Lecture 4 Zero Errors of Micrometer Screw Gauge

The Least Count (LC) of a micrometer is the

minimum length that can be measured by the
micrometer.
Zero Errors of Micrometer Screw Gauge

The micrometer screw gauge features a spindle and anvil which are

fashioned ‫ تصمم‬to touch each other so that the zero on the main scale

should match (coincide with (‫يتطابق مع‬ the zero on the circular

scale.
 However, if the zero on both scales does not coincide with each other then the micrometer

is said to have zero error.

 This zero error of micrometer may be attributed to wear and tear or manufacturing defects.

 There are two types of zero errors, they include:

 1-Positive Zero Error 2- Negative Zero Error

Figure 1 Micrometer Screw Gauge Zero Errors

1- Positive Zero Error

 The zero mark of the circular scale lies below the zero mark of the main scale.

 Obtaining the positive error requires taking note of the division on the circular

scale reading (C.S.R) that coincides with the main scale line (reference line).

Figure 1 Micrometer Screw Gauge Zero Errors

 The positive error is equal to the product of the least count of the micrometer and the

division number on the circular scale (count up from zero) matching the main scale line.

 To get the overall reading, subtract the zero error with a proper sign from the obtained

reading .

 Final (overall ) Reading =( Obtained Reading – Zero Error) (with proper sign)

Figure 1 Micrometer Screw Gauge Zero Errors

2- Negative Zero Error

 The zero mark of the circular scale lies above the zero mark of the main

scale.

 Obtaining the negative error requires taking note of the division on the circular

scale (C.S.R) that coincides with the of the main scale line.

Figure 1 Micrometer Screw Gauge Zero Errors

 The negative error is equal to the product of the least count of the micrometer and

the of division number on the circular scale (count down from zero) coinciding with

the main scale line.

 To get the final(overall ) reading, subtract the zero error with a proper sign from the

obtained reading.

 Final(overall ) Reading =( Obtained Reading –Zero Error) (with proper sign)

Figure 1 Micrometer Screw Gauge Zero Errors

Steps followed in reading on a micrometer

1-Place the object to be measured between the spindle and the anvil of the micrometer

2-Take note of the main scale reading displayed on the main scale just before the zero

mark of the circular scale.

3-This reading is denoted M.S.R (main scale reading)

4-Take note of the number of circular divisions (n) that coincide with the line of the

main scale. The C.S.R (Circular Scale Reading) = (n) X Least Count

5-To obtain the expected reading, add M.S.R to the C.S.R

6-To get the final reading, subtract the zero error with a proper sign from the obtained

reading in step four .

Range Of Micrometer :

 The micrometer usually has a maximum opening of 25 mm.

 They are available in measuring ranges of 0 to 25 mm, 25 to 50

mm, 125 to 150 mm up to 575 to 600 mm.

Procedures To Take Micrometer Reading

Procedures followed to take a Micrometer Reading are:

1. Select a micrometer with a desired range of measurement.

2. Check the micrometer for zero error by contacting the faces of anvil and spindle.

The zero on the thimble should coincide with zero on the reference(datum) line on the

barrel (main scale).

If this does not happen, then zero error is present in the micrometer which must be

considered in final readings.

3. Hold workpiece between anvil and spindle.

Then make a final adjustment by ratchet and lock it with the help of lock nut.
4-Now, take the reading of the main scale, suppose main scale reading is 13.5 mm as
shown.
Take the thimble reading which coincides with the reference line on the barrel.
The 35th division line is coincident with the reference line.

Total reading = Main scale reading + (L.C. x reading on thimble)

= 13.5 + (0.01 X 35) = 13.850 mm
Precautions to be taken while using a micrometer:

1.The micrometer should be selected depending upon the size of the workpiece.
2. Micrometer should be cleaned of any dust and spindle should move freely.
3. Check and set the zero reading before measuring.
4. The workpiece must be held in the left hand and micrometer in the right hand.
5. Make sure that the dimension to be measured in parallel to the axis of the
spindle and the anvil.
6. Always use the ratchet for final adjustment and locknut for taking readings.
7. In case of measurement of diameter make sure that the anvil and spindle faces
touch the maximum dimension only.
Sources of error in micrometers

1. The faces of anvil and spindle may not be truly flat.

2. Lack of parallelism and squareness of anvil or spindle at some or all parts of

the scale.

