Ford Aerospace accelerates inspection with Keyence

Ford Aerospace, a global specialist in pressed and high-precision machined parts for a multitude of industries, is leveraging the benefits of a new Keyence IM-8000 instant measuring system.The speed of the IM-8000 is already generating significant savings in inspection time, while simultaneously extending the company’s measurement function to machine operators thanks to inherent system simplicity.

“Our investment decision was based mainly on capacity,” explains Nathan McCully, the company’s quality, health, safety and environmental manager. “We wanted an inspection system that would allow us to increase our speed of measurement for simpler components, while at the same time providing more measurement accessibility to the shop floor. We were using a video inspection system previously but it was cumbersome, slow and complex to program.”

On a day-to-day basis, Ford Aerospace manufactures pressed and machined parts in accordance with the specific requirements of its customers. Although many components are complex in nature, a proportion are very simple. It was here that the company spotted an opportunity to make gains.

“Although the IM-8000 has 3D capability, it was the potential to quickly measure 2D shapes, such as shims, washers and other pressed parts that really stood out,” says McCully. “For components like this we typically perform sample inspection in quantities of 50-100. We would previously have to measure them individually and record the dimensions. However, with the IM-8000 we can measure all the parts simultaneously in seconds simply by pressing one button.”

The IM-8000 can perform measurement on up to 300 part features in a matter of seconds. With its simple place-and-press operation there is no time-consuming positioning or datum set-up required, while the machine automatically identifies measurement points to ensure consistency and repeatability.
For further information www.keyence.co.uk

Truly portable 3D scanner for large parts

Creaform is introducing the latest addition to its flagship HandySCAN 3D line-up, the MAX series. The handheld MAX series of industrial 3D scanners offers a 3D scanning area of approximately 1 x 1m and acquires accurate 3D measurements of any large and complex surfaces, reports the company.

Featuring a multiple scanning mode that allows users to choose either the fastest scanning time or maximum resolution, the new portable 3D scanners offer a level of versatility that will enable professionals to measure any large parts and assemblies up to 15 m. Combining the effect of speed, extra-large measuring volume, accuracy, portability and simplicity, the scanners allow for an easy, efficient and robust measurement process of parts typically present in the aerospace, transportation, energy, mining and heavy industries, among others.

Thanks to its volumetric accuracy of 0.1 mm + 0.015 mm/m, ISO 17025 accreditation and compliance with the VDI/VDE 2634 part 3 standard, the MAX series provides metrology-grade results, making it suitable for quality control and demanding reverse engineering of large parts. Additionally, the latest scanners still feature Creaform’s dynamic referencing algorithms, allowing for accurate and rigorous 3D scans of any object, whether in the lab, on the shop floor or in the field.

The system is plug-and-play and quick to set up. It is possible to integrate 3D scans into any CAD softwareeasily and seamlessly, accelerating and simplifying product development, 3D inspection and reverse engineering processes of large parts and assemblies.

“Measuring large and complex 3D surfaces with a handheld device was previously very challenging or, in certain cases, impossible,” says product manager Simon Côté. “The unique capability of the MAX series closes the gap and provides innovative dimensional measurement solutions.”
For further information www.creaform3d.com

Subscription service for 3D fixture modelling software

Renishaw’s FixtureBuilder 3D fixture-modelling software is now available via a new subscription service. Customers can therefore take advantage of a complimentary 12-month subscription to this accessible fixture-planning software when they purchase qualifying metrology fixturing products or bundles.

FixtureBuilder software allows the quick and easy creation and documentation of advanced CAD-based metrology fixturing set-ups for repeatable and productive part inspection. Users have access to the full catalogue of Renishaw metrology fixturing components when designing and documenting their modular fixturing set-ups.

Renishaw’s FixtureBuilder software boasts an intuitive interface, complete with clear and organised component libraries, intelligent drag and drop functionality, and an easy-to-use constraint mechanism. Its full CAD compatibility and custom libraries further enhance the user experience.

