Hello, mechatronics enthusiasts!

Welcome to this new post on our Sinadrives’ blog.

March 2025

In the world of high-precision metrology, choosing the right measuring instrument is crucial to ensuring accurate and reliable results. Two widely used tools for measuring dimensions and tolerances are the laser interferometer and the micrometer. While the micrometer has been a standard tool in the industry for decades, the laser interferometer offers significant advantages in terms of precision, resolution, and measurement capabilities. Below are the main reasons why a laser interferometer is superior to the micrometer in various applications.

Laser interferometers can measure with precision in the nanometer range, while micrometers typically offer precision within a few microns (1-2 µm in the best cases). This difference is due to the nature of interferometric measurement, which relies on the wavelength of light rather than mechanical contact.

The micrometer requires physical contact with the part being measured, which can cause deformations in delicate materials or wear on the instrument itself. In contrast, the laser interferometer performs non-contact measurements, eliminating any errors caused by measuring pressure and ensuring greater repeatability in the results.

The micrometer is limited to measuring specific dimensions such as outer and inner diameters, thicknesses, and depths. However, a laser interferometer can measure surfaces with complex geometries, surface roughness, and three-dimensional profiles in great detail, making it ideal for advanced applications in optics, microelectronics, and precision manufacturing.

While measuring with a micrometer requires manual adjustment and visual or digital reading, a laser interferometer allows for instantaneous and real-time measurements. This improves efficiency in industrial environments where a high volume of measurements is required without compromising precision.

The use of a micrometer depends on the operator’s skill to make consistent measurements. Factors such as applied pressure, parallax when reading the scale, and instrument alignment can affect the results. With a laser interferometer, these errors are significantly reduced, as the measurement is completely automatic and digitalized.

While a micrometer is restricted to specific measurement ranges (e.g., 0-25 mm, 25-50 mm, etc.), a laser interferometer can measure much larger lengths without loss of precision. This makes it ideal for calibration of measurement standards, quality control in large parts, and deformation studies.

The laser interferometer can be easily integrated into automated quality control systems and smart manufacturing processes. With the ability to record and analyze data in real-time, it facilitates the implementation of continuous improvement strategies and process optimization in the industry.

Although the micrometer remains a useful tool for basic measurements in workshops and laboratories, the laser interferometer offers incomparable advantages in terms of precision, speed, versatility, and automation. For applications requiring high accuracy and repeatability, the laser interferometer is undoubtedly the best choice.

P.S. Thanks to the acquisition of the laser interferometer, we can provide our customers with a high-precision product, certified by a calibrated system, which guarantees that the entire measurement process is always carried out following a high quality standard.