FEATURE ON METROLOGY

Hand tool longevity in practice at Robert Sorby

Bowers Group has been a trusted partner of Robert Sorby for decades, assisting in perfecting its woodworking tools with precision measurement. With the help of a range of Moore & Wright handinstruments, the company has been able to achieve exceptional precision in its manufacturing operations.

Working at the heart of the UK’s steel and toolmaking industry since 1828, Robert Sorby has developed a global reputation for producing fine woodworking tools. All its tools are made with high-quality steel, which is hardened and tempered to its own specification. Polished flutes and hand-finished handles are typical hallmarks of the Robert Sorby brand.

The use of hand tools, particularly Moore & Wright instruments, plays a crucial role in Robert Sorby’s manufacturing processes. These hand and workshop tools ensure the precision and alignment of mating components, facilitating smooth assembly and improved product quality.

Mark Furniss, quality andtechnical engineer at Robert Sorby, says: “Moore & Wright hand tools are the backbone of precision and have been invaluable in the manufacture of our woodworking tools. With exceptional accuracy and reliability, these tools enable our craftsmen to create the finest-quality products that stand the test of time. Our partnership with Bowers Group is longstanding and the continued support from the team is second-to-none.”

The 1961M micrometer and 150mm digital calipers are among the most frequently used Moore & Wright hand tools at Robert Sorby. The micrometer measures the critical diameters of turned components, while the digital calipers perform length and depth measurements. Machining centre operators at Robert Sorby rely heavily on the digital calipers for their measurement needs.
For further information www.bowersgroup.co.uk

Vision system delivers reliable automation testing

ALPHR Technology, a Letchworth-based specialist inhigh-end automation solutions fortest andmeasurement applications, advanced robotics and modular automation solutions, is using a Keyence CV-X series intuitive vision system. Consisting of a controller, camera and lighting solution, the vision system makes use of a wide range of high-resolution cameras designed to satisfy any application need. It delivers up to 64 megapixels and features a multi-spectrum image capture system that uses eight wavelengths of coloured light.

A key feature of the Keyence CV-X is the CA-DQP12X Pattern Projection Lighting (PPL) system, which offers simultaneous 2D and 3D inspection. The PPL light works by flashing multiple projections onto a part using its eight-directional projectors, and calculating the height of the part based off the distortion in the projections. As a result, there is no compromise to inspections by surface conditions or contrast between the part and the background. By adding height data to conventional 2D inspection, PPL provides dramatically improved stability during inline inspection.

Says Iqbal Kazi, general manager at ALPHR: “When implementing a vision system, having the correct lighting is paramount in determining if the installation will be a success or otherwise. Keyence was able to demonstrate why a specific light source should be used and proved that the CA-DQP12X PPL system was the right lighting for the applications in which we operate.”

For more conventional imaging applications, the CV-X Series makes use of 2D inspection lighting such as the LumiTrax capture mode as well as the auto-teach inspection function, providing stable inspection for a wide range of different products.
For further information www.keyence.co.uk

Delivering the latest in subcontract measurement

To help manufacturers reduce bottlenecks from production to quality, industrial metrology specialist The Sempre Group provides subcontract measurement, as evidenced by the company’s stand at Subcon 2023 last month. Sempre used the exhibition to showcase the subcontract measurement process, including some of its capabilities and technology, and the data customers receive as a result. Visitors were able to meet some of the team and see the company’s measurement systems in action.

At Subcon, the Sempre team showed visitors how it can become an extension of their quality and inspection department by offering subcontract measurement support. Sempre’s team can help by introducing robust measurement routines that demonstrate compliance, carrying out measurements and providing full reporting on behalf of these customers.

The stand featured an array of metrology systems that demonstrated the scope of Sempre’s subcontract offer, including the Micro-Vu multi-sensing CMM range, the Sensofar 3D optical profiler and Jenoptik Opticline optical shaft measurement system.

As well as measurement, Sempre provides insight using quality management software, including High QA Inspection Manager, an auto-ballooning software that engineers can use to scan entire drawings and automatically extract the GD&T data and full compliance reporting such as FAI and PPAP.

“At Subcon, we showed the latest in our measurement capabilities, and how we can bridge gaps in manufacturers’ quality processes,” explained Mike John, technical director at The Sempre Group.“For those manufacturers that may not be able to buy equipment outright, have sufficient skilledresource available or are taking on projects for the first time, it was a great opportunity to demonstrate how our specialist team can act as an extension to their team.”
For further information www.thesempregroup.com

OGP unveils new multi-sensor metrology system

OGP, a manufacturer of optical and precision multi-sensor metrology systems for industrial quality control, is releasing its SmartScope E45, a floor model addition to the all-new SmartScope E-Series family of automatic digital-zoom metrology systems.

With the launch of the benchtop SmartScope E7 model in September 2022, OGP says it reimagined its trusted SmartScope line-up, making it accessible to all skill levels and budgets. Along with E7, E45 features the brand-new fixed lens IntelliCentric optical system, a fully telecentric optical system providing super high-resolution imagesin video edge detection metrology. The digital zoom allows for instantaneous magnification changes, while the standard all-LED lighting system illuminates parts from every angle. As a point of note, the E45 features a generous stage to handle large parts or a variety of smaller components.

The E45 offers sturdy, stable construction whereby parts move on a precision DC motor-driven Y-axis stage, while the optics travel in the X axis mounted on a rigid bridge support structure for metrological integrity.

Jim Stern, director of OGP applications engineering, says: “SmartScope E45 combines innovative optical design, advanced camera technology and OGP’s class-leading image processing algorithms. E45 has the same feature size range as mechanical zoom optical systems, but without moving parts, increasing throughput and system longevity. The IntelliCentric optical system produces outstanding optical performance at low zoom, with fantastic image quality, telecentricity and distortion-free imaging.”

OGP is accepting orders for SmartScope E45 systems now.
For further information www.ogpnet.com/e45

Phantom high-speed cameras adopt EMVA 1288

Vision Research, manufacturer of Phantom high-speed cameras, has made a major update to its published product specifications. By incorporating EMVA 1288 testing standards to measure sensor characteristics, a scientific overview of image performance is now available. This further enables users to choose the best camera for their challenging applications.

EMVA 1288 has long seen use in measuring the performance of machine vision cameras, but Vision Research is the first manufacturer to apply it to RAM-based high-speed cameras.
As a result of providing EMVA 1288 report summaries, Vision Research will no longer be including ISO 12232 measurements for its products moving forward. ISO 12232 has been used by high-speed camera manufacturers to indicate sensitivity; however, it has limited usefulness in practice. Significant indicators of image quality are not included, particularly when it comes to capturing images with high contrast and in low-light situations.

Kevin Gann, VP of R&D at Vision Research, explains: “We’ve always had a strong focus on image quality and EMVA 1288 provides a deep understanding about how a camera will perform in a particular application. It also provides consistency when comparing cameras and includes data about the imaging trade-offs inherent in the sensor design. As the leaders in high-speed imaging, we felt incumbent to implement these measurements across our primary product lines so that our customers can truly understand their camera’s image performance.”

Quantum efficiency, temporal dark noise, dynamic range and absolute sensitivity threshold are among the parameters specified in an EMVA 1288 report. Referencing these in addition to pixel size, resolution and throughput provides the information necessary to compare cameras in terms of image response.
For further information www.phantomhighspeed.com