TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

EXPERIMENT NO. 1
Accuracy of Linear dimension Measurement

Llorera, Jeshua B.
ME 5L/ BSME 4D

July 8, 2016

I. OBJECTIVES:

Familiarize students with important instruments used to measure linear

dimensions in the laboratory and the workshop.

Measure and tabulate the dimensions of standard blocks using a Vernier caliper
and a micrometer.

Determine the accuracy of measurements in terms of percent error and standard

deviation.

II. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND:

Accuracy and Precision:
Accuracy refers to the closeness of a measured value to a standard or known
value. For example, if in lab you obtain a weight measurement of 3.2 kg for a given
substance, but the actual or known weight is 10 kg, then your measurement is not
accurate. In this case, your measurement is not close to the known value.
Precision refers to the closeness of two or more measurements to each other.
Using the example above, if you weigh a given substance five times, and get 3.2 kg
each time, then your measurement is very precise. Precision is independent of
accuracy. You can be very precise but inaccurate, as described above. You can also
be accurate but imprecise.
In the fields of science, engineering and statistics, the accuracy of
a measurement system is the degree of closeness of measurements of a quantity to
that quantity's true value.
The precision of a measurement system, related to reproducibility and repeatability,
is the degree to which repeated measurements under unchanged conditions show
the same results. Although the two words precision and accuracy can be
synonymous in colloquial use, they are deliberately contrasted in the context of
the scientific method.
A measurement system can be accurate but not precise, precise but not accurate,
neither, or both. For example, if an experiment contains a systematic error, then
increasing the sample size generally increases precision but does not improve
accuracy. The result would be a consistent yet inaccurate string of results from the
flawed experiment. Eliminating the systematic error improves accuracy but does not
change precision.

A measurement system is considered valid if it is both accurate and precise. Related

terms include bias (non-random or directed effects caused by a factor or factors
unrelated to the independent variable) and error (random variability).
The terminology is also applied to indirect measurementsthat is, values obtained
by a computational procedure from observed data.
In addition to accuracy and precision, measurements may also have a measurement
resolution, which is the smallest change in the underlying physical quantity that
produces a response in the measurement.
In numerical analysis, accuracy is also the nearness of a calculation to the true
value; while precision is the resolution of the representation, typically defined by the
number of decimal or binary digits.
Statistical literature prefers to use the terms bias and variability instead of accuracy
and precision: bias is the amount of inaccuracy and variability is the amount of
imprecision.
III. Percent Error
The percentage error, also known as percent error, is a measure of how inaccurate
a measurement is, standardized to how large the measurement is. It is the
relative error expressed in terms of per 100. The relative error is calculated as the
absolute error divided by the magnitude of the exact value.
Calculation
Know the formula for calculating percentage error. The formula for calculating
percentage error is simple :
Exact valueExperimental value
X 100
Exact value

Subtract the real number from your number. ..

Divide the result by the real number. ...
Find the absolute value of the result. ...
Multiply the result by 100.

Standard Deviation
Standard deviation (SD, also represented by the Greek letter sigma or the Latin
letter s) is a measure that is used to quantify the amount of variation or dispersion of
a set of data values.

Calculation
Standard Deviation Formula
The standard deviation formula is similar to the variance formula. It is given by:

= standard deviation
xi = each value of dataset
x (with a bar over it) = the arithmetic mean of the data (This symbol will be
indicated as mean from now)
N = the total number of data points
(xi - mean)^2 = The sum of (xi - mean)^2 for all data points
For simplicity, we will rewrite the formula:
= [ (x-mean)^2 / N ]
Vernier caliper

A. Description
The Vernier Caliper is a precision instrument that can be used to measure
internal and external distances extremely accurately. The example shown below
is a manual caliper. Measurements are interpreted from the scale by the user.

B. Function
The Vernier caliper is typically used in scientific labs and engineering schools
where precise measurements are a must. High precision instruments like the
Vernier caliper do not leave room for many errors. It is also a great addition to a
woodworkers tools since it comes in handy when working with different projects
that require careful and precise measurement. Below are the best uses for a
Vernier caliper.

1. Measuring Inside Dimensions

The upper set of jaws on the caliper can be used to measure inside dimensions,
such as the diameter of a hole on a piece of wood or metal. Measuring the
precise diameter of holes in pipes, cylinders, and other hollow objects is very
important to many projects or applications. To get a precise measurement, the
jaws will just be slid into the hole and the measurement taken from there. The
caliper can also be used to measure holes of different shapes, e.g., square,
rectangular, cylindrical, or hexagonal. Lastly, the upper jaws can be used to
measure the distance between two objects, which can be done by putting the
jaws between the objects.
2. Measuring Outside Dimensions
Outside dimensions include things such as the outer diameter of a cylinder and
total length or width of an object. For measuring the outer diameter of something
with the lower jaws, you will simply clamp them around the object. However, to
measure length or width, you will place the object between the caliper jaws.
3. Measuring Depth
As previously mentioned, the Vernier caliper has a depth probe on the rear part.
This probe can be extended from the edge of the hole through to the other end
for a measurement.
C. Measurement process

The Vernier caliper is an extremely precise measuring instrument; the reading

error is 1/20 mm = 0.05 mm.

