Sizing up the Digital Optical Comparator
A digital optical comparator uses a CAD file instead of a template or overlay film. More importantly, the digital comparator not only measures dimensions, but it also actively compares the measurements with nominal values, thus making it truly a gage for accepting or rejecting a part.
The VisionGauge can be configured either horizontally or vertically, as dictated by fixturing and mounting considerations.
Bidirectional tolerances at various control points can be specified by the user. The system automatically computes and displays the part’s deviation from nominal at every control point. This display includes a pass/fail result at every control point as well as for the entire part.
The Auto-Align feature finds the best match between the CAD data and the part image without operator intervention. This feature speeds inspection and makes it more effective.
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By magnifying the image of a workpiece and projecting that image against a template that magnifies a profile of the part’s design, the traditional optical comparator magnifies the ability of the human eye to detect critical deviations. Mismatches between the projected workpiece image and the template make these deviations more obvious, enabling the user to judge whether the workpiece is acceptable.
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