Mitutoyo 551 [551-341-10] Digital ABSOLUTE Digimatic Caliper with Nib Style and Standard Jaws 12in (300mm)

The Mitutoyo 551 series ABSOLUTE Digimatic caliper is a digital caliper that is made of durable hardened stainless steel, uses Mitutoyo’s ABSOLUTE linear encoder technology, and has both standard and nib style jaws. These calipers have accessible function control buttons, such as Origin-set, Zero-setting, Inch/Metric, and Data Output, and uses both inch and metric measuring systems. Although identical to dial and vernier calipers in their ability to make precise measurements, the digital caliper’s LCD increases reading reliability.

The caliper has the ABSOLUTE electrostatic capacitance linear encoder to help prevent overspeed errors. Standard upper jaws measure outer diameter (OD), while the lower rounded nib-style jaws measure inner diameter (ID). Nib-style jaws are suitable for grasping round and spherical-shaped instruments to gauge and provide clear readings up to the maximum level of accuracy. In making inside diameter (ID) measurements, the round outside surface of each ID nib fits closely against curve of the inside surface being measured. The caliper has Statistical Process Control (SPC) data output capability; it outputs data using a serial data interface to a computer or other dedicated recording device using SPC cable with data switch (sold separately). The caliper includes, and is powered by, a single SR44 silver oxide cell battery that lasts approximately 3.5 years with continuous normal use.

Calipers measure the distance between two opposing sides of an object. They make inside, outside, depth, or step measurements, according to their type. Calipers are commonly used in architecture, metalworking, mechanical engineering, and machining. The simplest calipers have two legs to mark the two points and require a ruler to take the measurement. More complex calipers use two sets of jaws instead of legs and have up to two graduated scales. Vernier, dial, and digital calipers give direct and accurate readings and are functionally identical, having a calibrated scale with a fixed jaw, and another jaw with a movable pointer that slides along the scale. The vernier caliper has a scale sliding parallel to the main scale for an additional, fractional reading to improve measurement precision. The dial caliper has a circular dial with a pointer on a toothed gear rack replacing the second vernier scale. As with the vernier, this second measurement is added to the reading from the main scale to obtain the result. The digital caliper takes a differential by zeroing the display at any point along the slide, with an LCD that displays a single value in English and/or metric units.