Measuring instruments are of a wide range and types for different measuring purposes. As a professional, you need to know which type is adequately implemented in your applications. Apart from the instrument type, you need to be aware of specific characteristics in each measuring instrument before buying from the market. Let’s look into conventional professional measuring instrument types and how to choose the perfect one for your measuring applications.
TOP TIPS ON HOW TO CHOOSE A ‘PERFECT’ ONE
When in an industrial environment, to ensure a product is fabricated per your intended design criteria, or to measure the wear or damage extent of a product, you will acquire a professional measuring instrument that will suit your applications. Thus, you will need to consider the following factors listed to choose a perfect measuring tool.
- Suitability & compatibility
- Quality & Standard
- Durability
- Operation
- Cost
Suitability & Compatibility
First, you need to identify what you are measuring. Decide the measuring criteria, whether it is linear, angular, thermal, pressure measurement, etc. After figuring out the measuring criteria you need to compare the suitability of the measuring instrument with the measuring item. Check whether you can measure the desired aspect of measuring through the instrument. As an example, you will need a probe to measure the depth of a product or need measuring jaws to measure the diameter of a product. Then check the units of measurement and how far you can measure from the particular measuring tool. You will find similar types of measuring instruments built with different scales and scale ranges for use in different applications. Likewise, review the measuring instrument’s suitability before you are going to buy it.
Quality and Standard
This is the main factor you should focus on when buying any product. Do not be deceived by the price and capability of the measuring tool if it does not conform to industrial standards or the desired quality of the design. It is your responsibility to choose the tool that matches your industrial perspective rather than going for a tool for any other industrial applications. Most of the measuring tools are used to measure metallic materials and instances where the effect of the environment is considerable level. In similar cases like that, you will need measurement tools that can withstand these circumstances. It is a wise decision to buy a quality and standardized measuring tool whenever you are buying it for professional applications.
Durability
Durability comes with a good quality of a product. When you buy a measuring tool check whether the tool is capable of using it for a considerable period. Otherwise, you will need to replace time to time and your money in vain. Some measuring tools need to be calibrated in a certain period and you will need to focus on these time frames of maintenance and calibration to keep the tool in a good shape to use in your applications.
Operation
You will wonder, how the operation affects the measuring tool. It certainly does when you use tools for specific purposes. You need to be aware of instances where a measuring instrument needs to measure a specific factor of a product that needs extensive gadgets in the measuring tool. As an example, you will need a caliper with specific jaws designed to measure the welding depth and angle of a product. In such cases do not go for a multi-task tool that can use the same operation. It won’t always give a better reading unless it is a high-quality standardized product. It is highly recommended to buy an instrument that can use only limited desired applications.
Cost
Of course, this is the first factor that anyone will focus on rather than the above-discussed factors. Do not always go for the cheap product as well as vice-versa. Research the range of tools that are available to your budget. Then deal with the above factors and choose the perfect one. Not only that do not deceive with the comfort and portability with respect to build quality and durability. As for the author’s recommendation, comfort, and handling capability come second when compared to tool quality and durability. So, use your professional mind to choose the desired perfect product without affecting your wallet.
By taking the above into your checklist of buying a measuring tool, you can choose a perfect measuring tool that fits your industrial applications. As per the author’s recommendations following tool types can be used for professional applications. If you need a measuring instrument that suits the following criteria, give it a try.
TOP CONVENTIONAL MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
Here are some measuring tool types that can be used for general professional applications. The preferences of these tool types can vary depending on different industrial standards.
CONE FEELER TAPER APERTURE GAUGE
A feeler gauge is a handheld tool often used to measure gap widths in engineering applications. A taper feeler gauge is a feeler gauge tapered and found in different shapes to provide ease in taking measurements. These tools themselves consist of a variety of small lengths of steel (known as blades) of different thicknesses which have size measurements marked along with each piece. The main advantage of the feeler tool over the other measuring tool is, that it provides the user with a visual clue of how wide a gap is as it physically fills the gap with its metal blade.
The following tool is the best example of a feeler gauge with a cone steel round shape that will comfortably measure the depth of products.
Product Review – This gauge is fabricated with carbon steel with a nickel finish on the measuring part. The product quality is better and includes a good grip to hold. It has a graduation scale of 0.1 mm and ranges between 1-45mm range. You can choose a gauge type depending on the measuring range and can be recommended to use measuring in industrial applications of internal hole diameter, and depths.
