TOOL MAKER MICROSCOPE

The tool maker’s microscope is an essential part of engineering inspection, measurement

and calibration in metrology labs. But what makes a tool maker microscope fully
functional are its glass grading and optics system. Since what are being viewed under
these microscopes are metals and precision instruments. It is important that the objective
and the eye piece lenses are made of fine quality glasses only. These essential parts are
what makes the device very durable and gives it the ability to withstand the wear and tear
associated with the everyday stress of factory usage.

And much because of this, it is also important that the body, structure, and mechanisms of
a tool maker microscope are created with highly durable materials, most preferably good
quality metals. Because the conditions inside an industrial laboratory are not as good as a
home or office laboratory setup, the microscope’s body should be capable of low heat
production. It should also be able to resist corrosion, oscillation, and pollution – because
all of these elements are present inside an industrial laboratories and production plants.

There are tool maker microscopes that are equipped with a cross hair reticle on the eye
piece, coupled with a protractor on the tube. These are good instruments used to
accurately measure the distance or the diameter of the tool under observation. The
microscope’s stage is also built with a millimeter measuring system that also allows for
the measurement of the specimen. The stage when moved, produce the distance traveled
with which the microscope effectively measures.

Right now, quality tool maker microscopes are using semiconductor laser devices as
directors. Instead of the cross hairs, a red point is virtually marked on the microscope’s
working surface in order to locate the parts that have to be measured by the microscope.
The CCD imaging system can also be used as a measurement system as well. This is
another advanced feature of the newer versions of a tool maker microscope models. A
CCD camera that has the ability to measure diameters and distances is a lot more
convenient to use, especially to beginners.
But aside from all of these, a tool maker microscope should also have a good illumination
system. It is the light that allows for the superior viewing of tools and specimens. The
higher the luminance value of the light provided by the microscope, the better its
performance is. If necessary, an incandescent lamp should not be used for these
applications. The light that is ideal is the one that produces a nice level of brightness with
less heat. Lamps have life spans too. And because most of a tool maker microscope uses a
built-in lighting system, the light to be used should last for an extended period of time, if
and when possible.

Fig. Tool Maker’s Microscope

Working principle

TMM is based on the principle of optics. The Tool Maker’s Microscope (TMM)
essentially consists of the cast base, the main lighting unit, the upright with carrying arm
and the sighting microscope. The rigid cast base is resting on Tool Maker’s Microscope
three foot screws by means of which the equipment can be leveled with reference to the
built-in spirit level. The base carries the co-ordinate measuring table, consists of two
measuring slides: one each for directions X and Y, and a rotary circular table provided
with the glass plate. The slides run on precision balls in hardened guide ways warranting
reliable travel. Two micrometer screws each of them having measuring range of 0 to
25 mm permit the measuring table to be displaced in the directions X and Y. The
range of movements of the carriage can be widened up to 75 mm in the X direction
and up to 50 mm in the Y direction with the use of gauge blocks. The rotary table
has been provided with 360 graduation and with a 60 minute vernier. The rotary
motion is initiated by activation of knurled knob. Slots in the rotary table serve for
fastening different accessories and completing elements. The sighting microscope has
been fastened to column with a carrier arm. The carrier arm can be adjusted in height by
means of a rack. The main lighting unit has been arranged in the rear of the cast base and
equipped with projection lamp where rays are directed via stationary mounted mirror
through table glass plate into the sighting microscope.

Measuring principle

Tool Maker’s Microscope is a precision Optical Microscope that consists of single or

multiple objective lenses, which magnifies the object under observation and by the help
of eyepiece lens the object is focused and viewed. A high precision micrometric X-Y
stage and the Z axis travel are used to measure the three dimensions [Length (X), Width
(Y) and Depth (Z)]. The angle is measured with the help of a rotating stage and eyepiece
graduation.
Applications
 Examination of form tools, plate and template gauges, punches and dies, annular
grooved and threaded hobs etc.
 Measurement of glass graticules and other surface marked parts.
 Shallow bores and recesses.
 The determination of relative position of various points on work.
 Measurement of angle by using a protractor eyepiece.
 Comparison of thread forms with master profiles engraved in the eyepiece,
measurement of pitch and effective diameter.
 Comparison of enlarged, projected image with a tracing fixed to the projecting screen.