Introduction :

While doing manufacturing planning, measuring using measuring equipment is essential. No matter is
the diameter of the tiniest component of a product or the thickness of a machine, all measurements
made have to be as accurate as possible. The accuracy of measurement is dependent to the types of
measuring tools.

Firstly, steel ruler. The accuracy of a steel ruler is 0.05millimeter(mm). Place the object directly above
the ruler. One end of the object and the ruler have to be lined into a straight line. Read the number on
the ruler that is nearest the other end of the object. Count the small lines until it reaches the end of the
object.

Secondly, Vernier caliper. The scale on the main scale is 1mm and the Vernier scale is 0.2mm. after the
object is clamped firmly by the jaws, read the reading on the main scale immediately. Count and identify
the nearest number (on the left of main scale) to the line that touches the “0” mark on the Vernier scale.
Allocate straight line that is made by the main scale and the Vernier scale. count the lines on the Vernier
scale and add it up to the main scale reading. To measure depth, place the stem into the hollow and
adjust the Vernier scale until the main scale touches the opening. Repeat the whole process stated
above.

Thirdly, micrometer screw gauge. The accuracy of a micrometer screw gauge is 0.01mm. Place the
object in the gap between the anvil and the spindle and secure it by rotating the thimble. Turn the
ratchet knob to prevent excess pressure exerted onto the object and lock the thimble’s movement by
clicking the lock. Count the lines and read the line on the sleeve that touches the thimble. Then count
the lines upwards on the thimble and identify the value. Lastly, add it up to the value read on the main
scale.

Objective:

To learn to use a ruler, a Vernier calipers and a micrometer screw gauge to measure dimentions.

Apparatus:

1. Steel ruler
2. Vernier calipers
3. Micrometer screw gauge
4. Rectangular box
5. Cylindrical bar
6. Disc
7. Hollow cylinder
Experiment steps:

1. Using a ruler
i. A steel ruler is used to measure the length, width and thickness of the rectangular
box by placing the box directly above the “1” on the ruler instead of the “0” mark
to avoid zero error.
ii. The lines are counted and the reading on the ruler is read by looking straight
down at the ruler to avoid parallax error.
iii. the experiment is repeated 5 times for each positions (length, width, thickness) of
the box to improve the accuracy of the experiment
iv. The average of the 5 readings each are calculated.
v. The readings and the average obtained is recorded.

2. Using a Vernier Calipers

i. The jaws are closed tightly and zero error is checked before measuring the length,
width and thickness of the rectangular box.
ii. The object is clamped tightly by adjusting the jaws and the reading is read by
looking straight down at the ruler to avoid parallax error.
iii. The experiment is repeated 5 times for each dimensions (length, width, thickness)
and the average is calculated. This improves the accuracy of the readings
iv. The readings and the average is recorded on to a table.

3. Using the Micrometer screw gauge.

i. The thimble is rotated clockwise until the gap between the anvil and the spindle is
closed. Zero error is checked before using it to measure the dimensions of the box.
ii. The thimble is rotated anticlockwise to open up a gap. The object is placed into the
gap and the thimble is rotated clockwise again to secure the object.
iii. The ratchet knob is rotated until a click sound is heard to prevent excess pressure is
exerted onto the object.
iv. The lock button is clicked and the measurement is read.
v. The experiment is repeated 5 times for each dimension (length, width , thickness)
and the average is calculated for a better accuracy measurement.
vi. The readings and average is recorded into a table

4. The dimensions of the cylindrical bar, disc and the hollow cylinder is measured using the
same apparatus (ruler, micrometer screw gauge and Vernier caliper).
5. All results are tabulated into the table in the results section.
6. The average and standard deviation, standard error and the percent error is calculated.
7. Graphs are plotted according to all the measurement sets (length, width and depth).
Results:

Length (mm) Width(mm) Thickness (mm)

Rectangular Steel Vernier Micrometer Steel Vernier Micrometer Steel Vernier Micrometer
Box Ruler caliper Screw gauge Ruler Caliper screw gauge Ruler Caliper screw gauge
st
1 reading 21.0 20.9 20.96 21.0 20.9 20.91 6.0 6.2 6.17
2nd reading 21.0 20.9 20.98 21.0 20.9 20.93 6.0 6.2 6.18
3rd reading 21.0 20.9 20.97 21.0 20.9 20.93 6.0 6.1 6.19
4th reading 21.0 20.9 20.96 21.0 20.9 20.92 6.0 6.2 6.18
5th reading 21.0 20.9 20.98 21.0 20.9 20.91 6.0 6.2 6.19

Average 21.0 20.9 21.0 20.9 6.0

Standard
deviation
3x Standard
Error

Length (mm) External Diameter(mm) Thickness (mm)

Cylindrical Steel Vernier Micrometer Steel Vernier Micrometer Steel Vernier Micrometer
Bar Ruler caliper Screw gauge Ruler Caliper screw gauge Ruler Caliper screw gauge
1st reading 21.0 20.4 20.41 25 25.0 25.07
2nd reading 21.0 20.4 20.41 25 25.2 25.07
3rd reading 21.0 20.4 20.41 25 25.2 25.06
4th reading 21.0 20.4 20.43 25 25.0 25.06
5th reading 21.0 20.4 20.44 25 25.2 25.09

Average
Standard
deviation
3x
Standard
Error
 Length (mm) External Diameter (mm) Thickness (mm)
Disc Steel Vernier Micrometer Steel Vernier Micrometer Steel Vernier Micrometer
Ruler caliper Screw gauge Ruler Caliper screw gauge Ruler Caliper screw gauge
1st reading 10.0 10.5 10.29 50.0 50.2
2nd reading 10.0 10.4 10.31 50.0 50.2
3rd reading 10.0 10.4 10.35 50.0 50.1
4th reading 10.0 10.5 10.38 50.0 50.2
5th reading 10.0 10.4 10.42 50.0 50.1

Average
Standard
deviation
3x
Standard
Error

External Diameter (mm) Internal Diameter(mm) Depth (mm)

Hollow Steel Vernier Micrometer Steel Vernier Micrometer Steel Vernier Micrometer
Cylinder Ruler caliper Screw gauge Ruler Caliper screw gauge Ruler Caliper screw gauge
1st reading 25.0 25.0 25.05 13.0 12.8 9.22
2nd reading 25.0 25.0 25.04 13.0 12.7 9.22
3rd reading 25.0 25.0 25.03 13.0 12.7 9.22
4th reading 25.0 25.0 25.00 13.0 12.7 9.32
5th reading 25.0 25.0 25.01 13.0 12.8 9.40

Average
Standard
deviation
3x
Standard
Error
Discussions:

1. Resolutions:

Resolutions

Steel 0.05mm
ruler
Vernier 0.1mm
Calipers
Micrometer 0.01mm
Screw Gauge

2. Accuracy is the how near the value or quantity obtained (experimental yield) is to the true
value (actual yield).

3. Precision is the ability to obtain the similar value repeatedly, which means how close are the
values obtained are to each other.

4. The accuracy of