Käfer Precision Dial Gauges and Measuring Instruments

Technical selection and sourcing of Käfer precision dial gauges, digital indicators, Compika comparators, thickness gauges and magnetic stands for quality inspection.

Precision Mechanical Dial Gauges Series M

Käfer mechanical dial gauges series M 2 T, KM 4 and FM provide dependable linear measurements, runout verification and shape inspection. Built with precision gear movements, robust brass gearing and hardened 8h6 mounting stems for industrial manufacturing environments.

Measuring spans from 0-3 mm up to 0-100 mm with scale intervals of 0.01 mm and 0.001 mm.
Mounting stem diameter 8h6 manufactured from stainless steel with corrosion protection.
Adjustable tolerance markers and rotatable outer bezel for zero position adjustment.
Shock-resistant design and IP65 enclosure protection for production floor environments.

Digital Precision Dial Gauges Series MD and FMD

Käfer digital indicators series MD 12T and FMD 25T offer clear digital reading on a high-contrast liquid crystal screen with large digits. The display unit rotates through 270 degrees to provide optimal viewing angles in diverse tool inspection setups.

High-contrast LCD screen with 270-degree rotation capability for flexible equipment mounting.
Selection of measuring direction and reading resolution through front membrane push buttons.
Standard digital data output using ASCII protocols for transmission to recording terminals.
Battery power supply with low energy consumption for continuous measuring operations.

Precision Comparator Gauges Compika

Compika comparator gauges conform to DIN 879-1 standards and serve precision comparison inspection in toolrooms and inspection areas. Movement pivots and pinions run in ruby jewelled bearings to eliminate friction and needle flutter during fine inspection.

Models with 0.001 mm reading resolution and measuring span of plus or minus 50 micrometers.
Jewelled ruby bearings for pinions and shafts eliminate friction and backlash errors.
Fine adjustment screw located beneath a safety cap protects zero position settings.
Additional overtravel movement facilitates insertion of workpieces into measuring fixtures.

Dial Test Indicators Series K and M

Käfer lever dial test indicators series K 30 and M 30 conform to DIN 2270 standards for parallelism, alignment and runout checks on machine tools. The contact lever features automatic direction reversal without requiring manual switchover levers.

Hard-chromed metal body with three dovetail mounting rails for secure clamp attachment.
Tungsten carbide contact ball diameter 2 mm provides wear protection during spindle tests.
Automatic direction reversal keeps pointer rotation clockwise in both measuring directions.
Precision jewelled bearings support the lever shaft to ensure repeatable measuring values.

Dial Thickness Gauges Series J and K

Käfer thickness gauges series J 50, K 50 and JD 100 measure sheets, polymer films, rubber, leather, cardboard and glass. The rigid aluminum frame features throat depths from 15 mm to 650 mm with spring-loaded lifting levers for consistent contact pressure.

Interchangeable contact points type a, b, c, d and e for diverse soft and rigid materials.
Frame throat depths available from 15 mm up to 650 mm for large sheet materials.
Spring-loaded mechanism maintains constant measuring pressure across sample surfaces.
Digital versions provide direct reading of thickness values on an electronic display.

Dial Depth Gauges and Magnetic Stands

Käfer depth gauges series T and TM feature hardened lapped bases with dull chrome finish and collet clamping for measuring gauges. Heavy-duty magnetic holders, articulated stands and measuring tables series P provide rigid support on machined work surfaces.

Precision depth gauge bases with hardened, ground and lapped reference contact surfaces.
Collet clamping mechanism prevents deformation of the indicator stem during installation.
Magnetic stands and articulated holders compatible with standard 8 mm mounting stems.
Modular contact point extension rods with M2.5 threads spanning from 10 mm to 100 mm.

Selection of Measuring Span and Scale Resolution for Käfer Gauges

Selecting an appropriate Käfer measuring indicator depends on the required spindle travel and desired dial resolution.

For everyday shop-floor inspection of shaft runout, parallelism and component alignments on machine tools, mechanical series M 2 T and KM 4 with 10 mm travel and 0.01 mm scale intervals serve as standard tools.

In inspection rooms or during fine grinding operations, models with 0.001 mm resolution and shorter measuring travel of 1 mm or 3 mm prevent mechanical error buildup and ensure high repeatability.

Sturdy brass gearing and hardened stainless steel stems provide long service life under rigorous manufacturing conditions.

Zero Position Setting and Tolerance Limit Setup on Käfer Dials

Proper setup of a Käfer mechanical dial gauge begins with mounting the 8h6 diameter stem into an inspection stand without overtightening clamping screws. The knurled outer bezel rotates smoothly to align zero with the dial pointer when the spindle is preloaded by one-third of its total travel.

A knurled clamp screw locks the bezel securely against vibration from nearby machine tools.

Two adjustable colored tolerance markers slide along the outer rim to indicate upper and lower part limits according to manufacturing drawings, allowing machine operators to evaluate component conformity immediately.

Selecting Interchangeable Contact Points and Extension Rods

Käfer precision dial gauges feature standard steel ball contact points with 1.5 mm radius and metric M2.5 connection threads.

When inspecting soft metals, sheet polymers, rubber or painted surfaces, the standard ball point is exchanged for flat or convex disc points to distribute measuring force and eliminate surface indentation.

For checking grooves, internal bores and recess steps, needle points and knife-edge contacts provide access. For abrasive production conditions, tungsten carbide, synthetic sapphire and ruby ball inserts offer enhanced resistance against continuous mechanical wear.

Mounting Dial Gauges into Magnetic Stands and Comparator Bases

To maintain micrometer accuracy, the measuring instrument must be clamped by its 8h6 mounting stem using split collet fixtures or precision clamping sleeves. Direct radial screw pressure against the stem tube is prohibited since it causes bore deformation and spindle sticking.

Heavy magnetic bases mount onto clean, degreased machined surfaces on machine tool beds or granite surface plates.

Rigid articulated arms of series P stands lock through a central mechanical clamping knob, eliminating system deflection and vibration during inspection operations in workshop environments.

Operational Guidelines for High-Precision Compika Comparators

Compika comparator gauges deliver high precision with 0.001 mm reading intervals and a measuring span of plus or minus 50 micrometers according to DIN 879-1 standards. Zero setting is performed using the fine adjustment screw located on top of the instrument housing beneath a protective safety cap.

To protect ruby jewelled bearings and precision pinions when loading heavy workpieces into inspection fixtures, a mechanical lifting cable lifts the measuring spindle above the part. Inspection must be performed at stable ambient temperatures near 20 degrees Celsius to prevent thermal expansion.

Cleaning, Calibration and Maintenance Schedule for Käfer Instruments

Instrument service life and measurement accuracy depend on adherence to regular maintenance procedures.

The measuring spindle and mounting stem should be wiped clean with a dry, lint-free cloth without applying fluid oils or heavy grease, as lubricant attracts airborne grinding dust and chips into precision guides.

Gauges with IP65 enclosure protection can be wiped clean of coolant splash according to factory manuals. Periodic calibration against gauge blocks maintains traceability and verifies measurement reliability across regular manufacturing maintenance intervals.

Käfer and model names are trademarks of their respective owners and are used only to identify the equipment for which we source parts. SpareX is not an official dealer, distributor or representative of Käfer and is not affiliated with the trademark owner. Origin, documents and warranty are stated for each item in the quotation.