Calipers, calipers, calipers. One of the two most popular precision measurement tools still used today but there are many different types of calipers you can choose from. This simple little tool comes in more varieties than you might think. Depending on the precision measurement application, there are many different types of calipers available. Today, we are going to give you a rundown of the various caliper types. We hope that this will increase your level of expertise in precision measurement tools and help you prepare for your next precision measurement task.
The three most popular different types of calipers:
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Vernier Caliper
A Vernier caliper includes two different scales with different gradation marks where the users must read the vernier scales to obtain a final reading. Reading a vernier scale requires practice and skill.
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Dial Caliper
Dial calipers utilize a dial readout system which calculates the fractions of an inch or millimeter in a measurement. The inch or millimeter can be read on the main scale but anything to the right of the decimal point is read on the dial.
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Digital Caliper / Electronic Caliper
A digital caliper provides a measurement readout on a display screen that is digitally calculated. There is no calculation or reading of a scale or dial as the measurement is easily displayed on an LCD display. A major benefit of the digital caliper is that many can be connected to a PC or PLC for data collection.
Within dial, vernier and digital calipers, there are many different types of calipers available:
- Left Handed Calipers
- Universal Calipers
- Interchange Point Calipers
- Groove Calipers
- Point Calipers
- Outside Neck Calipers
- Knife Edge Calipers
- Long Jaw Calipers
- Edge to Center Calipers
- Center to Center Calipers
- Blade Calipers
- Offset Calipers
- Tube Thickness Calipers
- Gear Tooth Calipers
- Disk Brake Calipers
- Drum Break Calipers
What are calipers used for?
In general, calipers are tools used to measure the distance between two spots on a part or object. Most calipers are used for OD and ID measurements and others abuse them for step and depth measurement if they include a depth rod. Most calipers have one jaw fixed and another jaw that slides along the scale/beam to obtain measurements.
Calipers are simple in concept, but undeniably useful in a number of fields, such as:
- Metrology
- Mechanical engineering
- Aerospace
- Medical
- Metalworking
- Bio Sciences
- And more!
Finding the Right Caliper for Your Precision Measurement Project
Calipers are handy little tools that allow for a reliable and precise measurement of distances along any kind of part or object. They come in a range of designs, so it’s important to understand the different types of calipers to make the most out of your measurement task. Deciding if you want a vernier, dial or digital caliper is hard enough but now you are aware there are so many different types of calipers out there for the trickier applications where a standard caliper will not do the trick.
Our most popular brands of calipers and why:
- Mitutoyo Calipers: Mitutoyo calipers are known for their top quality and their digimatic calipers are fantastic for those who require SPC output.
- Insize Calipers: Insize has the largest selection of different types ($$$ Amazing Pricing $$$)
- Fowler Calipers: Great for data collection and some models have build-in Bluetooth