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GATE ME Metrology, CIM & Additive Mfg Previous Year Questions

41 solved GATE ME questions on Metrology, CIM & Additive Mfg, drawn from 12 exam years and grouped by year. Every question shows the official answer and a step-by-step solution.

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Metrology, CIM & Additive Mfg: define the tolerance, then verify the measurement

Specify the nominal dimension, tolerance band, and allowable deviation before selecting the measurement system. These selected foundations connect limits and fits, measurement instruments, CNC programming, and additive manufacturing basics. They are not a complete syllabus; advanced GD&T and detailed CIM architectures need separate study.

Our study notes and original examples support the PYQs below; they are not official exam questions or a replacement for the current syllabus.

Before you start

  • Basic dimensioning: nominal size, upper and lower limits, and deviation from nominal.
  • Coordinate systems (Cartesian) and the concept of programmable tool paths.

Concepts to revise before solving

Limits, fits, and tolerances

Tolerance = upper limit - lower limit of a dimension. In the hole-basis system, the hole's lower deviation is zero; the shaft's deviations determine the type of fit. Clearance fit: shaft is always smaller. Interference fit: shaft is always larger. Transition fit: either clearance or interference is possible depending on actual sizes.

Check yourself: Have you compared the shaft's maximum size with the hole's minimum size to determine worst-case interference?

Measurement instruments and errors

A comparator measures deviation from a reference, not absolute size. Abbe's principle: the measurement axis should be collinear with the dimension being measured to minimize cosine error. Least count defines instrument resolution: micrometer (0.01 mm), vernier caliper (0.02 mm typical). Systematic errors need calibration; random errors need repeated measurements.

Check yourself: Is the instrument's least count adequate for the tolerance being verified?

CNC programming fundamentals

G-codes command motion: G00 (rapid traverse), G01 (linear interpolation), G02/G03 (circular interpolation CW/CCW). M-codes control machine functions: M03 (spindle on CW), M05 (spindle stop), M30 (program end). Coordinates can be absolute (G90) or incremental (G91). Feed rate F and spindle speed S must match the workpiece material.

Check yourself: Is the coordinate mode (absolute vs. incremental) correct for the programmed path?

Computer-integrated manufacturing

CIM integrates CAD, CAM, CAPP, and shop-floor control. Flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) combine CNC machines, material handling, and computer control for medium-variety, medium-volume production. Group technology classifies parts by similarity to exploit commonality in process planning. Automation level ranges from stand-alone CNC to fully integrated factories.

Check yourself: Does the production volume and variety justify the level of automation?

Additive manufacturing basics

Additive manufacturing builds parts layer by layer from a digital model (STL file). Key processes: FDM (thermoplastic extrusion), SLA (photopolymer curing), SLS (powder sintering), and DMLS (metal powder fusion). Layer thickness affects surface finish and build time. Support structures are needed for overhangs beyond a critical angle. Post-processing may be required for dimensional accuracy.

Check yourself: Does the geometry require support structures, and how will they be removed?

Mistakes to avoid

Confusing tolerance with allowance.
Tolerance is the permissible variation of a single dimension. Allowance is the intentional difference between mating parts (minimum clearance or maximum interference).
Programming CNC coordinates in incremental mode while thinking in absolute.
Verify G90 (absolute) vs. G91 (incremental) before coding. An incremental move of X10 from X=50 goes to X=60, not X=10.
Assuming additive manufacturing eliminates all geometric constraints.
Overhangs, minimum wall thickness, and thermal distortion impose design constraints. Support removal can affect surface quality.

Original teaching example · not a PYQ

Work through the reasoning

Original mini-example: a hole is specified as 25.000 +0.021/+0.000 mm and a shaft as 25.000 -0.007/-0.028 mm. Determine the type of fit, maximum clearance, and minimum clearance.

  1. Hole: upper limit = 25.021 mm, lower limit = 25.000 mm. Tolerance = 0.021 mm.
  2. Shaft: upper limit = 24.993 mm, lower limit = 24.972 mm. Tolerance = 0.021 mm.
  3. Maximum clearance = hole upper limit - shaft lower limit = 25.021 - 24.972 = 0.049 mm.
  4. Minimum clearance = hole lower limit - shaft upper limit = 25.000 - 24.993 = 0.007 mm.
  5. Since minimum clearance > 0, the shaft is always smaller than the hole: this is a clearance fit.

Clearance fit. Maximum clearance = 0.049 mm; minimum clearance = 0.007 mm.

Try it before reading the answer

A vernier caliper has a main scale with 1 mm divisions and a vernier with 50 divisions matching 49 mm on the main scale. What is its least count?

Show answer and reasoning

Least count = 0.02 mm.

Each vernier division = 49/50 = 0.98 mm. Least count = 1 main scale division - 1 vernier division = 1.00 - 0.98 = 0.02 mm.