3. The setting of zero reading may be inaccurate.

4. Inaccurate readings have shown by fractional divisions on the thimble.

5. Wear on the faces of anvil & spindle, and wear in the threads of the spindle.

6. Error due to too much pressure on the thimble or not using the ratchet.
Types of Micrometers
1. Outside micrometer
2. Inside micrometer
3. Vernier micrometer
4. Depth micrometer
5. Bench micrometer
6. Digital micrometer
7. Differential screw micrometer
8. Micrometer with dial gauge
9. Screw thread micrometer
Inside Micrometer
 The inside micrometer is used to measure the internal dimensions of the workpiece. the
construction is similar to the outside micrometer.
 However, the inside micrometer has no U-shape frame and spindle.
 The measuring tips are constituted by the jaws whose faces are hardened and ground to a
radius
Vernier Micrometer

 In order to increase accuracy, the vernier principle also is applied to an outside micrometer.

 This type of micrometer can be read by 0.001 mm length.

 The vernier micrometer consists of three scales as follows:

1-The main scale is graduated on the barrel with two sets of division marks.

The set below the reference line reads in mm and set above the line reads in 1/2 mm.

2. A thimble scale is graduated on the thimble with 50 equal divisions.

Each small division of thimble represents 1/50 of a minimum division of the main scale.

The main scale minimum division value is 1/2 mm.

The thimble scale minimum division value is 1/100 mm=(0.01 mm).

3. Vernier scale is marked on the barrel(sleeve).

There are 10 divisions on the barrel scale equivalent to 9 divisions on the thimble scale.

Hence one division on a vernier scale is equal to 9/10 that of thimble scale.

But one division on the thimble scale is equal to 0.01 mm.

Therefore, one division on a vernier scale is equal to (9/10)*(1/100) or 0.009 mm

Least count (LC) of vernier micrometer
L.C. = Value of smallest division on thimble scale - Value of smallest division on the
vernier scale.
= 0.01 – 0.009 = 0.001 mm
Hence the accuracy (least count) of the vernier micrometer is 0.001 mm.

Main scale reading= 11.5 mm

Thimble reading = No. of thimble division coinciding with reference line x L.C. of a
thimble = 12 x 0.01= 0.12 mm
The 6 th vernier scale line is coincident with the divisions of a thimble scale
Hence, vernier reading =No. of vernier division coinciding with thimble scale
x L.C. of vernier = 6 x 0.001 = 0.006 mm
Total reading= 11.5 + 0.12 + 0.006 = 11.626 mm
If vernier line coincident with the reference line is 0, then no vernier reading
added to the final reading.
Depth micrometer
 Depth micrometer (micrometer depth gauge) is used to measure the depth of
holes, slots and recessed areas.
 It consists of a base (measuring face) which is fixed on the barrel and
measuring spindle which is attached with thimble.
 The axial movement of the spindle occurs by rotation of thimble.
 The measurement is made between the end face of the spindle and
the measuring face of the base.
 As spindle moves away from the base, the measurement increases
due to scales on the barrel are reversed from the normal.
 The scale indicates zero when spindle flush with ‫ ينطبق مع‬the face and

maximum when the spindle is fully extended from the base .

 The main scale reading is 17 mm. The 14th division line of the thimble match

with the reference line. Hence, thimble reading is 0.14 mm.

 Total reading= 17 + 0.14 = 17.14 mm

Digital micrometer

 Digital micrometers are having an electronic digital readout to get superior

precision and ease of reading provided by the electronic digital readout.

 Digital micrometer consists of the frame, anvil, spindle, locknut, barrel, thimble,

ratchet, LCD display, and ON/OFF switch.

 The digital micrometers are available in a large number of different

sizes, normally 0-25 mm, 25-50 mm, 50- 75 mm, and 75-100 mm.

 They are used to measure length, diameter, or thickness.