MEASURING TOOLS

They are used to measure any component and its dimensions. Without these tools, it is not easy to measure the accurate values of
the given components. Below are some

Tool Definition How to Use: Parts: Tips/ Warnings

1. Vernier Caliper A precision measurement tool Preparing the Internal jaws First, the inside jaws are
used to measure internal instrument and tools used to measure the
dimensions (using the internal 1. Understand the The two upper jaws are inside diameter of the
jaws), external dimensions parts of the Vernier the smaller jaws of the hole.
(using the external jaw), and caliper. vernier that are used to
depth measurements (using 2. Read the scales on measure the internal Next, the zero/on
the probe attached to its your Vernier distances between two button is pressed to
slides along the center of the caliper.  parallel sides of an object zero the calipers.
body. 3. Check the scale of or an internal diameter
your smallest Finally, the outside jaws
It is used to measure linear divisions. External jaws are used to measure the
dimensions like length, 4. Clean the object outside dimensions of
diameter, depth. you are measuring. The lower jaws are the the rod. The reading on
5. Unlock the screw.  longer jaws that are used the screen is the
Consist of two types of scale, 6. Close the jaws. for measuring external difference between the
internal and external, which Using the Caliper diameters or overall dimensions of the hole
can be in metric and 1. Slide one of the length of objects and are and the rod.
imperial unit. jaws against the known as the external
object. jaws. Make sure the
2. Read the main instrument is clean and
scale where it lines Main Arm make sure it works ( no
up with the sliding forced friction between
scale's carries the main scale vernier scale and main
zero.
3. Read the Vernier scale)
 scale.  Check for Zero
Add the numbers Sliding Arm error( error resulting in
together the wrong collaboration
carries the vernier scale of the instrument)

Depth measuring probe

Is attached to the
movable arm and moves
along with it.

Locking Screw

for holding the arms at a

particular place while
taking measurement

2. Outside Also known as External Method 1: Measuring Anvil  Remember also

Micrometer. with the Micrometer
Micrometer 1. Familiarize yourself Is the stationary part of
that an outside
It is used to check outside with the anatomy a micrometer where micrometer, when used
diameter of circle by the of a micrometer
the object to be correctly, is much more
means of accuracy of 0.01 mm 2. Clean the anvil and
measured is held. It
or up to 0.001 mm. spindle before accurate than calipers.
beginning. connects to the frame.
Vernier type Micrometer gives 3. Hold the object in  Practice -- you
highest acceptable accuracy of your left hand and Spindle
1 micron such gauge is vernier place it against the Functions like the anvil; will develop a "touch"
type micrometer. anvil.  holding the object to or "feel" for it.
4. Hold the be measured, however,
micrometer with it’s the moveable one.  Measure the
 your right hand.  desired object multiple
5. Spin the ratchet Frame 
counter clockwise times as a check on your
TYPES: 6. Twist until the The frame is the U- work.
1. Analog spindle is against shaped part of a
the object micrometer. It 
also Zero out the
7. Set the thimble represents the range of
lock while the micrometer often to
measurement. The larger
micrometer is still the frame, the longer the ensure readings are
on the object range. Whereas, the correct.
8. Slide out the object smaller the frame, the
carefully.  shorter the range. It also
2. Digital 9. Write down the
 When storing
provides support to the
measurements anvil and the spindle to the anvil and the
Very popular instrument these before unlocking secure the object. In spindle should be left
days because of its easy of the spindle. addition, it’s commonly
Method 2: Reading an away from each other
compactness of taking an coated with plastic
Inch Micrometer material to prevent the (open), so that
observation.
1. Learn the different user’s body heat moves temperature variations
number scales on to the micrometer.
the thimbles. do not stress the device.
2. Read the whole Lock 
number on the 
You need to use this part The instrument
sleeve first.  to prevent the spindle is highly heat sensitive
3. Read how many from moving while taking
and should be stored at
lines come after the reading because any
the whole movement can cause room temperature.
number. inaccuracy. By turning it,
you hold the object It is assumed
4. Find the number
tightened. On the image
and when a micrometer is
above, it’s a nut lock
corresponding
 marking on the type. You may notice used, that an accurate
thimble scale another lock with a
closest to but different look like a ring and precise
underneath the which is rotated to use it, measurement is
but it functions the same.
measurement line desired. Ensure your
on the stock.
Sleeve micrometer is properly
5. Add those three
numbers calibrated. They do lose
together. The sleeve is a barrel accuracy with use, and
Method 3: where the primary must be adjusted every
Reading an scale of the micrometer
36 months according to
Metric takes place and the
Micrometer thimble rotates around NIST. Check more often
1. Learn the it. It could be in when frequently used.
different number millimeter or inch scale
scales on the depends on the type
thimbles. you have. It’s
2. Read the number stationary and in some
of millimeters cases, the vernier
first. scale is etched on
3. Incorporate all there. You’ll find an
the half index line is located on
millimeters in there as well.
your
measurement. Thimble 
4. Find the number
of .01 The thimble is a barrel
millimeters.  that looks like the
5. Add up all three sleeve as well,
 lines. however, it acts as the
6. Add the movable one. It is
thousandths bigger than the sleeve
in terms of its diameter
and therefore, rotates
around the outer side
of the sleeve. Also, it’s
the area of the
secondary scale etched.
It functions to magnify
the resolution of the
main scale, one division
on the primary scale
divided into more
divisions again.
Ratchet

