 15

D.2 Information about this document and its use 15

D.3 Position in the GPS matrix model 15

D.4 Related International Standards 16

Bibliography 17

Foreword

ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.

The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see https://www.iso.org/directives).

ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a) patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a) patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at https://www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not constitute an endorsement.

For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.

This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 213, Dimensional and geometrical product specifications and verification, in collaboration with the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) Technical Committee CEN/TC 290, Dimensional and geometrical product specification and verification, in accordance with the Agreement on technical cooperation between ISO and CEN (Vienna Agreement).

This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition of ISO 13102:2012 and the first edition of ISO 463:2006 (including ISO 463:2006/Cor 1:2007 and ISO 463:2006/Cor 2:2009) which have been technically revised.

The main changes are as follows:

— the standards ISO 13102 and ISO 463 have been merged into one standard;

— the figures have been updated;

— general design characteristics have been removed and reference to ISO 14978:2018 has been included;

— metrological characteristics have been clarified and modified;

— requirements for test methods have been included;

— default values for maximum permissible errors have been added.

Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

Introduction

This document is a geometrical product specification (GPS) standard and is to be regarded as a general GPS standard (see ISO 14638). It influences the chain links for measuring equipment and calibration on size and distance in the general GPS matrix (see Annex D).

The ISO GPS Matrix Model given in ISO 14638 gives an overview of the ISO GPS system of which this document is a part. The fundamental rules of ISO GPS given in ISO 8015 apply to this document and the default decision rules given in ISO 14253-1 apply to specifications made in accordance with this document, unless otherwise indicated; see ISO/TR 14253-6 for additional information on the selection of alternative decision rules.

For more detailed information on the relation of this document to other standards and the GPS matrix model, see Annex D.

Geometrical product specifications (GPS) – Dimensional measuring equipment – Design and metrological characteristics of indicators

This document specifies the most important design and metrological characteristics of indicators:

— mechanical dial indicators with analogue indication;

— with electronic digital indication.

The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

ISO 14253‑1, Geometrical product specifications (GPS) — Inspection by measurement of workpieces and measuring equipment — Part 1: Decision rules for verifying conformity or nonconformity with specifications

ISO 14253‑5, Geometrical product specifications (GPS) — Inspection by measurement of workpieces and measuring equipment — Part 5: Uncertainty in verification testing of indicating measuring instruments

ISO/TR 14253‑6, Geometrical product specifications (GPS) — Inspection by measurement of workpieces and measuring equipment — Part 6: Generalized decision rules for the acceptance and rejection of instruments and workpieces

ISO 14978:2018, Geometrical product specifications (GPS) — General concepts and requirements for GPS measuring equipment

ISO/IEC Guide 98‑3, Uncertainty of measurement — Part 3: Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement (GUM:1995)

ISO/IEC Guide 99, International vocabulary of metrology — Basic and general concepts and associated terms (VIM)

For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 14978, ISO/IEC Guide 99 and the following apply.

ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:

— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp

— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/

3.1

mechanical dial indicator

measuring instrument in which the axial displacements of a plunger are transmitted and magnified by suitable mechanical means to a pointer which rotates in front of an analogue circular scale.

Note 1 to entry: It may also be provided with a revolution‑counting device, e.g. in which a pointer rotates in front of a scale which indicates the number of revolutions of the pointer or the axial displacement of the plunger.

3.2

electronic digital indicator

measuring instrument in which the axial displacements of a plunger are obtained by a transducer and converted into an electronic signal by suitable electronic means and transmitted to a physically integrated digital display

3.3

inward direction

direction of a plunger when it is pressed into the stem

3.4

outward direction

direction of a plunger when it retracts from the stem

3.5

rest point

point where the plunger protrudes fully from the stem with the contact element not pressed in

3.6

stop point

point where the plunger is fully pushed into the stem with the contact element pressed in

3.7

starting point

lower limit of a measuring range

3.8

end point

upper limit of a measuring range

Key

1 nominal range (span)

2 measuring range (span)

3 pre-range (span)

4 post-range (span)

5 rest point

6 starting point

7 end point

8 stop point

9 inward direction of plunger

10 outward direction of plunger

Figure 1 — Terms used for indicators

The design of an indicator shall follow the requirements of ISO 14978, including the common design characteristics in ISO 14978:2018, Annex C. See Figure 2 for an example of the general design. Digital indicators with not round bezel are available too.

The design and rigidity of the indicator shall be such that the freedom of movement of the plunger is not impaired by clamping the stem of the instrument, providing that such clamping is carried out in a proper manner. Where alternative methods of mounting are provided, e.g. attaching the lug on the back plate, the design and rigidity of that mounting shall be such that the performance is not impaired.

