What is the Vernier for?

A vernier, also known as a caliper or caliper, is a precision tool used to measure small lengths with a minimal margin of error. It consists of two components, one fixed and one mobile; the ruler and the slide. 

The ruler is the fixed part and consists of a piece of metal marked with a scale in centimeters and millimeters. One of its ends forms a double-sided jaw that engages with the slide to make measurements.

The slide is the moving part of the vernier. It is calibrated in millimeters and slides through the ruler to complement the clamp. The degree of opening of the jaw is measured thanks to the slide.

Uses of a vernier or caliper

The vernier is an instrument commonly found in construction and industrial contexts. Although the most common is to find manual gauges, like the one described above, they also exist in a digital version.

Its operation is the same, but instead of reading the length with the scale, it is expressed numerically on a digital screen.

1- Measurement of pipes

Perhaps the greatest utility of the vernier is the measurement of tubes and pipes. Due to their cylindrical shape, these elements are difficult to measure accurately with a traditional tape measure..

In this case the jaw has double function, it can be used to measure the external and internal diameters easily.

For the external side it will be enough to open the vernier and close it until it tightens the pipe. For internal diameters the slide is closed and then opened until the rear ends of the jaw touch the inside of the tube with both sides.

2- Measurement of nuts and bolts

When adjusting a nut or screw, it is also proceeded to surround them with the internal ends of the clamp, proceed to close the vernier and then to verify the measurement.

In case the inside diameter of a nut needs to be measured (to verify that it is wide enough to be screwed in), the same method is used as with tubes.

The vernier is closed, the rear side of the caliper is inserted into the nut and then it is opened until the measurement is obtained.

3- Symmetry check

In industrial settings, it is repeatedly necessary for rotating tools to be perfectly symmetrical to avoid unbalances, such is the case with lathes and drills..

The vernier can be used to measure the width of the wicks at various points, and thus check if it is constant.

4- Separation between objects

Many mechanical and electrical parts only work when separated by a specific distance. To obtain the highest possible precision, the vernier is frequently used..

Simply open its jaw and close it until a measurement is obtained.

Both manual and digital verniers express measurements down to hundredths of a millimeter.

5- Thickness

In construction, walls and walls are usually built that must have a minimum or maximum thickness.

The vernier can easily measure this distance and slide along the wall height to check for uniform thickness.

References

1. How To Read A Vernier Caliper (s.f.). Retrieved on October 9, 2017, from Mini Physics.
2. V. Ryan (2004). The Vernier Caliper. Retrieved on October 9, 2017, from Technology Student.
3. How to use a caliper or caliper (October 19, 2016). Retrieved on October 9, 2017, from DIY Workshop.
4. Francis T. Farago, Mark A. Curtis (1994). Handbook of Dimensional Measurement.
5. Vernier caliper (June 4, 2014). Retrieved on October 9, 2017, from Encyclopædia Britannica Workshop.