Micrometer

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This article is about the measuring device. For the unit of length, see micrometre.
Outside, inside, and depth micrometers
A micrometer (pronounced /makrmtr/, U dict: mkrmtr!, sometimes kno"n as a micrometer
screw gauge, is a device incorporating a cali#rated scre" used "idely for precise measurement of small
distances in mechanical engineering and machining as "ell as most mechanical trades, along "ith other
metrological instruments such as dial, vernier, and digital calipers$ Micrometers are often, #ut not al"ays, in the
form of calipers$
%ollo&uially the "ord micrometer is often shortened to mike ('(A: /mk/! (en(): m*k!$
Contents
+hide,
- .ypes
o -$- /asic types
o -$0 peciali1ed types
0 Operating principles
2 (arts
3 )eading
o 3$- 'nch system
o 3$0 Metric system
o 3$2 4ernier
5 .or&ue repeata#ility via tor&ue6limiting ratchets or sleeves
7 .esting and cali#ration
8 9istory of the device and its name
: ee also
; )eferences
o ;$- /i#liography
-< =>ternal links
[edit] Types
[edit] Basic types
?arge micrometer caliper$
Another large micrometer in use$
.he topmost image sho"s the three most common types of micrometer@ the names are #ased on their
application:
Outside micrometer (aka micrometer caliper!, typically used to measure "ires, spheres, shafts and
#locks$
Inside micrometer, used to measure the diameter of holes$
Depth micrometer, measures depths of slots and steps$
[edit] Specialized types
=ach type of micrometer caliper can #e fitted "ith speciali1ed anvils and spindle tips for particular measuring
tasks$ For e>ample, the anvil may #e shaped in the form of a segment of scre" thread@ in the form of a v6#lock@
in the form of a large disc@ etc$
ni!ersal micrometer sets come "ith interchangea#le anvils: flat, spherical, spline, disk, #lade, point,
knife6edge, etc$ .he term uni!ersal micrometer may also refer to a type of micrometer "hose frame
has modular components, allo"ing one micrometer to function as outside mic, depth mic, step mic, etc
(often kno"n #y the #rand names Mul6.6Anvil and Uni6Mike!$
Blade mics have a matching set of narro" tips (#lades!$ .hey allo", for e>ample, the measuring of a
narro" o6ring groove$
"itch#diameter mics have a matching set of thread6shaped tips for measuring the pitch diameter of
scre" threads$
$imit mics have t"o anvils and t"o spindles, and are used like a snap gauge$ .he part #eing checked
must pass through the first gap and must stop at the second gap in order to #e "ithin specification$
Bore micrometer, typically a three6anvil head on a micrometer #ase used to accurately measure inside
diameters$
Tu%e micrometer, used to measure the thickness of tu#es$
&icrometer stops are essentially inside mics that are mounted on the ta#le of a manual milling machine
or other machine tool, in place of simple stops$ .hey help the operator to position the ta#le precisely$
[edit] Operating principles
Micrometers use the principle of a scre" to amplify small distances that are too small to measure directly into
large rotations of the scre" that are #ig enough to read from a scale$ .he accuracy of a micrometer derives from
the accuracy of the threadform that is at its heart$ .he #asic operating principles of a micrometer are as follo"s:
-$ .he amount of rotation of an accurately made scre" can #e directly and precisely correlated to a certain
amount of a>ial movement (and vice versa!, through the constant kno"n as the scre"As lead (/lid/!$ A
scre"As lead is the distance it moves for"ard a>ially "ith one complete turn (27<B!$ ('n most threads
+that is, in all single6start threads,, lead and pitch refer to essentially the same concept$!
0$ With an appropriate lead and maCor diameter of the scre", a given amount of a>ial movement "ill #e
amplified in the resulting circumferential movement$
For e>ample, if the lead of a scre" is - mm, #ut the maCor diameter (here, outer diameter! is -< mm, then the
circumference of the scre" is -<D, or a#out 2-$3 mm$ .herefore, an a>ial movement of - mm is amplified
(magnified! to a circumferential movement of 2-$3 mm$ .his amplification allo"s a small difference in the si1es
of t"o similar measured o#Cects to correlate to a larger difference in the position of a micrometerAs thim#le$
'n older micrometers the position of the thim#le is read directly from scale markings on the thim#le and shaft$ A
vernier scale is usually included, "hich allo"s the position to #e read to a fraction of the smallest scale mark$ 'n
ne"er digital micrometers, an electronic readout displays the length digitally on an ?%E display on the
instrument$
[edit] "arts
.he parts of a micrometer caliper, la#eled$ (Fotice also that there is a handy decimal6fraction e&uivalents chart
printed right on the frame of this inch6reading micrometer$!