Key

1 bezel

2 digital display

3 operating buttons

4 stem

5 plunger

6 contact element

7 data output — optional

8 protection cap — optional

9 measuring face

10 flat back plate

11 lug back plate

12 scale

13 limit indicator

14 dial

15 pointer

16 revolution counting device

Figure 2 — Nomenclature of a mechanical dial indicator and an electronic digital indicator

The indicator shall conform to the dimensions specified in Figure 3, Figure 4, and Table 1 to ensure interchangeability. The max. dimensions height H, width W and thickness T shall be specified by the manufacturer. Mechanical dial indicators are classified according to the bezel diameter due to changing space conditions and readability. The range in which the diameter shall lie according to the classification is specified in Table 1.

Figure 3 — Dimensions of an indicator (mechanical dial indicator / electronic digital indicator)

Figure 4 — Dimension of a mechanical dial indicator with plunger at rear

Table 1 — Dimensions of an indicator

values in millimetres

(x: specified by supplier)

The design of the electronic digital indicator shall be such that the measured values are clearly displayed in any position of the plunger. The unit of measure shall be clearly identified. In the case of negative values the − sign shall be indicated.

Electronic digital-indicators shall include means suited for displaying operation- and system-error messages.

EXAMPLE Error message caused by excessively rapid plunger movement or insufficient power supply.

The pointer of the mechanical dial indicator shall move in a clockwise direction when the plunger is pressed into the mechanical dial indicator.

For mechanical dial indicators with more than one pointer revolution:

When the long pointer is in the position of rest and the zero mark on the dial is at 12 o’clock, the pointer shall lie at least 1/10th of the scale range in an anticlockwise position (pre-span). Travel beyond the measuring range (post-span) shall be not less than 1/10th of the scale range.

For mechanical dial indicator with less than one pointer revolution:

When the plunger is in the position of rest, the pointer shall lie at least 3 scale intervals in an anticlockwise position (pre-span). The post-span (travel beyond the measuring range) shall be such that the pointer does not reach the position which it has in the position of rest. But the post-span shall be at least 3 scale intervals.

The contact element shall be interchangeable, wear-resistant and with a suitable surface finish.

Each indicator shall be provided with means for setting the indicator to a zero indication in any measuring position. Mechanical dial indicators shall be provided with a locking device such as a clamp or by frictional resistance so that the origin value cannot be unintentionally changed.

Additional functions such as counting direction change, preset value and value storage for electronic digital indicators or shockproof design for mechanical dial indicators shall be documented by the manufacturer.

The metrological characteristics and associated maximum permissible error (MPE) values apply to any indications permitted for use of the indicators as defined by the manufacturer and when used in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. The MPE values cannot be smaller than the digital step of electronic digital indicators but may be smaller than the scale interval of mechanical dial indicators.

The metrological characteristics of this document apply when the zero or reference point is set at any position within the measuring range.

The manufacturer shall state any rated operating conditions that apply to the MPE values. All MPE values apply at a temperature of 20 °C exactly, unless otherwise stated. Test values shall therefore be corrected to 20 °C to obtain the error of indication that the indicator would have produced had the test been performed at 20 °C. If temperature correction to 20 °C is not performed, this document allows the consequences to be included in the evaluation of the uncertainty of the test values (see 6.2).

An indicator is a manually operated measuring instrument, and the user of the indicator is therefore necessarily included in the measuring system that is specified in accordance with this document. The user shall be reasonably skilled in the operation of the indicator.

NOTE It is essential that the indicator is held rigidly in a fixture which is undisturbed by the operating force of the instrument itself and does not interfere with the correct operation of the indicator.

Indicators shall have an adjustable zero point and shall be able to be set to zero within the measuring range. The starting point of the calibration, which is the reference point, is at the beginning of the measuring range. For evaluation of the errors of indication this document allows the concept of shifting the reference point (ISO 14978:2018, clause 7.3.2). The reference point shall be shifted to the extreme values (min./max.) of error of indication. For this the error values are signed ± (see Annex C, Figure C.1, Figure C.2 and Figure C.3).

The errors of indication shall be tested with suitable instruments or measurement standards, for example with an indicator tester (mechanical or automatic).

The indicator shall be tested in vertical position, fixed rigidly in a supporting stand with the plunger pointed downwards.

For acceptance testing, the customer is free to choose the test points; however, unless otherwise specified, the acceptance testing shall conform to the requirements in this document.

The hysteresis of error of indication is the calculated maximum value of difference between errors of indication taken at the same test position with inward and outward plunger direction.

