| Over 4,000 years ago, the ancient Egyptian version | | | | greater accuracy for the average homeowner at an |
| of a level was a string and weight hanging plumb | | | | affordable price. For the professional, we will see |
| from the center of a frame. And while the modern | | | | more combination rotary, line and dot laser levels and |
| contractor evolved into using more accurate spirit | | | | they will continue to be more accurate and have |
| levels, many are upgrading to higher-tech electronic | | | | more functionality without the added cost. Features |
| measuring tools which find "level" with lasers, | | | | like green beams, dual slope operation, electronic |
| inclinometers and accelerometers. Although the | | | | beam shields, adjustable laser modes and variable |
| accuracy differences between traditional levels and | | | | rotation speeds will move to lower priced products. |
| laser levels, digital levels or the popular bubble level | | | | Digital Level Technology |
| application on your Droid or I-Phone, are now | | | | Although less accurate than a quality laser level, a |
| imperceptible to humans, it's not going to stop the | | | | quality digital level, which measures slope, has an |
| convergence of new technologies into our traditional | | | | accuracy of plus or minus 0.1 degrees when |
| tools. | | | | measuring horizontal and when a laser beam is |
| Simple as it was, Bronze Age Egyptian level | | | | attached, the accuracy can be plus or minus 1/4 inch |
| technology worked, but the Industrial Age gave man | | | | (0.25 inches) per 100 feet; over 4 times more |
| the ability to use machines to make metal and plastic | | | | accurate than a spirit level. This level of accuracy, |
| leveling tools to more exacting standards. In the | | | | again imperceptible to humans, is achieved through |
| twentieth century, the level was perfected with the | | | | either inclinometer or accelerometer technology to |
| spirit vial or bubble vial, with a glass body (now | | | | display "level" on an LCD screen within hundredths of |
| acrylic) and mineral spirit contents. This miniature level, | | | | a degree. Some digital levels, however, still retain the |
| when placed into a wood or metal frame from 9" to | | | | spirit level vial for those users who want the |
| 96" creates a tool for the job site. The accuracy of | | | | traditional approach to double-check their work. The |
| spirit levels are typically less than or equal to the | | | | cost of a quality digital level ranges between $150 |
| width of a human hair; an accuracy barely perceptible | | | | and $250, with other versions under $100. |
| to humans. On many spirit levels found in stores | | | | Because the cost of digital levels provide multiple |
| today, level accuracy is stated as plus or minus | | | | increases in accuracy over a spirit level, albeit at |
| 0.0005 inches per inch or 0.5 millimeters per meter. | | | | multiple increases in price, many non-professionals are |
| However, level accuracy on the job has always been | | | | opting to download a digital level onto their smart |
| limited by the ability of the human eye to see when | | | | phone/ cell phone for free. The Apple I-Phone and |
| the bubble is in the center of the vial. | | | | Motorola Droid both utilize accelerometer technology |
| Accurate as the Industrial Age spirit level is, the | | | | to react to changes in pitch, for horizontal, vertical |
| problem of a human's perception of "level" was | | | | and surface (flat) measurements. For each smart |
| solved by the Digital Age introduction of the laser | | | | phone, a handful of free bubble level application |
| level and the digital level. | | | | programs are available. While the actual accuracy of |
| Laser Level Technology | | | | this kind of digital level will depend on the accuracy of |
| A quality laser level accuracy is plus or minus 1/16th | | | | the placement of the accelerometer chip into the |
| of an inch (0.0625 inches) per 100 feet; 10 times | | | | phone relative to the phone's frame, it's a fun tool |
| greater than spirit level accuracy of over 1/2 of an | | | | and can come in handy for a quick reference. |
| inch (0.6 inches) per 100 feet. This level of accuracy, | | | | In the future, there will be a continued convergence |
| which cannot be perceived by the human eye, is | | | | of digital technology into the spirit level, particularly as |
| achieved through a laser diode, which concentrates | | | | prices for digital technology come down. There will be |
| the energy created by charged particles into a single | | | | more and more spirit level/digital level hybrids and $20 |
| beam of light. Enhancing the accuracy further are | | | | digital level expansion kits will be in every hardware |
| self-leveling motors located inside the laser that | | | | store. Through Bluetooth (or next generation |
| continuously keep the laser beacon on "level". The | | | | communication), digital levels will be interactive with |
| benefits of using a laser level extend beyond just | | | | other devices to store and calculate measurements. |
| accuracy; laser levels allow for measuring level across | | | | Even the way "level" is viewed could be impacted by |
| much longer distances and can turn a two-person | | | | wafer thin, bendable, digital displays which could wrap |
| measuring job into one that can be done alone. | | | | around a level vial, provide a digital readout and have |
| Contractors' understanding of laser levels is growing | | | | a back-lit display to see "level" in the dark - a next |
| and more and more are using them indoors and | | | | generation of the patented glow-in-the-dark level vial. |
| outdoors. | | | | As we move further into the Communication Age, |
| Over the last decade, technological improvements | | | | where connectivity is everything, all cell phones will |
| have already brought laser level costs down and | | | | become smart phones, meaning miniature computing |
| expanded available features. For the professional | | | | and communication devices on every job site and in |
| user, ten years ago, the super-bright and highly visible | | | | every home. For the contractor, smart phones will be |
| green-beam laser levels were only found on high-end | | | | used not only for the quick reference of "level" |
| lasers which cost several thousand dollars, while | | | | through the free bubble level application or the |
| today, you can find green lasers for under $1,000. On | | | | augmented reality version of digitally seeing "level" |
| the high-end today, product features include GPS to | | | | through the phone's camera, both available today, |
| determine exact positions for surveying and other | | | | they will be used as an integrated communication, |
| construction. For the do-it-yourselfer, five years ago | | | | calculation and purchasing tool to save the contractor |
| a manual leveling rotary laser cost under $100, while | | | | time and money. |
| last year, a more accurate self-leveling cross-line laser | | | | Since the dawn of man, we have been on a continual |
| was introduced to the market at sub-$100 pricing. | | | | quest to improve our lives. Naturally, as we evolve, |
| As Moore's law dictates in microchip technology that | | | | so do the tools we use and the way we use them. |
| capacity will double every 18-24 months, so too will | | | | The convergence of technology and communication |
| we continue to see technological advancements | | | | into traditional levels to provide quality and accuracy |
| which will lower prices and add features to lasers | | | | beyond perception has only begun. The ancient |
| levels. Looking ahead ten years, more laser levels will | | | | Egyptians would be jealous. |
| be automatic and electronic self-leveling which means | | | | |