A micrometer is composed of:
Frame
.he %6shaped #ody that holds the anvil and #arrel in constant relation to each other$ 't is thick #ecause it
needs to minimi1e fle>ion, e>pansion, and contraction, "hich "ould distort the measurement$
.he frame is heavy and conse&uently has a high thermal mass, to prevent su#stantial heating up #y the
holding handGfingers$ 't is often covered #y insulating plastic plates "hich further reduce heat
transference$
=>planation: if you hold the frame long enough so that it heats up #y -<B%, then the increase in length of
any -< cm linear piece of steel is of magnitude -G-<< mm$ For micrometers this is their typical accuracy
range$
Micrometers typically have a temperature specified, at "hich the measurement is correct$
Anvil
.he shiny part that the spindle moves to"ard, and that the sample rests against$
leeve G #arrel G stock
.he stationary round part "ith the linear scale on it$ ometimes vernier markings$
?ock nut G lock6ring G thim#le lock
.he knurled part (or lever! that one can tighten to hold the spindle stationary, such as "hen momentarily
holding a measurement$
cre"
(not seen! .he heart of the micrometer, as e>plained under HOperating principlesH$ 't is inside the #arrel$
(Fo "onder that the usual name for the device in Ierman is Messschraube, literally Hmeasuring scre"H$!
pindle
.he shiny cylindrical part that the thim#le causes to move to"ard the anvil$
.him#le
.he part that oneAs thum# turns$ Iraduated markings$
)atchet stop
(not sho"n in illustration! Eevice on end of handle that limits applied pressure #y slipping at a
cali#rated tor&ue$
[edit] 'eading
[edit] Inch system
Micrometer thim#le sho"ing <$087 inch
.he spindle of an inch6system micrometer has 3< threads per inch, so that one turn moves the spindle a>ially
<$<05 inch (- J 3< K <$<05!, e&ual to the distance #et"een t"o graduations on the frame$ .he 05 graduations on
the thim#le allo" the <$<05 inch to #e further divided, so that turning the thim#le through one division moves
the spindle a>ially <$<<- inch (<$<05 J 05 K <$<<-!$ .hus, the reading is given #y the num#er of "hole divisions
that are visi#le on the scale of the frame, multiplied #y 05 (the num#er of thousandths of an inch that each
division represents!, plus the num#er of that division on the thim#le "hich coincides "ith the a>ial 1ero line on
the frame$ .he result "ill #e the diameter e>pressed in thousandths of an inch$ As the num#ers -, 0, 2, etc$,
appear #elo" every fourth su#6division on the frame, indicating hundreds of thousandths, the reading can easily
#e taken mentally$
uppose the thim#le "ere scre"ed out so that graduation 0, and three additional su#6divisions, "ere visi#le (as
sho"n in the image!, and that graduation - on the thim#le coincided "ith the a>ial line on the frame$ .he
reading then "ould #e <$0<<< L <$<85 L <$<<-, or $087 inch$
[edit] &etric system
Micrometer thim#le reading 5$8:mm
.he spindle of an ordinary metric micrometer has 0 threads per millimetre, and thus one complete revolution
moves the spindle through a distance of <$5 millimetre$ .he longitudinal line on the frame is graduated "ith -
millimetre divisions and <$5 millimetre su#divisions$ .he thim#le has 5< graduations, each #eing <$<-
millimetre (one6hundredth of a millimetre!$ .hus, the reading is given #y the num#er of millimetre divisions
visi#le on the scale of the sleeve plus the particular division on the thim#le "hich coincides "ith the a>ial line
on the sleeve$
uppose that the thim#le "ere scre"ed out so that graduation 5, and one additional <$5 su#division "ere visi#le
(as sho"n in the image!, and that graduation 0: on the thim#le coincided "ith the a>ial line on the sleeve$ .he
reading then "ould #e 5$<< L <$5 L <$0: K 5$8: mm$
[edit] (ernier
Micrometer sleeve ("ith vernier! reading 5$8:2mm
ome micrometers are provided "ith a vernier scale on the sleeve in addition to the regular graduations$ .hese
permit measurements "ithin <$<<- millimetre to #e made on metric micrometers, or <$<<<- inches on inch6
system micrometers$
.he additional digit of these micrometers is o#tained #y finding the line on the sleeve vernier scale "hich
e>actly coincides "ith one on the thim#le$ .he num#er of this coinciding vernier line represents the additional
digit$
.hus, the reading for metric micrometers of this type is the num#er of "hole millimetres (if any! and the
num#er of hundredths of a millimetre, as "ith an ordinary micrometer, and the num#er of thousandths of a
millimetre given #y the coinciding vernier line on the sleeve vernier scale$
For e>ample, a measurement of 5$8:2 millimetres "ould #e o#tained #y reading 5$5 millimetres on the sleeve,
and then adding <$0: millimetre as determined #y the thim#le$ .he vernier "ould then #e used to read the <$<<2
