Caliper advancements
The dial caliper resembles and is used in much the same way as the
traditional vernier caliper. However, the dial caliper is equipped
with a dial indicator in place of a vernier scale. The dial version
of the caliper is more easily read than the vernier type. As much,
measurement reading errors are minimized and speed of use is
increased.
More recently, the caliper has entered the electronic age with the
introduction of the digital caliper. The digital caliper again
resembles the traditional universal vernier caliper. However, this
newest caliper type has no line graduated measuring scale. The
reading is electronically generated and digitally displayed. This
digital technology also has been adapted to other common caliper
types, such as the large universal caliper and the depth caliper.The
digital caliper, powered by a standard 1.5 volt silver-oxide button
battery, offers several advantages over the traditional vernier and
newer dial calipers. These advantages include the following: (a) the
measurement is read in a single step, (b) a zero setting from any
measuring position is possible,(c) English unit/metric changeover
takes places with the touch of a button, and (d ) the electronic
tying of the digital caliper to a minicomputer or microcomputer for
purposes of data collection and statistical evalustion is also
possible.