We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Machinery

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Micrometer Caliper?

M. McGee
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 52,753
Share

A micrometer caliper is a measurement device for finding very exact measurements of an item. These devices are common in many fields, such as mechanical engineering and electronics design. There are three basic forms of this device — outside, inside and depth — and each has its own uses and methods. Outside of these three basic tool types, there are several types with functions specific to a purpose.

A caliper is a measuring device that consists of a two pieces that open and close. The area of the opening may be removed from the item it is measuring and measured itself, allowing non-standard items to have their sizes measured quickly and easily. The micrometer version is essentially a very precise caliper; it measures things to a very tight scale and often features a built-in readout of the size of the measured object.

Most micrometer calipers have their readout right on the handle of the instrument. This typically consists of lines that are uncovered as the caliper opens. In addition to these lines, there may be a secondary scale that measures the fractional areas between the lines of the primary scale.

There are three basic forms. An open caliper measures the outside of an object, such as the head of a screw. An inside caliper measures an opening, like a screw hole, from the inside. A depth caliper will measure the depth of an opening from the bottom to the top. Outside of these three basic styles, several tasks have their own calipers, including those to measure the threads on a screw and aligning materials inside a milling machine.

There are several methods for making a micrometer caliper, but the end result almost always consists of the same collection of parts. The frame contains the handle and the upper jaw. The anvil is on the caliper’s upper jaw and provides a flat and solid surface for a material to rest against. The spindle is the screw that moves up and down on the other side of the anvil — it performs the actual measuring. The sleeve sits at the bottom of the spindle and has the actual readout of the size of the caliper’s opening.

The measurement readout of the caliper on the sleeve is based on the relative position of the spindle. The spindle is on a screw that allows it to move up and down. As the spindle moves, the turning screw creates a mechanical change in the spindle. The spindle separates as the screw retracts and condenses as the screw moves out. This means that the spindle always shows the size of the opening using its own printed scale.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
M. McGee
By M. McGee
Mark McGee is a skilled writer and communicator who excels in crafting content that resonates with diverse audiences. With a background in communication-related fields, he brings strong organizational and interpersonal skills to his writing, ensuring that his work is both informative and engaging.
Discussion Comments
M. McGee
M. McGee
Mark McGee is a skilled writer and communicator who excels in crafting content that resonates with diverse audiences....
Learn more
Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-is-a-micrometer-caliper.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.