We explain the Vernier caliper least count formula with its definition, parts, types, uses, and measurement errors with the caliper and complete information to better understand for students, teachers, and engineers…Let’s Read Physics. vernier caliper least count formulaÂ
What is a Vernier caliper and what is it for? vernier caliper least count formulaÂ
Analog caliper with a scale graduated in inches and in millimeters of 0.02 mm appreciation (0.001 inches)
Why is it called a vernier caliper?
Before the invention of the meter as a unit of measurement, feet and spans were used to take measurements. The foot does not measure the same everywhere: an English foot does not measure the same as a Castile’s foot, for example.
And obviously, the feet of all the people who live in a place do not measure the same either. The foot that was used as a reference was the foot of the king of the place, that is, the royal foot.
The vernier caliper used in engineering and architecture to measure lengths measured to 30 cm is called a vernier caliper in reference to this ancient measurement. Other names for this measuring instrument are caliper and slide caliper.
What is a Vernier caliper for?
With this instrument, you can measure elements and mechanical parts or other objects with great precision: much higher than that achieved with a tape measure or ruler.
The appreciation of a caliper, that is, the smallest measure that the instrument is capable of measuring or appreciating, ranges from 0.1 mm to 0.02 mm, approximately.
In comparison, a metal ruler or a tape measure has an appreciation of 1 mm or 0.5 mm. In the latter case, in addition, appreciating the half-millimeters is very complicated, since the graduated scale lines are excessively close together and blend into one another.
What kinds of objects can be measured? Anything that can lodge between its jaws. It is important that the object is rigid and not compressible since the measurement would be altered.
Taking the measurement of the outside diameter of a metric threaded screw is one of the most common uses of the caliper. It is also possible to measure the inside of a threaded nut or cavity, rods and studs, the depth of a cavity, for example, the bottom of a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, etc. vernier caliper least count formulaÂ
In all the examples in the previous paragraph, you can approximate your measurement using the meter or a graduated ruler. However, these measurement instruments lack the appreciation necessary for the measurement to be really useful. For example, when carving a thread or looking for a screw in the hardware store, even an error of 2 or 3 tenths of an mm is not admissible and the appreciation of the meter or the rule is still much lower than this tolerance.
On the other hand, the calibrator is not used to measure those elements that require even greater precision of measurement. That is, the vernier caliper is no longer adequate when its appreciation is not small enough. In this case, the next measuring instrument to consider would be the micrometer, whose appreciation is equal to or greater than 10 microns (1 micron = µ = 1/1000 mm). vernier caliper least count formulaÂ
In summary: the caliper type is used to measure parts more precisely than the meter or the ruler and with less precision than the micrometer. In practice, some of the most common uses of the vernier caliper are to take measurements of hardware items: screws, nails, nuts, wire, rivets, bits, etc. It is also very useful in automotive mechanics, industrial maintenance, plumbing, electricity, and especially in machining: turning, milling, drilling, etc. vernier caliper least count formulaÂ
What is the least count of a Vernier caliper?
Vernier Caliper Least Count Formula
- The smallest reading that can be accurately measured with a vernier is called least count (LC), Least count is also known as the vernier constant. It is the difference between one main scale division which is 1mm and 1 vernier division which is 0.9.
L.C = 1 mm – 0.9 mm = 0.1 mm
There is another way to find the least count which is given as:
How to read a caliper with a vernier caliper scale? vernier caliper least count formulaÂ
We will use this vernier caliper as an example of 0.1 mm (1/10 mm = ten divisions).
How to read the vernier caliper caliper
In the auxiliary vernier scale we can see that:
- The zero of the vernier exceeds the mark on the main scale of 15 mm
- The zero of the vernier does not reach the 16 mm mark
Therefore, the measurement will be between 15 and 16 mm, it can also be observed that:
- The mark of the vernier that best fits some mark of the rule is that of 8
- Both the 7 and 9 marks are slightly off
Then: if we add the offset of the vernier (0.8 mm) to the measurement of the main scale (15 mm), we obtain that the measurement is 15.8 mm.
And indeed: you can see with the naked eye how the vernier zero mark is much closer to 16 mm than to 15 mm. This additional verification ensures that the interpretation of the measurement is correct.
How to keep a vernier caliper
For the correct conservation of the caliper, you should clean the gauge when you have finished using it, especially in the case that it has been stained with grease, coolant, or other cutting/coolant liquids.
In addition, periodically you should apply a thin sheet of oil or petroleum jelly on its guides and dry the excess with an absorbent paper. And, of course, keep it in its case.
Store the caliper gauge in its case when you are done using it
Regarding the use, you must avoid that the caliber suffers blows or that it falls to the ground. Also, you should never measure with the ends of the outer tips, but with their flat surface. You should also not use the inside tips as a compass.
And another thing you should never do is measure the part with the lathe running. Doing such a thing will quickly wear down the gauge’s reference surface and also expose you to an accident.
Measurement errors with the vernier caliper
When measuring with a caliper, the precision will be higher or lower, depending on several factors. Measurement errors can be mainly due to two causes:
- Human error: it can be an error in the interpretation of the measurement (reading error) or a measurement error (misuse of the instrument).
- Gauge error
The gauge may have different measurement errors. For example, wear on the guides can tilt the movable jaw, distorting the measurement. Another possibility is that the reference faces are already worn or lacking in flatness, parallelism defects, and so on.
The brake screw can also alter the measurement if the friction against the screed accidentally displaces the movable jaw.
As for human errors, the most common are the following. Applying excessive force to the measurement can deform the gauge ruler and alter the measurement.
Not laying the gauge perfectly flat is another common mistake, as is using the tips of the outdoor tweezers, rather than their flat part. In addition, applying a force defect can also alter the measurement, as can the misuse of the adjusting screw.
The above are errors related to how to measure. Another type of human error is misreading the measurement indicated by the vernier scale.
Lighting conditions, the surface condition of the gauge ruler and its finish (glossy or matte), as well as the graduation of the operator’s sight are three factors that influence the interpretation of the gauge reading.
For example, for the same measurement, two people may consider that the vernier mark that best matches the main scale is not the same.
The parallax effect is one of the factors that can introduce a measurement error. This consists of a poor appreciation of the position of the auxiliary scale over the main one and occurs when the gauge is not viewed perpendicularly.
The parallax effect also occurs in analog clocks. If we look at the minute hand not perpendicular to the dial, but at an angle, it will give us the impression that the hand points to another number. And that’s why you have to face the front to read a vernier caliper.
It is also important to keep the Abbe principle in mind. This principle says that only that whose axis coincides in a linear way with the instrument used for the measurement can be accurately measured. vernier caliper least count formulaÂ
That is, in the caliper the axis of the instrument is that of the main scale, however, the measurement is made with the calipers, which do not coincide with the axis but are separated from it.
This means that if there is play in the slide with respect to the fixed rule, a measurement error will occur. In fact, this is one of the shortcomings of some cheap calipers.
Another error related to the Abbe principle is the application of excessive force by the user who measures with the caliper.
In this case, it may happen that as a result of the pressure exerted, the rule bends and alters the measurement (let’s think of a carpenter sergeant: when tightening the screw, the rectangular section slide locks on the plate and this is how the pressure is exerted ). vernier caliper least count formulaÂ
The Abbe principle does not distort, however, the measurement with the horseshoe micrometer, since in this case the axis of the piece and the instrument do coincide, that is, they are parallel.
It is also important that the piece being measured and the caliper are at the same temperature, otherwise, the measurement will be altered due to the different degrees of expansion of the materials.
In conclusion, although the reading and interpretation of the measurement are correct, and without a doubt, it will be in a digital caliper, the measurement may not be perfect due to the state of wear of the caliper, and lack of parallelism, etc.
How to check that a caliper gauge measures correctly
There are two quick checks you can do to check the status of your gauge.
First, when it is closed there should be no passage of light between the fixed and mobile openings. Second, to check the measurement you can use reference gauges or calipers.
These parts are machined with high precision, allowing you to find out if the gauge is measuring well or not. You can also compare the measurement with a micrometer or with another gauge.
Principle of operation of a gauge
Why does the caliper work? We have already seen that the principle of operation of this apparatus is based on the Vernier scale, but what does this scale consist of?
The vernier or vernier scale is printed or embossed on the gauge slide. On this scale, each of the divisions is less than one millimeter. Depending on the appreciation of the gauge, they will be 0.95 mm (if the gauge appreciates 0.05 mm) or 0.98 mm (if it is 0.02 mm).
This implies that if we open the jaw of the instrument at 0.05 mm, the second line of the vernier scale will coincide with the second line of the main scale. If we open it 0.10 mm, the third will do it, and so on.
This accumulation of fractions of 0.05 mm is what allows us to know how much the decimal part of the piece measures. To make it easier to read, the vernier caliper manufacturers add a couple of details:
- Print the vernier scale in fractions of a millimeter
- Proportionally increase the size of the vernier so that the scale divisions are larger (without affecting the measurement)
Advantages and disadvantages of the caliper versus the micrometer
The arc micrometer is a more precise measuring instrument than a caliper, however, the caliper has three advantages:
- Vernier calipers are cheaper than micrometers
- The caliper can cover a greater range of measurements while the micrometer is very limited (several sets of instruments are required to be able to measure the same range of parts as with the caliper)
- The universal gauge can measure outside, inside and grooves, while the conventional micrometer is only for outside
Parts of a Vernier vernier caliper least count formulaÂ
Because there are different types of Vernier we can find some variations in terms of its parts, since some may have faces or digital meters.
