Workshop Practice Lab Manual

Institute of Southern Punjab, Multan.

Experiment No: 2 Date:

Different measuring instruments in workshop lab

Objective: Explain the different measuring instruments in the workshop.

Apparatus/Equipment:
 Measuring tape
 Spring Calipers
 Steel Ruler
 Vernier Caliper
 Micrometer
Theory:
I. Measuring Tape
A tape measure or measuring tape is a flexible ruler and used to measure distance. There are two
basic types of tape measures with cases, spring return pocket tape measures and long tape measures.
It consists of a ribbon of metal strip with linear-measurement markings. It is a common measuring
tool. Surveyors use tape measures in lengths of over 100 m.
Way to use?
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II. Spring Calipers

A spring joint caliper is a measuring instrument consisting of two legs, a spring, and an adjusting nut.
The friction of the screw and adjusting nut counteracts the tension of the spring which determines
the position of the legs.
Diagram:
 Workshop Practice Lab Manual
Institute of Southern Punjab, Multan.

What is its capacity?

A spring joint caliper is a transfer measuring tool. Although

they are used to take measurements, spring joint calipers do
not have a graduation scale. To provide a reading, they must
be checked against a measuring device such as a ruler or
micrometer.

III. Steel Ruler

A steel ruler is the simplest and most common measuring tool. The flat steel ruler is usually 6 or 12
inches long, but longer sizes are available. Steel ruler can be flexible or nonflexible, thin or wide.
The thinner the ruler, the more accurately it measures, because the division marks are closer to the
work.
Way to use?
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IV. Vernier caliper

A Vernier caliper is a precision measuring tool. It can be used for three types of measurements,
outside distance (such as the length of an object), inside distance such as the width of a groove or
the diameter of a large hole, and depth, such as the depth of a hole or the height of a step.
 Workshop Practice Lab Manual
Institute of Southern Punjab, Multan.

VERNIER is a small movable graduated scale for obtaining fractional parts of subdivisions on a
fixed main scale of any measuring instrument. With a normal scale we may be able to measure
down to 0.50 mm or so, while with a vernier scale the least count may be 0.10 mm.

Basic Working principle of Vernier Caliper:

Vernier Caliper is an amazingly versatile tool which enables the measurement of lengths with a
much greater degree of accuracy than other tools. The Vernier caliper provides this function along
with the ability to measure depth, and inside and outside radius measurements of objects.

Parts of Vernier caliper:

1.Main Scale
The Main body or frame of the Vernier caliper contains a large scale that runs down its length. This
scale is known as the main scale. The main scale consists of a steel metallic strip graduated in
centimeters at one edge and in inches at the other edge. It carries the inner and outer measuring
jaws.

2. Vernier Scale
A Vernier scale slides on the strip. It can be fixed in any position by the retainer. On the Vernier
scale, 0.9 cm is divided into ten equal parts. The Vernier scale uses the basic principle of alignment
of line segments to improve the accuracy of the readings. When a certain graduation on the Vernier
scale aligns with a graduation on the main scale. The value of the Vernier scale reading is added to
the main scale reading to obtain the decimal value of the reading in millimeters.

3. Outer Measuring Jaws

The outer measuring jaws helps to take the outer dimension of an object.

4. Inner Measuring Jaws

The inner measuring jaws helps to take the inner dimension of an object.

5. Retainer
The retainer helps to retain the object within the jaws of the Vernier calipers.

6. Depth Measuring Prong

 Workshop Practice Lab Manual
Institute of Southern Punjab, Multan.

The depth measuring prong helps to measure the depth of an object.

The smallest value or the least count of the main scale is 1 millimeter. The vernier scale is smaller
than the main scale and contains up to 50 graduations. The Vernier scale graduations are used to
further divide the least measurement of the main scale i.e., if 50 divisions are present the value of
1mm can be further divided into 50 parts.

Least Count
The least count or the smallest reading which you can get with the instrument can be calculated as.

Formula:

 Zero Error:
When the two jaws are in contact, the zero of the main scale and the zero of the Vernier scale
should coincide. If both the zeros do not coincide, there will be zero error. Error will be a positive
or negative zero error.

i. Positive Zero Error:

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ii. Negative Zero Error:

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Procedure:
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 Workshop Practice Lab Manual
Institute of Southern Punjab, Multan.

