Introduction and application scenarios of measurement flash tester

The flash measuring instrument (also known as the image flash measuring instrument and one-button measuring instrument) is a rapid dimensional measurement equipment based on optical imaging and image processing technology. It can complete non-contact measurement of plane geometric elements (such as points, lines, circles, angles, distances, etc.) within seconds and is widely used in incoming material inspection and process control in industries such as precision manufacturing, electronic components, medical equipment, auto parts, and 3C products. Compared with traditional projectors or three-dimensional coordinate measuring machines, flash testers have the advantages of easy operation, high efficiency, and low requirements on operator skills. They are especially suitable for rapid full inspection of batch parts.

Mainstream brand recommendations

There are currently many brands of flash testers on the market. The following are several high-quality brands that have been verified by the market, and are compared in terms of accuracy, stability, software functions and after-sales service.

Selection suggestions: If you have a limited budget and are pursuing localization, Qihai Measurement and Tianzhun Technology are cost-effective choices; if you have extremely high requirements for accuracy and automation, the high-end series of Keyence or Hexagon are worth considering.

Key points for manufacturer selection

When choosing a flash tester manufacturer, in addition to paying attention to brand awareness, you also need to evaluate the following factors:

• Measurement accuracy and repeatability: Check the measurement certificate or third-party inspection report provided by the manufacturer to confirm whether the accuracy index meets the product tolerance requirements.
• Software ease of use and upgradeability: Whether the operation interface is friendly and whether it supports customized measurement templates, SPC statistical output and secondary development interfaces.
• After-sales service and response speed: Give priority to manufacturers with local offices or cooperative service providers to ensure quick on-site repairs in case of failure.
• Industry cases and reputation: Understand the actual use experience through users in the same industry, and ask manufacturers to provide application cases of similar products.
• Price and delivery: Comprehensive comparison of quotations, payment methods and delivery times to avoid sacrificing key performance due to low prices.

Summary

Measuring flash testers have gradually become popular from high-end equipment in the past to routine inspection tools for production lines. Among the recommended brands, domestic Qihai Measurement and Tianzhun Technology perform outstandingly in terms of cost performance and localized services, while imported Keyence and Hexagon lead in accuracy and stability. When selecting, enterprises should combine their own measurement needs, budget and after-sales service preferences, and finalize suppliers through on-site sampling tests.

FAQ

What is the working principle of measuring flash tester?

The measuring flash tester quickly takes pictures of the measured object through a high-resolution industrial camera, uses image processing algorithms to extract edge contours, and automatically calculates geometric dimensions. Different from traditional contact measurement, it is non-contact optical measurement and is extremely fast.

What is the measurement accuracy of the flash tester?

Usually the accuracy of a flash tester is between ±(1.0+L/200)μm and ±(2.0+L/300)μm (L is the measurement length, in mm). The specific accuracy depends on the brand and model. High-precision models meet micron-level measurement needs.

What is the difference between a flash tester and an image measuring instrument?

The flash tester is an upgraded form of the image measuring instrument. Its main difference is that the flash tester adopts global exposure + fast image stitching technology, which can complete the measurement of the entire field of view in one shot without moving the stage, and is more efficient; while the traditional image measuring instrument requires point-by-point measurement.

What are the recommended brands of domestic flash testers?

Mainstream domestic brands include SEVEN OCEAN, TZTEK, CHOTEST, etc. These brands have advantages in cost performance, localized services and software customization.

Which imported flash tester brands are worth paying attention to?

Imported brands are represented by KEYENCE and HEXAGON, as well as Sweden's Easson. They generally have higher accuracy and more powerful software, but are also relatively expensive.

How to choose a flash tester that suits you?

It is recommended to make a comprehensive evaluation from several dimensions: measurement accuracy requirements, size and shape of the workpiece to be measured, detection efficiency, budget and after-sales service. It is best to take typical workpieces and let the manufacturer conduct actual proofing tests to verify the measurement repeatability and efficiency.

Does the flash tester need to be calibrated regularly?

Needed. The flash meter is a precision measuring equipment and it is recommended to be calibrated at least once a year by the manufacturer or a qualified measurement institution. Calibration includes accuracy verification, repeatability checks and lens distortion correction.

Can the flash tester measure transparent or reflective workpieces?

Yes. By configuring a ring light source, coaxial light source or polarized light accessory, the flash meter can measure transparent glass, plastic and highly reflective metal surfaces. However, you need to pay attention to the adaptability of the edge detection algorithm to light intensity, and adjust the light source parameters if necessary.

Case

An electronic connector factory uses Qihai Flash 200 to achieve full inspection

The factory needs to inspect about 5,000 micro-connectors every day, and traditional projectors have low measurement efficiency and are prone to fatigue. After the introduction of Nanami Flash 200, the measurement cycle time was shortened from 30 seconds to 3 seconds per piece, and SPC reports were automatically generated, increasing the yield rate by 12%. Operators can work independently after short-term training, and the equipment investment can be recovered within half a year.

An auto parts company uses TZN VMQ series to complete production line upgrades

The company produces brake pad components and requires 100% inspection of 10 critical dimensions. The CAD import function of the TZN VMQ series can directly compare design drawings, and combined with automatic focus and multi-workpiece measurement mode, the single-piece inspection time can be reduced from 2 minutes to 15 seconds, and data traceability can be achieved. The overall inspection cost is reduced by 30%.

Authoritative citation

National Metrology Technical Specifications JJF 1914-2021 "Calibration Specifications for Image Measuring Instruments"

"Made in China 2025" technology roadmap for key areas (precision measuring instruments)

Seven Seas Measurement Technology official website: https://www.sevenocean.com.cn/ (product technical parameter page)