Calipers are an integral tool for many applications, yet they’re a tool that likely doesn’t garner much reflection. Whether you’ve been using them for years or are investing in them for the first time, here are the ins and outs of caliper design and use that you’ll want to keep in mind.

The need for long-range height measurements has been around since the principles of lay out work became a fundamental requirement in machine shops. 

I am in my tenth year as a part-time instructor at Western Michigan University, currently working with junior- and senior-level engineering students. I instruct the hands-on metrology lab of Dr. Pavel Ikonomov’s metrology class. We have about 15 weeks for this three-credit hour class to introduce metrology, focusing on precision measurement. We have about 45 students taking three hours of lecture and three hours of lab each week.

From calipers to micrometers, to indicators and all manner of gages and metrology equipment, there are literally hundreds of standard off the shelf solutions for measuring the vast array of parts that manufacturers make.

A depth gage could be as simple as marks on a piece of tape, a line on a ruler, or tape on a drill. Fortunately, of course, modern gages take the guesswork out of measurement, providing a range of simple or high-tech options depending on the job.

Mitutoyo America Corporation announces the renewal of our 500 Series IP67 ABSOLUTE Digimatic Coolant-proof Calipers.