binary feeler gauge

In most cases a vernier scale is everything needed for taking measurements, however sometimes it’s not the best instrument (e.g. finding out the perfect hight for the fix of a wobbly table) and inserting something with just the right height into a gap between objects would be a much better solution for measurement.

The following can be adjusted:

- unit type (1 mm, 100 µm or both)

- hight of feeler (in 2^n so n=0 -> 1, n=1 -> 2, n=2 -> 4, etc.)

- case (if you want one)

- feeler (generate one or all up to the selected number)

Every feeler has zero or more holes. The number stands for 2 ^ number of holes in the selected unit type. So no holes means 2^0 = 1 unit (1 mm or 100 µm); 1 hole means 2^1 = 2 units; 2 holes mean 2^2 = 4; etc.

- 0 holes = 2^0 = 1

- 1 hole = 2^1 = 2

- 2 holes = 2^2 = 4

- 3 holes = 2^3 = 8

- 4 holes = 2^4 = 16

- ...

- n holes = 2^n

For the measurement select the highest feeler that fits, add the second highest that fits, etc. Then add the numbers of the used feelers to get the total height. So for example if your unit is mm and the highest feeler has 5 holes and then you can only add the feeler with 1 hole the result is 2^5 + 2^1 = 32 + 2 = 34 (mm).

If you want to combine 1 mm and 100 µm start with the 2^n mm and fill up with the 2^n 100 µm.

Print Settings

Rafts:

Doesn't Matter

Resolution: 0.1

Infill:

10%

Notes:

A very accurately calibrated z and the lowest possible layer hight is recommend when printing this. If you have troubles printing a stable feeler with the hight of 100 µm you can use a pice of paper of the right hight. (To check the hight measure 10 peaces with a vernier scale. If they add up to 1 mm one peace of the paper has the right thickness.) If necessary you can use the same strategy for 200 and 400 µm.

If you plan to print different unit types consider using filament in different colors to have an easy way to distinguish them.

Category: Tools