Starrett Introduces New Generation Benchtop Horizontal Digital Video Comparators

The L.S. Starrett Co., a global manufacturer of precision measuring tools and gages and metrology systems, has introduced a new generation of its HDV300 and HDV400 benchtop Digital Video Comparators with speed increases and improved illumination, design and convenience enhancements. 

CNC motion on the new HDV systems is faster, enabling more user measurement throughput, according to the company. At 10 mm/second, speed on the Y-axis has tripled and X-axis speed has almost doubled at 45 mm/second, the company reports. In addition, improved LED ring lighting provides a more consistent illumination. 

“Our new generation HDV represents the next step in the evolution of the Horizontal Digital Video measurement systems, dramatically increasing productivity through high-speed electronic comparator measurement,” said Mark Arenal, General Manager of Starrett Kinemetric Engineering. 

The computer and M3 controller in the new systems are located inside the HDV housing, resulting in a design with minimal external wiring and connections. In addition, an optional “clean air kit” keeps airborne dust and contaminants out of the measuring system and control electronics. An all-new workstage design on the latest HDV systems features a 21-in. x 5-in. top plate, 12-in. x 6-in. of travel and a 110-lb. workload capacity, for increased accuracy and productivity. 

Starrett HDV systems are rugged benchtop machines that are ideal in a quality lab or on the shop floor. The housing is built of welded steel like other Starrett optical comparators. Designed for accuracy, linear glass scales provide 0.00002-in. (0.5 µm) of resolution to read stage motion. 

Starrett HDV systems feature MetLogix M3 touchscreen software with the M3 DXF/ FOV option pack. With this software, the HDV can import DXF CAD files over a network and make automatic 2D “go/no-go” comparisons to an engineering design by using video edge detection, with no need for Mylar overlays required with conventional optical comparators. Geometric 2D functions include points, lines, circles, arcs, rectangles, distance, slots, angles and skew. 

With the Starrett HDV, field-of-view (FOV) measurements can encompass an entire small part up to 2.47-in. x 1.85-in., or a feature of a larger part. FOV measurements can be integrated with stage motion to measure larger parts. The HDV is also available with 6:5:1 zoom optics. The telecentric optics and zoom optics are mounted by means of a bayonet fitting and can be easily changed by the user in seconds. 

The main operator interface is via a 24-in. touchscreen video monitor that displays a live video image of the part, in addition to geometry tools and digital readings. The part image can be resized using pan and zoom, and measurements are taken by simply tapping a feature on the screen. An environmentally sealed keyboard and a pointing device are also provided, typically only used to enter file names. 

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.