The hysteresis of error of indication requires measurements at the same outward test points as used for the evaluation of E (inward) (see 5.7). Measurements taken for the partial range shall not be included in the analysis for hysteresis. However, when a dial indicator up to 10^th revolution is measured, one point per revolution outward applies.

The manufacturer shall state if the indicator is specified to be used in one direction only; then hysteresis does not apply.

The repeatability of error of indication is the calculated difference between the maximum and minimum errors of five subsequent measurements at the same measuring positions with plunger direction inward.

The repeatability shall be determined at a measuring position within the measuring range close to the beginning of the measuring range.

For determination of the error of indication for the full and the partial measuring range, the plunger is pressed into the inward direction with the following test points.

For electronic digital indicators from the starting point 6 or more test points in the partial range that is defined as 50 times the digital step (see Table 2) and 11 test points or more in the full measuring range, preferably at regular intervals, including the starting point and endpoint.

For mechanical dial indicators from the starting point to the 2^nd revolution at every 1/10 revolution, from the 2^nd revolution to the 10^th revolution at least every ¼ revolution, from the 10^th revolution to the 50^th revolution at least every 5^th revolution and for more revolutions at least every 10^th revolution of the pointer.

Error of indication when the measurement is performed by using the full measuring range. It is calculated as the difference between the maximum and minimum errors of indication within the full measuring range in the inward direction with the reference point shifted to the minimum error stated in 5.3 (see the example in Annex C). The test points within the partial measuring range shall be included.

Error of indication when the measurement is performed by using any partial measuring range. It is the calculated difference of the maximum and minimum errors of indication within the partial measuring range in the inward direction of a plunger. For mechanical dial indicators it is calculated between any two subsequent test points at every 1/10 revolution from the starting point over two revolutions. Only the largest absolute value is used to evaluate conformity. For an electronic digital indicator, it is calculated between any subsequent test points within the partial range from the starting point over 50 times of the digital step (see 5.7).

The minimum measuring force and the maximum measuring force shall be stated by the manufacturer.

For acceptance tests, MPE values shall be stated by the manufacturer in accordance with this document. For reverification tests, the MPE values shall be stated by the user. This document is intended to be used by the manufacturer or user to state the MPE values. Table 2 provides an example of a specification sheet and Annex A shall be used for situations when no MPE values are stated.

Table 2 — Example specification sheet for metrological characteristics

All metrological characteristics shall conform to the specified MPE values.

Evaluation of measurement uncertainty shall be performed in accordance with ISO/IEC Guide 98-3. When determining conformity with specification, the measurement uncertainty associated with a test value (the test value uncertainty) shall be evaluated in accordance with ISO 14253-5. Additional guidance is available in ISO 14978:2018, Annex D.

Measurement uncertainty associated with the reference standards used in testing, as well as any uncertainty associated with temperature, shall generally be included as contributors to the measurement uncertainty. The errors of the indicator, such as the contribution from the indicator repeatability and digital step or scale interval, are not included in the test value uncertainty.

As in 5.2, the user of the indicator shall be skilled in the operation of the indicator to properly determine conformity with specifications. As discussed in ISO 14253-5, when the user is sufficiently skilled, any variation in the test values associated with the skills of the user of the indicator is generally not included as a contributor to the measurement uncertainty.

When demonstrating conformity or nonconformity to specifications, the decision rule accompanying the specifications shall be followed. If no decision rule is stated with the specifications, and no special agreement is made between supplier and customer, then the default rule of ISO 14253-1 shall apply.

NOTE 1 Information on the selection of an alternative decision rule can be found in ISO/TR 14253-6.

NOTE 2 For the MPE values in Tables A.1 to A.4, an alternative decision rule accompanies the stated MPE values.

The marking shall indicate at least the following data:

— the digital step or scale interval;

— the unique alphanumeric identification (i.e. serial number);

— name of manufacturer or supplier.

Any marking shall be easily readable and permanent and shall be placed on the surface of the gauge at a place not impairing the metrological quality of the equipment.

1. 
   (normative)
   
   Default MPE values for metrological characteristics

If no MPE values are otherwise stated, then the values in Table A.1 to A.4 apply for electronic digital-indicators and Table A.5 to A.7 apply for mechanical dial indicators.

MPE values are symmetrical and are signed ±. MPE values shall not be exceeded even if the reference point is set to an extreme point of measuring deviation. Due to this a possible doubling of the MPE values is excluded.

For the MPE values in Table A.1 to A.7 the decision rule that applies when demonstrating conformity or non‐conformity to specification shall be simple acceptance and rejection, with the measurement capability index, Cm, being four or larger, in accordance to ISO/TR 14253‐6. The measurement uncertainty of the test values shall be evaluated in accordance to ISO 14253‐5 (see 6.2).

