The current CMM Quarterly training programs on Teachable.
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GD&T and Calypso
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Showing posts with label CMM Software. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CMM Software. Show all posts
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CMM Manager 3-2-1 Alignment
This video is part of the CMM Manager video training series offered at CMM Quarterly Publications. This video demonstrates not only how to create a 3-2-1 Alignment but also what is happening with the degrees of freedom.
Inspection Manager Now Supporting Automated Drawing Revision Control
HIGH QA, a leading developer of 2D automated ballooning and GD&T solutions, announces the release of version 3.8 of its revolutionary Inspection Manager software featuring an automated Revision Control module.
The Revision Control module helps users avoid hours of redundant work when the quality control department receives a new revision of a drawing.
The software facilitates a smooth transition from the current drawing revision while keeping intact all balloons, dimensions, and data that have not changed from the previous version. Revision Control Wizard guides users though the drawing update process, clearly marks the differences between the old and new drawings, and helps make new revision balloon adjustments. Newly added dimensions can be automatically ballooned in just one click.
Adding the Revision Control to Inspection Manager's powerful automation capabilities, supplements a set of modules that include: automated ballooning and GD&T extraction, generation of an inspection plan, and creation of inspection reports, such as FAI, PPAP, and more.
"Our main objective is to streamline the inspection process, eliminate bottlenecks, and automate processes that traditionally have been done manually," said Sam Golan High QA Founder and Chairman. "We keep an open line of communication with our clients to receive their feedback on our products, listen to their needs and challenges, and develop solutions that target their goals. Revision Control was 'born' to help our clients keep track of changes and revisions to the original blueprint with a few clicks of a button."
As part of High QA's commitment to a high level of customer service, its loyal customers will receive the Revision Control module at no additional charge.
Adopted by clients in the aerospace, automotive, medical, and manufacturing industries, Inspection Manager has already been proven to improve efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
To learn more about Inspection Manager, join us for a free web seminar.
Please contact Shimon Azulay This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">shimon@highqa.com with any questions or to request a private demo.
The CMM Handbook Version 6
CMM Quarterly Publications announces the newest version of The CMM Handbook. This version, version 6, has added an expanded GD&T section, a complete section on Profile, and more in-depth articles on CMM methodology.
Now take your CMM knowledge to a higher level with The CMM Handbook and accompanying videos. With expanded explanations and examples, this book will add to your knowledge of how the CMM is calculating your measured results.
This book is not a training manual on a specific software but an educational resource.
NIKON METROLOGY AND CROTTS & SAUNDERS ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP FOR SOUTHEAST REGION
BRIGHTON, MI – December 12, 2012 - — Nikon Metrology, Inc. and Crotts & Saunders Engineering have announced an agreement offering innovative products and services for industrial metrology across the Southeast region, with state-of-the-art capabilities that will advance the quality of metrology across the region. Robert Wasilesky, Senior Vice President of Sales for Nikon Metrology states, “Nikon Metrology’s commitment to bring leading-edge technology to the southeast is greatly enhanced by our new partnership with Crotts & Saunders. This new partnership will benefit industry in this important region by integrating Nikon Metrology’s complete line of innovative metrology products with Crotts & Saunders tradition of sales excellence, service and local support.” Crotts & Saunders Engineering has offered metrology services in the Carolinas, Virginia, and West Virginia for nearly 60 years. “We have a deep understanding of this service industry and realize that customers’ needs are becoming more complex in terms of their measurement standards as well as their sheer ability to get the job done in a more efficient and effective manner.”, said Van Crotts, President of Crotts & Saunders Engineering, “We are very proud of our past metrology services division, and are now aggressively focused on building an even stronger future to exceed ever changing customer expectations. By combining Crotts & Saunders full suite of unmatched custom client services and Nikon’s commitment to delivering breakthrough innovative products we will do just that.” Thomas Ayers, Manager of Metrology Services says, “We are excited about this partnership on a number of levels, but at the core we now have a partner that truly understands that the industry can only advance through innovative technology. Together we believe that we have the ability to redefine the category and recalibrate customers’ expectations of a metrology partner.”
Crotts & Saunders services will expand to include West Virginia. Nikon will also utilize the Crotts & Saunders headquarters located on Silas Creek Parkway as a regional hub for demonstrating the product line and training for the entire Southeast region.
