Why you should really consider Digital Calipers an essential tool for your CO2 Laser.
Point blank, calipers take the guesswork out of measurements.
For anyone that has any experience with a CO2 laser, CNC machining or woodwork, you know that more often than not precision is the key. Even tiny errors can cause big mistakes. A good example of that is just misjudging the thickness of a material like Acrylic. If you didn’t realize the piece you have is thicker than normal you may not cut through it and you stock may be ruined.
Digital calipers are a precision measuring tool that can help you get the most out of your CO2 laser. They’re easy to use and provide accurate measurements, making them a valuable asset for any laser user.
Here are a few benefits of using digital calipers.
- Accuracy: Digital calipers are very accurate, typically with a resolution of 0.001 inches or 0.01 millimeters. This means that you can be confident that your measurements are precise, even when working with small parts.
- Speed: Digital calipers are also very fast to use. You can simply place the jaws on the part and read the measurement on the display. This makes them ideal for measuring multiple parts or making quick adjustments to the laser settings.
- Versatility: Digital calipers can be used to measure a wide variety of parts, including those with complex shapes. They can also be used to measure inside and outside dimensions, as well as depth.
- Portability: Digital calipers are small and lightweight, making them easy to transport. This means that you can take them with you to job sites or workshops, so you can always have them on hand when you need them.
What you should know about calipers to get the most out of tool.
The measuring surfaces of a caliper are called jaws. The jaws are the two parts of the caliper that come together to measure the object. The jaws are typically made of hardened steel and are precision ground to ensure accuracy.
There are two types of jaws on a caliper: outside jaws and inside jaws. The outside jaws are used to measure the outside dimensions of an object, such as the diameter of a circle or the width of a plate. The inside jaws are used to measure the inside dimensions of an object, such as the diameter of a hole or the distance between two surfaces.
In addition to the jaws, there are other measuring surfaces on a caliper, such as the depth rod and the ruler. The depth rod is used to measure the depth of a hole or the thickness of a material. The ruler is used to measure the length of an object.
The measuring surfaces of a caliper are essential for accurate measurements. They must be clean and free of debris in order to ensure accurate readings. The jaws should also be properly aligned to ensure that the measurements are accurate.
How to use Digital Calipers.
- Turn on the digital caliper and zero it. To do this, bring the jaws together until they touch and press the zero button.
- Measure the material. To measure the thickness of a material, place the jaws of the caliper on the material and read the measurement on the display. To measure the width or length of a material, place the jaws on the material and slide them along the surface until they touch the end points.
- Make adjustments to the laser settings. Once you have the dimensions of the material, you can make adjustments to the laser settings to ensure that the laser is cutting or engraving to the correct specifications. For example, if you are cutting a piece of wood, you will need to set the laser power and speed based on the thickness of the wood.
- Cut, engrave, or mark the material. Once you have made the necessary adjustments to the laser settings, you can start cutting, engraving, or marking the material.
Ok, I hear you. What are you selling?
Nothing!
At least at the moment. I believe that my word is all I have and good recommendations need to be verified. I verify these tools by using them and testing the heck out of them.
Currently I use the Kynup, which you can buy through this Amazon link on in my shop.
BUT!!! Hill Country CNC & Woodworking (me) won’t make a dime. I do not have an affiliate link on this particular product.
I have one other brand I am testing and when I decide which is better, that will be the one I link to. The link above is just a standard link, no affiliate info. With that said. The Kynup is a really good tool. Over the years I have used several, and use the Woodcraft brand in the shop I work for intermittently.
The Kynup is WAY better that the Woodcraft brand caliper. The accuracy is probably about the same (measuring a ten thousandth is hard to tell which is better, but the construction is significantly better. My only knock so far is that it is not USA made, and the one I am testing is.
Either way it is a great tool. I strongly encourage you to buy this, or another digital caliper. I promise it will make you a better laser operator.
I hope my thoughts on digital calipers help you, don't forget to check out the rest of my blog!
You may be interested in these articles, Choosing the best desktop CO2 Laser or What is a CO2 Engraving Laser?
Make sure to check out the rest of my website and blog! My store has many of the common items I personally use and the WHY behind it.
Have a great one!
Royce
Hill Country CNC & Woodworking is an affiliate marketing business, but it is one with ethics and morals. We only promote the items that we use in our daily business. Let’s help each other! I will give you my experience (and discounts sometimes) and you can help me grow.
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