Unit 35 MetriC Vernier MiCroMeters 229

Example 2 A flattened view of a metric vernier micrometer is shown in Figure 10

0 8
35-8. Read the setting. VERNIER
COINCIDES

6
On the barrel scale read 9.5 mm. 5

4 2 0
On the thimble scale read 0.43 mm.
0
On the vernier scale read 0.008 mm.
Vernier micrometer reading: 0 5
45
9.5 mm 1 0.43 mm 1 0.008 mm 5 9.938 mm Ans

Figure 35-8

ApplicAtion

tooling Up
1. Read the setting on the following 0.001-inch micrometer
scale. The vernier, thimble, and barrel scales are shown in

09876543210
20
flattened view.
15

0 1 2 10

2. Use a digital caliper to measure the thickness of the side of a drinking cup or coffee mug.
3. Read the metric vernier depth gage
measurement for this setting. 25 90

20

15

10

5 80
0.02 mm

4. Measure this line segment to the nearest millimeter.

3 5 13
5. Add 9 ft 7 in. 1 11 ft 4 in. 1 3 ft 5 in.
8 16 32
6. Express 235% as a decimal fraction or mixed decimal.

Reading a Metric Micrometer

Read the setting of these metric micrometer scales graduated in 0.01 mm.

7. 8. 9. 10.
15 25
0 5 15 20 0 5 10 15 10
10 40
20
5
5 35
15

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 230 Section 3 Linear MeasureMent: CustoMary (engLish) and MetriC

11. 12. 13. 14.

40
0 5 0 5 25 0 10 15
30 30
35

25 20 25
30

15. 16. 17. 18.

10
0 15 0 15 20 5 10 10
45
5
10 5
40
0

Reading a Metric Vernier Micrometer

Read the settings of these metric vernier micrometer scales graduated in 0.002 mm. In each case the arrow shows
where the vernier division matches a thimble scale graduation.

19. VERNIER SCALE 20. 21.

0 8
0 8
0 8

35
40 0

6
6
6

4
4

30
4

45

2
35
2
2

0
0
0

25
30 0 5 10 15 40 0 5
0
20
25
BARREL THIMBLE
SCALE SCALE

22. 23. 30 24. 25

10
0 8
0 8

0 8

6
6

25 20
6

5
4
4

4 2

2
2
0

20 15
0

0 5 0 15 0 5
10
45

25. 26. 35 27.

0 8
0

0 8

45
8

10
6
6

30
4
4

40
2
2

5
0
0

25
35 0 5
0 5 0 0
20
30

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 Unit 36 digitaL MiCroMeters 231

28. 29. 30.

0 8
0 8

0 8
25 5
45

6
6

4
4

4
20 0

2
2

2
40

0
0

0
15 45
0 5 0 5 10 0 5
35
10 40

UNIT 36 Digital Micrometers

Objective After studying this unit you should be able to
●● Read digital micrometers in metric and customary units.

A digital micrometer, like a customary micrometer, is used to measure the length, diameter,
or thickness of an object. Just as with a customary micrometer, a digital micrometer has an
anvil, spindle, lock nut, sleeve, thimble, and ratchet. In addition, a digital micrometer has
three buttons: ON/OFF, ZERO, and IN/mm. Some, like the micrometer in Figure 36-1, have
a fourth button: SHIFT/SET. Because the reading is electronically generated and digitally
displayed on an LCD display, a digital micrometer requires a battery. Digital micrometers
come in various sizes. The most common sizes are 0–25 mm (0–1 in.), 25–50 mm (1–2 in.),
50–75 mm (2–3 in.), and 75–100 mm (3–4 in.).

Figure 36-1 a digital outside micrometer.

(The L. S. Starrett Company)

The are some advantages to digital micrometers: (a) measurements are read in a sin-
gle step on an LCD display, (b) a button allows for switching between metric and inch
measurements, (c) some versions allow the data to be saved to a USB drive or printed,
(d) some versions are designed so that data can be sent wirelessly or with a traditional cable,
and (e) they can provide for SPC (statistical process control) analysis and documentation.

