The new Makrolite 4K digital microscope from Vision Engineering provides high image quality and wide dynamic range, making it is suitable for a broad spectrum of complex and high-contrast applications. According to Vision Engineering, the Makrolite 4K provides more fine detail with greater detail shadow and highlight areas. As a result, the microscope can handle challenging inspection routines, including reflective subjects such as solder joints, subjects in shadow, or subjects with low contrast, like rubber and plastic.

Makrolite 4K is said to be flexible and easy to use, providing high-definition video images with up to 330x magnification. The microscope delivers both versatility and high performance in applications such as production, lab research, R&D, micro assembly, quality control, inbound/outbound product checking, dissection and rework.

Available in two versions, the console configuration provides direct HDMI connection to the monitor for live display with full control of zoom and all camera settings. Connecting Makrolite 4K to a PC with Vision Engineering’s dimensioning software, ViPlus, extends its capabilities to include image capture, annotation, on-screen measurement, live overlays, data/image report generation and a range of image processing tools.
Additionally, the Makrolite 4K solution includes a wide range of stands and objectives, making it a flexible solution equipped to deal with a broad range of demanding inspection tasks.

Paul Newbatt, Vision Engineering’s group sales and marketing director, says: “Makrolite 4K represents a step forward for Vision Engineering in terms of inspection microscope image resolution. It retains the core Vision Engineering values of superb image quality combined with ease of use, but adds 4K resolution, a choice of console or PC versions, and range of five stands, to deliver a really flexible inspection solution”.

For further information
www.visioneng.com

Hertford-based subcontract machining services provider Qualiturn Products is an enthusiastic early user of Mitutoyo’s new PJ-Plus profile projectors.

Says managing director Nick Groom: “Although we were happy with our existing relatively modern profile projectors, after seeing a Mitutoyo PJ-Plus profile projector inspecting a range of fairly complex, precise components, I was amazed to see the difference that the inclusion of LED lighting made to the crispness of the images on the screen. Also, as the regular replacement of halogen lights following lamp burnout has always been a downside of using previous-generation profile projectors, I was happy to discover that the use of LED illumination delivered extended service life and reduced running costs.”

Now in regular use, Qualiturn’s two new PJ-Plus models are proving very popular with the company’s quality personnel.

“LED lighting not only reduces eye fatigue, but improved screen images enable easier and more precise component inspection,” says Groom. “In addition to helping ensure the continuing quality of our output, the ease and speed of use of our new Mitutoyo profile projectors has further improved our levels of inspection efficiency. So impressed have we been with the performance of the two profile projectors that I’ve placed an order with Mitutoyo UK for an additional three PJ-Plus models.”

With a resolution of 0.001 mm, Mitutoyo says that PJ-Plus profile projectors are heavy-duty, bench-top units that provide accurate, reliable measurements within manufacturing environments and other areas where conventional profile projectors struggle to cope. Suitable for use by experienced quality personnel or by production staff, PJ-Plus projectors feature an intuitive operation system that facilitates precise dimensional and angular measurements.

For further information
www.mitutoyo.co.uk

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Fareham-based CNC machining company, Penta Precision, has increased its measurement capabilities by investing in a Baty R400 shadowgraph profile projector supplied by Bowers Group.

In 2021, Penta Precision devoted significant investment into new, larger premises, as well as boosting its workforce and its capital equipment to include five-axis machine tools and the Baty R400 profile projector.

The R400 is used daily by the quality department for first-off checks and final batch inspections of CNC milled and turned parts, and by machinists to carry out in-process checks. Notably, the projector enables the company to measure a much wider range of parts due to the increased measuring range available when compared with the previous projector.

Penta Precision’s Baty R400 bench-mounted profile projector is suitable for both the shop floor and the standards room, combining high accuracy non-contact measurement with inspection with a large 300 x 150 mm measuring range. Offering a choice of digital readouts and optional automatic profile edge detection, the R400 ensures a projector that fits a wide range of requirements.

Mike Steppens, lead quality inspector at Penta Precision says: “We have a high mix of work, and so there are high demands on inspection. The R400 has helped to free up our CMM and prevent delays in first-off inspection. For the majority of the parts which can now be measured on the R400, we were having to use the CMM as the previous projector had too small a working window.”

The team at Penta are highly impressed with the Fusion software and its ease of use, with the ability to create a pictorial image of the part being measured.

For further information
www.bowersgroup.co.uk

Using newly developed and recently patented technology, Cognex has eliminated the speckle effect of laser lines, optimising triangulation-based 3D imaging. The In-Sight 3D-L4000 embedded vision system is the first product to bring the benefits of speckle-free laser lines to users.

The laser triangulation method has established itself as the definitive technology for 3D image processing in order to generate high-resolution and precise 3D image data. However, a weakness of the laser triangulation method has always been that the projected laser lines exhibit so-called speckles. Developers have been trying for years to reduce speckles using various methods, such as varying the wavelength and camera aperture, or taking multiple images and then calculating an average image. However, previous efforts did not lead to noticeably better results.

With its new, patented process, Cognex has found a solution to eliminate the occurrence and effects of speckles and produce extremely straight, clean and bright laser lines.

“The basis of the new technology is a blue laser with a wavelength of 450 nm,” explains Thomas Ruhnau, director of engineering at Cognex. “This laser beam is then deflected by a microelectromechanical mirror with ultrasonic vibrations in a plane to create a fanned beam. The beam is then directed on to a diffuser optic featuring a unique property: this optical element creates a perfect laser fan with a precisely defined width and an intensity distribution that is absolutely uniform along the line, eliminating the formation of speckle in the approach.”

Cognex has already integrated the new speckle-free blue laser optics into one of its products: In-Sight 3D-L4000 3D vision system, which enables users to achieve inspection speeds at least twice as fast as comparable competitive products, reports the company.

For further information
www.cognex.com

Renowned globally for its RONDCOM profile measuring instruments, Accretech has launched the advanced RONDCOM NEX series. The latest evolution of the instrument now features the provision of an axis speed potentiometer, as well as an auto force detector, making all measuring routines more efficient.

According to Accretech, RONDCOM NEX provides the best concentricity and straightness precision figures in its class: (0.02+3.2H/10000) µm and 0.15 µm (Z300) respectively. These advantages are made possible by the high rotational accuracy of the air-bearing based rotary tables. RONDCOM NEX R instruments also enable accurate surface roughness measurements, as per DIN EN ISO, in linear R and X directions, as well as in rotational directions on workpiece circumferences.

The flexible RONDCOM NEX series benefits from a modular design that enables the precision measurement of form, diameter and surface simultaneously. This modularity means that the instruments are available in a range of variants, ensuring that customers can specify a system that meets their own individual requirements. Also, Accretech’s ‘building-block’ approach means that RONDCOM NEX series instruments remain futureproof. For example, in addition to undertaking today’s precision measuring tasks, if the user’s requirements change, it is possible to retrofit new modules that suit developing needs. Similarly, new Accretech instruments can be purchased as manual systems, then later converted to CNC versions if a higher degree of automation is required. CNC add-ons include positioning tables with several asymmetrical measuring positions to accommodate complex workpieces.

“In contrast to stand-alone instruments, customers no longer have to compromise on accuracy when measuring form, diameter and surface parameters,” says Marcus Czabon, COO at Accretech. “We’ve fundamentally redesigned the entire series of form measuring instruments to ensure that our customers receive even greater support in terms of efficiency, time savings and automation.”

For further information
www.accretech.eu