What does one side of an H-gauge check while the other side checks clinch diameter?

The correct choice, clinch thickness, pertains to the measurement of how much material is being compressed when fastening components together with a clinch joint. An H-gauge is a specific tool used in assembly to ensure the integrity and dimensional accuracy of riveting and clinching processes.

One side of the H-gauge is designed to measure the clinch diameter, ensuring that the diameter matches specified tolerances. The other side, which checks clinch thickness, measures how much the materials have been deformed and compressed at the joint. This allows mechanics to verify that the clinch joint is not only secure but also within the specifications required for structural integrity. Maintaining the correct clinch thickness is vital for the load-bearing capacity of the joint, as it ensures that the materials are properly engaged without being excessively compressed, which could lead to material failure.

While other options involve relevant dimensions in assembly, they do not correspond to the specific function of either side of the H-gauge. For instance, clinch width relates to the lateral measurement of the joint, rivet head diameter measures the size of the rivet head itself, and rivet shank length pertains to the length of the rivet shaft, none of which directly apply to the dual-measurement capability described