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 232 Section 3 Linear MeasureMent: CustoMary (engLish) and MetriC

Use of a MicRoMeteR
Before you begin, use a clean cloth to dry and clean the object you are going to measure.
Also clean and dry the micrometer including the measuring surface of both the anvil and
the spindle of the micrometer. Once the object being measured and the micrometer are
clean, do not touch any of the measuring surfaces with your hands since the oil or sweat
on your hands might create an inaccurate measurement.
(a) Turn the digital micrometer ON by pressing the ON/OFF button and push the IN/mm
button to select the desired system of measurement.
(b) Close the micrometer jaws and observe the LCD display. If it reads 0.000, you can be-
gin to measure the object. If the display does not read 0.000, adjust the thimble and
the ratchet stop until the display reads 0.000 or depress the ZERO button to set the
LCD display reading to 0.000.
(c) Fully close the digital micrometer and turn the thimble to make sure the thimble 0
line aligns with the center line on the sleeve.
(d) Open the jaws of the micrometer by turning the thimble. Place the object to be mea-
sured against the anvil and rotate the ratchet until the spindle contacts the object.
Make sure the micrometer is perpendicular to the surfaces being measured.
(e) Rotate the ratchet stop until the spindle contacts the item. Use only enough pressure
on the ratchet stop to allow the object to just fit between the anvil and the spindle.
Read the measurement of the LCD display. In Figure 36-2, the object measured 3.077
mm. (The lock nut need not be “locked” unless the micrometer is in an unusual posi-
tion where the reading cannot be immediately or directly observed. The lock is most
often used when checking many similar components. Then it is used in the “locked”
position as a “go, no-go” gauge.)

Figure 36-2

ApplicAtion

tooling Up
1. Read the setting of this metric micrometer scale graduated in 0.01 mm. 0 20

15

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 Unit 36 digitaL MiCroMeters 233

2. Read the setting on this customary vernier micrometer scale graduated to 0.00010.
The vernier, thimble, and barrel scales are shown in flattened view.

09876543210
20

15

0 1 2 3 10

3. Use a digital vernier caliper to measure the diameter of the opening at the top of a drinking cup or coffee mug.
4. Read the decimal-inch vernier caliper measurement of this setting.

MAIN SCALE
7
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

0 5 10 15 20 25
VERNIER SCALE 0.02 mm

5. Express 2.0276 meters as centimeters.

6. What percent of 92.4 is 12.35? Round the answer to 1 decimal place.

Reading a Digital Micrometer

Use a digital micrometer to measure the indicated dimension of each listed object.
7. The thickness, in mm, of your calculator, not including the removable cover.
8. The thickness, in mm, of the removable cover for your calculator.
9. The width, in inches, of the wire of a paperclip.
10. The thickness, in inches, of the edge a 10¢ coin.
11. The width, in inches, of a 10¢ coin.
12. The length, in inches, of a roofing nail.
13. The length, in mm, of a push pin or thumb tack.
14. The thickness, in mm, of wire for a staple.
15. The thickness in both inches and millimeters of a metal washer.
16. The thickness in both inches and millimeters of a paper clip.

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 234 Section 3 Linear MeasureMent: CustoMary (engLish) and MetriC

UNIT 37 Customary and Metric Gage Blocks

Objective After studying this unit you should be able to
●● Determine proper gage block combinations for specified customary or metric system dimensions.

Gage blocks are used in machine shops as standards for checking and setting (calibration) of micrometers,
calipers, dial indicators, and other measuring instruments. Other applications of gage blocks are for layout,
machine setups, and surface plate inspection.

descRiption of gage Blocks

Gage blocks like those in Figure 37-1 are square- or rectangular-shaped hardened steel
blocks that are manufactured to a high degree of accuracy, flatness, and parallelism. Gage
blocks, when properly used, provide millionths of an inch accuracy with millionths of an
inch precision.
By wringing blocks (slipping blocks one over the other using light pressure), a com-
bination of the proper blocks can be achieved to provide a desired length. Wringing
the blocks produces a very thin air gap that is similar to liquid film in holding the blocks
together. There are a variety of both customary unit and metric gage block sets available.
The following tables list the thicknesses of blocks of a frequently used customary gage
block set and the thicknesses of blocks of a commonly used metric gage block set. To
reduce the possibility of error, it is customary to use the fewest number of blocks
possible to achieve the stack.

Figure 37-1 a complete set of gage blocks

(Courtesy of Brown & Sharpe Mfg. Co.)

