The Mitutoyo 500-172-20 ABSOLUTE 500 series digital caliper measures from 0 to 8” or 0 to 200 mm with +/-0.001” or +/- 0.025 mm accuracy and is one of Mitutoyo’s MyCal Digimatic digital calipers. It gives an absolute reading from zero rather than the last at-rest position. It is made of durable hardened stainless steel and uses Mitutoyo’s ABSOLUTE linear encoder technology, which allows you to “set and forget” the origin and measure in awkward or difficult locations.

This digital caliper has .295”/7.4-mm LCD characters and easy-to-reach function control buttons, such as Inch/Metric to convert from inch to metric measurements, Origin to set and retain the original measuring point, On/Off to automatically shut off the caliper after 30 minutes, and Zero/ABS (Absolute Scale) to zero-set the LCD display.

Although identical to dial and vernier calipers in its ability to make precise measurements, the digital caliper also has the LCD, which clearly shows values and increases reading reliability over the other types. The 500-172-20’s LCD also reflects all ABSOLUTE system activities. The Absolute Scale (ABS) function tracks the origin point you set—even after shutoff. With the caliper on again, you can immediately start measuring, without zero resetting or worrying about overspeed errors. You can "zero out" the LCD before making and comparing incremental measurements without having to subtract the first measurement from the second.

The 500-172-20 has the ABSOLUTE electrostatic capacitance linear encoder. It weighs approximately 1.24 lb (562.45 g) and measures outer diameter (OD), inner diameter (ID), depth, and step, where the butt end of the fixed jaw measures one end of a work piece before its upper/lower or inner/outer "steps" are measured. Outside Jaw Depth is 1.97”/50.03 mm, Inside Jaw Depth is .79”/21 mm, Upper Jaw Length is 1.97”/50.03 mm, and Lower Jaw Length is 1.97”/50.03 mm. Range is 0 to 8"/0 to 200 mm, LCD Resolution is 0.0005"/0.01 mm, Repeatability is 0.0005"/0.01 mm, and Accuracy is rated + or - 0.001"/0.02 mm. Also included are origin-setting, zero-setting, inch-to-metric conversion, and on/off automatic shutoff function buttons. A Digital LCD Data Reading Hold function is available with the optional Data Hold Unit (959143), sold separately. An alarm alerts the user to low voltage and scale contamination and counting value composition errors. A rolling thumb wheel makes fine adjustments and a thumb screw locks the scale’s position. Response speed is unlimited. The caliper has SPC (Statistical Process Control) Data Output capability for manufacturing quality control. It outputs data using a serial data interface to a computer or other dedicated recording device using SPC cable with Data Switch (959149 or 959150, depending on cable length required; sold separately) or the Mitutoyo U-Wave Wireless Gage Interface (U-WAVE-T, 02AZD730C; sold separately). It draws 1/4 the battery power when switched on and about 1/8 the battery power when switched off compared to other digital calipers. The SR44 silver oxide cell battery (938882) lasts for approximately 3.5 years of continuous normal use and is recommended to maintain constant voltage levels.

Calipers measure the distance between two opposing sides of an object. They make inside, outside, depth, or step measurements, according to their type. Calipers are commonly used in architecture, metalworking, mechanical engineering, machining, manufacturing, carpentry, and medicine. The simplest calipers have two legs to mark the two points and require a ruler to take the measurement. More complex calipers use two sets of jaws instead of legs and have up to two graduated scales. Vernier, dial, and digital calipers all give direct and accurate readings and are functionally identical, having a calibrated scale with a fixed jaw and another jaw with a movable pointer that slides along the scale. The vernier caliper has a scale sliding parallel to the main scale for an additional, fractional reading to improve measurement precision. The dial caliper has a circular dial with a pointer on a toothed gear rack replacing the second vernier scale. As with the vernier, this second measurement is added to the reading from the main scale to obtain the result. The dial caliper is used also for measuring size differential between two objects. The digital caliper takes the same sort of differential measurements as the dial caliper by zeroing the display at any point along the slide, with an LCD (replacing the dial) that displays a single, easily read value in both English and metric units. Some digital calipers can hold data readings between measurements and send them to data collection devices.

Founded in Tokyo in 1934, Mitutoyo is a leader in the metrology field, producing high-quality measurement products, including mechanical, dimensional gauging products, focusing on micrometers, calipers, indicators, and other measurement tools, as well as output gauges, interfaces, data collectors, and analysis software. Mitutoyo formed Mitutoyo America Corporation in 1963, which is headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, with additional locations in the U.S. and Canada.

The Mitutoyo 500-172-20 comes with one SR44 silver oxide cell battery and a fitted, plastic case.

Hardened stainless steel construction, for protection of caliper and ABSOLUTE linear encoder technology components

Four-way measurement capability, for multiple applications: outer diameter (OD), inner diameter (ID), depth, and step

Measures from 0" to 8" or 0 to 200 mm with +/-0.001" or +/-0.025 mm accuracy

Position memory, for retaining measurements

Function control buttons on the face, for ease of use: Inch/Metric, Origin, On/Off, and Zero/ABS (Absolute Scale)