Measuring length

Height gaugeHeight gauge

Also called: vernier height gauge, dial height gauge (with counter), Digimatic height gauge

≡Standards, measuring range and accuracy

Standard

JIS B 7517:2018 Height gauges, ISO 13225:2012 Height gauges^[1][2][3]

Measuring range

byMaker
- Mitutoyo 506-207 / HS-30–HS-100 0–200 mm to 0–1000 mm
- Mitutoyo US documentation Vernier types of 6 in to 6 ft and dial types of 300 mm or less are common

^[6][5]1 source, for reference

Resolution / graduation

Vernier 0.02 mm
Counter / dial 0.01 mm
Digital 0.01 mm, etc. (TECLOCK's Bluetooth digital height gauge is also 0.01 mm)

^[3][6][7]

Accuracy (instrument error / maximum permissible error)

Approach JIS B 7517:2018 changed 'instrumental error' to 'indication error'. The most important is the height measurement error: with the column square to the base reference surface and measuring downward, the indication error is specified as an MPE. It is found by measuring a gauge block on a precision surface plate and subtracting the block dimension from the indicated value
byMaker
- Mitutoyo 506-207 (0–200 mm, 0.02 mm) E_MPE ±0.03 mm
- Mitutoyo HS-60 (0–600 mm) E_MPE ±0.05 mm
- Mitutoyo HS-100 (0–1000 mm) E_MPE ±0.07 mm

^[3][6]1 source, for reference

▦Types

Vernier type

^[3][4][5]1 source, for reference

Dial and counter type (two counters, up/down)

^[3][4][5]1 source, for reference

Digital type (Digimatic) / high-accuracy type (air bearing, touch probe)

^[4][5]1 source, for reference

◎Part names and functions

#	Name	English	Function
1	Base / base reference surface	Base, base reference surface	A heavy base that sits on the surface plate.^[3][4]
2	Column / main scale	Column, main scale	The reference that guides the slider.^[3][4]
3	Slider / slider clamp	Slider, slider clamp	^[3][4]
4	Fine feed (feed wheel)	Fine feed / feed wheel	Some have a switchable coarse/fine feed.^[3][4]
5	Scriber (for measuring and scribing) / scriber clamp	Scriber, scriber clamp	Measures height with the measuring surface at its tip and also scribes. The tip is sharp.^[3][4]
6	Main scale fine adjustment (zero adjustment)	Main scale adjustment	Moves the main scale to set zero.^[4][3]
7	Vernier scale / counter, dial plate / display	Vernier / counter and dial / display	^[3][4]

◷How to read the scale

Vernier type (least count 0.02 mm): main scale + vernierExample: main scale 79 mm + vernier 0.36 mm = 79.36 mm^[3]
With counter: counter mm + dial plate reading. Use the counter differently for upward and downward measuringExample: counter 122 mm + scale 0.11 mm = 122.11 mm (another example: 125.11 mm)^[3]
Read from the front^[3][4]

✋Usage steps

Mount the scriber as close to the column as possible and do not let it stick out far^[4][3]
Clean the column, base reference surface, scriber mounting surface and measuring surface, and the surface plate to be used^[4][3]
Move the slider through its whole range and check that it moves smoothly^[4]
Set zero by bringing the scriber's measuring surface onto the surface plate (on a vernier type with the main scale fine adjustment; on a digital type with ORIGIN/PRESET)^[4]
Measuring: turn the feed wheel slowly and touch with constant measuring force. Lower slowly until you feel the scriber lightly touch the workpiece^[4][3]
Scribing: lock the slider securely with the clamp. Some models shift the setting slightly when clamped, so check after tightening^[3]
When carrying it, hold the slider and base with both hands^[4]

Printed from Kezuriba (kezuriba.net/en/gauges/height-gauge/)

!Common measurement mistakes and countermeasures

Base lifting

WhyPressing the slider down hard lifts the base off the surface plate

CountermeasureTouch lightly and slowly. Remove dirt and burrs from the surface plate and base reference surface^[3]

Scriber overhang (large h)

WhyHeight gauges also do not follow the Abbe principle. The error from column bow grows in proportion to h (h = 150 mm gives 1.5 times the error at 100 mm)

CountermeasureDo not let the scriber or a lever-type dial indicator stick out too far^[3]

Parallax, measuring force and temperature difference

Why

CountermeasureRead straight on, use constant force, and let the gauge settle to room temperature^[3][4]

✓Care, storage, inspection and calibration

Care and storage

When not used for a long time, do not clamp the scriber; leave it just above the surface plate (not touching). Do not let the scriber stick out past the edge of the plate^[4][3]
After use, wipe off water and oil, apply a thin coat of rust-preventive oil, and store with the cover on. Remove the battery from digital types not used for 3 months or more^[3][4]
Keep the column clean (dirt makes it move heavily and causes error)^[3]

Inspection and calibration

Measure a gauge block on a precision surface plate and check the height measurement error^[3]
The parallelism between the scriber measuring surface and the base reference surface should be within about 0.01 mm (Mitutoyo)^[3]

Mitutoyo's material explains height gauges with a definition of 'accuracy' (the difference in reading when measuring a gauge block) and an example of a tolerance proportional to length.

⇄Related instruments

Surface plate Lever-type dial indicator (dial test indicator)Gauge block Caliper

📚Sources

Content without a mark is what agreed across two or more sources from different publishers. Procedures and cautions are summarized in Kezuriba's own words based on the sources, and the diagrams were drawn by Kezuriba. Accuracy values are manufacturers' published figures, not values from JIS tables.