To measure the thickness of sheet using Screw Gauge

Introduction

In order to get the measurement of a sheet made with any metal, different tools are used including screw gauge and Vernier Callipers. Using this particular measurement tool, one can be able to measure the width of a metal sheet in a more precise manner that is up to 0.005 mm. The screw gauge has two successive threads that are separated by a similar amount of space. Focusing on such a concept of physics, the current tutorial will explain the experiment for measuring the thickness of a sheet by using a screw gauge.

Aim

The core intention of conducting this experiment is to determine the thickness of a sheet by using a screw gauge.

Required materials

The apparatus that is required for this particular experiment of physics are very less in number in comparison to the other complex ones. For this experiment, only three apparatuses are required. The names of the apparatuses are screw gauge, a magnifying glass, and a paper sheet.

Theory

The specific measuring tool named screw gauge has been made with a metal frame of which the shape is U. The main application of this particular tool is to measure the dimension of tin items which have a width of not more than 0.01mm. The tool has been made by attaching a hollow cylinder to one side of it, inside of that the Grooves have been encrypted that allows a screw to pass through. Parallel to the axis of the screw a pitch scale or main scale has been attached while a sleeve has been fastened to the other side of the screw (Physicsmax, 2022). In order to divide the head of the screw into 100 segments, a head scale has been placed. A spindle is located on the flat surface of the screw. To the opposite end of the frame, an Anvil has been attached.

Figure 1: Screw Gauge

Based on the screw concept, the operation of the screw gauge has been conducted. The operation principle of the screw gauge defines the distance that is travelled by the tip of the screw and the number of revulsion is directly proportional to each other (Ding et al. 2020). On the other hand, the screw pitch can be represented as the ratio of distance travelled by the screw and number of full rotations taken.

In a time of rotation by one division, the smallest count has been determined by the distance travelled down by the screw on the axis. Based on this, the principle of least count can be found by the ratio of pitch to the total number of divisions in the circular scale.

Principle of screw gauge zero error and zero correction

Prior to conducting this experiment, finding the zero error has been mentioned as a crucial factor in this experiment. The zero-error can be determined by rotating the screw completely until it strikes the anvil.

Procedures

The procedure of this experiment includes the determination of the value of single linear scale division. By making contact between anvil and Spindle, the calculation of zero error can be found. At this time, the sheet needs to be placed over the anvil and the spindle head needs to be moved toward the anvil (Singh et al. 2020). It will come to a halt if the head rotates without moving the screw. Then, the number of the division scale is required to be counted that are visible to the cap's edge. Based on this the reading (IV) has been considered a linear scale reading (L.S.R). The number of the liner scale is required to be noted that lies on the line of reference for determination of the total reading of zero correction in every case.

Calculation and result based on observation

Number of observations	Liner scale reading	Circular scale reading	Total reading
	No. of divisions on the reference line (n)	Value of N x l.c(mm)	OBSERVED value of$\mathrm{T_0 \:=\:N+n\: x\: L.C}$	Corrected $\mathrm{t\:= \:t_0 \:+\: c}$
1				$\mathrm{t_1}$
2				$\mathrm{t_2}$
3				$\mathrm{t_3}$
4				$\mathrm{t_4}$

Table 1: Observation table

In each observation, the value of t has been determined and the value of t0 has been recorded. The reverse value of t is used to be placed in the column 4b. These determinations from this experiment help to provide the thickness of the sheet with the unit millimetre.

Conclusion

The present tutorial has included the aim of the experiment that states that the main reason for conducting this experiment is to determine how the measurement of the sheet can be taken by using a screw gauge. The tutorial has included the list of the required apparatuses like screw gauge, magnifying glass and a paper sheet. In the theory section, three separate discussions have been made based on the Screw Gauge Operation Principle, Screw Gauge and its Least Count and Pitch of the Screw Gauge. Another section in this tutorial has been included named Screw Gauge Zero Error and Zero Correction. This tutorial has further included the result, observation and precautions needed for the experiment as well.

FAQs

Q1. What does the screw gauge range imply?

Ans. The maximum length of the main scale can be referred to as the range of the screw gauge. The measurement section of this tool is designed within the range of 25mm.

Q2. Does the diameter of the skew vary in accordance with the change in the temperature?

Ans. It has been observed that the temperature does have an impact on the diameter of the screw. In case of rising temperature, the diameter of the screw increases and the reduction of the temperature helps to reduce the diameter of the screw.

Q3. How is the screw gauge measured?

Ans. The measurement of the screw gauge is conducted based on the co-responsive imperial system to a certain fraction of an inch diameter. Based on this the ability to measure this tool is considered accurately up to 0.1mm.

Q4. How are gauges calculated?

Ans. The mathematical representation of the formula for measuring the gauge is (100) x (mils), as an instance it can be taken that 0.3 mils = 30 gauge.