(as sho"n in the image!$
'nch micrometers are read in a similar fashion$
Fote: <$<- millimetre K <$<<<2;2 inch, and <$<<0 millimetre K <$<<<<8: inch (8: millionths! or alternately,
<$<<<- inch K <$<<053 millimetres$ .herefore, metric micrometers provide smaller measuring increments than
compara#le inch unit micrometersMthe smallest graduation of an ordinary inch reading micrometer is
<$<<- inch@ the vernier type has graduations do"n to <$<<<- inch (<$<<053 mm!$ When using either a metric or
inch micrometer, "ithout a vernier, smaller readings than those graduated may of course #e o#tained #y visual
interpolation #et"een graduations$
[edit] Tor)ue repeata%ility !ia tor)ue#limiting ratchets or slee!es
An additional feature of many micrometers is the inclusion of a tor&ue6limiting device on the thim#leMeither a
spring6loaded ratchet or a friction sleeve$ Without this device, "orkers may overtighten the micrometer on the
"ork, causing the mechanical advantage of the scre" to s&uee1e the material or tighten the scre" threads,
giving an inaccurate measurement$ 9o"ever, "ith a thim#le that "ill ratchet or friction slip at a certain tor&ue,
the micrometer "ill not continue to advance once sufficient resistance is encountered$ .his results in greater
accuracy and repeata#ility of measurementsMmost especially for lo"6skilled or semi6skilled "orkers, "ho may
not have developed the light, consistent touch of a skilled user$
[edit] Testing and cali%ration
A standard ordinary one6inch micrometer has readout divisions of $<<- inch and a rated accuracy of LG6 $
<<<- inch$
+-,
/oth the measuring instrument and the o#Cect #eing measured should #e at room temperature for
an accurate measurement@ dirt, a#use, and operator skill are the main sources of error$
+0,
.he accuracy of micrometers is checked #y using them to measure gauge #locks, rods, or similar standards
"hose lengths are precisely and accurately kno"n$ 'f the gauge #lock is kno"n to #e <$85<<H (N $<<<<5H!, then
the micrometer should measure it as <$85<<H$ 'f the micrometer measures <$85-7H, then it is out of cali#ration$
.he accuracy of the gauge #locks themselves is tracea#le through a chain of comparisons #ack to a master
standard, such as are maintained in measurement standards la#oratories$
[edit] *istory o+ the de!ice and its name
IascoigneAs Micrometer as dra"n #y )o#ert 9ooke
.he "ord micrometer is a neoclassical coinage from Ireek micros, HsmallH, and metron, HmeasureH$ .he
Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
+2,
says that =nglish got it from French and that its first kno"n
appearance in =nglish "riting "as in -78<$ Feither the metre nor the micrometre nor the micrometer (device! as
"e kno" them today e>isted at that time$ 9o"ever, humans of that time did have much need for, and interest in,
the a#ility to measure small things, and small differences@ the "ord no dou#t "as coined in reference to this
endeavor, even if it did not refer specifically to its present6day senses$
.he first ever micrometric scre" "as invented #y William Iascoigne in the -8th century, as an enhancement of
the vernier@ it "as used in a telescope to measure angular distances #et"een stars$ 'ts adaptation for the precise
measurement of handheld o#Cects "as made #y Jean ?aurent (almer of (aris in -:3:
+3,
@ the device is therefore
often called palmer in French, and tornillo de Palmer (H(almer scre"H! in panish$ (.hose languages also use
the micrometer cognates: micromtre, micr!metro$! .he micrometer caliper "as introduced to the mass market
in anglophone countries #y /ro"n O harpe in -:78,
+5,
allo"ing the penetration of the instrumentAs use into the
average machine shop$ /ro"n O harpe "ere inspired #y several earlier devices, one of them #eing (almerAs
design$ 'n -::: =d"ard Williams Morley added to the precision of micrometric measurements and proved their
accuracy in a comple> series of e>periments$
[edit] See also
Filar micrometer
[edit] 'e+erences
-$ , http:GG"""$starrett$comGdo"nloadG000Pp-P5$pdf I=F=)A? M'%)OM=.=) 'FFO)MA.'OF
0$ , http:GG"""$mahr$deGinde>$phpQFode'EK-2-0< M'%)OM=.=) A%%U)A%R: Erunken .hreads and lip6
sticks
2$ , Merriam6We#ster$ HMerriam6We#ster Online Eictionary (#ased on M6W %ollegiate Eictionary!$H$ Merriam6
We#ster$ http:GGm6"$comGdictionaryGmicrometer$ )etrieved 0<<86--6-3$
3$ , )oe -;-7:0-0$
5$ , )oe -;-7:0-<60-2, 0-5$
[edit] Bi%liography
)oe, Joseph Wickham (-;-7!, "nglish and #merican Tool $uilders, Fe" 9aven, %onnecticut, UA:
Rale University (ress, ?%%F -76<--852, http:GG#ooks$google$comG#ooksQidKS6
=JAAAA'AAJOprintsecKtitlepage$ )eprinted #y McIra"69ill, Fe" Rork and ?ondon, -;07
(?%%F 086<03<85!@ and #y ?indsay (u#lications, 'nc$, /radley, '?, UA ('/F ;8:6<6;-8;-368268!$