Maker Space 307 Calipers

These are simple 100 mm calipers I designed for a class I am teaching at my local Maker Space (http://www.MakerSpace307.org).

The calipers are made using both 3D printing and laser cutting. These calipers are very inexpensive. The total cost per caliper is less than $1.00. Currently, they are only capable of outside measurements and only have a millimeter scale.

I made the caliper body with Inkscape and the amazing "Scale Generator" extension. http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/index.php/Extension_repository#Scale_Generator

Instructions

Materials Needed:

• 3 mm Acrylic
• PLA Filament
• #6 wood screw

Cut the SVG from the 3mm Acrylic. I used the following settings on our Full Spectrum 45W laser

• Vector Engrave (RED) 100 Speed 10 Power
• Vector Cut (BLACK) 10 Speed 100 Power

3D Print the slide, the settings I used were with 0.3 mm layer height and 15% infill. I designed the file for PLA, so you might have to adjust it if you use another material.

Once you have the main body cut and the slide 3D printed, you will need to take the #6 screw and install it in the smaller hole in the acrylic. If your screw sticks through the material, just use a pair of pliers, cut the screw, and file it, so it is smooth. Alternatively, you could use a machine screw and nut to accomplish the same thing.