What is a measuring magnifier?

The glass of a profile projector, on which the workpiece to be measured is placed, is called a measuring table glass or measuring glass. It is a robust, transparent glass plate specifically designed to support workpieces while enabling precise optical projection and measurement.

Keyence IM-8030T with a workpiece on the measuring table glass plate

Keyence IM-8030T with a workpiece on the measuring table glass plate

Properties of the measuring table glass:

  • Material: High-quality, scratch-resistant, and distortion-free glass to ensure accurate measurements.
  • Transparency: Allows the illumination of the workpiece so that its contours and details can be transferred to the projection surface.
  • Load capacity: The glass is stable and resilient, capable of supporting even heavier workpieces.
  • Flatness: The glass must be absolutely flat to allow measurements without distortions or inaccuracies.

Function:

The workpiece is placed on the measuring table glass and illuminated from below by a light source. The contours of the workpiece are then projected in an enlarged form onto a projection surface or screen, where they can be measured and analyzed.

Why is the protection of the plane table glass important?

The original glass measuring tables, as used in devices from renowned manufacturers like Mitutoyo, Werth,, Keyence, or Nikon, are specially developed to meet the high demands of measurement technology. These glasses are not only manufactured with high precision but are often also equipped with special coatings that ensure optimal light transmission and image quality. Generally, these glasses are also very hard. However, metal workpieces can still scratch and damage these glasses.

A scratched glass plate of a measuring table from a measuring microscope leads to faulty measurements.

A scratched glass plate of a measuring table from a measuring microscope leads to faulty measurements.

Replacing a damaged measuring glass is therefore not only associated with considerable costs (a replacement glass for the Keyence profile projectors costs up to €1500), but can also lead to production downtimes. The profile projector is no longer available as a measuring device. Components, intermediate products, and final products can then no longer be inspected and measured.

Measuring microscope from Keyence with workpieces to be measured. The glass plate is already scratched.

From an ecological perspective, protection is also crucial. The production of high-precision glass requires energy and resources. Every unnecessary renewal burdens the environment and increases the CO₂ footprint. The use of appropriate protection helps to extend the lifespan of glass slides and sustainably conserve resources.

What do damages to the glass plate look like and how can they occur?

The glass plates of profile projectors and measuring microscopes are indeed very hard. If you want to know more about surface hardness, we recommend the Wikipedia article on the topic of hardness.
However, the hard measuring table glasses also get scratched over time. Particularly hard metallic workpieces, which are placed on the glass plates of the measuring microscopes for measurement, cause scratches when placed and removed. Initially, these are only small and shallow micro-scratches. If one is not careful, or if employees from production or metrology drag the hard test piece across the surface to position it under the objective, sharp edges or even burrs of the metal piece can cause deep scratches. And these scratches can distort, interfere with, or make measurements impossible.

scratched glass of a Keyence profile projector

Um die teuren original Gläser der Tische zu schützen, kommt unser Neoxum OnScreen® Hybridglas zum Einsatz.

Neoxum OnScreen Hybrid Glass: Perfect protection without compromise

Protection of the expensive drafting table glass

To effectively protect the sensitive measuring tables of microscopes and profile projectors, the highly transparent and crystal-clear Neoxum OnScreen Hybrid Glass has established itself as the ideal solution. This specially developed protective glass offers exceptionally high resistance to scratches and mechanical impacts without impairing the optical properties of the underlying glass.

glasklares OnScreen Hybridglas

Crystal-clear OnScreen hybrid glass for protecting the glass of profile projectors – individually tailored

Onscreen® hybrid glass protects the measuring table from damage – Optical quality

The 0.3 mm thick hybrid glass from Neoxum, with its extremely scratch-resistant 9H rating, is designed to ensure nearly 100 percent light transmission. This means that the measurement results are not negatively affected in any way. The precision and accuracy of the measurements are fully maintained, which is essential, especially for highly sensitive applications in quality control.

Simple installation of the Neoxum OnScreen® hybrid glass

Another advantage of the Neoxum OnScreen® hybrid glass is its easy application. It can be applied without bubbles and offers long-lasting adhesion without leaving any residue. If a replacement is necessary, the protective glass can be easily removed and replaced. No adhesive residues remain after replacement.

Compatibility with leading devices

The Neoxum OnScreen® hybrid glass is compatible with a variety of digital measuring microscopes and profile projectors. Representative models include, among others:

  • Mitutoyo Quick Scope: A high-precision digital measuring microscope that is widely used in the industry.
  • Keyence IM Series: A series of optical measuring systems known for their speed and accuracy.
  • Nikon V-12B Profile Projector: A proven device for visual inspection and precise measurement of workpieces.
  • Werth Messtechnik: From simpler manual 3D measuring microscopes to fully automatic measuring systems

With the tailored fit of the hybrid glass, these devices can be optimally protected without affecting functionality or user-friendliness.

Even for devices for which we do not yet have digital 2D data for the production of the appropriate protective glass, we can produce the suitable hybrid glass for the measuring table. Just send us a message.

ISO 9001 certified quality from Neoxum

The quality of Neoxum OnScreen Hybrid Glass is guaranteed by the manufacturer's ISO 9001 certification. This certification represents consistent quality management and ensures that each product meets the highest standards. Customers can rely on receiving a reliable and durable product that is specifically designed for demanding use in measurement technology.

Conclusion

The protection of the glass plates of digital measuring microscopes and profile projectors is an investment that pays off both economically and ecologically. The Neoxum OnScreen® hybrid glass offers an ideal solution to protect expensive glass from scratches and damage without affecting measurement results. Thanks to its high transparency and ISO 9001 certified quality, this protective glass is an indispensable accessory for companies that prioritize precision and sustainability. By using Neoxum OnScreen® hybrid glass, companies can not only save costs but also make an important contribution to environmental protection – a win-win situation for all involved.


We produce the appropriate protection for the original glass of each measuring device. In addition, we also offer a professional screen protector for the touchscreen.