Inspection & Quality

The L.S. Starrett Co. has significantly expanded its line of benchtop hardness testers, adding seven Rockwell systems, eight Vickers systems and one Brinell system, a total of 16 new testers.

The National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) has launched a new credential to validate an instructor's or evaluator's parts inspection skills.

Leading manufacturers in the cutting tool industry know there are many factors that contribute to producing superior quality tools.

Vision Engineering launches its latest, innovative flagship product, Deep Reality Viewer (DRV-Z1) microscope.

The NC4+ Blue on-machine tool-setting system is the first of its kind to feature a blue laser.

With LaserPlus from ANCA, operators can measure tool geometries in process to within +/- 2 µm or less. The laser measurement and compensation system is available as an option in select ANCA machines.

Marposs offers the Genior Modular VM-03 intelligent, module-based system for machine monitoring of a wide range of functions. The VM-03 provides predictive maintenance via vibration, gravity and temperature monitoring, condition monitoring, dynamic collision and crash detection and simple process monitoring. It can easily be integrated into machine tools, equipment or robots, as well as with the Genior Modular Tool and Process Monitoring solution.

Swift work by NVision Inc. helped a major U.S. airline quickly repair a bird-damaged Boeing 737 wing and return the restored jet back to flight in just two days. The rapid turnaround helped the airline avoid the financial losses typically incurred by grounding aircraft.

The ability to "see through" a solid object was once thought to be a tool of the future, or a power belonging to Superman–but the technology is here today, and more widespread and accessible than you may have thought. Until recently, the technology of CT imaging was only available for use in medical settings. Over the last several years, it has found a new home in the world of manufacturing, and is opening up myriad opportunities never before available.

All machining operations have inherent variation caused by machine positioning errors, material variances, fixturing, tooling load and thermal changes. Many companies employ metrology at the end of machining to ensure that good parts go out the door, but it does little to improve manufacturing efficiency. Applying metrology before and during machining processes keeps operations in tight control, significantly improving process yield and final part quality at a much lower cost of production.

Sensofar Metrology announces the release of the 5th generation of its flagship optical profiler. The S neox is a high-performance non-contact 3D optical profiler microscope system purposely-designed for subnano, nano and microscale measurement, with advanced inspection and analysis capabilities.

My latest trip took me to Las Vegas, where I attended HxGN LIVE 2019. Hosted by Sweden-headquartered Hexagon AB, the ninth biennial conference took place June 11-14 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center adjacent to The Venetian and The Palazzo resorts, and I participated in the Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence division's media program.