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 Unit 37 CustoMary and MetriC gage BLoCks 235

BLOCK THICKNESSES OF A CUSTOMARY GAGE BLOCK SET*

9 Blocks 0.0001” Series

0.1001 0.1002 0.1003 0.1004 0.1005 0.1006 0.1007 0.1008 0.1009

49 Blocks 0.001” Series

0.101 0.102 0.103 0.104 0.105 0.106 0.107 0.108 0.109

0.110 0.111 0.112 0.113 0.114 0.115 0.116 0.117 0.118

0.119 0.120 0.121 0.122 0.123 0.124 0.125 0.126 0.127

0.128 0.129 0.130 0.131 0.132 0.133 0.134 0.135 0.136

0.137 0.138 0.139 0.140 0.141 0.142 0.143 0.144 0.145

0.146 0.147 0.148 0.149

19 Blocks 0.050” Series

0.050 0.100 0.150 0.200 0.250 0.300 0.350 0.400 0.450

0.500 0.550 0.600 0.650 0.700 0.750 0.800 0.850 0.900

0.950

4 Blocks 1.000” Series

1.000 2.000 3.000 4.000

*All thicknesses are in inches.

BLOCK THICKNESSES OF A METRIC GAGE BLOCK SET*

9 Blocks 0.001 mm Series

1.001 1.002 1.003 1.004 1.005 1.006 1.007 1.008 1.009

9 Blocks 0.01 mm Series

1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09

9 Blocks 0.1 mm Series

1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9

9 Blocks 1 mm Series

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

9 Blocks 10 mm Series

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

*All thicknesses are in millimeters.

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 236 Section 3 Linear MeasureMent: CustoMary (engLish) and MetriC

deteRMining gage Block coMBinations

Usually there is more than one combination of blocks that will give a desired length.
The most efficient procedure for determining block combinations is to eliminate digits
of the desired measurement from right to left. This procedure saves time, minimizes the
number of blocks, and reduces the chances of error. The following examples show how
to apply the procedure in determining block combinations.

0.1008 Example 1 Determine a combination of gage blocks for 2.9468 inches. Refer to the
0.146 gage block sizes given in the Table of Block Thicknesses of a Customary Gage Block Set.
All dimensions are in inches.
0.700
Choose the block that eliminates the last digit to the right, the 8. Choose
2.9468
the 0.10080 block. Subtract. (2.94680 2 0.10080 5 2.8460)
Eliminate the last digit, 6, of 2.8460. Choose the 0.1460 block that
2.000
eliminates the 4 as well as the 6. Subtract. (2.8460 2 0.1460 5 2.7000)
Eliminate the last non-zero digit, 7, of 2.7000. Choose the 0.7000 block.
Subtract. (2.7000 2 0.7000 5 2.0000)
Figure 37-2
The 2.0000 block completes the required dimension as shown in Figure 37-2.
Check. Add the blocks chosen.
(0.10080 1 0.1460 1 0.7000 1 2.0000 5 2.94680)
0.1003
0.134
Example 2 Determine a combination of gage blocks for 10.2843 inches. Refer to the
0.050
gage block sizes given in the Table of Block Thicknesses for a Customary Gage Block
1.000 Set. All dimensions are in inches.
Eliminate the 3. Choose the 0.10030 block.
2.000 Subtract. (10.28430 2 0.10030 5 10.1840)
10.2843
Eliminate the 4. Choose the 0.1340 block.
3.000 Subtract. (10.1840 2 0.1340 5 10.0500)
Eliminate the 5. Choose the 0.0500 block.
Subtract. (10.0500 2 0.0500 5 10.0000)
4.000
The 1.0000, 2.0000, 3.0000, and 4.0000 blocks complete
the required dimensions as shown in Figure 37-3.
Check. (0.10030 1 0.1340 1 0.0500 1 1.0000 1 2.0000 1 3.0000 1 4.0000 5 10.28430)
Figure 37-3
Example 3 Determine a combination of gage blocks for 157.372 millimeters. Refer to
the gage block sizes given in the Table of Block Thicknesses for a Metric Gage Block Set.
1.002 All dimensions are in millimeters.
1.07
Eliminate the 2. Choose the 1.002 mm block.
1.3
Subtract. (157.372 mm 2 1.002 mm 5 156.37 mm)
4 Eliminate the 7. Choose the 1.07 mm block.
Subtract. (156.37 mm 2 1.07 mm 5 155.3 mm)
Eliminate the 3. Choose the 1.3 mm block.
157.372 60 Subtract. (155.3 mm 2 1.3 mm 5 154 mm)
Eliminate the 4. Choose the 4 block.
Subtract. (154 mm 2 4 mm 5 150 mm)
90
The 60 and 90 block complete the required dimension as shown in Figure 37-4.
Check. (1.002 mm 1 1.07 mm 1 1.3 mm 1 4 mm 1 60 mm 1 90 mm 5 157.372 mm)

Figure 37-4

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