COVER STORY
inspection challenges. Customizable camera solutions have been developed to handle these challenges. Zoom lenses can produce up to 31 Ox magnification on the monitor. Telecentric optics come in a wide array of lens options; 0. l4x to 4.00x. Systems such as the Starrett AV:X:550 can be equipped with telecentric and zoom optics. This allows intricate part details and larger features to be inspected without changing lenses or recalibrating. The Starrett AVR-FOV comes equipped with a dedicated 2.3" x 1.9" FOV; the largest available to date for Starrett. Combined with integrated stage motion, these camera systems can also stitch together multiple images sequentially to create one larger image, allowing more of the part to be viewed at one time. TMD: What role does light play in vision systems, considering the reflective nature of some
ly, accessories are available chat assist with proper part orientation such as fixtures, vises, and rotary indexers. TMD: What type of repeatability, reliability do vision systems bring compared to manual inspection processes? CW: With che advent ofpart recognition programs, vision systems now boast an extremely high level of confidence in repeatability and reliability. Additional features such as touch probe capability and video edge detection, which detects transi tions between light and dark fields, further help guarantee accuracy by eliminating operator or operator-to-operator subjec tivity. This user-friendly process, known as walk-up metrology, means chat once a part profile is created, any employee can initiate the program and obtain the same results with confidence. TMD: How does a vision system assist in inspecting medical devices throughout manufacturing (i.e., the ability to inspect at various stages throughout manufacturing for verificationof all steps)? CW: Vision systems are crucial co mini mizing waste and saving rime and money throughout the manufacturing process. Quick inspection checks are often used in-process to determine chac design speci fications are being met. Tolerancing can be used to confirm chat intricate features are
being produced accurately, within an ac ceptable range. Touch probes ensure bore holes are accurate and can also help deter mine when a cutting cool is falling out of spec and needs replacement. When placed in a walk-up metrology scenario, often di reedy on the shop Boor, vision systems can be used by virtually any employee involved in a manufacturing process to perform an inspection check. Errors can be caught in real time and adjusted in-process, so that the finished product is right th� first time, preventing coscly rework or scrap. TMD: Medical devices/equipment are often manufactured for years using a process that cannot change
without regulatory approval. Why should a company using
touch probes for medical device/ equipment inspection consider a vision system and what challenges/ opportunities would they face? CW: Adding a vision system into a compa ny's inspection process will only increase confidence in manufacturing parts. Most vision systems are couch probe compatible, so manufacturers can continue co measure discrete points on a part's profile, while adding measurement capabilities for a range of applications. tmd
materials used to produce medical devices/equipment?
CW: Proper light control is crucial for accurate in-process measurement to ensure that highly reflective surfaces found on many medical devices do nor interfere with obtaining accurate results. All lighting systems on vision systems can be adjusted for intensi ty , depending on the specific needs for measuring the part feature. For repeatable and reliable results, light levels can be integrated into the inspection process as programmable steps. This ensures that enough light is present to illuminate the feature without washing it out and distorting the image.
The LS. Starrett Co. Starrett Metrology Div. https://www.starrettmetrology.com
TMD: What role does part orientationplay in ensuring
success using vision inspection withmedical devices/equipment? CW: With modern vision systems, and their integrated software, part recognition profiles can be created based upon a few key points on a component's profile. Once this profile has been created, another part, or multiple parts, can be placed in che camera's FOV to initiate che part recog nition profile. The camera will orient the part based on the key points and auto matically run che preferred measurements, generating a report in seconds. Additional-
July 2021 I TodaysMedicalDevelopments.com
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