Inspection & Quality

Technoset UK specializes in manufacturing highly complex, precision machined components for the aerospace market. After investing in production equipment, the company recently invested in a Vicivision laser-scanning machine.

The Star Cutter Co. in Farmington Hills, Michigan, has promoted Bradley Cooper to service manager at its Elk Rapids, Michigan, location.nn

Operation has been greatly simplified and efficiency doubled, enhancing the system's suitability for a wide range of applications from the museum laboratory through academia to the R&D department and on to the factory floor. The intrinsic benefit of X-ray CT is that it allows both the exterior and interior of a sample to be inspected and measured non-destructively. The XT H 225 ST 2x, which has undergone thousands of hours of rigorous testing, is distinguished by its ability to be tuned to match the part under investigation so that optimal results are produced every time.

In terms of speed, all machines now accelerate at 1,900 mm/s2, representing an increase of 15% for the two smaller models and 20% for the largest model. Velocity is up by 38% across the product range to 720 mm/s. As regards accuracy, maximum permissible measuring error on all machines is now 1.7+L/333 µm when measurements are taken of a feature L millimeters in length between 18°C and 22°C, irrespective of whether a TP200, SP25, TP20 or PH20 probe is used. This performance represents length measurement accuracy improvements of 22%, 22%, 32% and 43% for the four respective probes, while maximum permissible probing error is also better and so also is repeatability of measurements by 15% when using a PH20.

Called FREEDOM ULTIMATE and FREEDOM ULTIMATE SCAN, the new arms are available with measurement volumes from 2.5 to 4.5 metres, according to model. Each complements the comparable size of existing FREEDOM CLASSIC and higher accuracy FREEDOM SELECT products with six axes designed for touch probing, as well as the 7-axis SCAN equivalents for multi-sensor metrology including laser scanning.

Designed for robustness, reliability, affordability and ease of use, Deltron, is a shop floor hardened non-Cartesian CMM with an innovative delta robotic mechanism, reknown for repeatable motion, fast acceleration and a high level of measurement accuracy. The delta mechanism on Deltron operates with a maximum vector speed of 500mm/sec and a maximum vector acceleration of 750mm/sec2.

Planar is ideal for shop floor use, requires minimal operator input and increases production throughput across a wide range of applications. These include flat and folded/formed sheet metal components, gaskets and seals, laminations, O-rings, paper acetate and electronic drawings and other opaque and semi-transparent flat materials.

The CS2 Series force testers can perform the most commonly used tests within most industries from basic static force testing to multistage testing, cyclic testing and more at a fraction of the cost of an advanced materials tester. The CS2 Series force testers feature a large working area of up to 180 mm that allows the operator flexibility to not only test the product but its packaging as well with a simple change of grips.n

When parts are more intricate or bulkier than flat sheets, then the three axis table is recommended. It is suitable for checking laser and waterjet cut parts, sheet metal parts with many features and parts that are bent and formed. The three axis table includes flexible metrology software, sealed Heidenhain encoders, low-maintenance linear bearings and a versatile Renishaw touch probe. Furthermore, it has the ability to integrate with SPC software for quality tracking and reporting and reduces operator error. As with the single axis table, it offers long-term durability and simple operation.

Featuring a powerful, 30-watt fiber laser and a large, 100 x 100 mm marking window, MobiLase delivers fast and durable laser markings on nearly any material ranging from plastics to steel to precious metals, among many others. The 7-lb. handheld applicator is equipped with a trigger to start marking plus two bracket options for ease of marking various part shapes. These brackets also enable rapid focusing from a consistent, repeatable distance, which is further optimized by the laser pointer simulator.

Using a Vicivision optical measuring machine to verify quality during grinding and other operations, Italy-based Bavieri Alfeo Precision Mechanics can obtain accurate results in seconds .

The AVR-FOV 0.14X 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. These features allow metrology users in manufacturing facilities or QC labs to produce accurate, fast, and repeatable results.