Bowers
What is Bowers?
Bowers is a British manufacturer of measurement technology and part of the Bowers Group, delivering precision measuring instruments to machine shops and manufacturing facilities worldwide. The company is especially known as a developer and manufacturer of internal measuring devices such as 3-point micrometers. Bowers’ solutions are tailored to the needs of the machining industry, where measurement accuracy, repeatability, and reliability are crucial for quality assurance and CNC machining.
Bowers and Measurement Technology in Manufacturing
Bowers’ core expertise lies in internal measurement, specifically the precise measurement of cylindrical holes. The three-point micrometer enables stable and self-centering measurement, which minimizes user-related measurement errors compared to, for example, two-point solutions. Thanks to this, Bowers’ measuring devices are widely used in machining, where after drilling, reaming, or honing, the nominal size and tolerance of the hole must be verified according to the ISO tolerance system.
The development of digital measuring devices has been a significant part of Bowers’ history. The company was an early adopter of digital 3-point micrometers in collaboration with electronics experts, improving the readability of measurement results and data transmission for applications such as SPC tracking and quality control systems. This development supports the modern machine shop, where measurement data is integrated into production management and traceability systems.
Bowers Group and Its Brands
The Bowers Group comprises several brands in measurement technology. The Bowers brand focuses primarily on hole measurement and precision measuring tools. Moore & Wright is a historic measuring tool manufacturer, offering products such as micrometers, calipers, and dial indicators. Baty, in turn, is known for optical measurement systems and profile projectors, which are used for inspecting the contours and surface quality of parts, among other applications.
The group is part of the Spear & Jackson Group, which has a long industrial history in the United Kingdom. Production and assembly for Bowers Group still take place in Britain, and some products are registered with the Made in Britain label. The company exports a large portion of its production to international markets, and its measuring instruments are widely used across various industries, especially in the machining industry.
Bowers History and Development
Bowers’ roots date back to the early 20th century, when the original Bowers Precision Engineers factory was established in Bradford. In the 1970s, Roger Bowers founded Bowers Internal Gauge to develop and market three-point internal micrometers.
In the 1980s, the company expanded and introduced digital measurement devices. In the 2000s, Bowers Metrology Group was established, bringing together several players in the measurement industry. Later, Baty also joined the group, strengthening its position in optical measurement and non-contact measurement technology.
The company’s focus has been on accuracy, affordability, and suitability for modern machining, where measurement is an integral part of the production process rather than a separate final phase.
Bowers in the Machinist’s Toolbox
For the machinist, Bowers measuring devices are essentially tools for ensuring the dimensional accuracy of drilled and machined holes. The three-point micrometer is particularly suited for precise tolerances, where, for example, the upper limit gauge and lower limit gauge are strictly defined.
Summary
Bowers is a British measuring instrument manufacturer and part of the Bowers Group, specializing in precise internal measurement solutions for the machining industry. Its most well-known products are 3-point micrometers and bore gauges, widely used in machining to ensure measurement accuracy and quality control. The group also includes Moore & Wright and Baty, who further complement the offering with handheld measuring tools and optical measurement systems.
