What electronic height gage to buy? (micro-hite, fowler mestra, etc)

Z

z28tt

#1
We're an aerospace shop looking to speed measurements (compared to a tenths indicator and 12" digi-check), and considering purchasing an electronic height gage. The Brown and Sharpe rep gave us a demo on the Tesa Micro-hite 600, and it seems like it would be usefull enough that every area in our shop will want one!

The accuracy tolerance, according to the B&S catalog is 1.6 tenths (or 4 microns). I've looked through the Starrett catalog, but ruled it out, as the accuracy is 3 tenths (too much). Mitutoyo has the 600D, with .7 tenths for $6500 on sale in some flyer this month, and Fowler has the Vectra and Mestra 600's, which have 1.6 and 1.1 tenths permissible errors respectively. I like that they all have USB, which the Tesa does not. Other than that, seems like they have similar capabilities.

Any of you guys have a preference? I know the Micro-hite seems to be more common, but we don't have a legacy tied to it. How is the reliability for these tools? Seems robust enough with the (I'm guessing) glass scales internally.

Any common wear points?

How about using them efficiently for measurement routines, and entering data into a spreadsheet for process tracking?

Any difficulties using disc/finger probes to measure internal groove dia and widths?

We've got a manual CMM with QC5000 software that gets used, but I'm hoping this would be even faster, especially for the shop (not QC) guys.

Sorry for all the questions, but I figured I'd get unbiased feedback here compared to the sales rep! :) Thanks!
 
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Coury Ferguson

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#2
We're an aerospace shop looking to speed measurements (compared to a tenths indicator and 12" digi-check), and considering purchasing an electronic height gage. The Brown and Sharpe rep gave us a demo on the Tesa Micro-hite 600, and it seems like it would be usefull enough that every area in our shop will want one!

The accuracy tolerance, according to the B&S catalog is 1.6 tenths (or 4 microns). I've looked through the Starrett catalog, but ruled it out, as the accuracy is 3 tenths (too much). Mitutoyo has the 600D, with .7 tenths for $6500 on sale in some flyer this month, and Fowler has the Vectra and Mestra 600's, which have 1.6 and 1.1 tenths permissible errors respectively. I like that they all have USB, which the Tesa does not. Other than that, seems like they have similar capabilities.

Any of you guys have a preference? I know the Micro-hite seems to be more common, but we don't have a legacy tied to it. How is the reliability for these tools? Seems robust enough with the (I'm guessing) glass scales internally.

Any common wear points?

How about using them efficiently for measurement routines, and entering data into a spreadsheet for process tracking?

Any difficulties using disc/finger probes to measure internal groove dia and widths?

We've got a manual CMM with QC5000 software that gets used, but I'm hoping this would be even faster, especially for the shop (not QC) guys.

Sorry for all the questions, but I figured I'd get unbiased feedback here compared to the sales rep! :) Thanks!
I prefer Mitutoyo or Starrett for all of our gages. Mainly Starrett is the one I like.

I can't help you on the others that you mentioned. I have never used them.
 
R
#3
The Micro-Hite is most favored here for:
1) Ease of use
2) Accuracy
3) Repeatability

We Have been looking at others in the last year but have not found anything better. The new models fare better than our current ones in a GR&R.

I would go with a solid probe, stay away from the threaded ones!:agree1:
 

CarolX

Super Moderator
Super Moderator
#4
I have a B&S, a Starrett and a Mitutoyo - and I think it is all about personal preference....I prefer the B&S (Ihave used this one more often than the others) and my inspectors prefer the Starrett (this is the one they use the most). If I were to ask the shop guys - I bet they would say the Mitutoyo - that is the brand in the shop.
 

Jerry Eldred

Forum Moderator
Super Moderator
#5
I was going to reply to mention Mitutoyo, but it has already been mentioned. I have no conflict of interest about them, and am not a dimensional expert. But I would affirm that Mitutoyo seems to be the best for many dimensional instruments.
 
B

brobinson

#6
I've used Brown and Sharpe extensively, but recently started using a Mahr Federal. We have several B&S Micro-Hite's but only 2 are in working condition. I'd recommend the Mahr, due to its on-board memory. It has the ability to check a lot of points(at least 25) and get the difference from say point 13 and point 7, by selecting it on the control panel. The B&S that I have used are older so the newer ones may be similiar to the Mahr. I can not comment on the other brands Mitutoyo, Starrett, Fowler(Trimos).

I know that some repairs for our B&S have required them to be shipped to Switzerland!!

I'd ask that a Mahr Height gage be demo'd as well. Depends on your location, but the Mahr guy calls in at least 2x a month to see how we're doing.

Have you looked at the AACMM's? (Articulating Arm CMM) We have 1 Faro-Gage, 2 Gage Plus a Faro Platinum Arm (8ft) and a Laser Tracker. These are ideal for easy programming, quick measuring, and data transfer. Very,very useful.
 
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