IS : 1481 - 1970

(Reaffirmed 1998)
Edition 2.2
(1990-03)
Indian Standard
SPECIFICATION FOR
METRIC STEEL SCALES FOR ENGINEERS
( First Revision )
(Incorporating Amendment Nos. 1 & 2)

UDC 531.716.1

© BIS 2003

BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

MANAK BHAVAN , 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW DELHI 110002

Price Group 3
 IS : 1481 - 1970

Indian Standard
SPECIFICATION FOR
METRIC STEEL SCALES FOR ENGINEERS
( First Revision )
Optical and Mathematical Instruments Sectional Committee, EDC 36
Chairman Representing
DR C. S. RAO The Andhra Scientific Co Ltd, Masulipatam
Members
SHRI P. V. SUBBA RAO ( Alternate to
Dr C. S. Rao )
SHRI A. ALVARES All India Instrument Manufacturers and Dealers
Association, Bombay
SHRI S. R. TALPADE ( Alternate )
MAJ P. S. BRAHMACHAREE Ministry of Defence (DGI)
SHRI S. K. GUPTA ( Alternate )
SHRI R. R. CHAKRABORTY The National Instruments Limited, Jadavpur
SHRI N. R. DAS GUPTA ( Alternate )
CHIEF HYDROGRAPHER (NAVY) Indian Navy
DEPUTY DIRECTOR, STANDARDS Research, Designs and Standards Organisation
(TRACK) (Ministry of Railways), Lucknow
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, STANDARDS
(TRACK) ( Alternate )
SHRI S. K. GAUTAM Quality Marked Goods Manufacturers’ Co-operative
Association Ltd, Roorkee
SHRI P. L. BHARDWAJ ( Alternate )
SHRI A. GHOSH National Test House, Calcutta
DR P. K. KATTI Ministry of Defence (R & D)
SHRI S. S. DHARMAYYA ( Alternate )
SHRI D. D. KHOSLA Directorate of Industries, Government of Haryana,
Chandigarh
COL K. L. KHOSLA Survey of India, Dehra Dun
SHRI V. KRISHNAMOORTHY Directorate General of Technical Development, New
Delhi
SHRI D. MAJUMDAR Office of the Development Commissioner, Small Scale
Industries (Ministry of Industrial Development,
Internal Trade & Company Affairs)
SHRI G. B. JAKHETIA ( Alternate )
SHRI B. R. MANKHAND The Koh-i-Noor (India) Private Limited, Varanasi
LT-COL B. PAPANNA Indian Army
( Continued on page 2 )

BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

MANAK BHAVAN , 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW DELHI 110002
IS : 1481 - 1970
( Continued from page 1 )
Members Representing
DR J. PRASAD Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIR),
Chandigarh
SHRI RAM SINGH ( Alternate )
SHRI PREM PRAKASH National Physical Laboratory (CSIR), New Delhi
SHRI P. C. JAIN ( Alternate )
SHRI E. B. RAJDERKAR Raj-Der-Kar & Co, Bombay
DR I. RAMAKRISHNA RAO In personal capacity ( Toshniwal Instruments and
Engineering Co, 10A Najafgarh Road,
New Delhi 15 )
PROF G. S. S. SARMA Madras Institute of Technology, Madras
LT-COL G. S. SIBOTA Directorate General of Armed Forces Medical Service,
Ministry of Defence
SURVEYOR OF WORKS II (UNDER Central Public Works Department, New Delhi
SUPERINTENDING SURVEYOR OF
WORKS I)
SHRI H. C. VERMA Associated Instrument Manufacturers (India) Private
Limited, New Delhi
SHRI J. A. UNVALA ( Alternate )
SHRI M. V. PATANKAR, Director General, ISI ( Ex-officio Member )
Director (Mech Engg)
Secretary
SHRI S. P. ABBEY
Assistant Director (Mech Engg), ISI

