This section provides an overview for indicating micrometers as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 10 indicating micrometer manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked indicating micrometer companies as of November, 2024: 1.Fowler High Precision, 2.HigherPrecision.com, LLC, 3.Shars Tool.
Table of Contents
An indicating micrometer is a type of external micrometer, with an indicator built into the anvil side, sometimes called a snap meter.
The body has a pushbutton to allow the anvil to be moved back and forth. This mechanism makes it easy to attach and detach the measuring object while the spindle is fixed. The amount of movement of the anvil is indicated on the indicator. With the center set at zero, the anvil moves with an approximate runout of 40 to 60 µm. When no measuring force is applied, the anvil swings out to the minus direction.
An indicating micrometer is used to measure many external dimensions of similar shapes. Since the anvil side can be moved to attach and detach the object to be measured easily, numerous parts can be measured efficiently. Since the spindle needs to be fixed during measurement, the parts must be of variable dimensional value within the tolerance range when using the anvil.
In addition, since the anvil swings out in the negative direction, the spindle is pushed in during measurement so that the needle is zeroed each time, thereby keeping the measuring pressure constant.
The parts of an indicating micrometer are divided into two main structures. The structure can be thought of as a combination of an outer micrometer, and a dial indicator. The spindle part has the same structure as the outer micrometer, and the scale reading is the same. The indicator section indicates the scale by replacing the amount of pushing in of the anvil with the rotation of the needle, and the needle moves with an amplitude of plus or minus 40 to 60 µm, with zero at the center.
When measuring, both the instrumental error of the main unit and the indication error of the indicator section must be taken into account. The repeatability of the indicator's indication is also an error factor, so the degree to which measurement error affects the measurement results must be considered when applying the measuring instrument.
When in use, the anvil is pushed in slightly and the indicator and spindle scale are both set to zero as the base point. Some models have an adjustment mechanism for the zero position, so the base point of the indicator section can be shifted to match the variation of the measurement target.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Fowler High Precision (FHP) is an American manufacturer of quality control and calibration equipment that was established in Canton, Massachusetts in 1946. From its main 78,000 sq ft manufacturing facility, the company produces various quality inspection devices including coordinate measuring machines (CMMs), micrometers, bore gauges, and optical measurement systems. Their facility compound includes a calibration laboratory and warehouse, which also stocks products from other brands such as Bowers and Baty and Sylvac. FHP products are primarily used by clients in the medical, automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing automation sectors.
The L.S. Starrett Company was founded in 1880 and is headquartered in Athol, Massachusetts. The company is a manufacturer of industrial, professional, and consumer measuring and cutting tools to customers globally. The company has three general product segments: precision hand tools, gage blocks, and surface plates. Precision hand tools include depth gages, micrometers, squares, and over 15 other types of handheld measuring tools. Gage block offerings include individual blocks, sets, and accessories.
Shars Tool is an American wholesale distributor of industrial equipment and machinery that was established in 1978 in Saint Charles, Illinois. The company stocks various hand and power tools, abrasives, and cutting tools, as well as machinery like mills and lathes. They also offer material handling equipment like carts and bins, as well as safety accessories like goggles and gloves. Shars Tool chiefly serves client companies and businesses in the metalworking, DIY, home maintenance, and hobby markets, as well as select e-retailers such as LittleMachineShop.com.
Action Industrial Supply Co., founded in 1979 and based in the United States, is a supplier of industrial tools, equipment, and safety products. Catering to industries including Manufacturing, Construction, and Maintenance, the company offers a comprehensive range of products, including hand tools, power tools, safety gear, and industrial supplies. These items are useful to enhance workplace safety, efficiency, and productivity across various industrial sectors. The company works with customers seeking tools, equipment, and safety products for specific industrial needs.
Travers Tool Co. Inc. is a supplier of tools for all things metalworking since 1924. The company is headquartered in New York, United States, with distribution centers in South Carolina and California. Travers Tool is the one-stop source for various metal working tools including End Mills, Drills, Safety Equipment, and Tool Wraps. At Travers, they offer tools customized to individual applications, materials, and budgets. The company also offers product selection and expert application support.
HigherPrecision.com, LLC is a supplier of precision measurement instruments and tools. Founded in 2010, the company is headquartered in Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA. The company's product range includes metrology equipment, inspection tools, and testing equipment. Its main services include online sales, technical support, and calibration services. Its measurement instruments and tools such as calipers, micrometers, and gauges serves industries such as manufacturing, engineering, and research, providing precision measurement solutions to enhance accuracy and efficiency. It also offers multiple customization options to meet the specific needs of its customers.
Metric & Multistandard Components Corp., founded in 1963 and headquartered in New York City, operates as a distributor of metric fasteners and industrial components. Its specializations are in producing an array of cutting tools, wrenches, and hand tools, serving purposes from precision cuts to tightening tasks. Offerings include threaded fasteners like bolts, nuts, and screws, essential for industries ranging from construction to manufacturing. Moreover, its inventory extends to industrial hardware such as bearings and gears, and the company holds an ISO 9001:2015 certificate.
Shinwa Rules Co. was founded in Niigata, Japan, in 1971. Shinwa Rules Co. develops a variety of measuring products including calipers, thermometers, hygrometers, laser optical apparatuses, and sheet heating elements. Above these, Shinwa develops metallic rulers and squares. Additionally, Shinwa operates as an OEM supplier for special calibrations and machine tools, special surface fabrication, and etching on metallic parts.
DGI Supply, established in 1927 and headquartered in North Little Rock, United States of America, is a supplier of industrial distribution solutions to the marketplace. The company provides abrasive brushes, saw blades, hand tool kits, and metalworking machinery. It also offers cutting and forming power tools, pneumatic actuators, hose and tube fittings, packing slip pouches and pockets, and HVAC maintenance tools and accessories. The products are mainly used by factories and manufacturers for engineering purposes. It has 38 supply centers across North America, including 8 regional warehouses strategically located across Canada.
MSI-Viking Gage, LLC was founded over 50 years ago and is headquartered in Duncan, South Carolina. MSI-Viking provides manufacturing support to the automotive, aerospace, metals, plastics, medical, energy, food & beverage, and machining industries. MSI-Viking product offerings include 3D scanning systems, 3D additive manufacturing, air gages, bore & hole gages, calipers, CMMs, computed tomography, data collection, depth gages, fixture systems, indicators, laboratory equipment, vision systems, and thread gages among others. Services include calibration, metrology, repair, embedded services, training, and metrology pre-op services.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Fowler High Precision |
28.6%
|
2 | HigherPrecision.com, LLC |
21.4%
|
3 | Shars Tool |
14.3%
|
4 | Starrett |
14.3%
|
5 | DGI Supply |
7.1%
|
6 | Action Industrial Supply Co. |
7.1%
|
7 | Travers Tool Co. Inc. |
7.1%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the indicating micrometer page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 7 | 87.5% |
Japan | 1 | 12.5% |