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Total reading,

Measurements and Calculations:

Sr. Zero Error M.S.R. (mm) V.S.R. (mm) T.R.=
No.
M.S.R +(V.S.R*L.C)

Precautions:
 Before using the caliper, determine its “zero” value by closing the jaws together with
nothing in between them. Record this reading and subtract it from all subsequent
measurements made. Ideally, this value should be 0.00 mm. If your actual “zero” is outside
the range ±0.1 mm, please inform the lab demonstrator.
 Make sure you know what the units are for the scales you are using. Some calipers have
both inch and centimeter scales on the handle.
 Do not close the calipers with excessive force.
 Do not bend the handle or jaws.
 Always open the jaws before removing an object.
 Workshop Practice Lab Manual
Institute of Southern Punjab, Multan.

It is always good practice to take several measurements and take the average to get your final
measurement (with the uncertainty being half-the-range if it is greater than the reading uncertainty)
V. Micrometer:
A micrometer is a precision measuring instrument, used to obtain very fine measurements. It is used
for measuring the diameter of thin wire or the thickness of metal sheet. Micrometers have two
scales: a primary scale, on the barrel or sleeve, and a secondary scale, on the thimble. Values are
taken from each of these scales and combined to make the total measurement.
Working principle:
Micrometer works on the principle of screw and nut. When a screw is turned one revolution
through a fixed nut, the screw moves by one pitch of the thread. A Circular scale marked with ‘n’
equal parts is attached to the screw and each division on it measures a length equal to (pitch/n).
Description:
The micrometer consists of frame, a barrel, fixed and moving anvils, a thimble and an accurate
screw having 20 threads per cm which revolves in a fixed nut. The nut is fixed in the barrel also
called the sleeve. One end of the screw forms one measuring tip called the moving spindle and the
other measuring tip is constituted by a stationary anvil fixed in the frame. Ratchet stop which
ensures uniform application of measuring force on the part, consists of an overriding clutch held by
a weak spring.

Least Count:
The least count is the smallest unit of measurement which an instrument can take accurately. The
least count of screw gauge can be determined by the following way.
Formula:
 Workshop Practice Lab Manual
Institute of Southern Punjab, Multan.

Zero error: When the anvil and spindle of micrometer screw gauge are brought in contact
without applying any under pressure, and the zero of the circular scale does not coincide with the
zero of the main scale, there is a zero error.

Positive zero error:

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Negative zero error:

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Figure:

Procedure:

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 Workshop Practice Lab Manual
Institute of Southern Punjab, Multan.

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Observations and Calculations:

Least count =

No. Zero Main scale Circular Least Total Reding=

error reading scale count (MSR+CSR*LC)
reading
(MSR)
1
2
3

Precautions:

1. Micrometer should be cleaned of any dust and spindle should move freely.
2. Do not drop the micrometer or throw it on the table. Keep it in the case when not in use.
3. The port whose dimension is to be measured must be held in left hand or firmly on a surface
and the micrometer in right hand, and in such a way that the forefinger and the thumb will
be able to rotate the thimble and ratchet.

Uses of screw gauge:

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 Workshop Practice Lab Manual
Institute of Southern Punjab, Multan.

Exercise
Q1. What are the practical applications of vernier callipers?

Q2. State the advantages and limitations of vernier caliper.

Q3. Difference between accuracy and precision.

Q4. State the accuracy of calipers and micrometer.

 Workshop Practice Lab Manual
Institute of Southern Punjab, Multan.

Results:

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Viva:

1.

2.

Evaluation:

Experimental CLO/PLO Based Evaluation Chart

CLO#01/PLO#01 CLO#02/PLO#5 CLO#03/PLO#9

(Cognitive) (Psychomotor) (Affective)

Theory Procedure Readings/Tabulations Self Results Viva

Assessment/
(2) (2) (2) Exercise (1) (1)
(2)

Total= Total= Total=

Instructor: Engr. Farah

Signature: ________________