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A Simple Classification Of Different Kinds Of Micrometers

If you need accurate and precise measurement, a micrometer is the best tool for you. It is used for taking measurements like thickness, width or lengths of a workpiece.

Although all micrometers look the same, there are many different types of micrometers available in the market. To choose a mitutoyo micrometer at Penntool, it is important to first understand what different types of micrometers exist. They come in different shapes and sizes and each serves a different purpose. Let’s take a look at the different types of micrometers.

The following three are the basic categories of mechanical-type micrometers:

  1. Outside micrometer: These are the most commonly used micrometers. They are used to measure diameters of wires, pipes and lengths and breaths of a block. These are usually used to measure the thickness of the workpiece.
  2. Inside micrometer: These micrometers are used to measure the inside of a hole or a tube and any such distances. They come in tubular type or caliper type micrometer.
    • Caliper-type micrometer:They have measuring jaws which are very similar to those found in a typical vernier caliper. These jaws are inserted inside the space that is needed to be measured. The thimble is rotated to take the measurement.
    • Tubular micrometer:These micrometers are placed inside the space to be measured and the length is extended until its faces touch the inside surfaces of the workpiece.
  3. Depth micrometer: When the need is to measure the depth of a teeth, slot or steps, depth micrometer is the instrument you should choose. These come with different interchangeable rods to serve for different measuring requirements.

There has been some recent advancement in micrometer designs and measuring techniques. Because of these advancements, the measurement method has become a lot easier as compared to the method used in the mechanical-type micrometers. The two latest types of micrometers available are:

How to decide which micrometer is the best?

You are going to measure all your workpiece with this instrument and hence, when buying a micrometer you need to be very careful. Here are a few things you need to consider when buying a micrometer:

  1. The range of size you will need to measure. Micrometers come in different sizes. You might need to get more than one micrometer for taking different measurements if speed is your major concern.
  2. The ease of measurement. You should consider getting special micrometer if measuring with the standard one makes is difficult.
  3. Consider buying a digital micrometer if you want to avoid error in measurement that occurs because of unskilled operator.

You can buy much more precise measuring instruments from PennToolco.com.