Metrology is a crucial aspect of the product process for machined and molded parts.
Traditionally, sample items are removed from the line, taken to a quality lab and examined by a stationary coordinate measuring machine. However, modern technology is changing this process for the better.
In the video above, we look at how industrial automation and advanced sensing software and hardware are accelerating quality inspection.
Paul Oberle, director of business development at 3D Infotech, introduced the Gocator 3210 stereo snapshot sensor as it scans a part.
“You can tell that the alignment of the data is occurring within half of a second,” Oberle said.
The Gocator 3210 is not only useable in quality control environments, but can also be used on the assembly line itself due to its speed.
“We have applications where we have to tailor the solution around an application requirement, but in many cases we’re inspecting parts within 30 seconds, which is about as fast as some manufacturers are making parts,” Oberle explained. “This means we have inline manufacturing quality control.”
Scanned parts do not need to be fixtured in any way for the scanning process. Because the Gocator 3210 is mounted to a collaborative robot arm, there is a greater flexibility in where the sensor can be installed. For maximum versatility, the robot can be fixtured onto a moveable platform to take the quality inspection lab to the product.
Thanks to its level of accuracy and versatility, Oberle anticipates the automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics and medical industries to benefit from the technology.
“We decided to do a repeatability study with this system and we were able to get seven microns’ standard deviation over 65 different samples, scanning entire parts,” Oberle said. “I think this is the replacement to the CMM in certain aspects.”
For more information, visit the LMI Technologies and 3D Infotech websites.