These differences are minimal and do not affect the main structure. Broadly speaking, this instrument is made up of two graduated rulers, a pair of jaws, a stem, and a safety device.
As for the material, they are generally made of hardened stainless steel (Stainless hardened in English), because it has a great resistance to wear and deformation.
- Jaws
- Depth probe
- Vernier
- Graduated scales
- Sure
- Driving
Jaws vernier caliper least count formulaÂ
The jaws are one of the most important parts since they are used to reference how long or wide an object is, that is, when you want to measure an object, it is placed inside the jaws, and with the help of the scales, you know how much actually measured.
Stem or depth probe
This instrument has a small shank that protrudes when the movable part is slid, this protrusion is used to measure depth surfaces such as holes.
Vernier vernier caliper least count formulaÂ
The Vernier is an auxiliary rule that allows us to have greater precision since it allows measurements of up to two decimal points, that is, 0.01 or 0.05 depending on the type of Vernier.
Scales or graduated rulers
It is located in the fixed part of the Vernier and like any other rule, it has the same structure since on one side we find the measurements in inches and on the other in millimeters.
Screw
It is a screw that is responsible for fixing the mobile part of the Vernier. This can be of great help since it helps us to save the measurements we take in places that are difficult to access to the eye or to be able to move without missing any detail.
Driving
The main function of this part is to help the user to operate the tool with greater freedom, depending on the Vernier there may be slight variations such as a rotating wheel, a fixed semicircle or an impeller with safety included where you have to press to be able to slide.
Types of Vernier
This tool in most versions has the main structure, which is a Vernier, a graduated scale, and the jaws, but it is those small variations that make a Vernier change type.
- Universal
- Button
- Cover
- Swing arm
- Double
- For lefties
- Long Vernier
- Deep
- Type CM and M
- With uneven tips
- Digital
Standard Universal Vernier types of vernier caliper
It is the simplest and most common that we can find, it is used in practically any situation, that is, it is for general use.
Button Vernier types of vernier caliper
This type makes a modification in the way of fixing the moving part since it eliminates the screw and in turn, incorporates the fixing system together with the impeller. To be able to slide the impeller has to be pressed and to fix it is simply released.
Dial Vernier types of vernier caliper
In this version, the Vernier is completely removed and a dial that resembles an old clock is incorporated. This modification makes it possible to speed up the reading process since it has a needle that indicates the measurement. One of its great disadvantages is that we can only have a single system, either in inches or centimeters.
Vernier with narrow tips
It has practically the same uses as a universal one, only with the only difference that it has outdoor jaws in the form of blades to access narrow places.
Vernier for gears vernier caliper least count formulaÂ
This model is very different from the others because it has a square shape, thanks to the fact that it has two different rulers, it can be used to measure the thickness and height of the gear teeth.
Vernier for grooves vernier caliper least count formulaÂ
It has long and large jaws with protrusions that go outwards, they are mainly used to measure interiors in grooves with great depths.
Left handed Vernier
It is practically an inverted Vernier to facilitate use by people who use their left hand as their main hand.
Long Vernier vernier caliper least count formulaÂ
As its name indicates, it is an instrument that allows measurements of greater length, within this type we can find 30, 50, and even up to 100 cm long.
Depth Vernier vernier caliper least count formulaÂ
The operation of this Vernier is slightly different, since the graduated ruler works as a stem to measure depths, it is practically the tool that undergoes the most modifications because the depth probe is removed and the jaws are exchanged for a mobile base that It serves as a support to make the measurement.
Vernier type M and type CM
The type M is basically the one we all know with two pairs of chamfered jaws, one for exteriors or others for interiors.
The CM type is a bit more special since it only has one pair of jaws, but it is designed in such a way that it can be measured inside and outside.
Vernier with uneven tips
It has a fixing screw in one of the jaws that are used to move it, this function is mainly used for the measurement of pieces with different levels.
Digital Vernier vernier caliper least count formulaÂ
It is the most modern instrument and easiest to use since it is enough to put the piece in the jaws and the measurements taken are automatically reflected on a small screen. Because this model is easy to lose its calibration, One of the great disadvantages of this model is that it loses its calibration and you have to recalibrate with the zero position button.
How is the Vernier used?
To measure an object, it must be placed in between the jaws and then closed until the piece is slightly tightened. The next step that must be done is to verify if the 0 of the Vernier scale coincides with a number, if it does not exactly match that data is taken and it is searched for which number exactly matches any line of the rule, once it is found they are added the data as explained by the video. types of vernier caliper
