A typical optical comparator illuminates from below and projects the shadow of the measuring object placed on the stage through a projection lens onto a projection screen. These reasons are why it is also known as a profile projector or shadowgraph.

An optical comparator, or shadowgraph, is a conventional tool used to measure dimensions off of a part’s silhouette. It uses lights and mirrors to cast the shadow of a part onto a grid that is then used to take measurements.

Symmetry, which regulates the symmetry against the datum, is measured using a caliper, micrometer, or a coordinate measuring machine. This page explains the advantages and disadvantages of using these instruments.

“Learning GD&T From Scratch,” provided by KEYENCE, walks you through the basics of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, datums, and measurements by coordinate measuring machines. It also introduces techniques for visitors who want to learn more.

This page introduces the instruments and machines suitable for the measurement of geometrical characteristics. “Learning GD&T From Scratch,” provided by KEYENCE, walks you through the basics of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, datums, and measurements by coordinate measuring machines.

Examples of optical measuring instruments are microscopes, machine vision systems, and optical comparators. They use various light sources to project on a part and create a silhouette or illuminate a part surface in order to detect and measure an object.

3D scanning technologies and machine vision have also gained prominence in recent years. These systems create digital models of parts, which are perfect for inspecting parts with intricate designs and very tight tolerances that simply can’t be measured with traditional measuring techniques—at least not with the same level of precision.

Our machine vision systems ensure the correct selection of chocolate flavors in packaging by inspecting features like size and color and verifying the presence of the right number of flavors in each package.

CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine) 3D Scanner; Optical Profilometers; Controls. Back; Controls; PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) Micro PLC / Small PLC; HMI; Servo Motors / Servo Systems; Other Controls; Marking / Coding. Back; Marking / Coding; Laser Marking Systems / Laser Markers; UV Laser Coder; Continuous Inkjet Printers; Barcode Readers.

CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine) 3D Scanner; Optical Profilometers; Controls. Back; Controls; PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) Micro PLC / Small PLC; HMI; Servo Motors / Servo Systems; Other Controls; Marking / Coding. Back; Marking / Coding; Laser Marking Systems / Laser Markers; UV Laser Coder; Continuous Inkjet Printers; Barcode Readers.