Drawing Instruments Subcommittee, EDC 36 : 1

Convener
COL K. L. KHOSLA Survey of India, Dehra Dun
Members
SHRI A. K. BANERJEE Ministry of Defence (R & D)
SHRI R. R. CHAKRABORTY The National Instruments Limited, Jadavpur
SHRI S. N. MITRA ( Alternate )
SHRI S. K. GAUTAM Quality Marked Goods Manufacturers’ Co-operative
Association Ltd, Roorkee
SHRI P. L. BHARDWAJ ( Alternate )
SHRI S. K. GUPTA Ministry of Defence (DGI)
SHRI G. D. BAKSHI ( Alternate )
SHRI V. KRISHNAMOORTHY Directorate General of Technical Development,
New Delhi
SHRI P. K. MUKHERJEE ( Alternate )
SHRI PREM PRAKASH National Physical Laboratory (CSIR), New Delhi
SHRI P. C. JAIN ( Alternate )
SHRI D. D. PURI Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIR),
Chandigarh
SHRI P. C. SAXENA Quality Marking Scheme, Directorate of Industries,
Government of Uttar Pradesh, Kanpur
SHRI H. R. GADI ( Alternate )

2
 IS : 1481 - 1970

Indian Standard
SPECIFICATION FOR
METRIC STEEL SCALES FOR ENGINEERS
( First Revision )
0. F O R E W O R D
0.1 This Indian Standard (First Revision) was adopted by the Indian
Standards Institution on 11 May 1970, after the draft finalized by the
Optical and Mathematical Instruments Sectional Committee had been
approved by the Mechanical Engineering Division Council.
0.2 This standard was first published in 1961 and is now being revised
for metricization due to complete changeover to metric system in India.
0.3 In this revision the scales have been classified as end-measuring
and edge-measuring scales and five different types have been included.
0.4 This edition 2.2 incorporates Amendment No. 1 (March 1983) and
Amendment No. 2 (March 1990). Side bar indicates modification of the
text as the result of incorporation of the amendments.
0.5 For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this
standard is complied with, the final value, observed or calculated,
expressing the result of a test, shall be rounded off in accordance with
IS : 2 - 1960*. The number of significant places retained in the rounded
off value should be the same as that of the specified value in this standard.

1. SCOPE
1.1 This standard covers the requirements for metric scales made of
steel for the use of engineers.
2. TYPES
2.1 Metric scales for engineers shall be of following types:
a) Type A — End measuring scale, graduated on one edge in
millimetres, every cm graduation marked ( see
Fig. 1 ).
b) Type AA— End measuring scale, graduated on both edges in
millimetres, on same face, every cm graduation
marked ( see Fig. 1).
*Rules for rounding off numerical values ( revised ).

3
IS : 1481 - 1970

c) Type B — End measuring scale, graduated on one edge in

millimetres, 0 to 5 cm graduated in ½ mm, every cm
graduation marked ( see Fig. 2 ).
d) Type BB— End measuring scale, graduated on both edges in
millimetres on same face, 0 to 5 cm graduated in
½ mm, every cm graduation marked ( see Fig. 2 ).
e) Type CC — Edge measuring scale, graduated on both edges in
millimetres on same face, 0 to 5 cm graduated in
½ mm, every cm graduation marked (nominal size
100 only) ( see Fig. 3 ).
3. MATERIAL
3.1 The scale shall be made of good quality rust-resistant spring steel
or manganese spring steel having 0.55 to 0.65 percent carbon and 0.60
percent manganese, minimum or suitable grade of stainless steel. The
coefficient of expansion of steel shall be (11.0±1.5) × 10–6 mm per
degree Celsius within the range 0 to 60°C.
3.2 The blanks shall be cut from sheets or strips and shall be free from
seams, flaws, scales, burrs or other defects. They shall be uniform in
thickness and width throughout the entire length. They shall be
suitably hardened and tempered.
4. DIMENSIONS AND GRADUATIONS
4.1 The principal dimensions of the scales shall be as given in Table 1.
TABLE 1 DIMENSIONS FOR BLANKS FOR SCALES
( Clause 4.1, and Fig. 1, 2 and 3 )
All dimensions in millimetres.
NOMINAL l l1 b t
SIZE




















cm Max Min Max Min

10 100 110 105 15 14 0.8 ± 0.1
15 150 165 160 15 14 0.8 ± 0.1
20 200 215 210 20 19 0.8 ± 0.1
30 300 320 315 30 29 1.0 ± 0.2
50 500 520 515 30 29 1.5 ± 0.3
100 1 000 1 030 1 025 40 39 1.5 ± 0.3

4.2 When kept in horizontal position, end measuring scales shall have
graduation starting from left to right on both edges.
4.3 When kept in horizontal position, edge measuring scales (Type CC)
shall have graduation from left to right on top edge and in reverse
direction on bottom edge.

