Mitutoyo 550 Series [550-311-10] ABSOLUTE Digimatic Caliper with Nib Style Jaws 8in (200mm)

The Mitutoyo 550 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 nib-style jaws 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. It uses both inch and metric measuring systems.

Although identical to dial and vernier calipers in its ability to make precise measurements, the digital caliper also has an LCD, which clearly shows values and increases reading reliability over the other types, has resolution to 0.0005” (0.01mm), and reflects all ABSOLUTE system activities. Function control buttons on the caliper face include Origin to set and retain the original measuring point, On/Off to automatically shut off the caliper after 30 minutes, and Zero/ABS (Absolute Scale) to zero-set the LCD display. The ABS function tracks the origin point you set, even after shutoff. Once on again, the caliper can immediately start measuring, without zero resetting or concern of overspeed errors. The LCD can be "zeroed out" before making and comparing incremental measurements without having to subtract the first measurement from the second.

The caliper uses the ABSOLUTE electrostatic capacitance linear encoder to help prevent overspeed errors. It measures outer diameter (OD) and inner diameter (ID). Its nib-style jaws have round measuring faces. A Digital LCD Data Reading Hold function is available with the optional Data Hold Unit (sold separately). An alarm alerts the user to low voltage and scale contamination and counting value composition errors. A thumb screw locks the scale’s position. Response speed is unlimited. Each 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.