Go deeper with free learning resources

Supplemental reading, not an official GATE reading list or an endorsement of these notes.

Apply this to the previous-year questions

Previous-year questions by year

This page shows 41 recent questions from the released archive, newest first. For older questions and complete papers, browse all GATE ME papers. Questions can carry more than one subject tag; counts are not marks weightage.

GATE ME 20263 questions

  1. Set 1 Q31Which one of the following options is NOT an error associated with STereoLithography (STL) file in additive manufacturing?MCQ · +1 marks · Medium
  2. Set 1 Q33A two-dimensional surface profile is obtained over a sampling length by using a contact type stylus profilometer as shown in the figure below. A line AA…MCQ · +1 marks · Medium
  3. Set 1 Q45Consider the Euler variables of polyhedral objects namely, P1P1, P2P2, P3P3, and P4P4 as given in the table below. | Polyhedral objects | Faces (FF) | Edges…MCQ · +2 marks · Medium

GATE ME 20253 questions

  1. Set 1 Q23In computer aided design (CAD), solid models can be constructed usingMCQ · +1 marks · Easy
  2. Set 1 Q25When assembled, the hole 30+0.000+0.03030^{+0.030}_{+0.000} mm and shaft 30−0.020+0.02030^{+0.020}_{-0.020} mm will result inMCQ · +1 marks · Easy
  3. Set 1 Q40In relation to additive manufacturing, match the following | Process | Layer creation technique | Material | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | P Stereolithography | 1…MCQ · +2 marks · Medium

GATE ME 20234 questions

  1. Set 1 Q53A part, produced in high volumes, is dimensioned as shown. The machining process making this part is known to be statistically in control based on sampling…NAT · +2 marks · Hard
  2. Set 1 Q54A coordinate measuring machine (CMM) is used to determine the distance between Surface SPSP and Surface SQSQ of an approximately cuboidal shaped part. Surface…NAT · +2 marks · Hard
  3. Set 1 Q55A solid part (see figure) of polymer material is to be fabricated by additive manufacturing (AM) in square-shaped layers starting from the bottom of the part…NAT · +2 marks · Hard
  4. Set 1 Q56An optical flat is used to measure the height difference between a reference slip gauge A and a slip gauge B. Upon viewing via the optical flat using a…NAT · +2 marks · Hard

GATE ME 20225 questions

  1. Set 1 Q20The type of fit between a mating shaft of diameter 25.0−0.010+0.01025.0_{-0.010}^{+0.010} mm and a hole of diameter 25.015−0.015+0.01525.015_{-0.015}^{+0.015} mm is __________.MCQ · +1 marks · Easy
  2. Set 1 Q28Which of the following additive manufacturing technique(s) can use a wire as a feedstock material?MSQ · +1 marks · Medium
  3. Set 2 Q20A shaft of diameter 25−0.07−0.04 mm25_{-0.07}^{-0.04}\text{ mm} is assembled in a hole of diameter 25−0.00+0.02 mm25_{-0.00}^{+0.02}\text{ mm}. Match the allowance and limit parameter…MCQ · +1 marks · Medium
  4. Set 2 Q21Match the additive manufacturing technique in Column I with its corresponding input material in Column II. | Additive manufacturing technique (Column I) |…MCQ · +1 marks · Easy
  5. Set 2 Q56The best size wire is fitted in a groove of a metric screw such that the wire touches the flanks of the thread on the pitch line as shown in the figure. The…NAT · +2 marks · Medium

GATE ME 20213 questions

  1. Set 1 Q20Consider the surface roughness profile as shown in the figure. [figure] The center line average roughness (RaR_a, in μm\mu m) of the measured length (LL) isMCQ · +1 marks · Easy
  2. Set 2 Q19The allowance provided in between a hole and a shaft is calculated from the difference betweenMCQ · +1 marks · Easy
  3. Set 2 Q52A 76.2 mm gauge block is used under one end of a 254 mm sine bar with roll diameter of 25.4 mm. The height of gauge blocks required at the other end of the…NAT · +2 marks · Medium

GATE ME 20203 questions

  1. Set 1 Q53The following data applies to basic shaft system: tolerance for hole = 0.002 mm0.002\text{ mm}, tolerance for shaft = 0.001 mm0.001\text{ mm}, allowance =…NAT · +2 marks · Medium
  2. Set 2 Q22The figure below shows a symbolic representation of the surface texture in a perpendicular lay orientation with indicative values (I through VI) marking the…MCQ · +1 marks · Medium
  3. Set 2 Q42Two rollers of diameters D1D_1 (in mm) and D2D_2 (in mm) are used to measure the internal taper angle in the V-groove of a machined component. The heights…MCQ · +2 marks · Medium

