Composite Products Worth Seeing

2009 is about to come to a close. As you look forward to the new year, take a look at some of the last composites products of the aught.

Synergy Composites is hoping a new autoclave system will bring some of its own synergy to manufacture advanced composite components. The autoclave can achieve a maximum temperature of 450 degrees Celsius and is capable of very high pressures (300 PSi). The system has been specifically purchased to provide research and development plus production capability. The company has also invested in an aerospace specified class 7 cleanroom and large (3m long x 1.2m wide x 1m high) coordinate measuring machine.

ContiTech Vibration Control collaborates with BASF and BMW to create the first transmission cross beam for the BMW Gran Turismo 550i

Composites are now on their way to cross beams, as ContiTech Vibration Control collaborates with BASF and BMW to create the first transmission cross beam made of plastic polyamide for use in the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo 550i. The transmission cross beam is the direct link to the engine-transmission mount, and contributes to the overall rigidity of the vehicle and supports the forces and torque of the engine-transmission unit. ContiTech produces the component from strong polyamide in an injection molding process, which they say results in a 50 percent weight savings over aluminum.

Homeland security, government and military agencies’ applications need protection too, and PPG Industries is filling that void with Mil-Tough inorganic composite binder panels. These precast, fiber glass-reinforced ICB panels enhance blast and ballistics resistance in thinner, lighter forms with traditional steel-reinforced concrete systems. The panels can be custom manufactured based on the customer-defined threat level, and they can be incorporated into either modular systems for rapid force protection or permanent structures. Modular designs provide an interconnecting infrastructure to support use in multi- and single-level buildings as well as freestanding perimeter wall system.

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Mitutoyo Robotic Metrology Cell Enhances Measurement Integrity, Productivity

(Aurora, IL) Mitutoyo America Corporation announces the development of robotic tending for its CMMs as well as for a full range of its CNC-driven metrology instruments. Rapid and extremely precise automated loading and unloading (repeatability of ± 20ìm) makes the technology ideal for manufacturers seeking to fully automate manufacturing processes, end-to-end. In developing the automated instrument-tending technology, Mitutoyo America exploited recent advances in robotic end-of-arm devices including: highly sensitive collision detection enabling high-dexterity picking of delicate parts and precise fitting to instrument fixturing, force-sensitive grippers that enhance precision and enable intelligent parts placement, and 2D/3D vision systems that enable the robot to detect and pick randomly positioned workpieces therefore eliminating need for special feeders or alignment fixturing. Mitutoyo's robotic instrument loading can provide dramatic improvements in measurement-and-inspection performance and economics.

Automated loading typically increases part cycling speed by at least 20%. Human error is eliminated, simplifying trouble shooting and reducing scrap while extremely accurate parts placement enhances measurement equipment R&R (repeatability & reproducibility) ultimately translating to improved process capability (Cpk). Additionally, staff can be transferred from operating measurement-and-inspection to higher value tasks. Overall, measuring costs can be reduced 335% with total system ROI (payback time) may be as little as one year. These factors together with potential depreciation and capital equipment tax benefits make Mitutoyo's robotically loaded metrology cell economically viable for even relatively small processors. Mitutoyo robotic loading supports the full line of Mitutoyo CNC-driven metrology instruments. Facilitated by Mitutoyo's proprietary Eio (Extended I/O) control, implementation of Mitutoyo CNC equipment is plug-and-play. External PCs recognize hardware components without physical device configuration, resource conflicts are eliminated and user intervention is unnecessary - whether one or a number of measurement instruments are integrated into a cell. The cell employs a Fanuc® robot (model with some details) and instruments capable of integration include: Mitutoyo CNC CMMs running MCOSMOS® Mitutoyo CNC QuickVision® vision systems running QVPak Mitutoyo CNC Roundtest® roundness systems running RoundPak Mitutoyo CNC Contracer® form and Surftest® surface/finish systems running Form TracePak Mitutoyo Laserscan Micrometer

Offline robot programming supports 3D graphic representation of Mitutoyo instruments with animated teaching support and simulated cycle time and verification. Mitutoyo Corporation is the world's largest provider of measurement and inspection solutions offering the most complete selection of machines, sensors, systems and services with a line encompassing CMMs (Coordinate Measuring Machines), vision, form and finish measuring machines as well as precision tools and instruments, and metrology data management software.

