Travelling Microscope - Invar Scale For Precision Measurement | High Accuracy For Short Distance Measurements Ideal For Laboratory Use

A Travelling microscope is an instrument for measuring length with a resolution typically in the order of 0.01mm. The precision is such that better-quality instruments have measuring scales made from Invar to avoid misreadings due to thermal effects. The instrument comprises a microscope mounted on two rails fixed to or part of a very rigid bed. The position of the microscope can be varied coarsely by sliding along the rails or finely by turning a screw. The eyepiece is fitted with fine cross-hairs to fix a precise position which is then read off the vernier scale.The purpose of the microscope is to aim at reference marks with much higher accuracy than is possible using the naked eye. It is used in laboratories to measure the refractive index of liquids using the geometrical concepts of ray optics. It is also used to measure very short distances precisely for example the diameter of a capillary tube. This mechanical instrument has now largely been superseded by electronic- and optically-based measuring devices that are both very much more accurate and considerably cheaper to produce.