Automation for Production

Integrating cobots in industrial manufacturing environments is improving the way that we carry out quality control and measurement processes. By combining advanced robotics with advanced measurement systems, such as the Deltron CMM or the Alicona µCMM, these cobots are used to load and unload components or precisely present the component to the measurement system. As Cobots are engineered for human-robot collaboration they can be safely used in production and the measurement room and offer enhanced speed and throughput, high accuracy and repeatability and safe and collaborative workflows. The intention is to boost human productivity, not replace it, ensuring your business and team still benefits from the essential input real-life intelligence serves. Using “Pick and Place” these systems can lift a component from a tray, place it in the measurement system and after inspection place it in an OK or NO-OK tray. Contact us to book a live demonstration of our Cobots at our UK laboratory.

Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) is the system for defining and communicating engineering tolerances on engineering drawings and computer-generated 3D models. It describes a physical object’s nominal geometry and the permissible variation from tolerance. These tolerances are important in most manufacturing but critical in areas such as the aerospace, automotive and medical device industries. Understanding GD&T and having the ability to measure and inspect manufactured parts at precise levels ensures the safety of parts made and improves overall quality control. Many of our automated measurement systems allow direct comparisons of CAD drawings to detect even the slightest variation in surface characteristics – highlighting potential flaws in the manufacturing process. Tools from Alicona, EviXscan, Starrett and Vision are all designed to promote GD&T for quality control. View the range below or speak to us about booking a live demonstration at our laboratory.

Edge break is used to intentionally modify sharp edges on a manufactured part by rounding off a corner with a radius, a fillet or by creating a chamfer. This is to remove any sharp hazardous edges or edges that may cause functional issues resulting from the manufacturing process. Apart from the question of safety there are many reasons why the measurement of edge break is important. These include part longevity and functionality caused by stress concentration of sharp edges, and potential damage during assembly. Corrosion resistance where small crevices can be present in burs and in aerospace where burrs can affect aerodynamic performance. Using a device such as 4D InSpec 3D measurement device or a Bruker Alicona optical metrology allows the rapid, simple, shop-floor measurement of edge break, chamfer angles, and other precision part geometries. Accuracy, repeatability, reproducibility, and durability make both the 4D InSpec and the Infinite Focus the right tool for measuring edge break in shop-floor environments. If you are inspecting turbine blades, discs, blisks, nozzles, fasteners or burrs, these edge break measurement tools will provide repeatable results over and over again.

These flexible component fixture and holding kits designed specifically for optical inspection and measuring and are ideal for running automated measurement regimes. Holding components for inspection and measurement tasks is always a challenge. Bespoke jigs and fixtures are expensive, with long lead times and they are not universal. This brilliant new system for optical and video instrumentation, allows jigs and fixtures to be created for a component inspection routine and either kept, or broken down at the end of the task and re-used again. Visual inspection and non-contact measurement, just by its nature, tends to be of smaller and more complex components. Traditional universal fixture kits in M8 or M6 are just too large and therefore this M4 flexible fixture kit allows smaller, more complex, and fragile components to be held. Existing systems have a metal base plate, with a matrix of fixing holes. These do not allow light to pass, making them “blind.” Optical inspection, in particular, tends to rely on transmitted illumination for measurement and so this system uses a transparent material, allowing the light to pass through.

3D scanners deliver exceptional accuracy for metrology, reverse engineering, and stringent quality control EviXscan 3D excels in creating high-quality 3D scanning solutions, including advanced 3D scanners, and sophisticated software. These systems collect true surface data rapidly and accurately and have full GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) capability. With applications in industrial metrology, quality control, inspection, and reverse engineering the systems are in use, amongst others, in the aerospace, automotive, tool and die making and highly-regulated medical industry markets. This wide range of use underscores their reliability and superior performance in delivering high-quality 3D scanning solutions, encompassing both sophisticated hardware and advanced software.

Surface roughness measurement can be made using an optical 3D system or a tactile probe system. A tactile line-based profilometer captures a single or series of 2D profile across a surface (R values) whereas an optical 3D metrology system captures an entire area providing the calculation of advanced surface parameters or (“S” values) that are areal based and 3D providing more accurate details about the surface and its function. An optical system is non-contact and will not cause surface damage and is not subject to stylus wear which could affect accuracy. An optical system has very fine vertical and lateral resolution enabling measurement of fine surface details whereas a line-based system provide high Z-resolution with lateral resolution being restricted by the stylus tip size. Optical systems can also be more readily automated and used within the manufacturing process, reducing the risk of human error that could affect the result. Modern optical systems such as the FocusX from Bruker Alicona provide one click roughness measurement removing the need for metrology knowledge. Optimax provides both the optical non-contact system from Bruker Alicona and tactile systems from Mahr and will recommend which solution is best for the application.