> And PCB traces, and PCB mechanicals, and machine shops, and ... and ... I work in a machine shop ( not as a machinist, but I used to be ). Here we typically use the term thousandths to refer to 1/1000 of an inch and tenths to refer to 1/10000 of an inch. Dimensions and tolerances are typically called out in thousands with tenths used for closer tolerances. For instance, a dimension might call out 3.5625 +- .0005. In our jargon we might describe that as "3 9/16 plus or minus a half" or "3.5625 plus or minus 5 tenths". In addition, thousands are most common so they can be assumed. If we had a dimension of 3.500 +- .002 and someone ask me about it. I might say "3 1/2 plus or minus two." However, if the tolerance is in tenths, you always have to qualify. I have mixed feelings about Wagner's post. On one hand, I agree. On the other hand, as can be seen above, a certain amount of interpretation can take place based upon context. I should point out though, we never attempt to interprete drawings. Any discrepancy, no matter if the designer's intention is obvious, is clarified with the customer. We don't use mils or microns to describe dimensions, but we do use micrometers to measure tenths and thousandths . Eric -----Original Message----- From: pic microcontroller discussion list [mailto:PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU]On Behalf Of Andy Kunz Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 1999 5:13 PM To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU Subject: Re: [OT] SI Standards (again!!!!!!) - Was Re: E Clock >> mils = (sounds like milli inch??) > >Commonly used for some building materials (thickness of plastic, etc.) And PCB traces, and PCB mechanicals, and machine shops, and ... and ... >> microns = (micrometer? (5m)) > >Old-fashioned term still in common usage. Uh, old fashioned? "1/4 micron techology" is CURRENT, dude! >In North America, it seems to be pronounced 2 ways: > 1. ki-law-meter, accent on the second syllable (most common) > 2. ki-low-meter, accent on the first syllable 3) ke-lah-mter >I tend to go with #2, since (using the micrometer example), a >mi-craw-meter (the instrument) is used to measure a mic-row-meter (the >distance). We don't have any mi-craw-meters here, but we have mi-crah-meters. JUST PICKING! Andy ================================================================== New Microprocessor support forum mail list - details on our site ------------------------------------------------------------------ andy@rc-hydros.com http://www.rc-hydros.com - Race Boats andy@montanadesign.com http://www.montanadesign.com - Electronics ==================================================================