Mitutoyo

Mitutoyo's nationwide network of Metrology Centers and support operations provides application, calibration, service, repair and educational programs to ensure that our 6,000+ metrology products will deliver measurement solutions for our customers throughout their lifetime. Contact Mitutoyo America Corporation, 965 Corporate Boulevard, Aurora, IL 60502. Phone: (630) 820-9666 Fax: (630) 978-5394 E-mail: info@mitutoyo.com Or visit our website at http://www.mitutoyo.com/

Laser Scanning Software from 3D Spatial

Pointools View Pro, Pointools for Rhino, Pointools Model for AutoCAD, Pointools Edit

Laser Scanning Technology

3D Spatial is proud to announce that it is now a reseller of the powerful Pointools pointcloud viewing and modelling suite of software. Pointools industry leading point cloud visualisation technology enables rapid navigation of dense point cloud datasets comprising of 100’s millions of points.

Professionals can now inspect complex laser scanned environments from their desktop with the unmatched speed and ease using Pointools powerful range of software.

Pointools View Pro

Pointools View Pro is a high performance pointcloud visualisation package ideal for project visualisation, collaboration, management and presentation of pointclouds typically produced by today’s Laser Scanners.

3D Scanning Technology

Pointools View Pro works directly with Pointclouds from any 3D scanner manufacturer which includes FARO, Leica, Riegl, Optech, Trimbleas well as many other formats.

•View huge pointcloud datasets quickly and easily with Pointools View Pro

•Take point and distance measurements directly in a 3D world

•Generate true orthographic views of buildings from laser scan data

•Produce high quality movie footage for project fly throughs and interactive presentations

3D Laser Scanning

Pointools View Pro provides a high performance, easy to use and cost effective environment for viewing, analysing and producing compelling visual content from a range of 3D data types.

Pointools View Pro gives you the power to examine, distribute, collaborate and present laser scan and 3d model data with speed and ease. Pointools View is also available as a free viewer for end users to view, evaluate and mark up directly from pointcloud data.

Pointools for Rhino

Pointools for Rhino provides an intuitive interface for interpretation and visualisation of point cloud data in the powerful Rhino 3D modelling environment. Using the Rhino/Pointools combination offers a powerful and low cost solution for drawing and modelling directly from laser scan data.

Pointools for Rhino imports point clouds into the Rhino3D environment and displays the points in the viewport with various controls over shading and visibility and offering advanced capabilities such as intelligent pipe and surface fitting in addition to powerful sectioning and segmentation capabilities.

Applications include drawing or modelling from point clouds or viewing a proposal within a point cloud. The plug in can also be used to work with aerial LIDAR or vehicle based mobile laser scanning data for larger scale urban mapping and planning.

Pointools Model - 3D Modelling Systems

Pointools Model delivers the power and flexibility to work with large point cloud datasets within AutoCAD, the ideal solution for drawing and modelling from scan data.

Pointools Model imports point clouds into the AutoCAD environment and displays the points in the viewport with various controls over shading and visibility and offering advanced capabilities such as intelligent pipe and surface fitting in addition to powerful sectioning and segmentation capabilities.

Applications include drawing or modelling from point clouds or viewing a proposal within a point cloud. The plug in can also be used to work with aerial LIDAR or vehicle based mobile laser scanning data for larger scale urban mapping and planning.

Pointools Edit

Pointools Edit is a revolutionary new product allowing the direct editing and manipulation of point clouds in Pointools powerful interface.

Pointools Edit builds on all the features of Pointools View Pro with pointcloud layer based editing and segmentation Erroneous data and obstructions typical of laser scan data can be cleaned easily using the flexible toolkit of Pointools Edit.

Other unique features allow for RGB editing of colour pointclouds with. It’s like using Photoshop for pointclouds.

3D Software

All of Pointools software solutions are low cost solutions and ideal for end users of pointcloud data working in large and small scale infrastructure projects, industrial plant and equipment, mining as well as with aerial and mobile laser scan datasets.

GAGE AND GEAR MANUFACTURER TIFCO GAGE & GEAR ADDS SECOND NEW WENZEL GEAR MEASURING MACHINE TO EXPAND INSPECTION CAPABILITY

Tifco Gage & Gear relies on a “fast turn-around” for gage and gear manufacturing. Fast and accurate inspection is key to maintaining that capability, and Wenzel gear inspection equipment has been a valuable resource.