NIKON METROLOGY BECOMES OFFICIAL PARTNER FOR METROLOGY TO PENSKE RACING
BRIGHTON, MI – September 11, 2012 - Nikon Metrology Inc. and Penske Racing today jointly announced a multi-year partnership agreement that makes Nikon Metrology the Official Supplier of Dimensional Metrology Products and Services to Penske Racing.
Penske Racing, known as the “New York Yankees of motorsports” with over 23 national championships, including 12 in Indy Car racing, is the standard for excellence in motorsports. In its efforts to achieve continuous improvement, Penske Racing wanted to further enhance its advanced technology and manufacturing methods and the organization followed that to the conclusion of the need for a premier Metrology provider. That search led to Nikon Metrology.
"When Penske Racing approached us, we recognized immediately the fit between two leaders in their respective fields," said Hajime Kosawa, Managing Director of Nikon Metrology, Inc. "Our North American Technology Center in Brighton, MI has extensive experience working with automotive companies, and this is a very logical extension, combining our experience and products with Penske Racing’s leadership in motorsports and its quest for continuous improvement and realized results."
Nikon Metrology is one of the largest global providers of metrology products and value-added services, with one of the widest range of products.
"To have Nikon Metrology team with us helps Penske Racing continue its winning ways and further extend our footprint by expanding the boundaries in ways to improve," said John Moloney, General Manager of Penske Technology Group. "Our commitment to putting forth the most competitive and advanced race cars possible has been improved greatly with Nikon Metrology as a partner."
ABOUT PENSKE RACING
Penske Racing is one of the most successful teams in the history of professional sports. Competing in a variety of disciplines, cars owned and prepared by Penske Racing have produced 362 major race wins, including 15 Indianapolis 500 victories, 423 pole positions and 23 National Championships. For more information about Penske Racing, please visit www.penskeracing.com.
ABOUT NIKON METROLOGY
Nikon Metrology offers the most complete and innovative metrology product portfolio, including state-of-the-art vision measuring instruments complemented with optical inspection and mechanical 3D metrology solutions. These reliable and innovative products respond to the advanced inspection requirements of manufacturers active in consumer, automotive, aerospace, electronics, medical and other industries. For more information, visit www.nikonmetrology.com.
Creaform Releases New VXtrack Dynamic Tracking Module at CONTROL 2011
The new modules is part of Creaform’s VXelements proprietary 3D data acquisition software
Creaform, leader in portable 3D optical measurement technologies and 3D engineering services, will release its new VXtrack dynamic tracking software module during the 25th CONTROL international trade fair for quality assurance that will be held in Stuttgart, Germany, from May 3-6, 2011 (Hall 5, booth 5108).
VXtrack dynamic tracking module
Teamed with Creaform’s C-Track dual camera optical sensor, VXtrack dynamic tracking can be used to simultaneously and continuously measure positions and orientations in space with great precision. Combined with the HandyPROBE arm-free portable coordinate measuring machine (CMM), VXtrack provides a complete portable 3D measuring solution offering both probing inspection and dynamic measurement capabilities.
The VXtrack module has numerous applications like robot calibration and guidance, monitoring of complex assembly processes, real-time compensation of machining tool-generated errors and monitoring of deformations during testing and can be useful in various industries such as aerospace, automotive, robotics, biomechanics and non-destructive testing (NDT).
Benefits and main features
TRUaccuracy technology guarantees the highest precision, in the lab or on the shop floor and simultaneous measuring of a rigid set of reflectors allows for increased 6 DOF precision.
VXtrack has a measurement rate of up to 24,000 reflectors per second with oversampling, along with extendable measuring volume, real-time curve display, an API for interfacing with third-party applications and acquisition synchronization capability through external trigger input.
About Creaform
Creaform specializes in 3D portable optical measurement technologies and 3D engineering services. We offer innovative solutions that cover the entire range of 3D applications, including 3D scanning, reverse engineering, inspection, design & engineering and FEA. Our wide range of products and services are intended for industries such as the automotive, aerospace and defense, consumer products, education, heritage preservation, manufacturing, medical care and multimedia.
Creaform has developed and sells the Handyscan 3D line of portable, self-positioning handheld 3D scanners that generate highly-accurate 3D scanning data. Creaform also manufactures and sells the HandyPROBE fully portable arm-free CMM, and the MetraSCAN optical CMM 3D scanner, two systems designed for inspection applications. Moreover, the company offers the Creaform 3D Body Digitizers line-up.
