KEVOS® MAKEOS · Quality
Internal Taper Angle from Two Balls
What is the included angle and top diameter of this tapered bore, measured with two balls?
Included angle and diameter at the top face of an internal taper from the depths to the tops of two precision balls of different sizes.
Open the calculatorRuns in your browser. No account needed.
How this tool works
Inputs, units and where to find them
| Input | Unit | Typical source |
|---|---|---|
| Small ball diameter | mm | Measured diameter of the smaller precision ball (it sits deeper). |
| Large ball diameter | mm | Measured diameter of the larger ball. |
| Depth from top face to top of small ball | mm | Depth gauge reading from the top face down to the top of the small ball. |
| Depth from top face to top of large ball | mm | Depth reading to the top of the large ball (negative if it stands above the face). |
Method and formulas
- With radii R₁ < R₂ and H = h₁ − h₂: sin(α/2) = (R₂ − R₁) ÷ (H − (R₂ − R₁)).
- Taper on diameter = 2 tan(α/2).
- Large ball centre lies R₂ ÷ sin(α/2) from the apex; diameter at the face = 2 tan(α/2) × (that distance + R₂ + h₂).
- Example: the default readings give an included angle of 23.074° and 28.577 mm at the top face.
Limitations
- Straight, round taper; both balls must touch the conical wall all round.
- Ball diameter and depth errors are magnified for small angles.
- Example values are illustrations. Replace them with values for your actual task.
Typical uses
- Inspect tapered bores, valve seats and Morse sockets
- Measure a taper without a taper gauge
- Check the diameter at the gauge line
Who it is for
- Quality inspectors
- Toolmakers
- Metrology technicians
What you get
- Included taper angle
- Taper per unit length on diameter
- Diameter at the top face
Interpreting the result
- Use balls as far apart in size as the taper allows to reduce error.
References
- Machinery’s Handbook, 29th edition (Industrial Press, 2012), printed pp. 682–691. Topic reference; no source tables or recommended settings are reproduced.
WORKOS tools are screening and decision-support utilities. Verify important financial, engineering, safety, legal or operational decisions using appropriate professional standards and your organisation’s approved data.