Several years ago Tifco Gage & Gear, a division of Delta Research Corporation was an exhibitor at the Gear Expo in Detroit. Like many exhibitors at trade shows, Tifco was looking for some new equipment as well. In this case, it was new gear inspection capability. Because all of the major gear inspection equipment manufacturers were exhibiting too, Bob Sakuta, president of Tifco selected a sample precision gear and took it to each of the manufacturer’s booths and asked them how fast could they program the gear and inspect it. Wenzel was the winner, and the winner by a fairly large margin. At that point, Mr. Sakuta ordered a new Wenzel WGT350.

Mr. Sakuta explains, “The Wenzel WGT350 is a dedicated 4-axis gear tester. All axes are made from natural Impala black granite, which we believe insures excellent thermal behavior, and no-wear air bearings on all linear axes and the rotary table to provide the ultimate in high-accuracy performance compared to the mechanical bearings used in all competitor’s machines. The hydrostatic rotary table with disengageable dirve allows a manual rotation of the table during part set-up which minimizes set-up time. The machine has a fully counterbalanced tailstock that can support longer gears, tools and shafts, typical of the types of products Tifco produces. Workpiece diameter capability is from 5 to 400mm with a measurable gear face width of 500mm. Gears up to 400-lbs can be inspected.”

Scott Sakuta, manager of the quality control department, adds, “The ease of programming of the WGT350 is really what sold me. Its database is based on Windows® technology and is extremely user-friendly. The old DOS based systems used by other gear inspection machine manufacturers are really ‘old school’ and not what today’s computer-savvy technicians like to use. The fact that the software allows workpiece data records to be linked to digital photos facilitates selection and positionally-accurate clamping, providing the user with quick and precise measuring results. Actually, we have been able to program and inspect gears in half the time of our older inspection equipment.”

Scott Sakuta also adds, “We initially discovered that the appearance, form and interpretation of the Wenzel gear inspection reports were a bit disconcerting to our customer base which for years has been used to seeing only M&M gear inspection reports. As a result, we worked very diligently with Xspect Solutions and Wenzel software people to develop a report look that was very similar to what the industry was accustomed to.”

Just recently, Tifco added new capability in their quality Control Department with the addition of a new Wenzel LH GMM (Gear Measuring Machine). “We began to see our aerospace, automotive, marine and agricultural customer’s needs expanding as their supplier bases began to constrict,” Bob Sakuta notes. “We wanted to be in position to provide additional value-added services which could include different types of shafts, housings and larger gears that previously we had not provided. We had all the manufacturing capability that would be required; we just needed more flexible inspection capability for these types of parts. For that reason we purchased the Wenzel bridge-type Model 6.7.5 GMM. This GMM uses the same gear controller, imbedded rotary table, and software that are used on the Wenzel WGT range. Now, not only can we measure larger gears up to 600 mm diameter, but we also can measure other rotation-symmetrical parts as well as a broad range of prismatic parts. This type of inspection machine allows us to perform production monitoring, prototype development or reverse engineering. The vertical GMM machine design, compared to traditional gear checkers, is more convenient for measuring internal gears.”

Bob Sakuta concludes, “We continue to have a very good experience working with Xspect Solutions on our CMM issues over the years. We have developed the same type of long-term customer/supplier relationship with them that we like to have with our own customers. We’re confident that if there is something new and beneficial to our companies with respect to measuring, Xspect Solutions with their high quality line of Wenzel equipment will bring it to our attention. We now have three Wenzel machines, a CMM, a WGT350 Gear Inspection Machine and an LH GMM at our two plants as well as an OpenDMIS upgrade for our older Federal CMM. We are extremely pleased with their operation and performance.”

Xspect Solutions, Inc. headquartered in Wixom, Michigan, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wenzel GmbH of Germany. Xspect Solutions is the Number 3 supplier of CMMs in the North American metrology market including; new Wenzel CMMs, and is the world’s largest supplier of pre-owned CMM equipment. Xspect Solutions also supplies new Wenzel CMMs, new LH GMMs as well as OpenDMIS® software to the North American markets.

