A Simple Procedure To Improve The Precision Of Micrometers

How to improve the precision of micrometers

Precision is key when it comes to taking measurements with a micrometer and there are a few simple and straightforward things you can do to make sure your measurements are as accurate as possible. Check out a few quick and easy tips to help improve the reliability and precision of your micrometer.

Maintenance tips for micrometers

Micrometers are generally reliable and don’t require a lot of maintenance, but the most important thing to ensure is that the measuring anvils (or contact faces) are kept clean. Specks of dust, paper fibers or sticky residues can accumulate on the anvil surfaces after repeated contact with specimens.

These accumulations are unlikely to be noticeable to the naked eye and may not affect readings at first because they tend to bed into the next specimen without noticeably adding to the measured thickness. They can, however, rapidly build up to a depth that will add falsely to the measured thickness.

Avoid this by periodically wiping the upper and lower contacts with a lint free material moistened with isopropyl alcohol to remove any tacky residues that may be building up.

Clean your micrometer before resetting to zero

Even minute specks of dust or debris will affect the micrometer zero setting considerably. A digital micrometer with a resolution of one micron can indicate a positive zero offset of up to 5 microns after just one series of measurements. Resist the temptation to reset the micrometer zero control as a first action.

Readings will be affected if the zero control is adjusted when there is debris between the measuring faces. First clean the measuring faces by drawing a piece of paper between the pressure foot and lower anvil. Then check zero again. You will probably find the loose dust or fibers have been removed and adjustment of the zero control is unnecessary.

Improve precision for testing plastic films

To improve the precision of a micrometer when testing thickness of plastic films, consider reducing the diameter of the upper anvil/pressure foot to 5 mm (0.2 inch). Having a smaller diameter pressure foot will reduce the measurement error due to particulate or debris building up between the pressure foot and lower anvil.

If you’d like to save a copy of this information, be sure to download our article A Simple Procedure To Improve The Precision Of Micrometers. Or find out more about the types of micrometers there are and how they work, in our simple guide to micrometers.

Find accurate micrometers with Industrial Physics

When you’re on the lookout for a new, highly precise micrometer, we’re here to help. Browse our full range of accurate micrometers.