Mechanical Engineering vocabulary · Tolerances and Measurement
Micrometer
Meaning in mechanical engineering, with examples
/maɪˈkrɑːmɪtər/nounCommon term
In mechanical engineering, micrometer means: A precision measuring tool with a calibrated screw that measures small sizes such as diameters and thicknesses, usually to 0.01 mm or 0.001 mm.
In Turkish: mikrometre
How it is used
Used in machine shops and quality labs for tolerances tighter than a caliper can handle. There are outside, inside and depth micrometers. Machinists say they 'mike' a part; the value is read on the sleeve and thimble scales or on a digital display.
Example sentences
Check the bearing seat diameter with a micrometer, not with a caliper.
The micrometer reading was 19.992 mm, which is within the h6 tolerance.
Common collocations
outside micrometer
digital micrometer
micrometer reading
inside micrometer
Related terms
caliperA hand measuring tool with two jaws that measures outside and inside sizes and depths, usually to 0.01 or 0.02 mm. It can be vernier, dial or digital.
dimensionA measurement of size or position on a part, such as a length, width, diameter or the distance between two holes, shown as a number on a drawing.
toleranceThe allowed amount of variation in a dimension or property, for example ±0.05 mm. A part is acceptable if its measured value falls inside this range.
calibrationComparing a measuring instrument with a more accurate reference and adjusting or correcting it when needed, so that its readings can be trusted.
inspectionChecking a part, product or machine against a drawing, specification or standard by looking at it, measuring it or testing it.