CMM Quarterly's New Look

CMM Quarterly announces a updated website with a new look

Visit www.cmmquarterly.com/ezine

Be sure and change your bookmarks

A Primer on 3D Scanning in Forensics, Part 1

By Eugene Liscio, P.Eng

As 3D scanners become more common for capturing and preserving evidence, police, forensic technicians, attorneys, and others involved in the legal industry need to be aware of the applications, benefits, and limitations of how this technology is applied in recording data and subsequently how it can be used to aid in the analysis of evidence and crime scenes. The following article provides an introduction into the ever growing application of 3D scanners in the forensics industry.

The start of any forensic investigation must begin with the collection, review, and analysis of evidence. As a general rule of thumb, the better the quality of evidence, the better the analysis and likelihood of solving the crime. This is why there is a regular stream of new products, equipment, and software to aid the forensic technician in the collection, organization, and analysis of evidence. Many products or technologies are specialized in the collection of evidence while others' sole purpose is to keep evidence organized. However, even fewer technologies can collect, organize, and provide the analysis tools all in one package. This is the main reason why 3D scanning for forensics is an ever growing and useful application of laser based measurement technologies in fighting crimes and reconstructing events.

Often referred to as High Definition Surveying (HDS), 3D scanning became popular in the late 1990s for surveying buildings, terrain, and other architectural features in a very rapid and detailed manner. However, it wasn't long before many in the industry realized that the quick capture of vast amounts of point data was invaluable over the more traditional total stations. 3D Scanners can obtain tens of thousands of point measurements per second, while most total stations capture one measurement every few seconds (at best). Therefore, the time savings and possibilities available with a 3D scanner would be practically impossible with more traditional methods. The end result is that accident and crime scenes can be released in a fraction of the time with more measurements than were ever possible before.

The term "3D Scanners" makes up a broad range of devices and technologies all aimed at taking a large quantity of measurements of an object's surface or environment. The choice and application of 3D scanning often depends on the size of the object (or environment) being scanned along with an understanding of what will be done with the data once it is captured. These two factors often drive the type of technology that can be used to obtain measurements and in some cases, what type of software will be used to edit the data.

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Hexagon acquires assets and technical intellectual property of MYCRONA

Hexagon AB, a Sweden-based manufacturer and supplier of measuring machines and engineering products, has acquired all the outstanding assets and technical intellectual property of MYCRONA Gesellschaft fur innovative Messtechnik mbH, a Germany-based manufacturer of state-of-the-art 3D multi-sensor coordinate measuring machines.

Following the transaction, the businesses will be integrated into Hexagon's metrology vision business. It will be operated with research and development (R&D) and manufacturing facilities in Germany and China.

Deal Type Acquisition

Sub-Category Asset Purchase

Deal Status Completed: 2009-12-10

Deal Participants

Target (Company) MYCRONA Gesellschaft fur innovative Messtechnik mbH - Assets and Technical Intellectual Property

Acquirer (Company) Hexagon AB

Vendor (Company) MYCRONA Gesellschaft fur innovative Messtechnik mbH

Deal Rationale

The acquisition will further enhance Hexagon Metrology's product offering in multisensor vision technology.

Hexagon expands its offering in the Vision Metrology business

Hexagon has recently acquired all outstanding assets and intellectual property of two German companies within the vision metrology industry. The acquisitions will further enhance Hexagon’s worldwide product offering in multisensor vision technology.

The background to the acquisitions is the growing demand for 3D feature recognition using optical, white light and non-contact scanning probes in the metrology industry. Customers need flexible equipment with multiple sensors for measuring a variety of features in one set up. This is a high growth area within Metrology and the targeted customer groups are found in a number of different industries such as High-tech, Medical, Electronics and Micro-machining.

The acquired assets and IPs from Mahr Multisensor GmbH gives Hexagon a complete range of optical coordinate measuring systems used for measuring in industrial applications, as well as in science and research.

Hexagon has also acquired all assets and IPs from Mycrona GmbH which is a manufacturer of state-of-the-art 3D multi-sensor coordinate measuring machines. Mycrona’s product portfolio consists of a complete range of machines for the vision industry. Each product offering is available with camera, laser or white light scanning sensors as well as contact probe systems. In addition the machines already offer Hexagon’s PCDMIS Vision Software, on all their products.

The acquired businesses will be integrated into Hexagon’s Metrology Vision business. It will be operated with R&D and manufacturing facilities in Germany and China.

