What Is an Optical Comparator?
An optical comparator is a device which magnifies and projects an image of an object placed on its stage onto a screen so that the part may be compared and measured against a set of known data. These machines are used to compare parts at various stages of production to ensure conformity to standards and may also be used to establish degrees of wear and tear in working parts. This measurement is achieved by placing the part in question on a glass staging table under powerful lighting. A complex arrangement of lenses then magnifies and transfers the image onto a viewing screen. This image may then be compared with a reference grid or template of the part attached to the screen.
