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Calling out Knurling on a drawing 3
- Thread starter Bergey
- Start date
Don,
Two seconds may cover the conversion from millimeters to inches, but not everything is so simple. A vehicle crash simulation requires a self-consistent set of units to perform accurately - you can't just convert pounds and inches as you see fit. You can back calculate the kilogram to slug relationship, but only by knowing the Earth's gravitational constant (which is measured and reported in SI).
Try a corrosion or electroplating equation that requires Avogadro's number. There isn't a slug-friendly version of that lying around.
SI wasn't dreamed up as a way to pit the USA against the rest of the world. As a matter of fact, Americans at NIST are among the most influential in furthering SI for the betterment of society.
Based on your reported age, I would say that we are contemporaries rather than separated by a significant age difference.
Regards,
Cory
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
Two seconds may cover the conversion from millimeters to inches, but not everything is so simple. A vehicle crash simulation requires a self-consistent set of units to perform accurately - you can't just convert pounds and inches as you see fit. You can back calculate the kilogram to slug relationship, but only by knowing the Earth's gravitational constant (which is measured and reported in SI).
Try a corrosion or electroplating equation that requires Avogadro's number. There isn't a slug-friendly version of that lying around.
SI wasn't dreamed up as a way to pit the USA against the rest of the world. As a matter of fact, Americans at NIST are among the most influential in furthering SI for the betterment of society.
Based on your reported age, I would say that we are contemporaries rather than separated by a significant age difference.
Regards,
Cory
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
For creating drawings/linear measurement etc. neither system has significant advantage, I'll happily work both. It's just marks on a stick. The base 10 thing may be considered useful in metric but the fact that the inch system approximates to body parts has its uses.
For complex calculations metric is probably more useful/easier.
I put my hand up and admit that I prefer to do complex calculations in metric as that is what I was taught in at school.
As for mixed units/conversions, I couldnt' help but think of NASA too.
When it comes to straight measurements tough, I guess I'd agree metric is overrated. I'm 5'10", can't remember what that is in metric.
KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...
For complex calculations metric is probably more useful/easier.
I put my hand up and admit that I prefer to do complex calculations in metric as that is what I was taught in at school.
As for mixed units/conversions, I couldnt' help but think of NASA too.
When it comes to straight measurements tough, I guess I'd agree metric is overrated. I'm 5'10", can't remember what that is in metric.
KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...
eromlignod
Mechanical
- Jul 28, 2006
- 402
OK, so we're both old men! 
I'm not trying to say that the world should convert to the English system; I'm saying that I don't give a damn. I can calculate with Avogadro's number or use the acceleration of gravity (32.2 ft/s^2!), or kilowatts, or pascals, etc. perfectly well because, as I mentioned, I'm fluent in both systems.
The snafu at NASA was ostensibly caused by scientists who were not unit-bilingual...you know, like Europeans.
Don
I'm not trying to say that the world should convert to the English system; I'm saying that I don't give a damn. I can calculate with Avogadro's number or use the acceleration of gravity (32.2 ft/s^2!), or kilowatts, or pascals, etc. perfectly well because, as I mentioned, I'm fluent in both systems.
The snafu at NASA was ostensibly caused by scientists who were not unit-bilingual...you know, like Europeans.
Don
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