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Tape Measure: Curved Steel Blade, Spring and Case
The blade of a tape measure is a thin metal ribbon with a curved, concavo-convex cross-section when it is out of the case, which keeps it stiff, but it lies flat as it winds into a coil inside. The ribbon is painted, printed with its graduations and then given a polymer coat against wear, applied by a roller and cured in an oven. An internal coil spring winds the blade back onto its reel. The end hook is riveted through oval holes so it can slide by its own thickness, giving the same reading whether you hook it on or push it against something. Cases have been moulded in ABS since 1963.
Advanced
Continuous (industrial)
Instructions
1
1
Paint and print
Paint and print
Paint the steel ribbon and print the length graduations on it.
Materials for this step:
Steel Tape Ribbon1 kgTools needed:
Tape Printing and Coating Line2
2
Coat and cure
Coat and cure
Pass the ribbon over a coating roller and through an oven to cure a polymer coat against wear.
Tools needed:
Tape Printing and Coating Line3
3
Fit the hook
Fit the hook
Rivet the end hook through oval holes so it slides by its own thickness.
Materials for this step:
Tape Measure End Hook1 piece
Steel Rivets2 pieces4
4
Mould the case
Mould the case
Mould the case in ABS.
Materials for this step:
ABS Pellets0.1 kgTools needed:
Injection Moulding Machine5
5
Assemble
Assemble
Wind the blade onto its reel with the coil spring that retracts it, set it in the case and close the case.
Materials for this step:
Tape Measure Recoil Spring1 pieceMaterials
5- Placeholder
- 1 piecePlaceholder
- 2 piecesPlaceholder
- 0.1 kgPlaceholder
- 1 piecePlaceholder
Tools Required
2- Placeholder
- Placeholder
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