Optical comparators have been in use for the last 50 years in all sorts of industries and manufacturing processes. Optical comparators work by magnifying and projecting a part on a screen which allows for comparison against set limits. Optical comparators are used to measure length, width, angles and other dimensions of a manufactured part. The machines can be found in most machining shops as well as many quality control departments within manufacturing plants.
As technology has changed, so too have optical comparators. From the rudimentary machines that were in use decades ago, modern optical comparators come with a host of modern features including touchscreens that make it easier for quality control workers to use the machines. Unfortunately, these have also created a new set of problems for machinists as touchscreens require care to continue working well. Here are some common reasons why horizontal optical comparator’s touchscreens malfunction and what you can do about them.
Dirt and Grease
The biggest enemies of horizontal optical comparator touchscreens are dust and grease. Unfortunately, these two elements are likely to be in abundance in a typical workshop or machining shop. Grease and dust mess up the touchscreen. Remember that dust is actually made up of fine solid particles and these can lead to your screen being scratched and thus becoming less sensitive to touch. Dust and grease can also cause the excessive heating which in turn can damage the internal functions of your touchscreen. For this reason, always ensure that the touchscreen is kept clean. The recommended way to do this is to use a microfiber cloth which can clean the screen without causing scratches. You might also want to buy a touchscreen protector to keep the sensitive glass shielded from dust and grease.
Loss of Calibration
Touchscreens work by being able to sense the exact point at which the screen is touched and thus executing a command. This ability is known as calibration and may gradually be lost over time. When this happens, your horizontal optical comparator will be unable to execute commands through its touchscreen. It is important to keep the optical comparator’s touchscreen calibrated in order for it to detect and execute commands correctly and quickly.
Obsolete Software
Your optical comparator might require updates to its software in order to keep it working in optimal condition. When these are not done, it can lead to a situation where the touchscreen is no longer able to recognize commands. Always keep the optical comparator updated to ensure that the touchscreen works in optimal condition.
Internal Malfunctions
Sometimes even with the best of use, machines can still breakdown. Touchscreen malfunctions can be caused by electrical faults, blown fuses, and many other similar faults. These are hard to prevent although regular maintenance of the horizontal optical comparator and using only recommended spare parts can reduce the occurrence of these faults. If this kind of fault happens often despite using recommended parts, consider having the electrical system of the building checked in case a faulty wire that’s probably causing electrical surges.