Screw Gauge
Screw Gauge
Screw Gauge
Objective:
The Theory:
The screw gauge is an instrument used for measuring accurately the diameter of a thin wire or the
thickness of a sheet of metal. It consists of a U-shaped frame fitted with a screwed spindle which is
attached to a thimble.
Parallel to the axis of the thimble, a scale graduated in mm is engraved. This is called pitch scale. A
sleeve is attached to the head of the screw.
The head of the screw has a ratchet which avoids undue tightening of the screw. On the thimble
there is a circular scale known as head scale which is divided into 50 or 100 equal parts. When the
screw is worked, the sleeve moves over the pitch scale.
A stud with a plane end surface called the anvil is fixed on the ‘U’ frame exactly opposite to the tip of
the screw. When the tip of the screw is in contact with the anvil, usually, the zero of the head scale
coincides with the zero of the pitch scale.
The pitch of the screw is the distance moved by the spindle per revolution. To find this, the distance
advanced by the head scale over the pitch scale for a definite number of complete rotation of the
screw is determined.
The Least count (LC) is the distance moved by the tip of the screw, when the screw is turned
through 1 division of the head scale.
To get the correct measurement, the zero error must be taken into account. For this purpose, the
screw is rotated forward till the screw just touches the anvil and the edge of cap is on the zero mark
of the pitch scale. The Screw gauge is held keeping the pitch scale vertical with its zero down wards.
When this is done, anyone of the following three situations can arise:
1. The zero mark of the circular scale comes on the reference line. In this case, the zero
error and the zero correction, both are nil.
2. The zero mark of the circular scale remains above the reference line and does not cross
it. In this case, the zero error is positive and the zero correction is negative depending on
how many divisions it is above the reference line.
3. The zero mark of the head scale is below the reference line. In this case, the zero error is
negative and the zero correction is positive depending on how many divisions it is below
the reference line.
SCREW GAUGE
To find the diameter of the lead shot:
With the lead shot between the screw and anvil, if the edge of the cap lies ahead of the N th division of
the linear scale.
Then, circular scale reading (H.S.R.) = n x (L.C.) (L.C. is least count of screw gauge)
To find the diameter and hence to calculate the volume of the wire:
Place the wire between the anvil and the screw and note down the PSR and HSR as before.
The glass plate is gripped between the tip of the screw and the anvil. The PSR and HSR are noted
as before.
Learning Outcomes:
Materials Required:
Screw gauge
Wire
A sheet of paper
An irregular lamina
A centimeter graph paper
A pointed pencil
Note: Place the other objects like, wire, glass plate etc between the screw and the anvil and follow
the above procedure to find the measurement.
1. We can select the least count of the screw gauge from the 'Select screw gauge' drop down
list.
2. The object of our choice can be chosen from the 'Select object' drop down list.
3. Click on the object to place it between the screw and the anvil to find its measurement. To
remove the object, click the object on the left menu once more.
4. Click on the arrows seen on the screw head to tighten it till the screw touches the object.
5. Note the PSR and HSR values.
6. Find the total reading and enter the value in the text box provided.
7. Click on the check button to verify the answer.
8. The 'Reset' button can be used to redo the experiment.
Observations:
1. Determination of Least Count of the Screw Gauge
SCREW GAUGE
1 Linear Scale Division, LSD = 1 mm
2. Zero Error
Glass
Plate
SCREW GAUGE
Irregular
Lamina
Calculations:
Area, A= -----------------------cm2
Result: