Introduction to Screw Gauge

Screw Gauge:
“A screw gauge is an instrument that is used to measure small lengths with accuracy
greater than a Vernier Caliper. It is also known as micrometer screw gauge.”

Construction and Parts of a Screw Gauge:

A simple screw gauge is consisting of a U-shaped metal frame with a metal stud at its
one end. A sleeve has a millimeter scale over it along a line called index line parallel to
its axis. A hollow cylinder acts as a small nut it is fixed at the end of the U-shaped
frame opposite to the stud. A thimble has a threaded spindle inside it. As the thimble
completes one rotation the spindle moves 1mm along the index line it is because the
distance between the consecutive threads on the spindle is 1mm. This distance is called
pitch of the screw gauge.

Diagram:

Labeled diagram of Screw Gauge

Least Count Calculation:

The thimble has 100 divisions around its one end. It is the circular scale of the screw
gauge. As the thimble completes one rotation, 100 divisions pass the index line and the
thimble moves 1mm along the main scale. Thus, each division of the circular scale
crossing the index line moves the thimble 0.001mm. The least count of screw gauge can
also be calculated as,

𝐏𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐰 𝐆𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐞

Least count =
𝐧𝐨.𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞

Working of a Screw Gauge:

The first step during work is to calibrate the Screw Gauge which means to check the
zero error.

To find the zero error close the gaps between the spindle and the stud of the screw
gauge. If the zero of circular scale coincides with the index line, then there is a zero
error.

Zero Error Correction:

In this case simply multiply the number of divisions of the circular scale that has
crossed the index line with the least count of screw gauge to find the negative zero error
correction.