Creaform is an international company with offices in Québec City, Montréal, the United States, France, Germany, China, India and Japan.
Nikon Metrology CMMs: When precision is absolutely critical
Over the years, the use of coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) has become widely adopted. Manufacturers rely on CMMs to inspect and verify components and production parts. Nikon Metrology inspection systems offer high-accuracy and fast automatic inspection, and support a variety of probing solutions, including touch-trigger, digital, analog and laser options. Backed by a 45-year heritage, LK CMMs are designed and manufactured to perform dimensional, positional and surface measurement, using only the latest technologies and materials. Nikon Metrology is the only manufacturer supplying complete CMM installations, including CMMs, laser scanners, CMM driver software and point cloud processing software.
A premium range of long-lasting ceramic CMMs
Nikon Metrology offers bridge, horizontal-arm and gantry CMMs in varying measuring volumes, to suit any requirement. The ceramic bridge and spindle components of the LK line of CMMs, coupled with a proven air-bearing design, provide the ultimate in stiffness and stability, and deliver significantly improved measuring repeatability. Utilizing super-light aluminum as a key structural component and boasting air bearings on all axes, C3 CMMs are high-specification, cost-effective metrology solutions for small to medium-size applications.
Verisurf Software and Nikon Metrology Announce Global OEM Agreement
Verisurf’s Enterprise Metrology Platform to Drive All Nikon Portable Metrology Devices
Nikon Metrology and Verisurf Software have made it possible for manufacturers to drive all Nikon portable metrology devices from Verisurf’s common software platform. Supported Nikon metrology devices include Laser Radar, K-Series optical CMMs configured with scanners and probes, MCA II articulated arm configured with scanners and probes, and the iGPS.
“Verisurf is proud to partner with Nikon and offer engineers a major breakthrough in measurement and inspection,” said Ernie Husted, president of Verisurf. “Having advanced inspection software that drives all of their metrology devices will dramatically increase their customer’s manufacturing efficiency by saving countless hours learning and using multiple software interfaces, while significantly reducing software maintenance and technical support costs across their enterprise.”
“This partnership is a huge benefit to our metrology customers,” said Doug Kappler, Director of Nikon Metrology Large Scale Division. “In addition to being able to offer a single software platform for all Nikon portable metrology devices, the software provides fully automated and programmable measurements.”
Under the terms of the global OEM agreement Nikon will sell, market, train and support Verisurf software when bundled with Nikon Metrology devices.
Verisurf’s new X platform is the latest release of its popular computer aided inspection and reverse engineering software. The X platform gives engineers unprecedented value with new device interfaces, improved inspection guidance functionality and feature extraction for reverse engineering. An updated VDI has added many new non-contact measurement and automation controls for the Nikon Metrology Laser Radar, enabling this sophisticated metrology device to perform at its highest level.
Verisurf Software, Inc.
Verisurf Software, Inc. is a privately held metrology software development company committed to delivering advanced computer-aided inspection and reverse engineering solutions. Verisurf software lets manufacturers produce higher quality products in less time and at a lower cost by using highly automated paperless, 3D model-based inspection processes, rather than hand measurements and 2D paper drawings. For more information, visit www.verisurf.com.
Nikon Metrology, Inc.
Nikon Metrology, Inc. is a division of NIKON CORPORATION (JSX:7731) and offers the most complete and innovative metrology product portfolio, including state-of-the-art vision measuring instruments complemented with optical and mechanical 3D metrology solutions. These reliable and innovative metrology solutions respond to the advanced inspection requirements of manufacturers active in consumer, automotive, aerospace, electronics, medical and other industries. Systems are available in both fixed and portable configurations, equipped with a single or multiple sensors. Additional information about Nikon Metrology is available at www.nikonmetrology.com. Additional information about NIKON CORPORATION is available at www.nikon.com.
Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology and Koepfer America, LLC form Business Partner Agreement
Carl Zeiss IMT and Koepfer America have formally joined with a new Business Partner Agreement for the United States and Canada. This agreement will provide improved technical and marketing support related to all areas of CMM gear metrology offered by Carl Zeiss. Recognized globally as a market leader for CMM equipment, Carl Zeiss with its partnership with Koepfer America, will expand its reach into all areas of gear metrology.
Carl Zeiss offers machines to measure both parallel axis and bevel gears from the smallest gears used in microtechnologies
up to 4m (157.5”) in diameter. This is accomplished using their GEAR PRO software package, which is both a mature and truly flexible product. In addition, prismatic features can be measured in a seamless integration with the metrology software package: CALYPSO.
