Recalibrating Your Digital Caliper

Much like a Mitutoyo micrometer, you will need to be able to count
on your digital caliper for the most accurate measurements of
everything. As with most, if not all electronic or digital tools
however, your calipers will slowly begin to lose their accuracy over
time making them useless in providing you with the information that
you need. A calibration will help set your caliper back to its
original accuracy rate and this article will teach you how to go about
it.Steps in calibrating your digital caliper:� Before you start with
the real calibration process, you will need to make sure that your
caliper is free of dirt or any other substances. Taking a lint free
cloth (much like those used in cleaning eyeglasses), wipe your caliper
thoroughly removing any dirt from the head and body of the calipers.

� Next you will need to zero your calipers. To do this, bring the
jaws of the calipers as close as you can get, basically ensuring that
they're closed. Once there, zero the calipers.
� After zeroing your
calipers, you will need to test it repeatedly to ensure that the
readings are accurate and consistent. Open the calipers steadily as
far as they can be opened and close them again. The digital display
should always register "zero," or at most a single unit of the
smallest amount (about.001, if your caliper is able to read that
amount that is). If the amount is any greater than what is given
above, then you might need to skip a step and head on over to the last
one.
� After step three, you will need to test against shims, and
optionally gauge blocks. Using just shims find a few objects that
measure from one to two to three inches and so on. First measure the
objects thickness, and then try it again with the shim in place, the
difference should match for both measurements with and without the
shim being in place. If they don't then the last option is what you
should be looking into.
� If you are unable to properly zero your
caliper, you will need to have a professional calibrate your calipers.
Contact the manufacturer for ideas on where you might be able to get
calibration services for free or for a minimal fee.You will need to be
able to count on the measurements of your digital caliper at all times
which is why recalibration from time to time is so important.