1. HEIGHT GAUGES:
BASIC INTRODUCTION
• Height gauge, also called Vernier height gauge, is a widely used
bench top tool.
• A height gauge is a measuring device used either for determining
the height of something, or for repetitious marking of items.
• It is much more capable than calipers but not as complex as a
coordinate measuring machine (CMM).
• Vernier height gauges, however, greatly rely on users’ skill.
• The first electronic height gauge emerged during the mid-1980s.
• These measuring tools are used in metalworking or metrology to
either set or measure vertical distances.
2. BASIC CONSTRUCTION
• A height gauge has a vertical column.
• A unit is attached to this column which slides up and down.
• An arm protrudes from the gauge coming into direct contact
with the part being measured.
• Each height gauge features a solid base giving the vertical
column enough stability that it remains at a right angle to the
table’s surface.
• The moving slide is engraved with vernier calibrations
enabling setting to an accuracy of 0.02 mm
• The height of the scribe’s point can be finely adjusted with a
thumbscrew .
6. Applications
• These are used to mark out lines and widely used on surface
plates and on machine tables.
• The height gauge with an indicator attachment is used for
checking of surface holes.
• The height gauge with a scribe attachment is used to mark
reference lines and locations on castings and forgings.
7. Working
• The work to be marked out with a vernier height gauge must be set
vertically on a surface plate.
• The height of the scribe is set with the moving slide’s fine adjusting screw.
• The marking out lines are then scribed onto the work’s surface by steadily
moving the vernier height gauge along the surface plate .
• On some vernier height gauges, the height of the main scale can also be
finely adjusted.
• This enables measurements to start from a convenient reading, which is
useful if the shape of the workpiece is such that it needs to be mounted
on a parallel strip .
8.
9. OTHER TYPES
• Digital dial height gauge: It is like a dial height
gauge, but with a counter for more precise
measurement.
• Electronic digital height gauge. A height gauge
featuring a digital display of measurements.
– These units can also include features such as instant inch-
to-millimeter conversion, a hold option that temporarily
saves your measurements and the ability to set any
position to zero.
10. DIGITAL / ELECTRONIC GAUGES
High specification electronic height gauges can carry
out different measuring tasks including step
heights, internal/external diameters and centre-line
distances. The electronic height gauge is extremely
precise up to 0.001in. and claims consistency of
±0.0001in.
The digital height gauge is made from high
quality, hardened stainless steel. It comprises a solid
cast iron base which is robust to ensure rigidity and
stability of the instrument; and extending from the
base up is the beam which includes a printed scale in
both imperial and metric format.
12. • Usually, imperial digital scales range from 0 to 12 inches while
the metric scale ranges from 0 mm to 300 mm. They can even
measure up to 80 inches or 2000mm.
• An electronic measuring slider is mounted on the beam .
• The slider comes with a carbide scriber tip on one of the jaws.
The slider together with the attached scriber can slide up and
down along the scale and be locked in place.
• There is also a data output port where by the data can be
sent to a computer or a printer via a special cable.
13. PREPATORY STEPS
• To use and read the digital height gauge
correctly, follow these general steps below:
• Step1: Clean the working platform and put
the digital height gauge on it.
14. PREPATORY STEPS contd. …
• Step 2: Dry the surface of the protective
sticker of the digital height gauge.
17. PREPATORY STEPS contd. …
• Step 5: Move the slider to check if the LCD
displays and all the buttons work properly.
18. TAKING MEASUREMENTS
• Step 1: Usually the point of measurement is the working
surface of the platform. Make the measuring jaw and
platform surface gently touch (measuring force: 3-5N), the
value on the LCD should be 0, or press ON/OFF/ZERO button
to make it 0.
19. TAKING MEASUREMENTS contd. …
• Step 2: Hold the rod against the surface plate
and adjust the movable jaw to the nearest
centimeter or inch.
20. TAKING MEASUREMENTS contd. …
• Step3: Get the reading from the large LCD
screen directly. As shown, it is 13.52mm here.
