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How to Use a Micrometer for Measuring

A micrometer measuring tool is a caliper-like device which measures the thickness, length, width and diameter of small objects. While it may be hard to measure the diameter of a spherical object, the measuring rods on a micrometer allow it to clamp down on the object for an accurate reading. Down to the smallest millimeter units, the micrometer is simple to operate and you can obtain a measurement within a matter of seconds.

Instructions

- 1
  Place the object in between the measuring rods of the micrometer.
- 2
  Turn the barrel screw in a clockwise motion to close the rods around the object. To obtain an accurate measurement, do not clamp the rods too tightly around the object. Simply turn the barrel screw until the rods are lightly touching the object.
- 3
  Activate the locking mechanism so the measuring rods are kept in position.
- 4
  Read the measurement value on the micrometer display. Since micrometers are used to measure smaller objects, the units are typically in millimeters. Each time you rotate the barrel screw to clamp down on the object, the millimeter value on the display decreases. Each line represents a half-millimeter, meaning if your micrometer marker is on the sixth line, your object is three millimeters.

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