Vernier Calipers

thingiverse

These vernier calipers can be printed using a Prusa MK3S MMU2S in 3 colors or in single-color mode on any 0.4mm nozzle printer using filament changes. Separately, drop all the STL files for the component you wish to print into Prusa Slicer at once in MMU2S mode and choose them to be a single multicolored object. Then, if you do not have an MMU2S, after they position themselves on the virtual build plate, change the printer settings to whatever printer you are using. The ruler and pin can be printed together so that only 2 color changes are needed at layers 4 and 8. For the ruler, the first layer and every other layer must all be 0.2mm in height. The first three layers will form the face of the ruler with measurement markings in 1mm increments up to 12cm, and can be any color you choose. The next four layers should be white or a very light color that contrasts well with the color underneath. If the color underneath tends to show through, then white or a very light color will be best. An example of a poor choice of colors would be an orange face with black as the next color and the black showing through the orange. After the four white layers, use very low fan speed so that the infill does not curl up if disconnected from the perimeter walls. You could simply print the entire tool in single color but it will be harder to see the measurement markings. For single color, just use the files called Gauge.stl, Pin.stl, and Ruler.stl. The pin prints with the ruler and is inserted into the hole in the ruler after you slide the gauge on. The gauge prints separately unless you don't mind having extra filament changes during the lower layers. Print the measurement gauge standing and make the lower section a color that contrasts with the ruler face. The rest can be transparent to show the measurement markings underneath. The gauge should slide shut with some friction so it does not slip by itself, there is a 0.1mm tolerance gap between each ruler and gauge face in contact. There is also a ball snap to help hold the gauge shut when not measuring even if the 0.1mm tolerance wears out over time and prevents the gauge from sliding by itself. Print on powder-coated spring steel sheet with PETG for a cool texture on the ruler-colored face.