James Watt's Micrometer for Sustainability
explanatory Essay
539 words
Sustainability
To evaluate the sustainability of an artefact such as the James Watt’s Micrometer a number of conditions should ideally be observed. As part of the research procedure, our group identified the following conditions:
• Component materials
• Product limitations and life expectancy
• Effects on the environment
• Effects on the economy
The remainder of this section shall outline our findings
Component materials
The James Watt’s micrometer is solely made of two metal alloys, namely brass and steel. These two alloys are well suited for the construction of this type of tool during its age of creation. Brass and steel were easily sourced within the UK during the industrial revolution, with major brass works in Swansea, and large steel works Sheffield. Having nationally sourced materials, will have certainly made the alloys a cost effective choice for building the micrometer. Both alloys are suitable for tooling, machining and shaping, as well as possessing excellent strength and durability properties. Other materials available at the time, such as tin and iron would have probably not been favourable due to the fact they are either hard to accurately shape or just do not possess the strength properties of the chosen materials.
It should also be noted, that brass and steel have great recycling benefits. Understandably, this may not have been a deciding factor for choice of materials during the industrial revolution. None the less both alloys can be heated to the point they can be returned to a molten state and reformed into raw construction billets ready for future use.
Product limitations and life expectancy
Our chosen artefact may have some limitation such as the tool is not multipurpose for example it can only be used to measure objects; it can only measure objects that will fit within the “U” shaped jaws or measuring area. Apart from these limitations the micrometer is a tool that definitely suits its purpose. This leads us to believe it may have been used well after newer designs such as the Whitworth micrometer came to market. For instance, lets say you have a tool that is used everyday, and this tool is in perfect working order. Just because a newer version of that same tool comes onto the market your everyday tool does not become obsolete. There are many factors that come into account when choosing a newer tool; even if you happen to purchase the newer version does not necessarily mean that older version gets discarded.
As the micrometer is still on display at the Science Museum in 2013; in what seems to be an amazing condition for a 240 plus year old artefact, stands testament to James Watt’s ingenious choice of materials.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that to evaluate the sustainability of an artefact such as the james watt’s micrometer, a number of conditions should ideally be observed.
- Explains that although the micrometer itself may not harm the environment, the processes involved in producing the materials used to build it do have an impact on the environmental.
- Explains that james watt's micrometer is made of brass and steel. both alloys are suitable for tooling, machining and shaping, as well as possessing excellent strength and durability properties.
- Opines that james watt's ingenious choice of materials proves that brass and steel can withstand the test of time and a fair degree of durability within the correct conditions.
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