Ratchet is a rotatable
cylindrical part situated
at the very end of the
micrometer. It
functions in such a way
so that the object is
held with an
appropriate pressure.
Your micrometer can
be broken if the
pressure is too tight,
whereas the reading is
not accurate if the
pressure is too weak. It
releases a click sound if
the object is pressed
with appropriate
pressure.

Scales

We take the reading on

the scales. A
micrometer has two
main scales: the main
scale which is located
on the sleeve barrel
and the second
scale which is located
on the thimble barrel.
They can be in the
metric (mm) or
imperial system (inch).
Therefore, because
they are not both using
electronic display, a
mechanical micrometer
has only one type of
unit measurement,
metric or imperial.
 Screw
The screw
determines how a
micrometer works. It is
the critical part of a
micrometer. The screw
is positioned inside of
the thimble barrel so
you need to
unassemble the
micrometer to uncover
the screw’s real shape.
So this screw is actually
a threaded spindle
because it connects
each other
3. Inside Micrometer Used to measure the inner When taking internal
diameter of objects that are measurements, you Spindle
Types bonded by walls, cylindrical may need to use an Spindle Lock Screw
bore or hollow pipe. extension rod if the Sleeve
measuring capacity of Thimble
your micrometer is
not great enough.

To select the correct

extension rod, insert
each of the rods
Analog provided with your
least count is 0.01 mm micrometer into the
 instrument and hold
them inside the space
to be measured.

The correct rod will

be the largest one
Digital that can be fitted into
least count is 0.001 mm the hole or opening

Zero micrometer

When you have

determined which rod
to use and have
attached it to the end
of the micrometer,
turn the thimble until
the micrometer reads
zero.

Insert micrometer

Insert the micrometer

into the opening you
are measuring

Rotate thimble

Turn the thimble

using the ratchet
speeder until the
spindle is close to the
object. As you
approach the edge of
the hole, pivot the
micrometer, keeping
it square. Continue
turning until the
spindle stops rotating.

The ratchet will keep

turning, applying the
correct amount of
force for an accurate
measurement. Using
the thimble alone
requires a degree of
skill and practice to
achieve the correct
“feel”.

Turn locking device

Turn the lock nut to

secure the distance
between the
measuring faces so
that you can remove
the micrometer.

To acquire the actual

measurement of the
inside diameter or
expanse, add the size
of the extension rod
to the measured
value indicated on the
micrometer scale
4. Depth Micrometer - used to measure the First choose the
depth of an object with measurement rod
precision and accuracy with suitable for the depth
least count of 0.01 mm. The to be measured.
measuring span is 25 mm
just like in micrometer, that Clean the mounting Rachet
can change by changing surfaces of the Thimble
upsetting rod. measurement rod and Sleeve
the rod-receiving Spindle
shaft. Spindle face

Insert and rotate the

measurement rod
into the rod-receiving
shaft to seat it
completely.

Turn the thimble

counterclockwise so
that when the base is
flush on the top
(reference) surface,
the measurement rod
does not touch the
surface to be
measured.

Holding the base

firmly on the
 reference surface,
rotate the thimble
ratchet clockwise until
it “clicks” three times
(as the measurement
rod stops on the
measurement
surface).

Read the depth

measurement.

No need to go into
detail on how to
actually read the
scales – that
instruction can be
found in the outside
micrometer section.
5. Height Gauges Used to measure vertical 1 Lock the arm in
dimension from reference place after
ground. positioning it on
top of the piece
Consist of a graduated scale being measured.
or bar is held in a vertical 2 Find the "zero"
position by a finely ("0") on the
ground fixed base. vernier scale that
traveled with the
arm along the
 length of the
shaft.
3 Record the
number on the
vertical shaft that
falls opposite or
just below the
zero marking on
the vernier scale.
This is the first
portion of your
measurement.
4 Determine by eye
which numbered
line on the
vernier scale
most closely
aligns with a line
on the vertical
shaft. This
numbered line is
the final portion
of your
measurement.
5 Combine the
number opposite
the zero line and
the best-aligned
vernier scale
 number to obtain
the final height
measurement of
the object.