Close the jaws lightly on the object to be measured.

If you are measuring something with a round cross section, make sure that the
axis of the object is perpendicular to the caliper. This is necessary to ensure that
you are measuring the full diameter and not merely a chord.

Ignore the top scale, which is calibrated in inches.

Use the bottom scale, which is in metric units.

Notice that there is a fixed scale and a sliding scale.

The boldface numbers on the fixed scale are centimeters.

The tick marks on the fixed scale between the boldface numbers are millimeters.

There are ten tick marks on the sliding scale. The left-most tick mark on the
sliding scale will let you read from the fixed scale the number of whole millimeters
that the jaws are opened.

In the example above, the leftmost tick mark on the sliding scale is between 21
mm and 22 mm, so the number of whole millimeters is 21.

Next we find the tenths of millimeters. Notice that the ten tick marks on the sliding
scale are the same width as nine ticks marks on the fixed scale. This means that
at most one of the tick marks on the sliding scale will align with a tick mark on the
fixed scale; the others will miss.

The number of the aligned tick mark on the sliding scale tells you the number of
tenths of millimeters. In the example above, the 3rd tick mark on the sliding scale
is in coincidence with the one above it, so the caliper reading is (21.30 0.05)
mm.

If two adjacent tick marks on the sliding scale look equally aligned with their
counterparts on the fixed scale, then the reading is half way between the two
marks. In the example above, if the 3rd and 4th tick marks on the sliding scale
looked to be equally aligned, then the reading would be (21.35 0.05) mm.

On those rare occasions when the reading just happens to be a "nice" number
like 2 cm, don't forget to include the zero decimal places showing the precision of
the measurement and the reading error. So not 2 cm, but rather (2.000 0.005)
cm or (20.00 0.05) mm

Micrometer

D. Description
Micrometer a gauge that measures small distances or thicknesses between its
two faces, one of which can be moved away from or toward the other by turning
a screw with a fine thread.
E. Function
For measurement using an outside micrometer, an object is placed flush against
a micrometer caliper's anvil. The thimble is turned with the other hand, moving
the spindle closer to the anvil until it can move no further. When the object is
secure between the anvil and spindle, the micrometer is locked so that a
measurement can be read and recorded accurately. A standard, one-inch
micrometer has readout markings of .001 inch with an accuracy of +/- .0001 inch.
F. Measurement process
Using the micrometer
1. Read the scale on the sleeve.
2. Still reading the scale on the sleeve, a further mm (0.5) measurement can
be seen on the bottom half of the scale.
3. Finally, the thimble scale shows a full divisions (these are hundredths of a
mm).Then the final measurement is shown.

IV. INSTRUMENTS AND MATERIALS:

Standard block gages
Vernier caliper
Standard horizontal surface Micrometer

V. METHODS AND PROCEDURES:

1. Chose 10 standard blocks of various dimensions.
2. Measures each block 5 times using the vernier caliper.
3. Calculate the average of the five readings.
4. Calculate for the percent error in the case of each block.
5. Determine the standard deviation of the readings.
6. Tabulate the readings/observations and results of calculation.
7. Repeat the procedure using the micrometer.
8. Discuss the observations and other results.
VI. OBSERVATIONS:
While doing the experiment I saw many errors and considerations in conducting our
experiment example of this errors are how the way we measure the gage blocks and
the way we use the instruments some of us done the experiment properly while
others not. The right setup for the experiment is not considered therefore making an
error in the reading of our caliper and micrometer.

VII.

DATA AND RESULTS:

VERNIER CALIPER
Actual
size
14 mm

Trial Trial Trial Trial

1
2
3
4
14
14
14
14

Trial Trial
5
6
13.95 14

Trial Trial Ave.

