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Entering Dimensions in Onshape Directly From Your Digital Tape Measure
christian_reed096
Member Posts: 2 ✭
Hello all! I wanted to share a cool application today where you can directly update dimensions in Onshape (via any text input field) directly from your REEKON Digital Tape Measure. We had a few people reach out to us asking for how to do this and we put together a tutorial video and article showing how easy it is. This is a great way to getting real dimensions into your CAD model and is literally as simple as connecting over Bluetooth, selecting measurement field, and hitting the save button.
https://support.reekon.tools/hc/en-us/articles/38697010264724--Applications-Onshape-CAD-Entering-Dimensions-with-Digital-Tape-Measure
Let us know if you have any questions or if you would like to see any other functionality or features added to aid in your workflows!
-Christian, REEKON Tools
Comments
Nice. I have calipers connected to my computer via USB so I can enter measurements taken on small parts directly into my Onshape model. I'd be willing to pay extra for a BTLE version, though, to get rid of the cable and expand the radius. ;0)
I have a strong interest in what you have going on here. Can you share what calipers you have? Can you just get a longer USB cable to increase radius?
There was a link in the original post.
https://support.reekon.tools/hc/en-us/articles/38697010264724--Applications-Onshape-CAD-Entering-Dimensions-with-Digital-Tape-Measure
That's a tape measure. I was asking about Martin's calipers
I'd be interested in Martin's caliper utility as well.
As for the USB calipers: I bought them long ago, the brand is "Preiser". They have a proprietary connector on the top of the case and the USB cable was an add-on to buy. There is an "Enter" button on the case which can be easily reached with the thumb while operating it, and when pressed, it sends the value currently displayed to the PC. A little piece of software (Marcom or so) makes some additional modifications, E.G. changes the decimal to comma or appends enter or "mm" or "in". Some CAD software wants to know that. That can be configured, but since the software is old, it gets buggy, and the newer versions don't support my old calipers. The thing basically mimics a keyboard.
These devices were expansive back then. I recall having laid down about 200€ for the set, but it has already helped me quite some, especially when taking QC measurements en masse. In connection with a properly designed spreadsheet, it is quite easy to automatically flag out of specs dimensions. (By auto formatting the out of specs cell red and then have the red cells counted, for example.) Also helpful when remodelling bought parts.
The exact model is no longer available, but the brand apparently still has a similar model at a similar price. Now, since you asked, I googled a little and found you can buy Bluetooth-clipers from known brands for less today, so … I'd probably do that next time I need new calipers, rather than trying to optimize the USB Interface, especially since even when connected, they still run on the internal button cell, a fact I can still not understand.
Anyway, quite useful.
Nice. I too googled and found bluetooth versions. Also found a rechargeable caliper. I have an inexpensive 8", but lots of my measurements are well under 8" so I'm thinking of getting a supplemental smaller pair and thought it'd be cool to just press a button and have the measurement sent to the screen. I'll have to do some more looking.
@MDesign the rechargerable appears smart. In case it is a BT/recharge combo: Do you remember where you found that one?
@martin_kopplow I found one that was a combo but it was like $150. But most were either rechargeable or bluetooth. I'd of pulled the trigger on a $50 combo but $150 too steep for what I need atm. If you want I can probably search it out again if your interested.
@MDesign 150$ is a lot of money for a convenience gadget. Given you can get them with BT and a button cell for around 50 to 60€, and you can then buy a ton of button cells for the remaining money, I'd probaly also go with the battery version for office use. Still, I'd be interested in one for the shop, so if you still have it in your browser history, I'd appreciate it.
One thing that bothers me with most I found is there is no word on how data is processed. The more credible ones appear to just emulate a BT-keyboard, but there are some that require an obscure chinese app to communicate with a PC. I'd rather steer clear of the latter …
@christian_reed096
Christian, I have one question: As you've probably read, I already use calipers in a similar manner. Also having a tape measure would only be logical, especially when taking measurements on the construction site. On my calipers (and connected software), I get a comma as a decimal separator, like it is common here and in wide parts of the world (outside the US). Does your tape measure (optionally) output that? Does it also use BT?
And: Wouldn't it only be logical to also have a BT laser rangefinder? I get a feeling that all digital measuring tools should be BT compatible these days … ;0)