COVER STORY
ENHANCE MEDICAL DEVICE QUALITY Medical device specifications are often tight- requiring precise dimensions, printed documentation, and part-number tracing-placing high demands ontoday's vision systems. C. W. Moranwith Starrett's Metrology Division offers insights on what these systems deliver to manufacturers.
By Elizabeth Engler Modic
Today's MedicalDevelopments {TMD): What advantages do vision systems bring tomanufacturers of medical devices, equipment? C. W. Moran (CW): As medical manufac turing increases in complexity, accurate measurement and inspection become increasingly important. The biggest ad vantages of a modern vision system are the sheer flexibility and customization options that suit the ever-increasing and demand ing needs of medical manufacturers. Users can choose from tabletop microscopes, horizontal and/or vertical view tabletop systems, as well as floor-standing models in horizontal or vertical viewing orienta tion. All systems can be customized with zoom or telecentric lens options and some systems, such as the Starrett AVX:550, of fer dual optical inputs for the best of both worlds. Added features such as lighting control, touch probe capability, rotary in dexers, and other accessories allow modern vision systems to provide nearly limitless application capabilities. TMD: How is inspection accuracy in creased with touch probe capability? CW: Touch probe capability increases the accuracy of vision systems by providing an additional layer of inspection. Discrete points that can be hard to reach, such as bore holes, can be accurately measured with the touch probe sensor by travel-
optics, the system can capture numerous, accurate data points in all three dimen sions. Touch probes or laser sensors can add an additional layer of inspection capa bility, allowing for the capture of discrete points on a part's profile to be built into the inspection process as programmable steps. TMD: How has improved resolution and speed enhanced the field of view (FOV) for intricate part inspection? CW: Intricate parts often present unique
ing into recessed spaces and taking the required measurements directl y.
TMD: Medical devices and equipment often have intricate, three-dimen sional shapes, so how do image based vision systems that inherently measure in two dimensions adhere to quality standards? CW: For most modern vision systems, taking measurement points in the Z-axis is a standard feature or offered as an option. When combined with high-magnification
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TodaysMedicalDevelopments.com I July 2021
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