Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar Metrology Lab

Laboratory 3: Calibration of Vernier Caliper

Submitted byRitu Gavasane Roll no.: 10003020 5/04/2013

OBJECTIVE: To calibrate vernier caliper using slip gauges. THEORY: Calibration is done to check precision and accuracy of the measuring instrument. If we have referenceswhich are very accurate and well kept under control environment, they can be used to calibrate. Slip gauge is a precision ground and lapped length measuring standard used as a reference for thecalibration of measuring equipment used in machine shops, such as micrometers, sine bars, calipers,and dial indicators.Vernier caliper is capable of measuring internal and external dimensions and can also be used as a depthgauge. The Vernier Caliper is a precision instrument that can be used to measure internal and externaldistances extremely accurately. The vernier, dial, and digital calipers that give a direct reading of thedistance measured to high accuracy. These calipers comprise a calibrated scale with a fixed jaw, andanother jaw, with a pointer, that slides along the scale. Its least count is 0.1 /0.2 mm. The vernier scales may include metric measurements on the lower part of the scale and inchmeasurements on the upper, or vice versa, in countries that use inches. Vernier calipers commonly used inindustry provide a precision to 0.01 mm (10 micrometres), or one thousandth of an inch. They areavailable in sizes that can measure up to 1,829 mm (72 in).

Box of slip gauges: Slip gauge is a precision ground and lapped length measuring standard. They are used as areference for the calibration of measuring equipment used in machine shops, such as micrometers, sine bars, calipers and dial indicators. Gauge blocks are the main means of length standardization used by industry. They are the most accurate standards of length available for use in workshops. The accuracyand finish is so high that two or more slip gauges may be wrung together. When correctlycleaned and wrung

together, the individual slip gauges adhere to each other by molecularattraction and if left like this for too long, a partial cold weld will take place. If this is allowedto occur, the gauging surface will be irreparably after use, the gauges should be separatedcarefully by sliding them apart. They should then be cleaned, smeared with oil or petroleum jelly (Vaseline) and returned to their case.

PROCEDURE: Check the zero error of the vernier calipers (150 mm and 300 mm) Take the slip gauges from the box of different sizes and measure themusing vernier calipers. Compare the measured value with the given value of the gauges. Then take the combination of slip gauges keeping two mirrored surfaces at 90 degrees andturn so that they stick and their final length will be sum of individual lengths. Now measure the combined length using the vernier caliper and find out the error. Take care that the gauges are attached properly. Inability to do that would lead to errors.

OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS: 1. Using single slip gauge (150 mm): S. No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Slip gauge reading(mm) 5 6 7 8.5 9.5 10.5 11.5 12.5 13.5 Vernier reading(mm) 5 6 6.9 8.44 9.42 10.5 11.4 12.46 13.44 Error 0 0 0.1 0.06 0.08 0 0.1 0.04 0.06 % Error 0.000 0.000 1.429 0.706 0.842 0.000 0.870 0.320 0.444

10 11 12 13 14 15

14.5 15.5 16.5 21 75 22

14.5 15.5 16.48 21 74.92 21.96

0 0 0.02 0 0.08 0.04

0.000 0.000 0.121 0.000 0.107 0.182

Error
0.12 0.1 0.08 Error 0.06 0.04 0.02 0 -0.02 0 20 40 Gauge reading (mm) 60 80 Error

% Error
1.600 1.400 1.200 1.000 % Error 0.800 0.600 0.400 0.200 0.000 -0.200 0 20 40 60 Gauge reading (mm) 80 % Error

2. Using single slip gauge (300 mm): S. No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Slip gauge reading(mm) 5 6 7 1.45 10.5 11.5 12.5 14 15 16.5 17.5 19 20 22.5 100 Vernier reading(mm) 5 6 7 1.42 10.48 11.5 12.46 13.96 15 16.48 17.46 19 19.98 22.48 99.92 Error 0 0 0 0.03 0.02 0 0.04 0.04 0 0.02 0.04 0 0.02 0.02 0.08 % Error 0 0 0 2.068966 0.190476 0 0.32 0.285714 0 0.121212 0.228571 0 0.1 0.088889 0.08

Error
0.09 0.08 0.07 0.06 0.05 0.04 0.03 0.02 0.01 0 -0.01 0

Error

Error

20

40 60 80 Gauge reading (mm)

100

120

% Error
2.5 2 1.5 % Error 1 0.5 0 0 -0.5 20 40 60 80 100 120 Gauge reading (mm) % Error

3. Using combination of slip gauges (150 mm): S. No. 1 2 3 4 5 Combination used 17.5+17 16+15.5 18+18.5 13.5+13 25+50 Slip gauge reading(mm) 35 31.5 36.5 26.5 75 Vernier reading(mm) 34.9 31.5 36.48 26.46 75 Error 0.1 0 0.02 0.04 0 % Error 0.285714286 0 0.054794521 0.150943396 0

4. Using combination of slip gauges (300 mm): Combination used 11+3 18+18.5 5.5+19.5 1.22+10 100+23.5 Slip gauge reading (mm) 14 36.5 25 11.22 123.5 Vernier reading (mm) 13.94 35.48 24.92 11.2 123.54

S. No. 1 2 3 4 5

Error 0.06 1.02 0.08 0.02 -0.04

% Error 0.428571 2.794521 0.32 0.178253 -0.03239

CONCLUSIONS: 1. The error in the actual gauge values and the vernier readings is less than 3% that may or may not be negligible; it would depend on the application. 2. The maximum value or error that occurs is 1.02 mm.

DISCUSSION: 1. Combinations of gauge blocks may lead to error because of imperfections in the joint surfaces. 2. The method adopted is time consuming. 3. The measurements need to be conducted in a controlled environment to avoid thermal expansion in the blocks. 4. The gauge blocks need to be held with care as they have highly finished surfaces, that may get damaged if the blocks are dropped.