FEATURE ON METROLOGY

Providing all-round precision to Tenon Engineering

Dorking-based Tenon Engineering specialises in the integrated design and production of complex electromechanical assemblies. To support Tenon’s company-wide quality philosophy and aid its high-precision capabilities, the business provides its quality control staff with a range of cutting-edge inspection equipment. An example of Tenon’s willingness to invest in its quality function is the company’s recently purchased Mitutoyo RoundTest RA-2200 CNC instrument.

Tenon’s chief engineer Terry Healy says. “Much of our output has challenging roundness and cylindricity measurement parameters. In addition to the accuracy of the proposed new equipment being vitally important, because of the continuous throughput of high-precision components in our busy quality department, the speed and ease of use of the chosen system were also major considerations.

“Having studied the available options, we concluded that a RoundTest RA-2200 CNC was the best choice for our demanding precision and efficiency needs,” he continues. “As the Mitutoyo roundness and cylindricity measurement instrument is so easy to use, our quality control staff quickly mastered its operation. Now, in addition to measuring one-offs, we’re able to load batches of components on to the instrument’s table, recall previously written part-programs and start rapid, CNC inspection routines. Once underway, the instrument’s ability to undertake fully automated inspection tasks allows its operator to undertake other duties.

“In addition to the RoundTest RA-2200 being able to achieve the high levels of precision that we require, its fast CNC operation has reduced the possibility of bottlenecks in the areas of roundness and cylindricity inspection.”

A wide variety of RoundTest models are available to suit most applications, and despite their speed and ease-of-use, the instruments offer multifunction analysis capabilities.
For further information www.mitutoyo.co.uk

Renishaw ACS-1 keeps calibration simply accurate

Spindle probes for CNC machine tools can be highly repeatable, but their performance relies on accurate calibration. Renishaw has developed a simple solution to overcome the challenges associated with the manual probe calibration process, while consistently achieving high levels of repeatability. Accurate calibration ensures the probe’s performance is repeatable within the machine tool environment.

Today, many users perform the probe calibration process manually, which can cause variability even among skilled operators. Inaccurate probe calibration can affect all subsequent measurements; ACS-1 addresses this via a lockable mechanism that removes the need to use precision gauge blocks or slip gauges.

ACS-1 is mounted on the machine tool table or chuck using its magnetic base. A test bar (or a tool of known length) establishes an accurate datum surface by pushing the plunger down to the desired position; the plunger is locked in place. The probe’s overall length can be accurately calibrated, using the calibration disk (the top surface of the lockable plunger). The probe’s stylus ball diameter calibration takes place on the datum sphere, which can be mounted in two different positions on ACS-1, according to the CNC machine configuration.

In terms of advantages, the datum sphere can be mounted on one of two faces, both at a 45° angle. According to Renishaw, the mounting options allow ACS-1 to be the optimal probe calibration device for various CNC machine tool configurations. This includes vertical mills, lathes, turn-mills and five-axis machining centres, as the magnetic base allows the artefact to be mounted vertically or horizontally. The ACS-1 can determine the probe’s overall length and stylus ball diameter within minutes, and does not require batteries.
For further information www.renishaw.com/acs

Automated quality control with cobots

In a desire to provide easier access to automation, Creaform is unveiling the latest version of its VXscan-R software module for the VXelements 10 platform. This new version offers compatibility with a wider range of robots, including collaborative robots (cobots).

VXscan-R software is an integral part of the Creaform R-Series. According to the company, the software is the optimal automated 3D scanning solution for at-line applications, in turnkey solutions, or for customisable layouts. VXscan-R offers a reliable and accurate digital twin environment for program preparation, scan simulations and execution. Used with the MetraScan 3D-R, a robot-mounted optical CMM scanner, the R-Series is for companies that want to find defects earlier and ensure that all parts are measured correctly, without human impact and subjectivity.

With its lightweight and compact design, this new offer of cobots in the R-Series can be deployed easily and rapidly, regardless of the user’s level of expertise or experience.

Notably, the MetraScan 3D-R offers high-performance optics, blue laser technology and 360° target coverage, providing optimal measurement accuracy, speed, versatility and operational simplicity in quality control tasks.

“By adding the cobots to the R-Series offer, and by supporting more industrial robots, we can guarantee that the best scanning technology powered by offline programming software is accessible to businesses of all sizes,” explains Jérôme-Alexandre Lavoie, product manager at Creaform. “Truly, harnessing the power of automation has never been easier.”
For further information www.creaform3d.com

Easy and powerful autonomous visual inspection

Inspekto has launched a new software version of its Inspekto S70, said to be the only autonomous machine vision system on the market. Based on accumulated customer feedback from numerous field deployments, Inspekto S70 offers smart features such as a recommendations centre that guides users in creating and maintaining inspection profiles over time, improving usability, versatility, process integration and accuracy of inspection. Inspekto S70 enables manufacturers to focus on agile manufacturing and process automation, while optimal quality inspection runs autonomously.

When setting up a machine vision system to inspect a new product, users must create a data file with the inspection characteristics. This is known as an inspection profile. The Inspekto S70 guides users step by step in the creation of new inspection profiles, with no machine vision expertise, making the process extremely intuitive. This allows manufacturers to achieve quality inspection independence and ensure that their own teams can perform quality control of their ever-changing production lines quickly and easily.

The Inspekto S70 now incorporates a new profile centre to help users easily improve and optimise profiles over time. This is a set of smart tools that guide users when adjusting a profile, in order to reach the desired performance level and ensure it is continuously adapting to mitigate changes in the production process and environment, such as tooling change, sub-component replacement or lighting variations. The profile centre also allows users to compare previous and new profiles for the same item to continuously improve the inspection performance.

To ensure continuous inspection performance throughout the life cycle of the inspected part or product, users benefit from autonomously generated, AI-based active recommendations to adapt the profile to production changes, either process- or environment-related.
For further information www.inspekto.com

Hewland invests in Bowers DigiMic

Bowers Group’s newly launched DigiMic digital micrometer has already impressed within the engineering sector, with Berkshire-based Hewland Engineering reporting improved efficiency within its quality and inspection processes.

Adrian Jarych, QHSE engineer at Hewland, says: “As a quality engineer and inspector I find the DigiMic really useful for everyday component inspection work. It’s easy to turn on, easy to calibrate, and it’s ready to use. The thimble is smooth and the accuracy is great. The parts we produce find use in motorsport and automotive transmissions and gearboxes, where precision is key. I know I’m getting trustworthy readings from the DigiMic.”

Used by Hewland Engineering to measure diameters and widths of components such as layshafts, pinion shafts, gears, hubs, clutch shafts, drive shafts and many other gearbox components, the DigiMic has already proven its reliability with pinpoint accuracy. The DigiMic boasts an accuracy of 2 μm maximum permissible error and 2 μm maximum error range. Ergonomically designed to fit comfortably in the hand, the device is a robust micrometer for shop floor use. Manufactured with an IP67 protection rating, the extra-large digital display makes reading data straightforward, with the user gaining immediate visual confirmation of the measurement.

Feedback from Hewland Engineering has indicated that the DigiMic has helped achieved an accurate thickness of gears and bearing journal diameters within its 0.01 mm tolerance. It offers the company an easy-to-use device with a large, clear digital screen, with the weight of the micrometer providing a substantial, high-quality feel. The Bluetooth connectivity to Sylvac software means that reporting has never been easier, making the creation of control plan reports more efficient by recording digital data rather than handwriting results.
For further information www.bowersgroup.co.uk