Vernier Callipers

Standard vernier callipers measure to within 0.05 mm (0.002 in) and 0.02 mm (0.001 in). Digital callipers are available with an accuracy up to 0.01 mm (0.0005 in).

They can be used to measure outside inside and depth !eatures. They must be stored in a clean dry place pre!erably in the pouch or bo" in which they were originally bought. #t is essential that the corners o! the inside and outside $aws are protected against damage otherwise inaccurate readings will result.

%old the vernier so that you are loo&ing at the scale at an angle and in line with the graduated line. 'oo& along rather than at the line. (ove into a position where the light stri&es !rom the bac& o! the vernier scale at about the same angle as your line o! sight.

)ernier callipers can be read !rom *ero up to the length o! the main scale o!ten 250 millimetres or more. They may also have provision !or ta&ing depth readings.
Reading a Vernier:

+ ,ead the main scale to the le!t o! the *ero o! the vernier in millimetres. + -ow loo& at the vernier scale below. -ote which one o! the vernier divisions is opposite a line on the main scale. + .ach o! the lines on the vernier scale represents adivision that is 0.02 o! a mm shorter than those o! the main scale. Multiply the number of the line on the vernier scale by 0.02 and add the result to the reading o! the main scale.

The ne"t s&etch shows the reading on a vernier. There are /0 !ull divisions on the main scale to the le!t o! the *ero. This e1uals /0 millimetres. The thirty2third line on the vernier scale is opposite a line on the main scale giving3 // " 0.02 4 0.55mm -ow add 0.55 mm to the main scale reading o! /0 mm to give a total reading o! /0.55 mm.

6ertain metric verniers with the vernier scale 78 mm long have each !i!th line o! the vernier scale numbered !rom 1 to 10. 9s each division on the vernier scale represents 0.02 mm then the !i!th line representing 5 "

0.02 which e1uals 0.1 mm is mar&ed number 1. The tenth line is mar&ed 2 the !i!teenth line mar&ed / and so on to the end o! the scale.

,ead this type o! scale as !ollows3 + + ,ead the main scale as be!ore. ,ead the numbered divisions o! the vernier scale as tenths o! a millimetre. 6omplete the reading by adding the e"tra 0.02 lines.

Example of a vernier settings: The main scale reads 50 millimetres. The vernier shows the !i!th line which represents 0.5 mm plus / e"tra divisions which represent3 / " 0.02 4 0.05 mm. Total reading is 50 : 0.5

:0.05 4 50.55 mm Some metric verniers have their main scale divided into millimetres and hal! millimetres with the vernier scale made 27.5 mm long and divided into 25 e1ual parts.

The length o! each vernier division is there!ore one twenty2!i!th o! 27.5 mm which e1uals 0.8; o! a mm. The vernier scale divisions are again 0.02 corresponding main scale millimetredivisions o! a mmshorter than the

The last s&etch shows the reading o! a vernier reading to 0.02 o! a millimetre. #t has a vernier scale 27.5 mm long. There are /0 ma$or divisions on the main scale to the le!t o! the *ero which e1uals /0 mm. There is also one hal!2millimetre division which e1uals 0.5 mm. /0 : 0.5 4 /0.5 mm

The eighth line on the vernier scale is opposite a line on the main scale. (ultiply ; by 0.02 which represents 0.15 and add this to the reading o! the main scale. (ain scale )ernier scale Total reading Exercise /0.50 : 0.15 4/0.55 mm

!ractice reading the Vernier as sho"n belo":

Micrometers
They enable veryaccurate measurements to be ta&en. <utside micrometers are used to measure3 + <utside diameters + Thic&ness o! material + 'engths o! parts. They are available in various si*ed !rames. 9ll si*es however have a measuring range limited to the length o! the thread on the spindle.The range is 0 to 25 millimetres.

The principal parts o! a micrometer are3 =rame 9nvils Spindle and Thread Sleeve or >arrel Thimble. 9 &nurled collar or a small lever on the !rame can be used to loc& the spindle in the barrel. 9!ter the anvils have been set against the wor& being measured tighten the spindle loc&. This prevents any movement o! the spindle while you are reading the micrometer scale.

,emember to loosen the clamp be!ore attempting to ta&e any !urther readings.