5.1 Vernier height gauges employ the use of a main 1 Lock the arm in
scale and a Vernier scale to place after
positioning it on
provide for greater top of the piece
resolution of the measured being measured.
value. 6 Find the "zero"
("0") on the
vernier scale that
traveled with the
arm along the
length of the
shaft.
7 Record the
number on the
vertical shaft that
falls opposite or
just below the
zero marking on
the vernier scale.
This is the first
portion of your
measurement.
8 Determine by eye
which numbered
 line on the
vernier scale
most closely
aligns with a line
on the vertical
shaft. This
numbered line is
the final portion
of your
measurement.
9 Combine the
number opposite
the zero line and
the best-aligned
vernier scale
number to obtain
the final height
measurement of
the object.
5.2 Dial height gauges 1 Lock the arm in
place after
positioning it on
top of the piece
being measured.
2 Record the last
visible number
located under the
measuring
equipment on the
vertical shaft. The
numbers on the
shaft are often in
increments of 0.1
inches.
3 Read the
measurement
marking that the
needle is pointing
to on the dial
face.
4 Add the
measurements
from the vertical
shaft and the dial
together to
obtain the total
height
measurement of
 the object.

5.3 Digital counter height Combine a dial and needle 1 Lock the arm in
gauges as found on the dial height place after
gauge type with a dual-digit positioning it on
counter to increase the top of the piece
speed and efficiency of the being measured.
measurement process. 2 Locate the digital
display on the
the counter will allow measurement
readings to tenths of an unit.
inch while thousandths 3 Read the number
of an inch on the digital
display. This is
the height
measurement of
the object.

5.4 Electronic height gauges Generally allow the user to

select from different units
of measure such as inches
versus millimeters.

Higher-end models also add

a host of additional features
and capabilities that
improve the measuring
capabilities and accuracy.
6. Vernier Depth Gauge Is used to measure the 1. Apply the Vernier 1. Main scale
depth from the surface of depth gauge to
2. Vernier scale
reference of an object. the object or hole
to be measured 3. Locking screw
Vernier caliper also has by placing the
4. Fine adjustment
depth bar but this cannot instrument's
Types screw
be used as the standard head at the
1 Analog measurement. bottom surface of 5. Movable head
2 Digital the object. Make
6. Measuring face
sure the gauge
itself is standing
or aligned parallel
to the distance to
be measured.
2. Read the
approximate
measurement of
the distance at
the fixed scale,
where the
numbers are
larger. On most
modern Vernier
depth gauges,
this scale is
calibrated in
centimeters. The
instrument's
 fixed-scale
reading will
usually lie
between two
numbers; your
rough distance is
the lower of the
two readings.
3. Take the more
precise measure
with the sliding
scale, which is
calibrated in
tenths of the
fixed scale
measure. Move
the scale so its
flange or "lip" is
flush with the top
surface or
boundary of the
object to be
measured.
4 Examine the
sliding scale. At
some point, a tick
(one of the small
solid lines) on the
sliding scale will
 align flush with a
tick on the fixed
scale. The
number on the
sliding scale gives
you the more
precise
measurement, in
millimeters if the
gauge is so
calibrated.

7. Vernier Bevel Protractor An angular measuring 1 Unscrew the

instrument capable of large clamp on Bevel protractor base
measuring angles with at the front of the
least count of 5’. protractor. This
When measuring an
loosens the
angle, the base is
The protractor dial is blade, so that you
placed on the
graduated in degrees with can swivel it.
bottom side of the
every tenth degree 2 Align the base of
angle.
numbered. the protractor on
one side of the
The sliding blade is fitted angle, and them Bevel protractor blade
into this dial. It may be swivel the blade
extended to either direction to form the other
and set at an angle to the side of the angle. The blade is placed on
base. Tighten the large the opposite side of the
clamp. angle and can be
3 Find the zero on released from the bevel
 the vernier scale. protractor using a
The vernier scale nut/screw, which
is the smaller allows the protractor to
scale on the be moved up and down
inside of the the length of the blade
protractor. to fit an angle.
4 Read the number
of degrees on the
main scale,
Main scale on a bevel
directly above the
protractor
zero on the
vernier scale. Say,
for example, the This is the “primary
zero on the scale” of the bevel
vernier scale lines protractor, measuring
up with the 85 angles in (as usual)
degree mark. degrees. It is read first
5 Read the minutes
on the vernier Vernier scale on a
scale. The
minutes are bevel protractor
found by looking
counterclockwise
on the vernier The vernier scale is a
scale, and noting “secondary scale” and
the first place allows the angle to be
where the line on measured with a
the vernier scale greater degree of
lines up (exactly) accuracy. It is
 with the line on measured in “minutes”
the main scale. and is read second.
6 Add the degrees.
Fine adjustment knob

The fine adjustment

knob (which is available
on some models) is
designed to allow the
user to move the blade
around with a greater
degree of accuracy,
especially when trying
to make the final
alignment with the
object to be measured

Magnifying glass

Some bevel protractors

come with a magnifying
glass attached, which
helps when reading the
angles more clearly

Acute angle
attachment
 The acute angle
attachment is
sometimes used to
measure very small
angles. What qualifies
as a “small angle” can
vary depending on the
model you are using
With certain
attachments, the user
may be able to attach
some models to height
gauges.

8. Dial Gauge/ Indicator