Meet the measurement needs of the production floor

Mature techniques for the most accurate dimensional measurements are often used in environments similar to laboratories. Measurement instruments using capacitive, inductive, optical, and ultrasonic sensing principles are not uncommon. These instruments range from large optical prism workpieces to tiny electronic components. Laser probes, white light probes, and feather probes with tiny touch forces have been used for a variety of specific measurement applications.

However, unlike in a laboratory environment, the measuring instruments used in the production hall must have various interference factors (including chips, coolants, and other impurities, dirt, etc. that have a potential impact on measurement accuracy) in the shop operating environment. Protection ability. Although coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) are no longer limited to use only in clean metering rooms, many traditional concepts are still ingrained.

Art Whistler of Helmel Engineering Products Inc. said, “Incorporating a CMM into a production line requires changing the original model, not only because the CMM is purchased as a fixed asset rather than as a consumable. And because they must be tightly integrated with the manufacturing process and integrated into the production plan."

Whistler pointed out that the applicability of CMMs has been “workshop reinforcement” to adapt to the harsh environment of the production site. “These coordinate machines typically use mechanical shafting with high reliability and durability to protect, isolate or otherwise protect the rails, shafting, motor and scale. These coordinate machines do not require a separate room or Isolation hood, but in order to obtain better measurement results, it must be cleaned and cooled or compensated for heat, effective control of dirt and temperature. These measuring systems can be integrated with automatic machining or even process control, and can be Anyone provides all the data output needed."

Bringing the CMM to the shop floor allows users to take advantage of their traditional strengths. “The coordinate machine is programmable, so it has good measurement flexibility for any batch of products (even for hybrid production),” says Whistler. “They are true 3D measuring instruments that can analyze complete 3D according to GD&T standards. Relationships and conditions. As an automated measurement system, the measurement data of the coordinate machine is accurate and repeatable, is not affected by the operator's human influence, and provides information quickly." In addition, when introducing new products or new During the program, the CMM can be reprogrammed to process new measurement parameters.

In the workshop where the cost is high, the large-scale coordinate measuring machine has certain defects. Helmel solves this problem by providing a mechanical shaft coordinate measuring machine of various size ranges. Helmel's newly developed Microgage is a small fixed-bridge coordinate measuring machine with a stroke range of 152mm × 228mm × 127mm, and the overall size is smaller than a 406mm × 609mm desktop. This measuring machine is ideal for measuring small parts in electrical discharge machining, medical equipment and fuel injection systems.

An important issue to consider when considering measurement as part of a lean manufacturing and processing process is how to properly select the measurement equipment. Fred Mason of OGP (Optical Gaging Products Inc.) explained, “Imagine the difference in measurement range between a football and a watch part. When considering measurements in a manufacturing environment, evaluate each measurement equipment and workpiece design tolerance. The relevant measurement capabilities are always critical. When determining how to measure a workpiece, it is often based on existing measurement equipment, rather than configuring the CMM based on measurement requirements, so that not only is the measurement capability mismatched, but too much measurement Task queuing on a measuring machine can also cause process bottlenecks."

Mason recommends a multi-sensor probe measurement system that takes into account the specific size range of the workpiece and provides useful measurement data, appropriate resolution and measurement accuracy. OGP's SmartScope Flash 302 multi-sensor probes can be combined with a wide range of sensing probes to perform all necessary measurements on a workpiece in a single installation. Automated measurement procedures, including the use of multiple sensing probes (the use and replacement of some probes without operator intervention) can greatly increase measurement efficiency. SmartScope

Flash video probes can search for edges (even edges with no physical boundaries, such as the junction of one color and another); TTL laser probes can measure high-precision surface contours (these profiles can be used in CAD files) Surface non-uniform rational B-splines (NURBS) and other splines are shown; and contact probes can be used to perform touch measurements on surface areas that are difficult to measure with video probes or laser probes.

The mechanical design of the measuring machine will determine the measurement performance and measurement repeatability of the different probes. The Flash 302's viaduct structure moves over the XY-axis assembly as a component above the independent Y-axis, straddle on a pair of landing axes. The Flash 302 is designed to support the use of dedicated miniature probes for measuring complex parts.

Next page

SHUTTLESS JACQUARD WEAVING RAPIER LOOM

JACQUARD DOBBY, SAREE FABRIC WEAVING

Shaoxing Sunfong Intelligent Equipment Inc. , https://www.zjsxsunfong.com