To: Nancy Myers

From: Townsend Holubasch

Date: April 26, 2021
Subject: APLED 121- Description report

Digital Calipers

Calipers are a measurement tool used in the machining trade that are used frequently due to
their ability to take accurate measurements. There are different styles and sizes of digital
calipers, but I will be focused on Mitutoyo 6” digital calipers. These calipers are capable of
measurement range of .000” up to 6”. They can measure many different types of features due
to being equipped with a depth blade, external jaws, and internal jaws. Other features include a
thumb roller, a lock screw, zero button, origin button, a metric/inch, and an on/off button.

Internal Metric/Inch Locking Origin

Jaws Button Screw Button

Depth Blade

Measurement
Display

Thumb
Roller

On/Off Zero Button

External
Jaws
The function of the features of the digital calipers are as follows:

• External jaws: used for measuring external features; for example, the length or with of a
part.
• Internal jaws: used for measuring internal features; for example, the diameter of a hole
or the length and width of a slot.
• Depth blade: used to check the depth or height of a feature; for example, how deep a
hole is drilled into a part.
• Thumb roller: used for gently and consistently take measurements, by sliding one’s
thumb across the thumb roller. Doing this will cause the calipers to open or close
without jerking (preventing bad readings).
• Lock screw: used to lock the calipers at a desired measurement. To do this one only
needs to hand tighten the screw.
• Zero button: used to reset zero for easer measurement of part features.
• Origin button: used to reprogram calipers for long term zeroing of part.
• Metric/inch: used to easily convert between metric, and inch measurements.
• On/off button: a means by which the calipers can be turned on or off, most often used
for conservation of battery life.
Calipers tend to be the most universal measurement device used in the machine shop due to
their accuracy and ease of use. One can quickly check most part features with an excellent level
of accuracy all with one tool. In my experience digital calipers are an excellent means to check
the internal and external measurements of all simple shaped objects. It is hard for me
personally to think of a single measurement tool that I have used more frequently or with more
ease than digital capers, they truly are the work horse of my tool selection.