What Is a Spline Micrometer?
A spline micrometer is one of the types of micrometers used for precise measurement of outside diameters. It is a special micrometer used mainly for measuring the width of grooves and the groove diameter of “spline shafts” with power transmission gears on the outside of the shaft.
The measuring surface is thinner than that of a normal micrometer, and is designed so that the groove comes to this narrower measuring surface and does not interfere with the outside of the thicker groove. There is also a “point micrometer” with a similar shape, characterized by an acute triangular measuring face.
Uses of Spline Micrometers
In addition to measuring the groove of a spline shaft, it is used to measure various grooves. When measuring, use a ratchet stop and constant pressure in the same way as with a normal micrometer.
It is similar in use to the point micrometer mentioned above, but this one has a sharp measuring surface and can take pinpoint measurements, so it is mainly used to measure the “web thickness” of drill tips. Both of these micrometers have a thin tip and should be handled with care.
Principle of Spline Micrometers
In addition to the special micrometers mentioned above, there are many other types of special micrometers. There is the “blade micrometer,” whose measuring element is shaped like a thin blade, the “thread micrometer,” which measures the effective diameter of a screw, and the “V-groove micrometer,” one of whose measuring elements is shaped like the letter “V” and the other sharply pointed, all of which can be used for special purposes. All of them can be used for special applications.
A blade micrometer can measure extremely fine groove widths that cannot be measured with other types, but care must be taken because the measuring element is thin and easily broken.
The thread micro is used to measure the effective diameter that determines the specifications of a screw and is shaped to fit the screw threads. Some measuring elements are interchangeable and can be used for both coarse and fine threads.
V-groove micros are used to measure reamers and taps that have an odd number of grooves, such as three or five, and are difficult to measure with ordinary outside diameter measuring instruments because they cannot be clamped.
However, one common disadvantage is that they are used in a limited number of situations, and it is quite costly to have them all.