4
 IS : 1481 - 1970
FIG. 1
5
IS : 1481 - 1970
FIG. 2
6
 IS : 1481 - 1970
FIG. 3
7
IS : 1481 - 1970
4.4 Graduation lines shall be fine, clear and of uniform thickness of not
more than 0.1 mm. The line shall be of sufficient depth to maintain
legibility and indelibility. The length of the graduation lines shall be
as follows:
For Sizes 10 For Sizes 30
and 20 and Above
mm mm
cm scale mark 5 6
5 mm scale mark 3.5 4
mm scale mark 2.5 2.5
0.5 mm scale mark 1.5 1.5
5. DESIGNATION
5.1 The designation of the scale shall include the type, nominal size
and the number of the standard, for example:
Scale of type BB of nominal size 30 cm shall be designated as:
Scale BB 30 — IS : 1481
6. ACCURACY
6.1 When compared against a certified metal scale at 27°C tolerance
on the various graduations of the scale shall not exceed the following
limits:
a) Between any two adjacent scale marks or ± 0.02 mm
contiguous centimetre scale marks
b) Between any two scale marks, more than ± 0.05 mm
one centimetre apart up to and including
full length of the scale
7. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
7.1 End measuring scales shall have the zero mark replaced by the
square end and the extra length over the maximum scale mark shall
be rounded.
7.2 Edge measuring scales shall have both ends finished square.
7.3 The edges of the scales shall not deviate from a straight line by
more than 0.1 mm and their plane surfaces shall not vary from a plane
by more than 0.5 mm at any point.
7.4 Flexibility Test — The scales of Types A, AA, B and BB shall be
subjected to the flexibility test. The scale shall be bent round the
periphery of a wooden segment of the following radii (with depth not

8
 IS : 1481 - 1970
less than the width of the scale) until the scale is in contact with the
segment throughout its length. The scale shall show no sign of damage
or permanent set on completion of the test:
Nominal Size of Scale Radius of Segment
cm mm
10 35
20 70
30 100
50 160
8. MARKING
8.1 Every centimetre scale mark shall be numbered clearly. The height
of the figure shall be not less than 2 mm.
8.2 The abbreviation ‘cm’ and shall be marked at the end of the
scale.
8.3 Each scale shall be legibly and indelibly marked with the maker’s
name, initial or recognized trade mark.
8.3.1 Scales may also be marked with the ISI Certification Mark.
NOTE — The use of the ISI Certification Mark is governed by the provisions of the
Indian Standards Institution (Certification Marks) Act, and the Rules and
Regulations made thereunder. Presence of this mark on products covered by an
Indian Standard conveys the assurance that they have been produced to comply with
the requirements of that standard, under a well-defined system of inspection, testing
and quality control during production. This system, which is devised and supervised
by ISI and operated by the producer, has the further safeguard that the products as
actually marketed are continuously checked by ISI for conformity to the standard.
Details of conditions, under which a licence for the use of the ISI Certification Mark
may be granted to manufacturers or processors, may be obtained from the Indian
Standards Institution.

9. PRESERVATIVE TREATMENT
9.1 The scales shall be smeared with a thin coating of mineral jelly or
any other suitable preservative, and then wrapped in grease-proof
paper.
10. PACKING
10.1 The packing of scales shall be as agreed upon between the
manufacturer and the purchaser.

9
Bureau of Indian Standards
BIS is a statutory institution established under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986 to promote
harmonious development of the activities of standardization, marking and quality certification of
goods and attending to connected matters in the country.
Copyright
BIS has the copyright of all its publications. No part of these publications may be reproduced in any
form without the prior permission in writing of BIS. This does not preclude the free use, in the course
of implementing the standard, of necessary details, such as symbols and sizes, type or grade
designations. Enquiries relating to copyright be addressed to the Director (Publications), BIS.
Review of Indian Standards
Amendments are issued to standards as the need arises on the basis of comments. Standards are also
reviewed periodically; a standard along with amendments is reaffirmed when such review indicates
that no changes are needed; if the review indicates that changes are needed, it is taken up for
revision. Users of Indian Standards should ascertain that they are in possession of the latest
amendments or edition by referring to the latest issue of ‘BIS Catalogue’ and ‘Standards : Monthly
Additions’.
This Indian Standard has been developed by Technical Committee : EDC 36 and amended by
LMD 20

Amendments Issued Since Publication

Amend No. Date of Issue
Amd. No. 1 March 1983
Amd. No. 2 March 1990

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