Quality control is an essential part of any manufacturing process. However, in machine shops with several different jobs or different parts, even just sending first-offs can create a bottleneck at the CMM. Automated part inspection on the production floor can increase the efficiency of your operation.
That being said, there is a reason the QC lab at the machine shop is climate controlled, quiet, and isolated from the heavy machinery. Vibration and temperature changes, for example, can reduce the precision of metrology processes. However, the robot-mounted laser scanner shown in this video can track movement and compensate for vibration, gathering 3D data in a non-destructive process.
The MetraSCAN-R series scanner is made by Creaform. It can be used with any robot make. To program the system, software is available which can help users who are not trained in robot programming.
This system has been used successfully in the automotive industry, where faster production with fewer bottlenecks and fewer defects is essential.
For more information, visit Creaform.