Would a shadowgraph work for this?

[squale]

I often reverse engineer parts for my business and I draw my parts in Solidworks and then give the solidworks part files or drawings to machinists to make. Often times it's hard to measure some of the angle, radius, etc. on some parts and was wondering if a Shadowgraph would be the right choice to help me with this.

If so, what are some good shadowgraph manufacters and does anybody know what I should expect to pay for one?

Thanks

[Yossi]

Yes .
You have to remember that a shadowgraph will show you omly 2d.
Some of the new ones are amazing they actualy guess what you want to measure and put dimensions on your screen

[Jim Estes]

If you do a lot of reverse engineering of 3D parts, you should really look into laser scanning. If you compare prices you would probably disagree, but if you take into account the time savings and cost of your time, they really are competitive.

Just a thought.

Jim

[squale]

here are some of the parts I measure..

http://www.thewholepkg.com/index.asp...ge=ChangeParts

what do you think I would need for these?

[CarbideBob]

A shadowgraph (optical comparator ) is exactly what you need.
New prices start at about 8K for a decent Mitutoyo 14 incher.
You can pick up a good used J&L or ST for 2 to 5K.
Optic alignment is crucial for round pats so if you get a used one you may need to have someone calibrate the optics for you.
Get a digital readout if you can afford it.
How the heck do your machinist check these without a comparator?
Bob

[squale]

he has a small comparator of his own but he just uses calipers, etc. to measure the items then he programs his cnc machine and cuts them..
only for weird angles and stuff he uses his small little comparator..

[CarbideBob]

There is a small fiberglass body 12 incher sold under the Fowler name for about 2K.
I've had one for about 25 years now (it was my first comparator). It only comes with a 10X lens standard but the do sell 20X lens for another 200 bucks. Check out the J&L website.
Works ok for checking angles and dims to a couple of thou. but I wouldn't recommend it for serious production work.
If you look at used equipment the most important part is the condition of the mirror. The front surface mirrors used in good comparators are very expensive to replace.
BTW, never clean one of these mirrors with paper towel and glass cleaner cause you'll ruin it. A lesson that has cost me several thousand dollars.
Bob

[squale]

what's the other way of checking angles for reverse engineering? using a combination square? or do I NEED a comparator?

[turmite]

squale are you reverse engineering or doing accuracy verification? If reverse engineering, it seems to me the quickest way to get those would be to model them. None of them look complicated and most could be done with revolves.

Mike

[squale]

I am reverse engineering and drawing models in Solidworks. Currently I have just been using standard measuring tools like calipers, height guages, etc. Just wondering how I could speed up the process and some of the angles I measure are a little tricky with small parts.

[Kiwi]

I use a NextEngine scanner to scan the part and then draw the part in SW using the scanned surface as a guide. This works well for my work.

[squale]

how much is the nextengine scanner?