Since 1989, Koepfer America has been a leader in parallel axis gear manufacturing equipment sales, service and support for North America. Koepfer is nationally recognized for its influential role with the American Gear Manufacturers Association, AMT, Euro Trans, SME and other technical groups.
CMM Quarterly
The 2010 Summer Issue of CMM Quarterly is now available
www.cmmquarterly.com/ezine
Be sure and visit our Summer 2010 Issue Sponser
Mark Boucher Consulting
www.cmmquarterly.com/ezine
Be sure and visit our Summer 2010 Issue Sponser
Mark Boucher Consulting
METROSOFT QUARTIS
WENZEL-Metromec Launch First 4th Generation CMM Software
At the Control 2010 Exhibition, Stuttgart May 4th-7th, WENZEL-Metromec will officially launch their 4th Generation Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) software as a full touch and scanning probe application. Metrosoft QUARTIS is a fully CAD immersed CMM software and builds upon the three previous software generations of Metrosoft software.
Metrosoft QUARTIS is a true synchronous software providing for both a real-time graphics interaction with the physical CMM and, through extensive kinematic mod-eling, a real-time preview of commands selected from in-depth galleries of availa-ble inspection routines options. The graphics rich environment of Metrosoft QUARTIS utilizes the ACIS modeling kernel.
Metrosoft QUARTIS has been engineered to incorporate the licensed Microsoft Fluent User Interface, first introduced in the 2007 Office products, and uses a dy-namic series of ‘Ribbons’ as the user’s principle interaction with the software’s functionality. Typically in complex application software, such as that needed to program and operate a CMM, too many program features are hidden and hard to locate making the software neither intuitive nor fluent. The goal of the Microsoft Fluent User Interface is to make it easier for users to locate and use the full range of feature rich capabilities today’s advanced software applications such as Metro-soft QUARTIS provide and eliminates multiple toolbars, menus and pop-up dialog boxes. In addition an uncluttered workspace is provided reducing user distraction and improving dramatically productivity while shortening considerable learning curves. Metrosoft QUARTIS is the first example of the highly successful Microsoft Fluent User Interface in the field of metrology making its operation by Microsoft proficient users a breeze.
Metrosoft QUARTIS imports all the standard CAD formats including native geome-try files from all of the major CAD suppliers. Metrosoft QUARTIS is both an On-Line and Off-Line product and uniquely allows the CMM programmer to use the software off-line at the CMM while the machine is performing automatic part inspection, increasing further the productivity benefits offered.
The generated inspection program has been iconized eliminating the need for the programmer to interact with high level languages such as DMIS. The database is built upon Microsoft Access structure providing a powerful yet simple to manage database solution with fully integrated Statistical Process Control (SPC).
Click’n’Measure functionality, measuring strategy dynamic libraries, live preview, CAD geometry extraction with automeasure, rapid part alignment routines, con-struction libraries for elements, path planning with crash prediction and avoidance are just some of the dynamic features incorporated into Metrosoft QUARTIS guid-ing and assisting the CMM programmer through his measuring tasks.
All CMM measured data must be reported in order for the up and down stream manufacturing operation to have the necessary knowledge to control and adjust their respective processes. The reporting function of Metrosoft QUARTIS provides the user with a powerful combination of graphics and authoring tools ensuring inspection results are presented in a graphically enhanced, intuitive format. Bal-looned Graphical Reports, Colored Whisker Deviation plots, Topographical colored charts can be brought together in a single report and can be output in Excel or PDF formats. Authoring a new report is quick and can either be based upon one of the suggested available templates or, using a clean-sheet approach, created with the tools presented on the dedicated Ribbon; all of which will be immediately recognized by proficient Microsoft users.
Role defined access control provides for scaleable functionality, based upon user authorization level, including a standard Program Launch Panel providing for a single click launch of inspection part programs at the CMM by production opera-tors.
Metrosoft QUARTIS is available on the full range of new WENZEL CMMs, as an upgrade to existing WENZEL CMM users, or as a retrofit to all other CMM brands.
WENZEL Metromec, based in Chur, Switzerland, are experienced pioneers in the CMM software field having developed the very first PC based CMM software back in the mid-eighties. Quality, Reliability and Precision are the hallmarks of Swiss products; this could not be more important than in the field of Metrology where the software driving the CMM is benchmarking global manufacturing conformance against international metrology standards. Metrosoft QUARTIS accelerates per-sonal workflow tremendously and guarantees more efficiency and higher productivity.
