Angle Level Guide

What is an angle level?

An angle level, also known as a level, an angle finder, an inclinometer, or a clinometer, is a device that is used to observe the angle of the surfaces that are supposed to be measured, which is widely applied in the industries of construction, metalworking, or plumbing, etc.

The angle level offers another choice for the measuring of angles other than the traditional measuring method, such as using a protractor, since it is capable of directly indicating the degree of the angle on the measured surfaces, and freeing the operators from measuring as well as calculating the numbers of the readings, in order to get the final results.

Defining the angles of an object or a fixed structure, such as a wall, is important in the perspective of manufacturing processes, because the misleading of an angle may cause the imperfection of the results. 

For example, when a metal workpiece is going to be cut on a milling machine in the primary machining process, and there is no way to check the accurate angle of the parts that are supposed to be cut. Once the cutter works on the workpiece merely following the approximate angle, it may result in the inconsistency of the products after they are made, which is what both the manufacturers and the customers don’t want to see.

There are a variety of methods and tools that are available for measuring the angles. For the traditional method that requires the operator to use the protractor to align the tool and the target, and read the numbers on the scale by himself or herself, it is not only time-consuming, but also prone to get the deviation of the result.

In order to handle this problem, the angle levels would be preferred to be the more reliable tool in the measuring of angles. With the different sizes that are designed to accommodate various areas, and the different forms that vary in the measuring principles, the measurement of angle is no longer a hassle for the operators.

How does an angle level work?

The angle levels may come in two forms that work with different principles. One is the digital angle level, and the other with an indicator and a micro-ball bearing center. For the former type of angle level, it is equipped with a digital screen that presents the degree of the angle as numbers as this tool is placed on the surface of the target. This type also allows for storing the readings that enable the operators to compare one with another target.

As for the latter type, there is no digital screen on the level. Instead, the micro-ball bearing center is where the readings are presented. On the micro-ball bearing center, there is on indicator that moves as the angle of the surface it is placed on changes, which indicates the degree of the target being measured.

How to use an angle level?

Due to the different design of the angle levels, there would be slight variation between the one without a digital screen and the other that is equipped with a digital screen.

● Angle level without digital screen
Take the measurement of a metal workpiece, for example. Since most of the angle level is equipped with a magnetic base, which allows for the level to be attached to the target, when the surface is inclined on a slope, it can still free the operator from holding the level with hands. 

To use this type of angle level, the first and foremost thing is to make sure the edge on the bottom of the level is completely fitted on the surface of the target. Once the magnetic base is attached to the surface, wait for the indicator to stop, then record the number where the indicator is located at, which is the result of the measured degree.

● Angle level with digital screen
As for using the angle level with a digital screen, turn on the digital screen by pressing the on/off switch first. Make sure the number is zeroed, and then it is ready to be applied to measure the angle. 

Similar to the other type, the edge on the bottom of the angle level should be completely fitted on the surface of the target, or the result may not be accurate. As this device is placed on the angular surface, the screen would start to run the numbers, and the numbers that are shown on the screen is the reading of the result.

For some cases when the target area is hard to reach or too narrow to see if the edge on the bottom is fitted on the surface, this device is equipped with an additional function, which is to make audible sounds when the target is reached. This enhances the convenience for the operator and simplifies the measurement, which makes this type of angle level more common nowadays.

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