FEATURE ON METROLOGY

Digital 3D touch sensor wins Hexagon’s support

Hexagon has announced the winner of the second cohort of its coveted ‘Sixth Sense’ open innovation platform, which nurtures start-ups creating solutions to pressing manufacturing challenges.The Sixth Sense platform offers business insight, access to experts and mentorship, as well as exposing them to Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division’s global customer and partner base, which includes the likes of Audi, Airbus, Meta and Zimmer Biomet.

GelSight won the competition, following an intense 10-week programme of product refinement and business development, which culminated in a pitching competition at The Hague, Netherlands, where the team presentedits progress to a panel of judges representing experts in technology, investment and Hexagon leadership. As part of its winning package, GelSight will receive access to Hexagon’s extensive customer base to expand its business, andintegrate with Hexagon products and further resources to aid globalisation.

Youssef Benmokhtar, CEO of GelSight, says: “Many inspections in the industry today are still performed by an inspector simply looking at or touching a part to identify, and sometimes measure, a defect. This is a subjective, non-repeatable, non-traceable process. Our gel material acts as artificial skin, providing extremely detailed and rapid surface characterisation. We have digitised the entire workflow – our technology analyses the readings to give users detailed 3D visualisation with up to 5 million data points that can help automate processes, cutting costs and time.

“Working with Sixth Sense has been such a memorable experience,” he adds.“We are proud and humbled to have been chosen and are looking forward to the future with Hexagon. The real work starts now.”
For further information https://sixthsense.hexagon.com

Blum touch probes prove their long service life

Employing measuring systems in the working area of a CNC machining centre is still an unfamiliar idea for some quality experts. With its probes in use at German company Scherzinger Pumpen, Blum-Novotest is demonstrating that automated measurement not only works effectively in this harsh environment and in two-shift operation, but does so reliably and accurately over many years.

“Our core competencies in manufacturing are in milling, turning and grinding, as well as logistics and assembly,” reports Mario Maier, head of process planning at Scherzinger Pumps. “We machine metal as well as plastic and, in so doing, achieve a high level of quality and reliably tight manufacturing tolerances. Blum touch probes and laser light barriers, which we use in many machining centres, help us to accomplish that. The probes have an astonishingly long service life.”

At Scherzinger, the Blum TC50 infrared probes primarily find use for measuring bores and for workpiece zero-point detection. The company machines housings for brine pumps, for example, from two sides by rotating the clamped components in the machine tool. As a point of note, the drive is located on one side, while the two gear wheels of the actual pump are located on the other side. Scherzingermachines the through-hole of the drive axis from the drive side in the first set-up. After finishing one side – there are five housings per set-up – the housings swivel by 180°to allow machining of the pump side.

To ensure that the two machining operations align precisely with each other, the probe (mounted in the machine spindle) measures the position of the through-hole on all five housings after swivelling. The measured positions are then taken into account during the second machining operation so that, for example, the threaded holes for the cover can be precisely aligned, drilled and cut.
For further information www.blum-novotest.com

Gauge confirms accuracy of measuring machines

CMM manufacturer LK Metrology is introducing a range of UKAS-certified length and form artefacts complete with holding fixture, allowing users to verify the inspection accuracy of any 3D measuring platform. Customers can therefore have greater confidence in the results of an inspection, whether for metrology or reverse engineering, long after the annual calibration of the measuring machine.

Each CMM Checking Gauge (CCG) enables independent monitoring and verification of accuracy through regular intermediate checks on a CMM or portable measuring arm. An OEM can be certain that prototypes and production parts are within tolerance, while subcontractors are able to assure their customers that any machining and inspection carried out on their behalf is accurate. CCG demonstrates a commitment to a consistently high standard of dimensional quality control. Artefact measurement uncertainty is down to ±0.01 μm.

The gauge provides an efficient go/no-go check with measurement results for ongoing CMM monitoring. Three combinations of length bars, ring gauge, test sphere and fixture of different sizes are available to suit various measuring machine models. Regular use provides an early warning of changes in the inspection system and an opportunity to take pre-emptive action. Once identified, it is possible to address accuracy issues due perhaps to environmental changes or an unnoticed probe crash by scheduling an interim machine service or calibration, before downstream manufacturing processes are impacted.

