Measuring Instruments

Measuring instruments

Measuring instruments are used daily to measure surface distances such as length, width and thickness. Measuring is a need that we find both in the do-it-yourself sector and in the construction, industrial and handicraft sectors (carpenters, stonemasons, window fitters and much more). The first to realise the importance and necessity of a unit of measurement were the ancient Egyptians who adopted the Cubit. In the 17th century in France, the Foot was adopted as a reference measurement based on the length of King Louis XIV's foot. After the French Revolution, thanks to Napoleon Bonaparte, the metre as a unit of measurement (a term derived from the Greek word 'Métron', meaning measure) was adopted almost everywhere in the world. The metre is made with a graduated scale that starts from the millimetre, then centimetre, decimetre up to one metre and more. The metre is based on the metric system and the internationally recognised symbol is 'm'. In order to make the metric system reliable and scientific, a laboratory was created for the verification and calibration of the metre called BIPM (Bureau international des poids e measures) where an engraved platinum-iridium bar is kept to serve as a reference for those in charge of verification and control in order to issue the EEC certificate of precision.
From the metre, different types of measuring instruments have developed according to requirements and work applications. Measuring instruments list:

• Metric ruler: rigid or semi-flexible rod mainly used in drawing technical drawing.
• Tailor's tape measure: flexible cloth tape also useful for measuring circumferences.
• Metric rod: bar generally made of rigid or semi-flexible stainless steel graduated on both sides in millimetres, varying in length from 50 cm. 1 metre or 2 metres.
• Folding metre: with 5 rods of 20 cm. connected with hinges to be folded during transport made of wooden metre, fibreglass metre, aluminium metre.
• White Fibreglass Double Meter made with 10 printed or engraved rods, Aluminium Folding Double Meter, Wooden Double Meter and Longlife Fibreglass Double Meter.
• Flexometer Milwakee Autolock mt.5 series: a very popular measuring instrument because it is space-saving and useful for measuring even long distances. The flexometer is a flexible steel tape graduated on both sides and rolled up in a metal or plastic case. It is space-saving and, once unrolled, can hold a good stiffness.
• Laser metre, the digital laser metre has also made it easier to measure large lengths from 0 to 250 metres, and can be used in various environments, indoors outdoors and in adverse weather conditions or in dusty environments.