Vernier Caliper Simulation

Vernier calipers

Vernier calipers can measure internal dimensions (using the uppermost jaws in the picture at right), external dimensions using the pictured lower jaws, and depending on the manufacturer, depth measurements by the use of a probe that is attached to the movable head and slides along the centre of the body. This probe is slender and can get into deep grooves that may prove difficult for other measuring tools.

The vernier scales can be in metric  measurements on the upper and lower part of the scale.

Vernier calipers commonly used in industry provide a precision to a hundredth of a millimetre (10 micrometres).

A more precise instrument used for the same purpose is the micrometer

Parts of a vernier caliper:

  1. Outside jaws: used to measure external diameter or width of an object (Blue)
  2. Inside jaws: used to measure internal diameter of an object
  3. Depth probe: used to measure depths of an object or a hole ( not shown in this model)
  4. Main scale: gives measurements in mm.
  5. Vernier gives measurements up to one decimal places in mm
  6. Retainer: used to block movable part to allow the easy transferring a measurement ( not shown in this model)

The Vernier calipers model has

Credits:

The Vernier calipers model was created by created by Fu-Kwun Hwang, customized by Loo Kang Wee and Wolfgang Christian using the Easy Java Simulations (EJS) version 4.2 authoring and modeling tool.  An applet version of this model is available on the NTNU website < http://www.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/ntnujava/ >.

You can examine and modify this compiled EJS model if you run the model (double click on the model's jar file), right-click within a plot, and select "Open EJS Model" from the pop-up menu.  You must, of course, have EJS installed on your computer.  Information about EJS is available at: <http://www.um.es/fem/Ejs/> and in the OSP comPADRE collection <http://www.compadre.org/OSP/>.