Metrology & Measurement

G.H. Tool & Mold has expanded its capacity and capability by adding a second GOM ATOS Triple Scan high-resolution, 3D optical digitizer for automated measuring and inspection of its casting dies.

Contract inspection and reverse engineering capacity has doubled in terms of throughput, while the size of the component that can be measured has increased more than five-fold at Laser Scanning Ltd., based in Chapeltown, U.K., near Sheffield. It follows the installation of a second, larger coordinate measuring machine built by LK Metrology Ltd. at its Castle Donington, England, factory.

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.

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.

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.

Marposs Monitoring Solutions can monitor both machines and machine processes by detecting machine conditions and mitigating crashes while providing vital data on the condition of machine components, supporting predictive and preventive maintenance.

The new NC4+ Blue system is designed to help machine shops across many industries

The ability to peer inside machined parts allows metrologists to make better decisions faster.

Coherent Inc. rolls out the ExactCut laser micromachining system, first in a line of machines aimed at meeting exacting material processing standards.