The FixtureBuilder software’s standout feature is its ‘Build it’ function, which automates the generation of work instructions and bill of materials for each fixture set-up. This simplifies the purchase of fixturing components and helps users to meet their quality standards.

“Our fast and flexible FixtureBuilder software is a powerful addition to any manufacturer’s inspection workflow,” says Will Paul, product marketing manager. “The weakest link in an inspection process is often the ability to design and document comprehensive fixturing set-ups with ease and speed. FixtureBuilder gives our customers confidence in the positioning of their parts.”

FixtureBuilder 8.1 is the latest version of the software. It enables users to design fixturing set-ups in seconds and then export them to an inspection programming software of choice using popular file formats like IGES, SAT, and STEP. This ensures seamless functionality and compatibility with industry-standard inspection programs and applications.
For further information www.renishaw.com/fixtures

Fast and cost-effective surface measurement

Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division has announced the release of a new laser scanner for CMMs. The HP-L-10.10 LITE is for manufacturers seeking a cost-effective option that delivers more efficient surface measurement and higher throughput.

Concentrating on core laser scanning functions, the newHP-L-10.10 LITE laser scanner makes it easy and affordable for manufacturers to benefit from the measurement speed and coverage of laser scanning. The scanner captures the complete surface data of a part in a fraction of the time compared with measuring many points or lines using tactile measurement methods.

“When launching the standard-setting HP-L-10.10 CMM laser scanner in 2021, we knew many manufacturers wanted to increase their inspection efficiency and throughput but did not necessarily require that scanner’s full feature set of capabilities,” says Patryk Wroclawski, non-contact sensors product manager. “The HP-L-10.10 LITE is our answer to this need. And while it might be our entry-level scanner, it’s a high-speed and accurate device that delivers big productivity improvements across multiple measurement applications.”

Hexagon built the scanner upon its latest cross-platform laser line scanning technology. It employs the same SHINE (Systematic High-Intelligence Noise Elimination) technology as the flagship HP-L-10.10, allowing it to collect clean 3D measurement data from almost any surface material and finishquickly and accurately.Fast point cloud creation at up to 240,000 points per second acquisition rate and a 120 Hz frame rate make the HP-L-10.10 LITE suitable for scanning surfaces quickly, and its probing form error of just 14 µm is strong performance for laser scanning on a CMM.Equipped with the HP-L-10.10 LITE, a CMM becomes a multi-sensor machine that can handle most measurement tasks.
For further information www.hexagon.com

Nikon expands X-ray CT system range

Nikon IMBU is adding three new models in its VOXLS range of X-ray CT (computed tomography) systems for non-destructive inspection. The introduction of the 30 series fills a specific need in the industry for users seeking an automation-ready system with the versatility to meet a wide range of industrial applications.

The VOXLS 30 C 225, 30 C 320 and 30 C 450 models are now available to order and have maximum source energies of 225, 320 and 450kV respectively for examining parts of various densities and sizes. They also have a more compact footprint than Nikon’s 40 Series while maintaining advanced features traditionally exclusive to larger, more expensive solutions.

The systems are for automated operations that include quality control in factories producing lithium-ion batteries or additively manufactured components. The automotive, aerospace, medical and pharmaceutical industries are additional target markets, with many further applications in materials science, natural sciences and academia.

Dr Andrew Mathers, X-ray and CT product manager, says: “Automation at multiple levels is a major focus of the new 30 series, from batch CT providing efficiency gains for technicians to full factory integration with robotic handling and automated inspection via Nikon’s OPC UA Interface.”

At the core of the series is a metrology-grade, granite-based manipulator coupled with rigid steel towers, which provides a thermally stable and solid construction. High-precision motors, ball-screw drives and encoders ensure precise positioning and accurate movement of all axes, including the synchronous vertical motion of the X-ray sources and detectors.

To facilitate automation even further, the systems feature motorised bi-parting radiation doors that open and close in less than five seconds, behind which the cabinet interior can accommodate items up to 1000 mm in diameter by 1370 mm tall.
For further information https://industry.nikon.com