Digital Calipers -- also called Electronic Calipers. The striking advantages of the digital calipers is that it is easy for us to read and gearless precision, with both English and Metric Measurements. Nowadays, with the rapid growth of high technology, some models of Digital Calipers come with SPC output. Why choose SPC capable Digital Calipers? The reason is that SPC (Statistical Process Control), allows for quick and easy data collection when utilized with SPC software.It is vital that the user should check digital calipers frequently for accuracy.
They are more susceptible to damage than other tools. Both the inside jaws and the outside jaws need to be calibrated, as well as the depth rod and the step measurement. To check for wear in the jaws, do this: clean them and close them. Then hold them up to the light and if they're worn you'll see light shining through the gaps. You can continue to use the calipers if you measure with the unworn surfaces. For total reliability, however, you'll have to send the calipers for servicing. The surfaces can be ground flat again.
To calibrate the inside jaws you may use a set of ring gages, but
you may also set a calibrated .0001" micrometer to 1"
(and higher, if possible) and then use the inside jaws to measure
this distance. Since the micrometer has a discrimination ten times
that of the calipers, you'll get an accurate reading.
For the outside jaws it's a simple matter of inserting a series of
gage blocks between them and recording the caliper readings. They
must not deviate by more than one graduation (.001") over the
first 4" of range. From 4" to 8" the error may be
.0015" (one and one-half graduation). From 8" to
12" the error can be .002". Accuracy may vary among
different models and the manufacturer's specs should be consulted
for this information. Take readings at 1-inch intervals. Three
gage blocks (see below) of 1", 2" and 3" sizes will
be all you need.