A 15 minute video presentation of Metrosoft QUARTIS is available on-line or a free flash video CD can be requested.
About WENZEL Group
The WENZEL Group GmbH & Co. KG is one of the leading manufacturers of me-trology solutions. The wide range of WENZEL products include solutions in the fields of coordinate measuring machines, gear metrology, computed tomography, high speed measuring- and digitizing-systems and reverse engineering. The com-pany serves customers in various industries mainly in the automotive and aero-space industries, mechanical engineering, and electrical motor manufacturing, as well as subcontractors operating in those sectors. The company has subsidiaries worldwide and sales and service partners in more than 50 countries. The WENZEL Group is employing about 600 people.
Contact for further information
Dr. Evelin Arnold | phone: +49 6020 201-6110 | fax + 49 6020 201-66 6110
evelin.arnold@wenzel-cmm.com | www.wenzel-group.com
New from Carl Zeiss: CALYPSO 5.0
Increase measuring efficiency—from the generation of measuring plans to data analysis and documentation
OBERKOCHEN, Germany—May 04, 2010.
With CALYPSO 5.0, the function for importing metadata as a feature directly from 3D CAD systems has been improved. It is now possible to generate measurement plans from the 3D models up to 60 percent faster. CAD metadata (PMI) in the form of dimensions and tolerances, comments in text form and data on surface quality and material specifications can be accepted with very high accuracy by CALYPSO 5.0. The Siemens NX (UG), CATIA V5 and ProE CAD systems, as well as the new open CAD format JT Open are supported. A 3D computer mouse increases the efficiency of offline programming.
An important feature has been added to the function of integrating a live camera image into the CAD model for optical measurements: CALYPSO 5.0 uses an interactive selection in the live image of the camera sensor to automatically navigate the coordinate measuring machine to the desired location. Extensive searching for a feature and the time-consuming positioning with the joysticks on the control panel are no longer necessary.
Optimized probing cycles make single-point measurements considerably faster. With the VAST® XT and VAST XXT probes, the time needed for a measurement is reduced by up to six percent. There is now a special option for the measurement of tubes. Entire tubes and segments can be inspected and specific values for tube production can be ascertained. The results are then available as correctional values for tube bending machines.
New features are also available for the METROTOM® computer tomographs from Carl Zeiss: they allow the definition of customized tolerance classes and visualization of the results in informative colored displays.
CMM Programming Automation Now Available for SolidWorks Users
PAS CMM for SolidWorks reduces up to 97% of CMM programming time
PAS Technology, developer of the revolutionary PAS CMM automation software, announced the release of PAS CMM for SolidWorks, an add-on that enables SolidWorks CAM users to automate CMM programming directly from their familiar SolidWorks environment.
With PAS CMM for SolidWorks, users can utilize their SolidWorks models or drawings, including GD&T, to create CMM programs in three easy steps that take minutes instead of hours or days. The integrated solution supports the generation of CMM programs suitable to any CMM machine in a DMIS environment.
“We are excited to bring our solution to the SolidWorks world,” said Sam Golan, PAS Technology’s President and CEO. “PAS CMM has a successful track record of enabling leading manufacturers to dramatically reduce the time and effort required to produce CMM programs. The tight integration between the two products will provide even greater time and cost savings to organizations that use SolidWorks.”
Click here to read entire article
With PAS CMM for SolidWorks, users can utilize their SolidWorks models or drawings, including GD&T, to create CMM programs in three easy steps that take minutes instead of hours or days. The integrated solution supports the generation of CMM programs suitable to any CMM machine in a DMIS environment.
“We are excited to bring our solution to the SolidWorks world,” said Sam Golan, PAS Technology’s President and CEO. “PAS CMM has a successful track record of enabling leading manufacturers to dramatically reduce the time and effort required to produce CMM programs. The tight integration between the two products will provide even greater time and cost savings to organizations that use SolidWorks.”
Click here to read entire article
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.
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.
Bowes Uses Delcam Software for Airbus Interiors
BIRMINGHAM, UK, Mar 19, 2009 - Delcam’s CADCAM software has been used by Bowes Design and Development in most projects it has undertaken for the last 15 years, including two projects within the development of the cabin interiors for the Airbus A380. The first project was to develop a concept interior; the second to manufacture replica cabin linings for climate-control testing.