!rinciples of a micrometer: The principle o! a micrometer that reads to 0.01 o! a millimetre is e"plained below. %old a 0225 mm outside micrometer by the !rame between thumb and !irst !inger o! your le!t hand. ?eep the graduations on the sleeve towards you. 'oosen the spindle loc&. @se the !inger and thumb o! your right hand on the &nurled part o! the thimble to screw it anti2cloc&wise. This moves the spindle to the right and uncovers the graduations on the sleeve. 'oo& at the gap between the anvils. #t is e1ual to the uncovered Alength o! the datum line. 'oo& at the datum line on the sleeve. #t is graduated into millimetres and hal! millimetres !rom *ero up to 25 mm and each !i!th millimetre is numbered. Turn the thimble until *ero is level with the datum line. -ote the position o! the graduation on the sleeve. Turn the thimble one complete turn. The thimble will move along one graduation o! the sleeve scale. This

is because the pitch o! the thread on the spindle is hal! a millimetre. Two turns o! the thimble move the spindle one millimetre. 'oo& at the graduations around the thimble. There are 50 graduations and each !i!th graduation is numbered

-ow wipe the !ace o! the anvils with a piece o! clean cloth. Screw the thimble inwards towards the !rame until the anvils are touching. + + 6lose the anvils gently. -ever apply !orce. 9llow your !ingers to slip on the &nurled part o! the thimble.

+ 'oo& at the scales. They should both read *ero. + <pen the anvils by turning the thimble to uncover one division on the thimble scale. 1 o! 50

The movement o! the anvil 4 a complete turn. 1 50 mm + o! 0.5 mm

4 0.01

6ontinue turning the thimble until the tenth line o! the thimble is level with the datum line. %old the micrometer up to the light. >y care!ully loo&ing at the anvils you should be able to see a small gap. #t is 0.1 o! a millimetre. 6ontinue turning until the !i!tieth line o! the thimble is level with the datum line.

The anvils will now be 0.5 o! a millimetre apart. The !irst graduation on the sleeve will now be visible. Turn the thimble one more complete turn to open the anvils to 1 millimetre.

#! you !ind that the micrometer does not read *ero when the anvils are touching and you are sure that they are clean the micrometer needs ad$usting.

Reading a metric micrometer: + ,ead on the barrel scale the number o! millimetres that are completely visible. 9dd any hal! millimetres that are completely visible. -ote the number o! the graduation on the thimble scale that is level with the datum line. 9dd the thimble reading to the other reading.

+ +

The s&etch shows a micrometer set to a reading.

There are 5 millimetres between the *ero and the thimble. There is also one graduation o! 0.5 o! a millimetre. The twel!th !ine o! the thimble scale is level with the datum line.

The reading o! the micrometer would be3 5.0 mm : 0.5 mm : 0.12 mm 4 5.52 mm

#sing outside micrometers: S&ill is needed to obtain accurate measurements when using a micrometer. ."cessive pressure during ad$ustment will3 + + + Bive inaccurate readings 6ause strain on the thread Distort the !rame.

9s you ad$ust the micrometer anvils against the wor& you should !eel a light pressure or resistance against the sur!ace. Develop this A!eelA by constant practice measuring articles o! accurately &nown si*e. Some micrometers have a spring2loaded ratchet which will ensure constant ad$usting pressure. 9ccurate measurements can be made with the assistance o! the ratchet provided the micrometer is &ept s1uare to the wor&. (easure with an outside micrometer as !ollows3 %old the outside micrometer in your right hand with the graduations on the main scale towards you. Support the !rame on the lower centre o! your palm. @se the little or third !inger to hold the !rame to the palm. Clace the middle !inger behind and supporting the !rame.

?eep the !irst !inger and thumb !ree to ad$ust the &nurled thimble.

6lose the anvils until you !eel them $ust touching the wor&. 9llow your !inger and thumb to slip on the &nurled thimble to obtain the correct pressure. (ove the wor& slightly between the anvils or pass the micrometer over the wor& by moving your wrist.

(a&e any !urther ad$ustment o! the thimble until you obtain the right A!eelA.

Dhen you are satis!ied with the !eel o! the anvils against the wor& proceed as !ollows3 + ,emove your !ingers !rom the thimble. + + Turn the micrometer towards you. ,ead the measurement.

Sometimes2 it may be more convenient to hold the micrometer with both hands by3

Supporting the !rame between the !ingers and thumb o! your le!t hand + @sing the thumb and !inger o! your right hand to ad$ust the thimble.

Exercsie $ Read the Micrometers %. to %0. sho"n belo":