Mitutoyo Develops IP65 Coolant-Proof Micrometer and
IP66 Coolant-Proof Caliper:
World's Top-Level Measuring Tools Resistant to Water, Oil, and Soil

Top: IP65 Coolant Proof Micrometer
Top: IP65 Coolant Proof Micrometer "MDC-25MJ"
Bottom: IP66 ABS Coolant Proof Caliper "CD-15PS"

Mitutoyo Corporation announced that it has developed and commercialized the world's most advanced digital measuring tools. Known as the MDC-PJ/MJ series of coolant-proof micrometers and the CD-PS series of ABS coolant-proof calipers, these products can be used without anxiety even at processing sites directly exposed to coolants. Plans call for the new products to be exhibited at Mechatronics Technology Japan 2003 to be held at Port Messe Nagoya in Nagoya City from October 15, 2003, with actual sales starting some time in 2004.

For some time now verinier calipers and micrometers have been the most popular precision measuring tools in all sectors of the manufacturing industry, irrespective of the particular size or type. These measuring tools started to go digital a few decades ago, and since that time have made a major contribution to increased productivity because of their added value of minimizing the chances of reading errors and making effective use of measurements with the help of a data output function. Nevertheless, these digital measuring tools have to rely on precision electronic parts, which entails the problem of miscounting as a result of contact with water or oil. This has meant that the digital type has been used in laboratories and other places with favorable environments, while the mechanical type with graduation has been used at industrial sites and other places with more demanding environments marked by exposure to such things as coolants. Given this situation, Mitutoyo launched the CD-GS series of digital vernier calipers in October 2000, and the new product has had a great impact in the marketplace as a revolutionary tool achieving IP65 under the International Protection (IP) level*, thereby overturning the established theory within the industry. After a variety of problems were overcome through repeated research activities and technological innovations, Mitutoyo has successfully developed and commercialized the new generation of products: the MDC-PJ/MJ series of coolant-proof micrometers, which also meets the IP65 rating, and the CD-PS series of ABS coolant-proof calipers, which meet the IP66 rating for much severer working conditions. This is the result of Mitutoyo's effort to meet the demand of customer over a number of years for digital measuring tools that can be used without anxiety even at manufacturing plants.

Mitutoyo's coolant-proof micrometers and ABS coolant-proof calipers undergo direct-jet tests according to procedures specified by IP standards. Before being shipped out from the factory, all products also undergo air-leak tests to ensure that they are waterproof. In addition, products are subject to stringent performance evaluations to ensure overall quality by testing (1) the temperature environment to confirm reliability under severe temperature environments, (2) the working environment to gauge long-time continuous operations, and (3) the electrical section to check electrical components including the switches.

Further, oil-resistant materials are used for all plastics parts. The LCD screens on coolant-proof micrometers are larger than for previous models. ABS coolant-proof calipers have been improved to significantly reduce power consumption and running costs by three-fourths the levels of previous models. Standard prices for both product categories have remained the same, thereby significantly increasing the ratio of cost performance.

[Outlook for Sales]
For the initial year, the company expects that it will sell 200,000 units of the IP65 coolant-proof micrometer and 150,000 units of the IP66 ABS coolant-proof caliper.

* Refer to the Appendix for details about the International Protection (IP) level.


- IP65 Coolant-Proof Micrometer -

[Features]
•
Achieves an IP65 level thanks to a newly developed waterproof structure that makes possible use even in an environment exposed to coolants.
•
Achieves an IP65 level even for models with a measurement data output function thanks to an output cable designed to prevent water penetration.
•
Uses oil-resistant materials for all plastics parts.
•
Provides high precision with an instrumental error of ±1μm (for a measuring range of up to 75mm).
•
LCD much easier to operate thanks to the use of characters 30% larger than for previous model in terms of character area.
•
An automatic power on/off function.
•
Models have a measurement data output function (MDC-MJ/MJT) applicable to a variety of data processing systems.

