New advancements in multi-sensor platforms combine the best features of vision and touch-probe gear inspection for maximum accuracy and speed.
By GREG MAISCH
D emand for accurate gears delivered on tight schedules is increasing. To keep pace, technology is continually advancing, enabling manufacturers to domore in the same amount of time. Add in competitive global market pressure, and the need for efficiency is more important than ever. To sustain profitability, companies need to keep up with market demands, while maintaining production quality. One of the main challenges of quality control (QC) is the balance between staying within production tolerance limits and keeping lead times down. Very often, one single gear has many features that need to be kept within tight manufacturing tolerance limits, requiring multiple forms of measurement processes or methods. Multi-sensor technology, including vision and touch probe capability, may be required in order to fulfill the specific measurement needs. Among these sought-after system requirements, perhaps most importantly, is the need to have fast, reliable data acquisition in the process. The more complex the gear, the higher the demands are for inspection and the more important efficiency becomes. In order to solve today’s challenges, versatile measurement and inspection equipment is nowmore pivotal in assuring consistent quality. MULTI-SENSOR SYSTEMS EXPLAINED Multi-sensor measurement systems help solve many of the measurement and inspection challenges that arise in modern manufacturing. Providing excep- tional speed and efficiency, a multi-sensor measure- ment system can easily increase QC throughput by performing multiple processes on a single machine while maintaining accuracy. For greater efficiency and accuracy, more of the gear can be viewed in every image on the latest multi- sensor vision systems such as the Starrett AVR-FOV 0.14X featuring a 0.14 magnification lens, large field- of-viewof 2.36” x 1.90” (60mmx 48mm), and automat- ic part recognition. Due to “super-image” technology, which allows multiple images to be stitched together to form one larger image, together with the system’s touch probe technology, the AVR-FOV 0.14X can accu- rately inspect a wide range of applications including large, complex, and multiple small gears and parts. The AVR-FOV 0.14 automated part programs deliver accurate results to the micron level in a matter of seconds with “Go/No-Go” tolerance zones, and data are provided in one easy-to-interpret report. Video-
edge detection and touch-probe capability enable measurements to be taken of discreet points along a part’s profile, producing accurate profile and pitch-inspection results across a wide range of gear sizes. Ensuring that gear production is reliable and consistent protects manufacturers from several issues, including excess noise, load and tooth-to-tooth challenges, as well as premature gear wear or failure. USER-FRIENDLY INTERFACE IS KEY In order to maximize the power of modern measurement technology, however, systems also must be equipped with user interfaces that make the system’s capabilities approachable from a user standpoint. Newmeasurement platforms, such as the Starrett AVR-FOV 0.14X multi-sensor vision system, come equipped with the M3 software package from MetLogix. Systems such as this operate with both a traditional mouse as well as a touchscreen monitor that make user interaction easy and intuitive. One of the top benefits of modern metrology software programs is the speed of throughput due to features such as auto part recognition. A user can create a part measurement program that comprises the desired features of a part for inspection, which can automatically be saved in the system or to a network. Ensuring that gear production is reliable and consistent protects manufacturers from several issues, including excess noise, load and tooth-to-tooth challenges, as well as premature gear wear or failure. (Courtesy: The L.S. Starrett Company)
41
February 2021
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online