A set of vernier calipers.

A vernier scale lets one read more precisely from an evenly divided straight or circular measurement scale. It is fitted with a sliding secondary scale that is used to indicate where the measurement lies when it is in-between two of the marks on the main scale. Location within Switzerland Vernier is a commune in the Canton of Geneva, Switzerland. ... Image File history File links 600px-vernier_calipers. ... Image File history File links 600px-vernier_calipers. ... Digital caliper A caliper (British spelling also calliper) is a device used to measure the distance between two symmetrically opposing sides. ...

It was invented in its modern form in 1631 by the French mathematician Pierre Vernier (1580–1637). In some languages, this device is called a nonius, which is the Latin name of the Portuguese astronomer and mathematician Pedro Nunes (1492–1578) who invented the principle. Another theory is that this name is from the Latin "nona" meaning "9" and therefore "nonius" means a "ninth" of the main scale. // Events February 5 - Roger Williams emigrates to Boston. ... Pierre Vernier (1580–1637) was a French mathematician and instrument inventor. ... Events March 1 - Michel de Montaigne signs the preface to his most significant work, Essays. ... Events February 3 - Tulipmania collapses in Netherlands by government order February 15 - Ferdinand III becomes Holy Roman Emperor December 17 - Shimabara Rebellion erupts in Japan Pierre de Fermat makes a marginal claim to have proof of what would become known as Fermats last theorem. ... Pedro Nunes (latin, Petrus Nonius), (1502, Alcácer do Sal – August 11, 1578, Coimbra) was a Portuguese mathematician, maybe born from a New Christian (of Jewish origin) family. ... Not to be confused with 1492: Conquest of Paradise. ... Events January 31 - Battle of Gemblours - Spanish forces under Don John of Austria and Alexander Farnese defeat the Dutch. ...

Verniers are common on sextants used in navigation, scientific instruments and machinists' measuring tools (all sorts, but especially calipers and micrometers) and on theodolites used in surveying. A sextant is a measuring instrument generally used to measure the angle of elevation of a celestial object above the horizon. ... Table of geography, hydrography, and navigation, from the 1728 Cyclopaedia. ... A machinist is a craftsman who uses machine tools to make parts or alter parts by cutting away excess material. ... Digital caliper A caliper (British spelling also calliper) is a device used to measure the distance between two symmetrically opposing sides. ... External, internal, and depth micrometers A micrometer is a widely used device in mechanical engineering for precisely measuring thickness of blocks, outer and inner diameters of shafts and depths of slots. ... An optical theodolite, manufactured in the Soviet Union in 1958 and used for topographic surveying. ... Surveyor at work with a leveling instrument. ...

When a measurement is taken by mechanical means using one of the above mentioned instruments, the measure is read off a finely marked data scale (the "fixed" scale, in the diagram). The measure taken will usually be between two of the smallest gradations on this scale. The indicating scale ("vernier" in the diagram) is used to provide an even finer additional level of precision without resorting to estimation.

An enlarged view of the above calipers shows they have a resolution or precision of 0.02 mm. The reading is 3.58 mm. The 3 mm is read off from the upper (fixed) data scale. The 0.58 mm is obtained from the lower (sliding) indicating scale at the point of closest alignment between the two scales. The superimposed red markings show where the readings are taken.
Note In this example it is not clear whether the right value is 0.58 mm or 0.60 mm

Image File history File links Close_up_of_vernier_scale. ... Image File history File links Close_up_of_vernier_scale. ...

Construction

The indicating scale is constructed so that when its zero point is coincident with the start of the data scale, its gradations are at a slightly smaller spacing than those on the data scale and so do not coincide with any on the data scale. N gradations of the indicating scale would cover N-1 gradations of the data scale (where N is the number of divisions the maker wishes to show at the finer level).

Use

Animation of a caliper measurement using a vernier scale. Click to enlarge

When a length is measured the zero point on the indicating scale is the actual point of measurement, however this is likely to be between two data scale points. The indicator scale measurement which corresponds to the best-aligned pair of indicator and data gradations yields the value of the finer additional precision digit. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

Examples

On instruments using decimal measure, as shown in the diagram below, the indicating scale would have 10 gradations covering the same length as 9 on the data scale. Note that the vernier's 10th gradation is omitted.