[Specifications]
Measurement range:
0 to 25mm, 25 to 50mm, 50 to 75mm, 75 to 100mm
Resolution:
0.001mm
Instrumental error:
±1μm (±2μm for models with the 75 to 100mm range) [Not counting the quantization error ±1]
Flatness:
0.3μm or less
Parallelism:
1μm or less (2μm or less for models with the 50 to 75mm and 75 to 100mm range)
Constant-pressure device:
Latchet stop (; capable of selecting the latchet thimble for models with the 0 to 25mm and 25 to 50mm range)
Functions:
Origin-set function (for the ABS length measuring system), zero-set function (for the INC length measuring system), hold function, auto power on/off function, measurement data output function, and error alarm function
Protection level:
IP65 (IEC60529 standard)
Measuring force:
5 to 10N
Power source:
One button-type silver oxide cell (SR44)
Battery life:
Approximately 1.2 years under normal operating conditions


- IP66 ABS Coolant-Proof Caliper -

[Features]
•
Uses a newly developed measuring system to achieve an IP66 level, with the outside dimensions and mass equivalent to the previous model, so that the product can even be used in environments exposed to a large quantity of coolant from all directions.
•
Has a built-in ABS scale to eliminate the need for setting the origin point each time the power is turned on and enables immediate measurement as easily as the vernier reading.
•
Uses oil-resistant materials for all plastics parts.
•
Has a simple design consisting of a single switch, making it easy to conduct measurements.
•
An automatic power on/off function.

[Specifications]
Measuring range:
150mm, 200mm
Resolution:
0.01mm
Instrumental error:
±0.02mm [Not counting the quantization error ±1]
Functions:
Origin-set function, automatic power on/off function, error alarm function
Protection level:
IP66 (IEC60529 standard)
Power source:
One button-type silver oxide cell (SR44)
Battery life:
Approximately three years under normal operating conditions
Position detecting system:
Electromagnetic induction type absolute encoder


[For more information, please contact the following:]
Small Tool Sales Group (Mitutoyo Japan - Overseas Sales Division)
Phone : 81-44-813-8231, Fax : 81-44-813-8231 or E-mail : SMALL@mitutoyo.co.jp


Appendix
Outline of Protection Level (IEC 60529)
Compatible with the related IEC standard (IEC 60529), this is a standard regarding the protection level against the penetration of both foreign matter and water.
[IEC: International Electrotechnical Commission]
IP


IP: International Protection
Protection level Protection against human touch and foreign matter Protection against water
Type Description Type Description
0 - No special protection - No protection
1 Large foreign matter Protection against the penetration of solid-state foreign matter exceeding 50mm in diameter Drip-proof type I Has no harmful effects from water drops falling in parallel with the plumb line*1
2 Foreign matter of normal shape Protection against the penetration of solid-state foreign matter exceeding 12mm in diameter Drip-proof type II Has no harmful effect from water drops falling at an angle of 15 degrees from the plumb line*1
3 Small foreign matter Protection against the penetration of solid-state foreign matter exceeding 2.5mm in diameter Rain-proof type Has no harmful effect from rain drops falling at an angle of 60 degrees from the plumb line*2
4 Granular foreign matter Protection against the penetration of solid-state foreign matter exceeding 1mm in diameter Splash proof type Has no harmful effect from water splashes coming from any direction
5 Protection against dust Protection against harmful dust (penetration of dust not affecting the function is considered OK.) Jet-proof type Has no harmful effect from direct water jets coming from any direction*3
6 Dust sealing Protection against the penetration of dust and perfect protection against human touch Water-
resistant type		 Letting no water in from direct water jets coming from any direction*4
7 - Watertight type Letting no water in under specified conditions if submerged*5
8 - Submarine type Capable of being used constantly in water with a specified pressure
- - Moisture-
proof type		 Capable of being used in moisture with a relative humidity of 90% or more
Testing Method
*1.
 Using a special device, let raindrops fall at a rate of 3 to 5mm/min for 10 minutes from a height of 200mm.
*2.
 Using the spout of a watering can, sprinkle rainwater at a rate of approximately 10L/min from a height of 300 to 500mm for a period of five minutes or more (for one minute with each outward surface area of 1m2).
*3.
 Using a nozzle with an inside diameter of 6.3mm, pour water at a pressure of 0.3kgf/cm2 {30kPa} from a distance of approximately 3m at a rate of approximately 12.5L/min for a period of three minutes or more (for one minute with each outward surface area of 1m2).
*4.
 Using a nozzle with an inside diameter of 12.5mm, pour water at a pressure of 1kgf/cm2 {100kPa} from a distance of approximately 3m at a rate of approximately 100L/min for a period of three minutes or more (for one minute with each outward surface area of 1m2).
*5.
 Keep the testpiece submerged for 30 minutes with its bottom end placed 1m below the water surface.


October 9, 2003

[ Close ]