English or Metric?

[suneel112]

Most of the time, 461 uses English measurements in buying parts and all that good stuff. In 2004, though, with weight problems, we switched from 1" extrusion to 20mm extrusion with metric bolts and T-nuts. As far as design of the robot goes, most people use the english system (foot-pounds, etc...), but I use metric, for the simple reason that the metric system has the Watt .

[Gdeaver]

Globalizations is starting to take care of the English problem. Two years ago I didn't need metric tools for my job. Today I have to have them.

[team1611]

whatever fits...

[TimCraig]

Originally Posted by Denman

you mean it would cost too much to change to metric?

Yes. Entire industries would have had to retool their plants to switch over to metric so there was always a lot of intertia to prevent it from happening. It's been happening gradually but more from the pressure of markets becoming global. But what we're seeing in some cases is that the English products dimensions are just being converted to convenient metric instead of being "pure". And now we just close our factories and buy the parts from Asia which already has metric in place.

[Madison]

Originally Posted by Kyle45

45 uses metric bolts, but measure with english. Ya, I know it sounds wierd, but atleast now I know what M3 and M5 means!

They're BMWs, of course.

We use the English system, though sometimes it seems a wonder I can get some people to measure anything at all. I tried to standardize the use of #10-32 hardware, but it didn't work too well.

[Denman]

Originally Posted by TimCraig

Yes. Entire industries would have had to retool their plants to switch over to metric so there was always a lot of intertia to prevent it from happening. It's been happening gradually but more from the pressure of markets becoming global. But what we're seeing in some cases is that the English products dimensions are just being converted to convenient metric instead of being "pure". And now we just close our factories and buy the parts from Asia which already has metric in place.

I know what you mean. Working in a timber yard where everyhting is in metric inches (say 2" by 4" timber is actually just 50x100 mm)

[unapiedra]

All of you talking about how much it costs American (and other) companies to change and just use metric are somewhat right. But think about it what it costs to have two standards at the same time. Because you could give all your reasons why companies still use the imperial system can be given about two systems as well.

What I mean to say with that? -- If you need to have tools (and bigger tools in a production plant) in two systems, you need to pay for both. If you have screws and other material in both systems you are practically paying twice. Sure you can substitute somethings but still, it's having two system which makes the least sense.

I am not saying that it doesn't cost money to change to one system, I am just saying that it might eventually be cheapper to change than just pushing the problem away untill it comes up the next time.

--Just my two cent.

[Billfred]

1293 uses English measurements. I can't think of anything that we consciously, intentionally did with metric (although I'm sure there's something on Ockham that was done in metric at some point)

[[527]phil]

Being I work in machine shops I have to use both. Usually when machining a part I use English measurements. But if I have to fix the machine of change the tooling I have to use metric sockets and Allen keys. But as for My robotics team, we're die hard English sytem users. the only metric parts on our bots we're a few Allen head screws. But if I'd have to choose between metric and English I'd have to say English, plus if suddenly the world switched to metric I wouldn't be able to use my vernier or micrometer .

[jrocket567]

Just as long as you keep one system throughout a project--- i hate it when i have to keep switching from us back to metric, and metric back to us--- i can ususally get the size of something by looking at it, but that doesnt work when you start flippin systems- i have to lug in 5 different sockets in the size range to find the right one Ford is notorious for it.

[Joe Ross]

We're moving to metric, inch by inch.

[[527]phil]

Originally Posted by jrocket567

i have to lug in 5 different sockets in the size range to find the right one

Thats why you use a vernier or micrometer to measure it before going for a socket

We're moving to metric, inch by inch.

ROFL!!! *high five!!!*