how to read a vernier caliper

7/28/2019 How to Read a Vernier Caliper

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How to Read a Vernier CaliperThe vernier caliper is an instrument which we all have heard of, but many of us might not be ableto use it very effectively. This article will help you knowhow to read a vernier caliper.

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Vernier caliper is one of the most famous and widely used instruments for measuring purposes.It's structure is a bit complicated for someone who hasn't seen it before. However, once you getcomfortable with this unique apparatus, you would be able to take measurements of objects

quickly and accurately. Before we know how to read a vernier caliper, let us know of its basicstructure below.

Structure

The structure of the vernier caliper can be classified into following parts:1. Main body2. Upper jaws of the caliper

3. Frame of vernier4. Caliper locking screw5. Depth pole of the caliper6. Vernier readout7. Outside diameter jaws of the caliper

Facts

The purpose of the locking screw is to help the user to fix the vernier on the body
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The function of the inside diameter jaws is to measure the diameter of insider pipe and width ofthe groovesOutside diameter jaws help the user measure the outside diameter of the pipes as well as theirthickness

Depth pole is useful for measuring depth of pipes and groovesCalibration is present on the body as well as the vernier of this apparatusReading a Vernier Caliper and Doing Measurements

On a ruler, each marking corresponds to one unit. So, if you move three marks on the right of 0,the reading on the main ruler would be 3.0.

For a vernier caliper with a resolution of 0.1, the minimum scale would be of 1mm and the numberof scales would be 10. Therefore, the total length of the scales would be 9mm. From this, thelength of every scale comes out to be 0.9mm. We are supposed to move the vernier to the rightby 0.1mm when length of the measuring item is 0.1mm.

Measuring

Step: 1The vernier caliper should be calibrated such that the vernier ruler's zero mark matches the main

ruler's main mark exactly.

Step: 2If this does not happen, then you should adjust the vernier to match the two zeroes by looseningthe bolt which connects it to the movable jaw. Once you are done with matching the zeroes,tighten the bolts again.

Step: 3In case calibrating the caliper is not possible, then you need to remember the error value and addor decrease it after you get the measuring value. If the zero scale of the vernier is on the right ofthe 0 scale of the body during the measurement, then the error value should be added and if it isone the left, the error value needs to be subtracted.

Step: 4The object which you wish to measure should have the instrument's jaws around it. Now, yourtask is to find a mark on the vernier scale that matches the mark on the main scale. Now, countingfrom the zero mark on the vernier scale, you have to calculate the number of marks on the main

scale. This number should be on the right side of the decimal point.

Step: 5The integer calculation is important too. This calculation, can be done with the following formula:

Integer = (Marks present on the right side of main scale's highest whole number) + (Markspresent on the left of the vernier scale's zero mark).

The total length is the summation of the integral value and the decimal value. In this way, you canget the final measurement for the object.

Example

Here is the mathematical method of calculating length with the help of vernier caliper. Let us

assume that there are nineteen divisions before zero on the vernier scale (with 50 divisions). So,here the integer part would be 19. Now, count the divisions till you locate the division whichmatches to the division on main scale. This will be 32 divisions on the vernier scale. Every divisionon the vernier scale is of 0.02 mm. The multiplication of the 32 divisions and 0.02 will give you0.64 as the decimal part. Now, we know that final answer would be the addition of the integer anddecimal parts.

So, final measurement = 19 + 0.64 = 19.64 mm.

Sufficient practice and experience of using this instrument will enable us to measure accurate and

precise dimensions of any object.


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By Charlie SPublished: 6/13/2011Read more at Buzzle:http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-to-read-a-vernier-caliper.html
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how to read a vernier caliper

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