Calipers, Micrometers & Vernier Scales
Micrometer Screw Gauge
- A micrometer, or a micrometer screw gauge, is a tool used for measuring small widths, thicknesses or diameters
- For example, the diameter of a copper wire
- It has a resolution of 0.01 mm
- The micrometer is made up of two scales:
- The main scale - this is on the sleeve (sometimes called the barrel)
- The thimble scale - this is a rotating scale on the thimble
Components of a micrometer
- The spindle and anvil are clamped around the object being measured by rotating the ratchet
- This should be tight enough so the object does not fall out but not so tight that is deformed
- Never tighten the spindle using the barrel, only using the ratchet. This will reduce the chances of overtightening and zero errors
- The value measured from the micrometer is read where the thimble scale aligns with the main scale
- This should always be recorded to 2 decimal places (eg. 1.40 mm not just 1.4 mm)
The micrometer reading is read when the thimble scale aligns with the main scale
Vernier Calipers
- Vernier calipers are another distance measuring tool that uses a sliding vernier scale
- They can also be used to measure diameters and thicknesses, just like the micrometer
- However, they can also measure the length of small objects such as a screw or the depth of a hole
- Vernier calipers generally have a resolution of 0.1 mm, however, some are as small as 0.02 mm - 0.05 mm
- The calipers are made up of two scales:
- The main scale
- The vernier scale
- The two upper or lower jaws are clamped around the object
- The sliding vernier scale will follow this and can be held in place using the locking screw
Components of a vernier caliper
- The value read from the caliper when the vernier scale aligns with the main scale
- This should always be recorded to at least 1 decimal place (eg. 12.1 mm not just 12 mm)
The vernier caliper reading is read when the vernier scale aligns with the main scale
- In general, the micrometer has a smaller measuring range than a vernier caliper
- However, the micrometer has a better accuracy (due to better resolution)
- The vernier caliper is quicker to use, whilst the micrometer involves rotating the thimble
- Therefore, to take many measurements, a caliper would be easier to use
Examiner Tip
Make sure you're comfortable with reading from a micrometer or vernier caliper scale. This will be expected not just in your practical endorsement, but also in written practical questions.