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The MAG-ic probe electronic thickness gauge previously posted has matured quite a lot mainly due to lots of input from the Mandolin builders. The guage now has a resolution of 1/1000th inch, offers either a flat tip or round tip probe (the rounded tip for mandolins and violins that have the recurve on the edge) and a Data hold button that will freeze the display and only allow lower values to update. This week I introduced MAG-ic Probe BLU which has Bluetooth connectivity to your computer and some software that allows you to upload a drawing or jpg of your instrument and then click on the area you are measuring, the current reading is transferred to the picture. I have made a small website for more information http://www.magicprobe.net Thanks Liam
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RE: Electronic Thickness Gauge - De... (in reply to lsnyman)
I assume you do not mean what is the data for as that should be obvious. Once you have all the data entered it can be printed out for record keeping, drawings and comparisons or it can be saved. One guy is feeding that data to a 3d cad to draw up mandolin plans. Mainly it just saves you the effort of sketches and writing it all down.
Posts: 149
Joined: Jul. 14 2011
From: Newark, DE, USA
RE: Electronic Thickness Gauge - De... (in reply to lsnyman)
This looks like it is evolving nicely.
Is the blu-tooth version compatible with Macs and PC's or only PC's?
Is there any problem using the round-tip probe on regular guitar plates. (More to the point, if someone would like to be able to do carved-top instruments as well as flat top instruments, can they get away with having a single probe?)
RE: Electronic Thickness Gauge - De... (in reply to lsnyman)
Isnyman,
I think you are a wee genius!
(Or a big genius if you're a big guy.. )
Very much impressed by the idea, display format and the professional appearance of the instrument. I have done some projects right through from design to production model (as an employee) and I know how much hard work it is and expensive in both time and money to get through to the end.
Hope you are well rewarded for all your efforts.
Few people really understand how many units you have to sell just to get to the "break even" point.
I knew a guy who ran a small business designing and making interface boards and modules for the oil biz. He had some interested clients round looking at his latest product.
One asked how much. He said $2000
"$2000 for THAT little gizmo!! You must be making a helluva markup on that! Why so much??", he said.
He took them to a backroom with a pile of junked printed circuit boards lying in a heap...
RE: Electronic Thickness Gauge - De... (in reply to lsnyman)
quote:
Is there any problem using the round-tip probe on regular guitar plates. (More to the point, if someone would like to be able to do carved-top instruments as well as flat top instruments, can they get away with having a single probe?)
Yes, the rounded tip probe will do both. That is the purpose of the data hold switch. The rounded tip is a little harder to hold vertical, so you just hit the switch and tilt the probe until the reading is the lowest value, so then you know you are vertical, the reading will not increase. The unit also comes with 2 balls, a 3/8" to fit into small f-holes and a 1/2" ball. At present it is windows only.
Ron, you are absolutely correct. My wife said I should frame all the junkers and design ideas I had before getting to here, I am sure NASA is monitoring my home due to all the magnetic radiiation from al the magnets I have tried. Then there are the changes suggested by users. Well in the end that is how a product develops, and i am happy to do it, except it will not brew you coffee Maybe one day I will actually do something that makes a profit.