To measure components reliably and efficiently, whether in an inspection room or on the shop floor, Nikon has developed a new CNC video measuring system. Also known as an optical CMM, the Nexiv VMZ-S3020 is suitable for automated quality-control applications in a production line, as its high speed allows real-time feedback of measured results to optimise a manufacturing process.

Applications include inspecting a variety of mechanical, moulded, cast and pressed components that fall within its 300 x 200 x 200 mm working volume. Nikon’s proprietary optical measuring, image processing and analysis technologies are employed to detect feature edges at high speed, capturing accurately and automatically the shape and dimensions of even the most complex components.

There are numerous enhancements to the robustness of the unit and its functionality over the instrument that it replaces, the VMZ-R3020. Additionally, the Nexiv VMZ-S series can achieve even faster movements and image capture steps via the dedicated CMOS camera than its predecessor. In-house-developed, high-resolution linear encoders feed the position of the stage axes back to the control, maintaining measurement precision and consistency. Image transfer and subsequent data processing are also quicker, making it possible to reduce measurement cycle times without compromising accuracy or reproducibility.

Fast laser scanning at 1000 points/sec can rapidly acquire the cross-sectional shape of a surface and evaluate the relative heights, meeting measurement needs across a wide variety of samples.

A fully featured measurement software environment, Nexiv AutoMeasure, enables high precision, high speed and easy measurement cycles using tools that are close to hand in a user-friendly GUI.

For further information
www.nikonmetrology.com

Williams Aerospace Engineering has invested in a Baty Venture XT CNC vision system to measure critical precision-machined components manufactured at its facility in Northam, Southampton, where tolerances in turning, milling, grinding, honing and gear/spline cutting are often 0.002 mm.
One of the biggest challenges facing Williams Aerospace Engineering was the amount of time it took to measure components and collate all the data for its customers. By way of example, for a client with particularly high measurement requirements, it would take the quality department 1-2 days to measure the positions of two holes on a batch of 100 cover plates, in addition to entering data on an Excel spreadsheet.

Since investing in the Baty Venture XT CNC vision system, this measurement process takes just 2 hours, which is a massive 96% increase in measurement efficiency. The inspection team at Williams Aerospace Engineering is able to load the fixture to the machine, insert a part, recall the program and teach the datum position, completing the same batch of 100 parts within this much shorter timeframe.

David Fripp, managing director at Williams Aerospace Engineering, says: “The Baty Venture XT helps to ensure our product quality by giving us a more consistent and repeatable measurement method. Once we have a new program, the Venture is far more accurate than our old manual CMM, which is reliant on the points taken by the operator moving the probe by hand, rather than the CNC control on the Baty system. It is very easy to use and the camera resolution is far more accurate than a standard projector using surface illumination.”

For further information
www.bowersgroup.co.uk

Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division has released a new multi-sensor CMM that facilitates smart manufacturing by providing a cost-effective entry point into automated measurement.

Fully compatible with a range of Hexagon smart technologies, the Optiv Lite 3.2.2 is a benchtop CMM designed to deliver a smooth transition from manual to automatic quality methods for greater inspection accuracy, reliability and efficiency. In addition, the CMM offers connectivity to end-to-end manufacturing solutions for process and product improvements traditionally beyond the scope of entry-level machines.

Optiv Lite 3.2.2 is purpose-built for the quick and precise non-contact and tactile measurement of small parts across a range of industries, including e-mobility, precision engineering and medical. Offering complete traceability of measurement results and a simplified interface for ease-of-use, Optiv Lite 3.2.2 is suitable for manufacturers looking to adopt automated inspection procedures or meet expanding production demands.

The Optiv Lite 3.2.2 can offer inspection close to production environments, with its rugged mechanical design, high machine dynamics and capabilities for precise measurement in a wide temperature range. This lightweight machine offers a small factory footprint and high accuracy with its 6x motorised zoom lens and high-resolution digital colour camera. An optional touch-trigger probe (HP-TM) is available, as well as the HR-MP probe changer rack that can hold up to three probe modules. Further options include a laser triangulation sensor and a rotary indexing table.
PC-DMIS metrology software comes as standard with Optiv Lite 3.2.2, and users can increase operational simplicity with ‘Inspect’, a stand-alone app that allows production-level operators to easily execute measurement routines using a user-friendly interface.

For further information
www.hexagonmi.com