7
8
14
14
13.99
3
14.45 14.55 14.5 14.5 14.5

14.5m
m
100mm

14.5

14.5

14.5

14.5

100

100

100

99.95 100

100

100

100

1.30m
m
0.5mm

`1.3

1.3

1.3

1.25

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

99.99
4
1.294

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.45

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.494

%error
0.05%
0.0%
0.00006%

0.004
%
0.012
%

Computation of percentage error

Trial 6 (14-13.993)2 = 4.9x10-5

For 14 mm
1413.993
X 100 =0.05
14

Trial 6 (14-13.993)2 = 4.9x10-5

Trial 8 (14-13.993)2 = 4.9x10-5
8

( Xi)

For 14.5 mm

k=1

14.514.5
X 100 =0.0
14.5

= 2.241X10-3

1/8 (2.241X10-3) =2.801 X10-4

2.801 X 104

For 100 mm

= 0.017 Answer

10099.994
X 100 =0.00006
100
For 1.30 mm
1.31.294
X 100 =0.004
1.3

For 14.5 mm: = 14.5

Trial 1 (14.5-14.5)2 = 0
Trial 2 (14.5-14.5)2 = 0

For 0.5 mm
0.50.494
X 100 =0.012
0.5

Trial 3 (14.5-14.5)2 = 0
Trial 4 (14.55-14.5)2 = 2.5X10-3
Trial 5 (14.45-14.5)2 = 2.5X10-3

Computation for standard deviation

Trial 6 (14.5-14.5)2 = 0

For 14 mm: = 13.993

Trial 6 (14.5-14.5)2 = 0

Trial 1 (14-13.993)2 = 4.9x10-5

Trial 8 (14.5-14.5)2 = 0

Trial 2 (14-13.993)2 = 4.9x10-5

2

Trial 3 (14-13.993) = 4.9x10

-5

Trial 4 (14-13.993)2 = 4.9x10-5

Trial 5 (13.95-13.993)2 = 1.849x10-3

( Xi)

k=1

= 5X10-3

1/8 (5X10-3) =6.25 X10-4

2.801 X 104

= 0.025 Answer

For 100 mm: = 99.994

Trial 5 (99.95-99.994)2 = 1.936X10-3

Trial 1 (100-99.994)2 = 3X10-5

Trial 6 (100-99.994)2 = 3X10-5

Trial 2 (100-99.994)2 = 3X10-5

Trial 6 (100-99.994)2 = 3X10-5

Trial 3 (100-99.994)2 = 3X10-5

Trial 8 (100-99.994)2 = 3X10-5

Trial 4 (100-99.994)2 = 3X10-5-3

1/8 (2.146X10-3) =2.682X10-4

( Xi)
k=1

= 2.146X10

-3

2.682 X 104

= 0.016 answer

Trial 6 (1.3-1.294)2 = 3.6X10-5

For 1.3 mm: = 1.294

Trial 6 (1.3-1.294)2 = 3.6X10-5

Trial 1 (1.3-1.294)2 = 3.6X10-5

Trial 8 (1.3-1.294)2 = 3.6X10-5

Trial 2 (1.3-1.294)2 = 3.6X10-5

( Xi)

Trial 3 (1.3-1.294)2 = 3.6X10-5

k=1

Trial 4 (1.3-1.294)2 = 3.6X10-5

= 2.188X10-3

1/8 (2.188X10-3) =2.735X10-4

Trial 5 (1.25-1.294)2 = 1.936X10-3

2.735 X 104

= 0.017 answer

For 0.5 mm: = 0.494

Trial 6 (0.5 -0.494)2 = 3.6X10-5

Trial 1 (0.5 -0.494)2 = 3.6X10-5

Trial 8 (0.5 -0.494)2 = 3.6X10-5

Trial 2 (0.5 -0.494)2 = 3.6X10-5

2

Trial 3 (0.5 -0.494) = 3.6X10

( Xi)

-5

k=1

Trial 4 (0.5 -0.494)2 = 3.6X10-5

= 2.188X10-3

1/8 (2.188X10-3) =2.735X10-4

Trial 5 (0.45-0.494)2 = 1.936X10-3

2.735 X 104

= 0.017 answer

Trial 6 (0.5 -0.494)2 = 3.6X10-5

MICROMETER
Actual
size
59.5
mm
63.5
mm
74.5
mm

Trial
1

Trial
2

Trial
3

Trial
4

Trial
5

Trial
6

Trial
7

Trial
8

Ave.