GATE ME 20192 questions

  1. Set 1 Q46A circular shaft having diameter 65.00−0.05+0.01 mm65.00^{+0.01}_{-0.05}\text{ mm} is manufactured by turning process. A 50 μm50\text{ }\mu\text{m} thick coating of TiN is…MCQ · +2 marks · Medium
  2. Set 2 Q27The most common limit gage used for inspecting the hole diameter isMCQ · +1 marks · Easy

GATE ME 20181 question

  1. Set 1 Q35The height (in mm) for a 125 mm sine bar to measure a taper of 27∘32′27^\circ 32' on a flat work piece is _______ (correct to three decimal places).NAT · +1 marks · Medium

GATE ME 20174 questions

  1. Set 1 Q20Cylindrical pins of diameter 15±0.02015^{\pm 0.020} mm are being produced on a machine. Statistical quality control tests show a mean of 14.99514.995 mm and standard…MCQ · +1 marks · Medium
  2. Set 1 Q50Assume that the surface roughness profile is triangular as shown schematically in the figure. If the peak to valley height is 20 μm20\ \mu\text{m}, the central…MCQ · +2 marks · Medium
  3. Set 2 Q24The standard deviation of linear dimensions P and Q are 3 μm3\ \mu m and 4 μm4\ \mu m, respectively. When assembled, the standard deviation (in μm\mu m) of the…NAT · +1 marks · Easy
  4. Set 2 Q53A cylindrical pin of 25+0.000+0.02025^{+0.020}_{+0.000} mm diameter is electroplated. Plating thickness is 2.0±0.0052.0\pm0.005 mm. Neglecting the gauge tolerance, the diameter…NAT · +2 marks · Medium

GATE ME 20162 questions

  1. Set 1 Q35Match the following: | Column 1 | Column 2 | | :--- | :--- | | P. Feeler gauge | I. Radius of an object | | Q. Fillet gauge | II. Diameter within limits by…MCQ · +1 marks · Easy
  2. Set 3 Q62Two optically flat plates of glass are kept at a small angle θ\theta as shown in the figure. Monochromatic light is incident vertically. [figure] If the…NAT · +2 marks · Medium

GATE ME 20156 questions

  1. Set 1 Q32Holes of diameter 25.0+0.020+0.04025.0^{+0.040}_{+0.020} mm are assembled interchangeably with the pins of diameter 25.0−0.008+0.00525.0^{+0.005}_{-0.008} mm. The minimum clearance in the…MCQ · +1 marks · Easy
  2. Set 1 Q40In the assembly shown below, the part dimensions are: L1=22.0±0.01L_1 = 22.0^{\pm 0.01} mm, L2=L3=10.0±0.005L_2=L_3 = 10.0^{\pm 0.005} mm. Assuming the normal distribution of part…MCQ · +2 marks · Medium
  3. Set 1 Q42A triangular facet in a CAD model has vertices: P1(0,0,0)P_1(0,0,0); P2(1,1,0)P_2(1,1,0) and P3(1,1,1)P_3(1,1,1). The area of the facet isMCQ · +2 marks · Medium
  4. Set 1 Q52A triangular facet in a CAD model has vertices: P1(0,0,0)P1(0,0,0); P2(1,1,0)P2(1,1,0) and P3(1,1,1)P3(1,1,1). The area of the facet isMCQ · +2 marks · Medium
  5. Set 2 Q32Which one of the following statements is TRUE?MCQ · +1 marks · Easy
  6. Set 2 Q33During the development of a product, an entirely new process plan is made based on design logic, examination of geometry and tolerance information. This type…MCQ · +1 marks · Easy

GATE ME 20145 questions

  1. Set 1 Q31Which one of the following instruments is widely used to check and calibrate geometric features of machine tools during their assembly?MCQ · +1 marks · Easy
  2. Set 1 Q63For the given assembly: 25 H7/g825\text{ H7/g8}, match Group A with Group B | Group A | Group B | | :--- | :--- | | P. H | I. Shaft Type | | Q. IT8 | II. Hole Type |…MCQ · +2 marks · Easy
  3. Set 2 Q30The flatness of a machine bed can be measured usingMCQ · +1 marks · Easy
  4. Set 3 Q63The diameter of a recessed ring was measured by using two spherical balls of diameter d2=60d_2=60 mm and d1=40d_1=40 mm as shown in the figure. The distance…NAT · +2 marks · Hard
  5. Set 4 Q62A GO-No GO plug gauge is to be designed for measuring a hole of nominal diameter 25 mm25\text{ mm} with a hole tolerance of ±0.015 mm\pm 0.015\text{ mm}. Considering…MCQ · +2 marks · Medium

Other GATE ME topics

Engineering Mathematics(269)General Aptitude(265)Manufacturing Processes(207)Thermodynamics(160)Strength of Materials(131)Theory of Machines & Vibrations(130)Fluid Mechanics(127)Heat Transfer(106)Engineering Mechanics(105)Industrial Engineering(92)Machine Design(77)Engineering Materials(37)

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