DIGITAL VERNIER CALIPERS
Vernier calipers are the best measuring tools used to measure linear measurements including product length, and inner and outer diameter with a precision of up to 0.01mm. Currently, digital type is prevalent and it is quite easy and provides fewer errors when taking manual readings. The calipers are widely used in aviation industries as the measuring tool to measure structural parts after any maintenance and repair practices.
Vernier caliper is fabricated including some parts/jaws to ease in measuring some small-scale measurements. The upper jaws are used to measure the inner measurement of an object, while the lower jaws are used to measure the outer measurement. A depth rod is present in the later part to measure the depth of the product. These are mainly used for industrial purposes where the measurement of the curve, cylindrical bodies, and, accurate measurement of metallic parts.
Here is the best example of a professional type of digital vernier caliper for your professional applications.
Digital 0-300mm 0.01mm Caliper Stainless Steel Electronic Vernier Caliper Metric/Inch Measuring Tool
Product Review – This digital caliper is made up of stainless-steel type and the beam and vernier units are heat-treated to provide a better metal finish. The digital screen is an LCD type and includes a separate part closed to affix the battery into it. The entire build quality is highly durable the scales are clearly marked and the jaws are easily adjustable. This tool has a range of 300mm and includes a screwdriver to affix the battery and jaws. The caliper is well stored in a box and includes a user manual. Overall product quality is satisfactory and can be recommended for industrial application in aviation and other mechanical industries.
Some calipers are fabricated and customized for different applications. The following type is used for measuring welding parts.
Product Review – The above caliper types are used especially in welding applications. The jaws in calipers are designed to measure welding angles and the main jaw is to measure the welding depth of the metal joint. It has a range of 0 – 20mm and includes a digital reading screen providing ease in taking readings. Recommended for taking measurements in welding parts and joints in industrial applications.
PORTABLE HARDNESS TESTER
Hardness testers are found in large-scale workshops to measure the metal and alloy hardness. They are categorized per the test methods they have been using. Several factors are considered when choosing an industrial type of hardness tester. They are test load, hardness range, accuracy level, and adaptability of the device.
Apart from the main hardness tester types, the handheld types are often used in industrial applications too. They are equipped to operate by hand providing pressure to measure the hardness. It includes a variety of anvils that permit testing a great variance of shapes. It is quite useful in sheet metal applications where hardness testing is needed.
The following tool type represents a perfect portable handheld hardness tester which is prominently used in many industrial measuring applications.
Product Review – The WEBSTER Hardness Testers are portable instruments that can perform on-site hardness testing on aluminum alloys, brass, copper, and soft steel. A quick and easy test, the hardness value can be read out directly from the indicator with a simple clamp. Suitable for testing aluminum alloy profiles, tubings, and sheet materials. Especially suitable for fast, non-destructive quality inspection on the production site. The above type can be used to measure the hardness of metals up to 13mm thickness. Include a measuring dial on the gauge that can easily read the measurement readings.
ANEMOMETERS
Anemometers are widely used for measuring wind speed and temperature in industrial air conditioning and controlling products. They are commonly used in electric power, steel, petrochemical, and other industries. The measuring tools that are commonly found in the market are used for general-purpose measurements. Here are some widely used anemometers found in the market for general and industrial usage.
The above type of anemometer can be used in measuring airspeed related to electric power, petrochemical, and other related industries. This type is a split-type digital airflow anemometer and includes a handle and a probe that can be inserted into a specific location where the airspeed needs to be measured. Includes a USB interface and digital screen showing both temperature and airspeed.
FINAL TALK
As per the above discussion, you have a brief idea about a few conventional types of measuring instruments that are available in the market for professional applications. Keep in mind to follow the above-discussed criteria for choosing a perfect tool for your applications. Not only that it assure you of buying a better product but also saves your budget too.
*****************
REFERENCES
- https://www.qualitydigest.com/inside/metrology-news/choose-right-measuring-tool-051811.html
- https://tengtoolsusa.com/blogs/news/what-are-feeler-gauges-used-for
- https://blog.kett.com/bid/288481/10-Things-QA-Should-Know-About-Measurement-Instruments-Before-Buying
- https://guide.directindustry.com/choosing-the-right-hardness-tester/
- https://metsuco.com/considerations-for-selecting-a-hardness-tester/