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Sine bar calculator

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Calculate sine bar gauge block height from the angle and roller centre distance, or find the angle from measured height. Includes a setup example.

Sine bar

1What do you want to calculate?

2Enter the measurements

3Result

Click a dimension to copy it

Suggested gauge block stack· 87-piece metric set, always in mm

20+3.5+1.38+1.002= 25.882 mm

How to use this calculation

To tilt a sine bar, raise one roller on a gauge block stack. Required height depends on roller centre distance and the target angle. You can also calculate the angle of an existing setup by entering its measured stack height.

Worked example

Known measurements

Roller centre distance L = 100 mm · angle = 15°

Result

Stack height H ≈ 25.882 mm

A 200 mm bar at the same angle needs twice the height, approximately 51.764 mm.

Which bar length to enter

L is the distance between roller centres, not overall bar length or the gap between roller edges. Use your actual bar's centre distance. Height uses H = L · sin α; the inverse calculation uses α = arcsin(H/L).

Preparing the block stack

The calculator suggests a combination that approximates the required height. Check that its sizes exist in your gauge block set and review the difference between stack sum and target height. Display rounding does not replace checking the assembled stack.

Checking the supports

Clean contact surfaces and confirm that both rollers seat on their intended references. In the inverse calculation, H must be less than L for angles below 90°. The calculator describes geometry; actual stability and accuracy depend on the setup.

Frequently asked questions

Do I use overall bar length?

No. Enter the centre-to-centre distance between the two rollers, which is the reference length for this calculation.

Can I find the angle from the blocks?

Yes. Choose angle calculation and enter L and height H. The result is α = arcsin(H/L).

Will the suggested stack fit every block set?

Not necessarily. Check your available blocks and the combination's deviation before using it.

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