What is an Optical Comparator?
An Optical Comparator is a non-contact method of measuring parts. Optical comparators use light to illuminate the part with lens to magnify those images of the part to a screen. Optical comparators are used for basic measurements along with the ability to see scratches, indentations and other surface defects. Optical comparators have been around for 50 plus years. Options for Optical Comparators can vary greatly in the basic versions all the way to ones with edge detect and computer aided inspection.