%error

59.50

59.51

59.44

59.49

59.48

59.48

59.49

59.50

59.486

0.024%

63.5

63.45

63.5

63.48

63.47

63.51

63.5

63.49

63.488

0.082%

74.5

74.5

74.46

74.49

74.48

74.49

74.49

74.48

74.486

51.21mm

`51.21
65.5

51.20
65.5

51.20
65.5

51.19
65.49

51.21
65.49

51.20
65.49

51.20
65.49

51.21
65.49

51.203
65.494

0.00006
%
0.004%
0.009%

65.5mm

Computation of percentage error

For 59.5 mm

59.559.486
X 100 =0.024
59.5

For 51.21 mm
51.2151.203
X 100 =0.014
51.21

For 63.5 mm
63.563.448
X 100 =0.082
63.5

For 63.5 mm
65.565.494
X 100 =0.009
65.5

For 74.5 mm
74.574.446
X 100 =0.072
74.5
Computation for standard deviation

Trial 7 (59.49-59.486)2 = 1.6x10-5

For 59.5 mm: = 59.486

Trial 8 (59.50-59.486)2 = 1.96x10-4

Trial 1 (59.50-59.486)2 = 1.96x10-4

2

Trial 2 (59.51-59.486) = 5.76x10

-4

Trial 3 (59.44-59.486)2 = 2.116 x10-4

Trial 4 (59.49-59.486)2 = 1.6x10-5
2

Trial 5 (59.48-59.486) = 3.6x10

( Xi)

k=1

= 1.284X10-3

1/8 (1.284X10-3) =1.605X10-4

1.605 X 104

= 0.013 Answer

-5

Trial 6 (59.48-59.486)2 = 3.6x10-5

For 63.5 mm: = 63.488

Trial 7 (63.5 -63.488)2 = 1.44x10-4

Trial 1 (63.5 -63.488)2 = 1.44x10-4

Trial 8 (63.49 -63.488)2 = 4x10-6

Trial 2 (63.45 -63.488)2 = 1.444x10-3

Trial 3 (63.5 -63.488)2 = 1.44 x10-4
Trial 4 (63.48 -63.488)2 = 6.4x10-5
Trial 5 (63.47 -63.488)2 = 3.24x10-4
Trial 6 (63.51 -63.488)2 = 4.84x10-4

( Xi)

k=1

= 2.460 X10-3

1/8 (1.284X10-3) =3.076X10-4

3.076 X 104

= 0.018 Answer

For 74.5 mm: =

Trial 4 (74.49 -74.486)2 = 1.6x10-5

Trial 1 (74.5 -74.486)2 = 1.96x10-4

Trial 5 (74.48 -74.486)2 = 3.6x10-5

Trial 2 (74.5 -74.486)2 = 1.96x10-4

Trial 6 (74.49 -74.486)2 = 1.6x10-5

Trial 3 (74.46 -74.486)2 = 6.76 x10-4

Trial 7 (74.49 -74.486)2 = 1.6x10-5

Trial 8 (74.48 -74.486)2 = 3.6x10-5

8

( Xi)
k=1

1/8 (1.076 X10-3) =1.345X10-4

1.345 X 104 = 0.012 Answer

= 1.076 X10-3

For 51.21 mm: = 51.203

Trial 7 (51.20 -51.203)2 = 9x10-6

Trial 1 (51.21 -51.203)2 = 4.9x10-5

Trial 8 (51.21 -51.203)2 = 4.9x10-5

Trial 2 (51.20 -51.203)2 = 9x10-6

2

Trial 3 (51.20 -51.203) = 9x10

( Xi)

-6

Trial 4 (51.19 -51.203)2 = 1.69x10-4

2

Trial 5 (51.21 -51.203) = 4.9x10

2

Trial 6 (51.20 -51.203) = 9x10

k=1

-5

1/8 (4.01 X10-4) =5.013X10-5

5.013 X 105

-6

= 4.01 X10-4

= 0.007 Answer

For 65.5 mm: = 65.494

Trial 7 (65.49 -65.494)2 = 1.6x10-5

Trial 1 (65.5 -65.494)2 = 3.6x10-5

Trial 8 (65.48 -65.494)2 = 1.96x10-4

Trial 2 (65.5 -65.494)2 = 3.6x10-5

2

Trial 3 (65.5 -65.494) = 3.6x10

( Xi)

-5

k=1

Trial 4 (65.49 -65.494)2 = 1.6x10-5

2

-5

-5

Trial 5 (65.49 -65.494) = 1.6x10

Trial 6 (65.49 -65.494) = 1.6x10

= 3.68 X10-4

1/8 (3.68 X10-4) =4.6X10-5

4.6 X 105

= 0.006 Answer

VIII.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMENDATIONS:

It is very important for us engineering to students to know how to use this linear
measuring instruments because an engineer should also know the practical and the
work shop in our field of work. An engineer is not just someone who knows the theory
but someone who also knows the actual way of doing things. This experiment helps us
in expanding our knowledge in the field of instruments being used in our industry.
My only recommendation is that I wish we could have used other measuring
instruments because I already know how to use the caliper and micrometer way back in
my days in the college of industrial technology. I was expecting that we will use hicaliber/hi-tech measuring instruments just like what I saw in the company which I used
to go in my supervised industrial training.