A Vernier Caliper is a precision instrument. It is designed to gauge the dimensions and depth of different objects. It was introduced in 1631 by French scientist Pierre Vernier. However, it has evolved over time and become much more useful. This tool is known to measure to a precision of one-hundredth of a millimetre and one-thousandth of an inch. A Vernier caliper has two sets of jaws – one on the upper portion and the other on the lower portion. It comprises of a fixed main scale and a moving Vernier scale. Vernier calipers mostly show imperial or metric measures. However, some of them measure in both.

Vernier caliper is especially useful when it comes to measuring the diameter of circular objects such as cylinders. This is because its jaws can be perfectly secured on both sides of the circumference.

Importance of Vernier Caliper

Vernier caliper is one of the most commonly employed measuring instruments. It comes next only to the measuring scale which is the most widely used measuring tool. It allows the users to measure with much greater accuracy compared to a measuring scale.

Vernier caliper has undergone a lot of changes with the advancement in technology. It has developed into digital caliper that is more convenient and accurate. Digital caliper comes with enhanced features such as the ability to compare lengths, the ability to convert units of measurement with ease and the facility of computer connectivity. However, the manual vernier caliper is still much in demand.

Importance and Use of Different Parts of Vernier Caliper

Here is a look at how the different parts of manual vernier calipers function are useful and important for carrying out various tasks:

Upper Jaws

The upper jaws of vernier caliper are smaller in size as compared to lower jaws. One of these jaws is fixed and the other is movable. These are employed to measure the inner dimensions of hollow objects such as boxes, pipes, etc.

Lower Jaws

These help in gripping the objects firmly for the purpose of measurement. One of the lower jaws is attached to the main scale and is fixed. The other is attached to the vernier scale and is movable. These jaws help in measuring the outer dimensions of the objects.

Main Scale

This scale runs along the vernier caliper’s body and is stationary. It is either in centimetres, millimetres or inches.

Vernier Scale

This is the defining component of the caliper. Attached to the main scale, this is smaller in size. It has the ability to move along the main scale when the jaws of vernier scale are opened or closed. It offers accurateness to the reading of the main scale by dividing its tiniest reading into increments.

Depth Rod

This is attached to this instrument to gauge the depth of holes and other deep places or objects. It is a thin rod placed at the end of the main scale. It slides with the main scale when the jaws open. It is extended till it reaches the bottom and then the reading is taken.

Lock Screw

It is used for fixing the position of the jaws after the object is appropriately positioned. This is done to ensure accurate reading.

Thumb Screw

This is positioned at the bottom of the vernier scale. It offers grip so that the jaws can slide and adjust with ease.

Vernier caliper is employed at several places especially for industrial use.

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