”With these acquisitions Hexagon covers all aspects of the multisensor market from fairly simple low-end systems already established via Hexagon’s subsidiary Tesa to the advanced automated systems that Mahr and Mycrona represents. It also opens up the door to the nano segment of the measurement technology industry", says Ola Rollén, CEO and President of Hexagon AB.

Excluding inter-company transactions, the acquisitions will add approximately 50-70 MSEK to Hexagon's sales in 2010. The acquisitions will be fully consolidated as of 1 January 2010, and will immediately contribute to Hexagon's earnings.

Hexagon AB is a global measurement technologies company with strong market positions. Hexagon's mission is to develop and market leading technologies and services to measure in one, two or three dimensions, to position and update objects and to time processes. The group has about 8 000 employees in 35 countries and net sales of about 13 000 MSEK. Read more at www.hexagon.se.

Quality Assurance in Dental Technology

AmannGirrbach AG uses coordinate measuring technology from Carl Zeiss

Skilled craftsmanship is vital in a dental lab. High-quality materials and precision down to the last detail contribute to health and quality of life. The latest manufacturing techniques guarantee high quality. To ensure this quality, AmannGirrbach offers 500 articles for dental technology ranging from an articulator to a chewing motion simulator to consumables.

A highly precise dental prosthetic, for which finishing and reworking can be clearly reduced, is more important than ever in dentistry. Highly precise production of the equipment used to make models is vital to ensuring that dental prosthetics fit properly. Therefore, very exact measurements are required to check the quality of the finished parts. In addition to a CONTURA® G2 coordinate measuring machine, AmannGirrbach utilizes an O-INSPECT multisensor measuring machine for optical and contact measurements to provide its customers with high-quality products.

Optimizing quality assurance

Changes to the portfolio, increasingly narrowing tolerances and a rising number of freeform surfaces required new approaches in quality assurance. AmannGirrbach quickly recognized that quality assurance is more than something they had to do. The implementation of a CAQ system (computer-aided quality) also demanded the implementation of reproducible processes. Here, in-depth quality assurance of the finished parts is vital. Mario Fröhle, Head of Quality Assurance at AmannGirrbach, emphasizes that “quality assurance shortens and optimizes the manufacturing process, but should not be solely the task of the QA employee. The ease of use of ZEISS coordinate measuring machines is a key element. Inspection has thus become part of everyday work.”

Coordinate measuring machines in quality assurance have considerably shortened the inspection process and lowered the number of rejects. Workpieces which required 10 minutes to inspect in the past can now be checked in around three minutes in a CNC run. However, not only measuring time reduction, but also the increasing number of form and position tolerances demanded flexible methods in quality assurance. This is where the benefits of scanning technology from Carl Zeiss become evident. They enable the evaluation of linear tolerances, and form and position tolerances in a single measurement. Low quantities and different parts demand frequent changes to the setup of the machines. Here, it is particularly important to have a measuring system comprising a coordinate measuring machine and measuring software that quickly and reliably provides the machine operator with correction values.

CALYPSO for contact and optical measuring

With CALYPSO®, the quality of the parts can be checked on both the CONTURA G2 contact coordinate measuring machine and the O-INSPECT optical-contact coordinate measuring machine. Operators always use the same interface regardless of the measuring machine or workpiece.

The Coordinate Measuring Machines Role In Precision Machining

There is no doubt that the current economy has impacted the health of machining industry throughout the world. The smaller demand for machining products is taking its toll on some machine shops that are not able to find clever ways to operate effectively and efficiently. Some shops are continuing to perform at high levels, and are not experiencing the situation as other have been required to.

There is no secret why some machine shops are adapting to this change and are able to maintain profit even during these difficult times. The best machine shops are finding ways to be more precise. Sure. Precision craft is what most machine shops have prided themselves on for a long time, but the shops that are doing well today are expanding the meaning of this precision into the ways they are running the business. More often than not, this precision in business management means the addition of some type of technology.

The growth in machining is in the field of precision machining. With the automotive industry not performing as it once did, the old machine ships that once were able to press and machine parts within reasonable specifications are now understanding that they need to switch operations in order to stay competitive. Precision machining, that is machining that operates within a tiny fraction of an inch, and has fine minuscule tolerances, is now in high demand. This is due to the fact that many industries such as the alternative energy field need very small tolerances.

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