CCGcomes in a carrying case with a program on a USB drive that runs in LK’s CAMIO measuring and reporting software. The program comprises DMIS measurement and alignment routines for bridge and horizontal arm CMMs, allowing the CCG cycle to run seamlessly on LK machines.
For further information www.lkmetrology.com

USA flag [head] Accurate and easy way to perform Brinell tests

AMETEK Newage Testing Instruments, an established manufacturer and worldwide supplier of hardness testers and accessories, is launching its improved Brinell Optical Scanning System (BOSS).

Brinell testing is a widely used method for measuring the hardness of metals. There are several reasons why this method is so popular, including its suitability for all metal types and that it offers a very accurate and simple testing method.Manual reading is quite easy and straightforward, but here operatives come across the one disadvantage of the Brinell method: manual reading via microscope has a high risk of human error and requires training and concentration to achieve accurate results.

Since the formula for the Brinell Hardness Number (BHN) calculation depends on the indent impression reading, these readings require high accuracy. That is why AMETEK Newage developed BOSS, which virtually eliminates operator influence on the test results.

BOSS uses a compact scanning head attached to a computer using the BOSS software to measure impression diameters in seconds and yield a measurement resolution of 0.01mm. BOSS software is used to set up the criteria for the reading, and perform the necessary BHN calculations to ASTM standards. The system even takes into account such anomalies as impression roundness and the surface finish of samples.

In this latest launch, the BOSS software now features an even better user interface that is intuitive in a familiar window-based environment and with faster and easier installation. The new configurable display shows the 10 most recent readings and features customisable measurement screens that users can configure to tailor the software to their specific application. An updated demonstration mode allows for multiple impressions, creating an improved sales and training experience.
For further information www.hardnesstesters.com

First automated measuring machine for micro-tools

Walter says that its new Helicheck Nano is the world’s first automated measuring machine for micro and nano tools as small as 0.1 mm diameter.Available from Walter Ewag UK, the Helicheck Nano measures the small diameter tooling increasingly required to meet miniaturisation trends in electronics, micromechanics and medical technology. According to the company, the comprehensive measurement of tools with diameters of less than 1 mm is usually fraught with challenges, where even the use of microscopy sees human operation posing the greatest risk of error.

Walter’s Helicheck Nano takes a different approach, offering non-destructive and operator-independent tool measurement using transmitted and reflectedlight. The process is possible thanks to the use of new variable optics having up to 800x magnification, the origins of which lie in microscopic incident light measuring technology.In combination with high-resolution cameras, these microscopic optics are the basis for measurements in the nanoscale.The variable magnification also allows measurements on standard tools of up to 16 mm diameter.

Complementing Walter’s other fully-automatic tool measuring machines Helicheck Pro and Helicheck Plus, the new Helicheck Nano has a solid granite base for high-standard, certified measuring accuracy and reliable results, while its permanent cameras are protected from dust and extraneous light by an encased measuring chamber.

Importantly, the new machine offers the possibility of automation with a pallet system enabling the automatic measurement of up to 7500 tools without operator intervention.
Walter adds that it will expand the Helicheck Nano’s capabilities in the future to include functions such as cutting edge rounding, 3D digitisation and surface finish measurement.
For further information www.walter-machines.com

Transforming five-axis machine tool calibration

Renishaw has incorporated its new off-axis rotary measurement mode into the CARTO software suite, providing a single source for testing off-axis measurement using the XR20 rotary axis calibrator and XL-80 laser system. The latest release of CARTO, version 4.7, streamlines the measurement of rotary positioning accuracy for five-axis machine tools, where the XR20 rotary axis calibrator cannot always mount on the centre of rotation.

CARTO is a single software solution for Renishaw’s range of calibration products. Data collection takes place using the CARTO Capture application, while the CARTO Explore application is for data analysis. The new off-axis rotary measurement mode in CARTO Capture is a licensed option and allows the XR20 rotary axis calibrator, combined with the XL-80 laser system, to capture off-axis measurements in one session.

Dan Throup, product owner – calibration software, says: “A single test record is created in the CARTO database, significantly reducing the number of steps in the measurement process. This improved method gives greater data integrity and traceability from the Explore application to analyse the results. In addition, the Capture application now uses a new automatic sign detection move when capturing the angular errors associated with an off-axis test. This simplifies the process and reduces the chance of user error.”

First launched in 2012, the Renishaw XR20 rotary axis calibrator aids the direct measurement of rotary errors for stages, jigs and machine tools. The off-axis rotary measurement mode in the CARTO software suite provides a simple, accurate check for the alignment and positioning performance of rotary axes of any configuration.
For further information www.renishaw.com/carto-add-ons