NOTE The MPE values in Table A.1 to A.7 include a simple acceptance and rejection decision rule in accordance with ISO/TR 14253‐6. This is an example of stating a decision rule other than the default rule of ISO 14253‐1 (see 6.3).

Table A.1 — MPE values for electronic digital indicator with 0,000 1 digital step

Table A.2 — MPE values for electronic digital indicator with 0,001 and 0,000 5 mm digital step, class 1

Table A.3 — MPE values for electronic digital indicator with 0,001 and 0,000 5 mm, digital step, class 2

Table A.4 — MPE values for electronic digital indicator with 0,01 mm and 0,005 mm digital step

Table A.5 — MPE values for mechanical dial indicator with a measuring span up to 1 mm and 0,001 or 0,002 mm scale interval, class 1

Table A.6 — MPE values for mechanical dial indicator with a measuring span up to 5 mm and 0,001 or 0,002 mm scale interval, class 2

Table A.7 — MPE values for mechanical dial indicator with a measuring span up to 100 mm and 0,01 mm or 0,005 mm scale interval

1. 
   (informative)
   
   Calibration guidelines for metrological characteristics

The global calibration as described in this document necessitates a large number of readings to be taken. When it is considered that the intended use of the indicator does not warrant global calibration, partial calibration or task‑related calibration should be considered.

It is possible to perform a modified global calibration with a reduced number of test points by using a suitable sampling technique but this will result in an increase in the uncertainty of measurement.

1. 
   (informative)
   
   Example diagram of error of indications

Figure C.1 shows an example diagram of errors of indication of an electronic digital indicator with 12 mm span and 0,005 mm digital step and Figure C.2 shows an example of a mechanical dial indicator with 10 mm span and 0,01 mm scale interval. Both are obtained by the fixed zero method.

Figure C.3 shows the diagram of errors of indication of a mechanical dial indicator obtained by shifting the reference point in the error of indication curve. Additional guidance is available in ISO 14978:2018, 7.3.2.

In the example shown in Figure C.1 the error of indication span over the full measuring span is 15 µm. With an E_MPE of ±20 µm the electronic digital indicator is in conformance with the specification.

NOTE The line between the dots in the following figures is only to link the dots, but has no meaning. It does not represent what goes on between the dots.

Key

Figure C.1 — Example of an error of indication curve of an electronic digital-indicator with 0-12 mm measuring range (12 mm measuring span) and 0,01 mm digital step with the reference point at the starting point

Key

Figure C.2 — Example diagram of errors of indication of a mechanical dial indicator with 0-10 mm range (10 mm measuring span) and 0,01 mm scale graduation

Key

E error of indication for the full measuring range

Figure C.3 — Example of shifting the reference point of a mechanical dial indicator

1. 
   (informative)
   
   Relationship to the GPS matrix model
   1. General

The ISO GPS matrix model given in ISO 14638 gives an overview of the ISO GPS system, of which this document is a part.

The fundamental rules of ISO GPS given in ISO 8015 apply to this document and the default decision rules given in ISO 14253-1 apply to specifications made in accordance with this document, unless otherwise indicated. See ISO/TR 14253-6 for additional information on the selection of alternative decision rules.

• 1. Information about this document and its use

This document provides the most important design and metrological characteristics of electronic digital indicators and mechanical dial indicators.

• 1. Position in the GPS matrix model

This document is a general ISO GPS standard that influences the chain links for measuring equipment and calibration on size and distance in the GPS matrix, as shown in Table D.1. The rules and principles given in this document apply to all segments of the ISO GPS matrix which are indicated with a filled dot (•).

Table D.1 — Position in the GPS matrix model<Tbl_-></Tbl_->

• 1. Related International Standards

The related International Standards are those of the chains of standards indicated in Table D.1.

Bibliography

[1] ISO 1, Geometrical product specifications (GPS) — Standard reference temperature for the specification of geometrical and dimensional properties

[2] ISO 3650, Geometrical Product Specifications (GPS) — Length standards — Gauge blocks

[3] ISO 8015, Geometrical product specifications (GPS) — Fundamentals — Concepts, principles and rules

[4] ISO 14253‑2, Geometrical product specifications (GPS) — Inspection by measurement of workpieces and measuring equipment — Part 2: Guidance for the estimation of uncertainty in GPS measurement, in calibration of measuring equipment and in product verification

[5] ISO 14638, Geometrical product specifications (GPS) — Matrix model

[6] ISO/TR 16015, Geometrical product specifications (GPS) — Systematic errors and contributions to measurement uncertainty of length measurement due to thermal influences

[7] ISO/IEC 17025, General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories