A recent interview with Nikon’s corporate vice president Tadashi Nakayama provides insight into the strategy of the firm’s Industrial Metrology Business Unit, of which he is deputy general manager.

In particular, he explained the company’s strategic focus on Quality 4.0, where digital, automated and connected inspection enables complete process control from design through to manufacture.
The core elements of a Quality 4.0 based process are the requirement for the automated measurement of key features on components, as close to real-time as possible, plus the need to acquire digital results and feed them back directly to machinery, thereby controlling production automatically. In this way, the quality function drives the manufacturing process, guaranteeing the best possible products.
Nikon Metrology is committed to ensuring that its measuring systems lead the field in Industry 4.0, and this policy was underlined by Nakayama. At the heart of Quality 4.0 is the interconnection of inspection and production. The goal is to enable manufacturers to produce better products at lower cost, accelerate their response to changes in demand, shorten the time to market and achieve greater overall competitiveness.
Nikon Metrology has already supplied Industry 4.0-enabled QC systems to customers in Europe, Asia and the US. One example in the German automotive industry involves rapid, automatic measurement of the position of studs on the underbody of cars in a production line. Accuracy is checked to within 100 µm using multiple laser radar systems.
Nikon Metrology’s strategy over the next few years will be two-fold. First, from a technical perspective, the collection of digital measurement data will be paramount to enable intelligent process control systems, whether locally or in the cloud. Secondly, Nikon is increasing its focus on building even stronger relationships with customers.
For further information www.nikonmetrology.com

At the recent Advanced Manufacturing show in Birmingham, UK, GOM shone the spotlight on its fifth generation of ATOS sensors for 3D scanning over large measuring areas.

The ATOS 5 and ATOS 5X are fast and precise following the introduction of new features and developments. For instance, the Blue Light Equalizer has been developed especially for the light source in the ATOS 5 to make the system independent of ambient light conditions. The ATOS 5X takes this a step further with the introduction of a laser light compressor to generate ultra-bright light for the scanning process.
More speed and light in cameras allows for a shorter exposure time, with scan times down to 0.2 seconds per measurement and 100 frames per second.
As a result of this new technology, both systems achieve high-precision data for a diverse range of manual and automated applications, from tools and moulds, to plastic and metal parts. With the ability to scan small scale items such as aerofoil components, up to full car body inspection, the ATOS 5 is flexible and capable over multiple applications. At the same time, fixture design can be simplified as a larger surface is captured and fewer reference points are required.
The trend for automated measuring is supported by installing the ATOS system inside an ATOS Scanbox. This option combines all the functions in one automated measuring machine. What’s more, by utilising Virtual Measuring Room software, the measurement environment is represented in a virtual simulation. All robot movements are simulated and checked for safety before being performed in the actual environment.
For further information www.gom.com