Measurement and Instrumentation Lab

Experiment No.4 Study of Vernier Caliper, Vernier Micrometer,

Vernier Depth Gauge, Inner Micrometer
Name: Abdul Rehman
Roll no: 02
Group no: A1
Teacher: Professor Mudassar Shareef
Instructor: Sir M. Waleed
Submission date: 17th November 2022

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Nilore, Islamabad
4.1 Abstract
The main objective of the experiment was to study the functioning of the Vernier Caliper, Screw
Gauge, Vernier Depth Gauge, and Internal Micrometer. Vernier Calipers are used to measure the
distance between two opposite sides of a surface. The least count of this instrument was computed
to be 0.05 mm. A Screw Gauge is a mechanical tool that facilitates measuring the diameter or
radius or thickness of various objects. The least count of this instrument was computed to be 0.01
mm. A Vernier Depth Gauge is used to measure the depth of holes and distances from a flat surface
to a projection. The least count of this instrument was computed to be 0.02 mm. An Internal
Micrometer is used to measure large internal diameters. The least count of this instrument was
computed to be 0.01 mm. No zero error was observed in any of the instruments.

4.2 Introduction
A vernier caliper is defined as a measuring device that is used for the measurement of linear
dimensions. It is also used for the measurement of diameters of round objects with the help of the
measuring jaws. Vernier calipers are used to measure the distance between two opposite sides of
a surface. We can accurately measure the internal and external dimensions and even the height of
an object. It can measure up to a hundredth of a millimeter. A vernier caliper has two sets of jaws
– one on the top and one on the bottom. It consists of a fixed main scale and a movable Vernier
scale. Vernier calipers usually show imperial or metric measurements. However, some of them
measure in both. A caliper is particularly useful when it comes to measuring the diameter of
circular objects such as cylinders. Its jaws can be perfectly secured on both sides of the
circumference.

Figure 1: Vernier Caliper

Micrometer screw gauge is defined as an instrument that is used for measuring the diameter of thin
wires, the thickness of small sheets such as glass or plastics. Screw Gauge is a mechanical tool
that facilitates the measurement of diameter or radius or thickness of thin wire or thickness of thin
sheet metal with maximum accuracy. This tool mainly consists of a U-shaped frame and a spindle
(or screw) attached to a thimble. There are two scales known as the Pitch Scale, which is the main
scale and is engraved on the barrel with vertical lines. Next is the circular scale that is engraved
horizontally on the thimble. The pitch scale measures the distance in millimeters (mm) that the
spindle travels per revolution. One turn of the circular scale equals half a millimeter of screw
displacement is called a micrometer screw gauge. Micrometer gauges are more accurate and
precise compared to Vernier calipers.

Figure 2: Micrometer

A depth gauge is an instrument for measuring depth below a reference surface. They include depth
gauges for underwater diving and similar applications, and engineering instruments used to
measure the depth of holes and indentations from a reference surface. A vernier depth gauge is
used to measure the depth of holes and distances from a flat surface to a projection. Here the scale
moves through the base and the vernier scale remains fixed.
 Figure 3 : Vernier Depth Gauge

An internal micrometer is used to measure large internal diameters. They can measure the inside
diameter of registers and holes. They look like a pen and in the middle is a thimble that rotates.
Whenever the thimble is turned, the micrometer expands. The thimble is stretched until the ends
of each tool can touch the inside of the pipe and then a numbering system is used to find the
measurement on the tip. For the internal micrometer, good quality steel is used in the spindle and
measuring head, and high-quality steel is used for the face tool.

Figure 4 : Inner Micrometer

4.3 Procedure
The least count of the Vernier caliper was calculated, and the scale was checked for any zero error.
The object was fixed between jaws such that object may come out if slight pressure was applied.
The main scale and Vernier scale readings were measured. The height was found by using the
formula; value = Main Scale Reading + (vernier scale reading x least count).
The least count of the screw gauge was calculated and zero error was checked. The object was
fixed between the jaws such that the object could be removed by applying a bit pressure. The
dimension was calculated using the same formula as above.
 The least count of vernier depth gauge was measured and the zero error was checked. The stem
for depth measurement was applied up to the point to which depth is to be measured. The moving
scale was fixed with the help of the screw. The gauge was removed, and the main scale reading
and the circular scale reading was measured. The dimension was found by using the following
formula.
Dimension value = Main Scale Reading + (vernier scale reading x least count)
The least count of the inner micrometer was calculated, and the scale was checked for any zero
error. The circular scale was rotated to move the jaws to inner diameter. The main scale reading
and the circular scale reading were measured. The dimension was found by using the following
formula.
Dimension value = Main Scale Reading + (vernier scale reading x least count).

4.4 Observations and Calculations

Least count of vernier caliper = 0.05 mm
Least count of vernier micrometer = 0.01 mm
Least count of inner micrometer = 0.01 mm
Least count of vernier depth gauge = 0.02 mm
Zero error = 0 mm for all Instruments

Sr. No. Instrument Object Main Scale Sub Scale Dimension

1 Short Tube Out diameter 68 6 68.3
Vernier Caliper
2 Long Tube Out diameter 40 18 40.9
3 Cylinder Thickness 14 49 14.49
Vernier micrometer
4 Gear Thickness 19 38 19.38
5 Tube Inner Diameter 37.5 46 37.96
Inner Micrometer
6 Disc 25 6 25.06
7 Short Tube Depth 61 24 61.48
Vernier Depth gauge
8 Long Tube Depth 81 46 81.92
4.5 Discussion
The main objective of the experiment was to study the functioning of the caliper, screw gauge,
internal micrometer and vernier depth gauge. The smallest numbers of these tools were calculated
to be 0.05 mm, 0.01 mm, 0.01 mm, 0.02 mm, respectively. No zero error was observed for any of
the instruments. Major and minor scale values were observed for all instruments. The final reading
was the sum of the main scale reading and the product of the sub scale and the smallest number of
the respective instrument.
A caliper was used to calculate the outer diameter of the short and long tubes. The main scale
readings were 68 and 40, while the vernier readings were 6 and 18, the observed mean being 68.3
mm and 40.9 mm, respectively. A Vernier micrometer was used to calculate the cylinder and gear
thickness. The main scale readings were 14 and 19 mm, while the circular scale readings were 49
and 38, suggesting an observed thickness of 14.49 mm and 19.38 mm, respectively. An inside
micrometer was used to calculate the inside diameter of the tube and disc. The major scale values
were 37.5 and 25 mm, while the circular scale values were 46 and 6, suggesting an observed
diameter of 37.96 mm and 25.06 mm, respectively.
A vernier was used to calculate the depth of the short and long pipes. The main readings on the
scale were 61 and 81, while the readings on the vernier were 24 and 46, which put the observed
depth at 61.48 mm and 81.92 mm. All these observed values are evident from Table 1.These
instruments are highly accurate with absolute uncertainty plus or minus their smallest number.

4.6 Conclusion
The main objective of the experiment was to study the functioning of the Vernier Caliper, Screw
Gauge, Vernier Depth Gauge, and Internal Micrometer. The least counts of these instruments were
computed to be 0.05 mm, 0.01 mm, 0.01 mm, 0.02 mm respectively. No zero error was observed
in any of the instruments.