Mitutoyo Corporation (head office: Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki; president: Kazusaku Tezuka) has developed the Ratchet Thimble Micrometer which went on sale in October. Due to its constant-force device with a new mechanism, the micrometer facilitates stable measurement without fluctuations in its results even for users who are unfamiliar with one-hand operation. The product will be exhibited at the upcoming 22nd Japan International Machine Tool Fair (JIMTOF 2004), which begins on November 1 at Tokyo Big Sight.
In micrometer-based measurement, a workpiece is ideally measured while clamping the micrometer itself on a stand or the like. Indeed, this measurement method is applicable to the measurement room; and is difficult to use in an actual manufacturing plant or on an assembly line. Most commonly, therefore, the user holds a workpiece with one hand and uses the other hand to measure using a micrometer. A conventional micrometer, however, has no constant-force device in the thimble, and requires skill for use with one hand unlike the method of measurement with a ratchet stop. The problem is that the measurement results tend to have larger maximum errors or fluctuations.
To resolve this problem, Mitutoyo, which became the first company to succeed in domestically producing micrometers in Japan, has developed the Ratchet Thimble, a constant-force device with a new mechanism-- in 2004, which marks the 70th anniversary of its foundation. As a constant-force device, the Ratchet Thimble allows stable measurement without fluctuations in the results, even for users who are unfamiliar with one-hand operation. This is due to the vibration occurring in the direction of the measurement axis, which is caused by both the ratchet mechanism in the thimble and in the micrometer. The speeder, which is ratchet-operated, can also be used, in the same way the ratchet stop of a conventional micrometer is operated.
The target of the new Ratchet Thimble Micrometer is a measuring range of 0-25 mm, in which one-hand operation is most likely to take place. The heat-insulating cover and clamp have been reshaped, adding to the operability of the micrometer. The Ratchet Thimble Micrometer is definitely a next-generation micrometer designed to meet all of the measurement needs of customers.
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