Tubular level vials, also known as bubble vials or spirit levels, are essential tools used across various industries like construction, photography, and aviation to determine the horizontality or verticality of a surface. Valued for their simplicity and precision, they are crucial in applications where accuracy is paramount, providing essential functionality to ensure surfaces are perfectly level or plumb across various professional fields and applications.
Basic Structure and Operation
- Tube Shape: They are typically in a tube shape, which is where their name derives. The tube is filled with a liquid, usually a type of alcohol, leaving a small bubble.
- Bubble Movement: When the vial is placed on a surface, the bubble moves within the liquid. The positioning of this bubble indicates whether the surface is level.
- Graduations: Some tubular vials have graduations or lines to help indicate how off-level a surface is.
The spirit bubble level vials can be made from various materials like plastic, glass, or metal, each providing different durability and clarity.