01.

01

M02: Measurement & Measuring Instruments

Engr. Sipon Mollah
Executive Engineer (Mech.)
1.0 Introduction:
 Metrology means the science of pure measurement.
 But for engineering purposes, it is restricted to measurement of length and angle or other
quantities which are expressed in linear or angular terms.
 In board sense, metrology is not limited to length or angle measurement, but also
concerned with industrial inspections.
 No measurement can be absolutely accurate.
 There is always some error which depends on many factors i.e. instrumental error,
unskilled operator, wrong method of measurement.
2.0 Classification of Measuring Instruments:
There are two types of measuring instruments which are used in engineering field as
follows:

 Precision measuring instrument

 Non-Precision measuring instrument
In this session, we will discuss some of the precision measuring instruments:
 Vernier slide calipers  Inside micrometer  Vernier bevel protractor
 Outside micrometer  Dial indicator

2.1 Vernier Slide Calipers:

 Vernier calipers are precision measuring instruments.
 Different sizes vernier calipers available (i.e. 150mm, 200mm, 300mm etc.).
 It has two scales (i.e. Main scale & vernier scale).
 It measures only linear distances (i.e. Length, breadth, height, depth, diameter etc.).
 It has 02 (two) fixed and (two) movable jaws
 The main scale carries the fixed graduations and fixed jaws
 The vernier head carries the movable jaws and slides on main scale.
 It has depth measuring stem and step measuring face.
 The Vernier Constant (VC) may be defined as the difference between one smallest
division of main scale and one smallest division of venier scale.
 In the other hand V.C is equal to value of 01 (one) smallest division of main scale divided
by the total number of division of vernier scale.
 Vernier Constant may be different for different calipers.
 Precisionness of the vernier calipers depends on their respective vernier constant’s
values (i.e. 0.1 mm, 0.05 mm, 0.02mm etc.).
 Total reading = MSR + VSD*VC
Here,
MSR = Main Scale Reading
VSD = Vernier Scale Division
VC = Vernier Constant

Fig. Vernier slide calipers

Mechanical Engineering Department, TICI, Polash, Narsingdi-1611

01.02

Reading Procedure of Vernier Slide Calipers:

 Keep the jaws of vernier calipers closed.
 Observe the zero mark of the main scale.
 It must perfectly coincide with that of the vernier scale.
 If this is not so, account for the zero error for all observations to be made while using the
instrument.
 Carefully note the position of the zero mark of the vernier scale against the main scale.
 Usually, it will not perfectly coincide with any of the small divisions on the main scale.
 Record the main scale division just to the left of the zero mark of the vernier scale.
 Start looking for exact coincidence of a vernier scale division with that of a main scale
division in the vernier window from left end (zero) to the right.
 Multiply no. of vernier scale division perfectly coincide with any of the small divisions on
the main scale by vernier constant of the instrument and add the product to the main
scale reading.

Zero error and its correction:

 When the fixed jaws and movable jaws touch each other, the zero of the vernier should
coincide with the zero of the main scale.
 If it is not so, the instrument is said to possess
zero error (e).
 Zero error may be positive or negative,
depending upon whether the zero of vernier scale
lies to the right or to the left of the zero of the
main scale
 In this situation, a correction is required to the
observed readings.

Positive zero error:

 From the figure, when both jaws are touching each
other, zero of the vernier scale is shifted to the right
of zero of the main scale (This might have
happened due to manufacturing defect or due to
rough handling).
 This situation makes it obvious that while taking
measurements, the reading taken will be more than
the actual reading.
 Hence, a correction needs to be applied which is
proportional to the right shift of zero of vernier scale.
True Reading = Observed reading – (+ Zero error)

Negative zero error:

 From this figure, one can see that when both the
jaws are touching each other, zero of the vernier
scale is shifted to the left of zero of the main scale.
 This situation makes it obvious that while taking, the
reading taken will be less than the actual reading.
 Hence, a correction needs to be applied which is
proportional to the left shift of zero of vernier.
True Reading = Observed Reading – (– Zero error)

Mechanical Engineering Department, TICI, Polsh, Narsingdi-1611

 01.03

2.3 Outside Micrometer:

 Micrometer is one of the most widely used precision measuring instruments.
 It is primarily used to measure external dimensions like diameters of shafts, thickness of
a parts etc. and its accuracy 0.01 mm.
 The essential parts of the instruments shown in Figure consist of
a) Frame
b) Anvil
c) Spindle
d) Sleeve or
barrel
e) Thimble
f) Ratchet knob
g) Lock.

Fig. Outside micrometer

 The sleeve has datum and fixed graduations and Thimble has movable circular
graduations
 The graduation on the sleeve is in two parts divided by a line along the axis of the sleeve
called the reference line.
 The graduation above the reference is graduated in 1 mm intervals.
 The lower graduations are marked in 1 mm intervals but each graduation shall be placed
at the middle of the two successive upper graduations to be read 0.5
 The thimble advances a distance of 0.5 mm in one complete rotation.
 It is called the pitch of the micrometer.
 The thimble has a scale of 50 divisions around its circumference.
 The least count of a micrometer is defined as the pitch of the micrometer divided by total
circular scale divisions in one complete rotation.
 The least count (L.C) of the micrometer = 0.5/50 = 0.01 mm.
 Measuring ranges are different according to the size of micrometer (i.e. 0~25, 25~50,
50~75, 75~100 ------ 1000mm).
 For more precisionness, vernier micrometer may be used.
 Its accuracy 0.001mm.
 Total reading = LSR + CSD*LC
Here, LSR = Linear Scale Reading, CSD = Circular Scale Division, LC = Least Count
2.4 Inside Micrometer
 It is a linear distance (inside) measuring precision instrument like as outside micrometer.
 There are two types of inside micrometer available.
 Small inside diameter micrometer (caliper type) and large inside diameter micrometer.
 Using caliper type micrometer 5~30 mm diameter can be measured.
 Large inside diameter micrometer can measure 50~1000 mm diameter.
 It`s standard length is normally 50 mm.
 So the measurement below 50 mm cannot be taken with it.
 But attaching extension rod up to 1000 mm diameter can be measured

Mechanical Engineering Department, TICI, Polash, Narsingdi-1611

01.04

Fig. Caliper type inside micrometer

Fig. Large inside micrometer

2.5 Dial Indicator

 It is one kind of mechanical comparators.
 It is also a precision instrument.
 Dial indicators are instruments used for making and
checking linear measurements.
 It has two scales (large & small)
 The large scale is graduated on a circular dial by 100
divisions.
 The value of one division of large scale is 0.01mm.
 The small scale is graduated on a dial by 10, 15, 20,
25 etc divisions.
 The value of one division of small scale is 1mm

Fig. Dial Indicator

2.6 Vernier Bevel Protractor

 Vernier bevel protractor is an angle measuring precision instrument.
 Its vernier scale has 12×2 divisions (both
directions).
 The least count of the instrument is 1°/12or 5´
 So, minimum angle of 5´ can be measured
accurately.

Fig. Vernier bevel protactor

Mechanical Engineering Department, TICI, Polsh, Narsingdi-1611