On an instrument providing angular measure, the data scale could be in half-degrees with an indicator scale providing 30 1-minute gradations (spanning 29 of the half-degree gradations).

Why a vernier scale works

The vernier scale is constructed so that it is spaced at a constant fraction of the fixed main scale. So for a decimal measuring device each mark on the vernier would be spaced nine tenths of those on the main scale. If you put the two scales together with zero points aligned then the first mark on the vernier scale will be one tenth short of the first main scale mark, the second two tenths short and so on up to the ninth mark which would be misaligned by nine tenths. Only when a full ten marks have been counted would there be an alignment because the tenth mark would be ten tenths, that is a whole main scale unit, short and will therefore align with the ninth mark on the main scale. Image File history File links Vernier. ...

Now if you move the vernier by a small amount, say, one tenth of its fixed main scale, the only pair of marks which come into alignment will be the first pair since these were the only ones originally misaligned by one tenth. If we had moved it 2 tenths then the second pair and only the second would be in alignment since these are the only ones which were originally misaligned by that amount. If we had moved it 5 tenths then the fifth pair and only the fifth would be in alignment. And so on for any movement, only one pair of marks will be in alignment and that pair will show what is the value of the small displacement.

References

• The VERNIER Scale Open Door Web Site reference source for both students and teachers.
• How to use the vernier caliper Clemson University Physics On-line Laboratories

See also

• Micrometer (device)

External, internal, and depth micrometers A micrometer is a widely used device in mechanical engineering for precisely measuring thickness of blocks, outer and inner diameters of shafts and depths of slots. ...

External links

• Animated Vernier calipers

Metalworking:
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Metalworking topics:   Turned chess pieces Metalworking is the craft and practice of working with metals to create structures or machine parts. ...	Casting | CNC | Cutting tools | Drilling and threading | Fabrication | Finishing | Grinding | Jewellery | Lathe (tool) | Machining | Machine tooling | Measuring | Metalworking | Hand tools | Metallurgy | Milling | Occupations | Press tools | Smithing | Terminology | Welding Casting may be used to create artistic sculptures Casting is a manufacturing process by which a molten material such as metal or plastic is introduced into a mold, allowed to solidify within the mold, and then ejected or broken out to make a fabricated part. ... A CNC Turning Center A CNC Milling Machine The abbreviation CNC stands for computer numerical control, and refers specifically to a computer controller that reads G-code instructions and drives the machine tool, a powered mechanical device typically used to fabricate metal components by the selective removal of metal. ... a Cutting Tool, in the context of Metalworking is any tool that is used to remove metal from the workpiece by means of shear deformation. ... Drilling is the process of using a drill bit in a drill to produce holes. ... A typical steel fabrication shop Fabrication, when used as an industrial term, applies to the building of machines and structures by cutting, shaping and assembling components made from raw materials. ... Metalworking finishing is the activity of making things out of metal in a skillful manner. ... Rotating abrasive wheel on a bench grinder. ... Amber jewellery in the form of pendants. ... Conventional metalworking lathe In woodturning, metalworking, metal spinning, and glassworking, a lathe is a machine tool which spins a block of material so that when abrasive, cutting, or deformation tools are applied to the block, it can be shaped to produce an object which has rotational symmetry about an axis... A lathe is a common tool used in machining. ... A machine tool is a powered mechanical device, typically used to fabricate metal components of machines by the selective removal of metal. ... The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ... Turned chess pieces Metalworking is the craft and practice of working with metals to create structures or machine parts. ... Metalworking hand tools are hand tools that are used in the metalworking field. ... Metallurgy is a domain of materials science and of materials engineering that studies the physical and chemical behavior of metallic elements, their intermetallic compounds, and their mixtures, which are called alloys. ... Endmills for a milling machine. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Smith (metalwork). ... Power press with a fixed barrier guard A press, or a machine press is a tool used to work metal (typically steel) by changing its shape and internal structure. ... A smith, or metalsmith, is a person involved in the shaping of metal objects. ... This article needs to be wikified. ... Welding is a fabrication process that joins materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, by causing coalescence. ...