The interior project, which was undertaken in association with a team of design consultants, involved the development of the complete cabin, including the seating, lighting and a bar, within 20 weeks. To complete the work to deadline, the cabin was divided into a number of sections that were manufactured, checked and finished with the Delcam software before being shipped to Toulouse for assembly.
Some of the aircraft interiors developed by Bowes with Delcam software
The cabin linings had to be delivered to the Airbus engineering division in Hamburg with an even shorter deadline of 16 weeks. Unlike mock-ups for sales and marketing, the engineering prototypes had to perform under real-life conditions and be subjected to the full range of environmental conditions that could be experienced in the cabin. The replica cabin met and exceeded customer expectations, in both temperature and humidity testing, and so provided an important contribution to the development of the A380.
While this type of work may provide some of Bowes’ most high-profile projects, it only makes up half of the company’s business. The remainder comes from the automotive, marine and other industries. The range of processes used is equally diverse, including direct machining, reaction injection molding, vacuum casting, resin transfer molding, thermoforming, and carbon fibre-reinforced plastics molding and hand lay-up.
This diversity is an important part of the company’s success according to Director Dave Thompson. “Most of our clients provide a CAD model that needs to be turned into a physical prototype,” he explained. “With our range of processes, we can choose the route that is most cost-effective and that will also meet the customer’s quality requirements.”
To provide all these services, Bowes has thirteen CNC machines, six of which are five-axis. These are used to give a very fast, accurate turn around. The largest is a CMS router that is 4.8 x 2.4 x 1.2 meters. “We use the different machines for different materials and applications,” said Mr. Thompson. “For example, our newest piece of equipment is a DMG DMU 100 that we chose for machining aluminum injection moulds for short-run production. This is a growing part of our business and the results from the new machine have been very impressive.”
In contrast, in its18 years of using CADCAM, Bowes has always stuck with Delcam software.
The company now uses the PowerSHAPE modeling software to design all its different types of tooling from the CAD models supplied by its customers. Delcam’s PowerMILL CAM system is used for all the machining, whether it is the direct production of finished parts or the manufacture of tooling. Similarly, all inspection is carried out with the PowerINSPECT inspection software, both on a conventional coordinate measuring machine and on a portable FARO inspection arm.
Paul Beckett, who has been using the Delcam software for fifteen years and is now Managing Director, said “Delcam is established as the leading system for toolmaking and cutter-path generation. Now it is even more dominant. Our Delcam software always does the job. It is extremely flexible, which is essential for our variety of processes, and gets faster with every release, which we need when customers want projects completed the day before they place the order. Over the years, we’ve looked at other systems but we’ve never felt any need to change from Delcam.”
For more information on coordinate measuring machines go to http://www.cmmquarterly.com/
The interior project, which was undertaken in association with a team of design consultants, involved the development of the complete cabin, including the seating, lighting and a bar, within 20 weeks. To complete the work to deadline, the cabin was divided into a number of sections that were manufactured, checked and finished with the Delcam software before being shipped to Toulouse for assembly.
Some of the aircraft interiors developed by Bowes with Delcam software
The cabin linings had to be delivered to the Airbus engineering division in Hamburg with an even shorter deadline of 16 weeks. Unlike mock-ups for sales and marketing, the engineering prototypes had to perform under real-life conditions and be subjected to the full range of environmental conditions that could be experienced in the cabin. The replica cabin met and exceeded customer expectations, in both temperature and humidity testing, and so provided an important contribution to the development of the A380.
While this type of work may provide some of Bowes’ most high-profile projects, it only makes up half of the company’s business. The remainder comes from the automotive, marine and other industries. The range of processes used is equally diverse, including direct machining, reaction injection molding, vacuum casting, resin transfer molding, thermoforming, and carbon fibre-reinforced plastics molding and hand lay-up.
This diversity is an important part of the company’s success according to Director Dave Thompson. “Most of our clients provide a CAD model that needs to be turned into a physical prototype,” he explained. “With our range of processes, we can choose the route that is most cost-effective and that will also meet the customer’s quality requirements.”
To provide all these services, Bowes has thirteen CNC machines, six of which are five-axis. These are used to give a very fast, accurate turn around. The largest is a CMS router that is 4.8 x 2.4 x 1.2 meters. “We use the different machines for different materials and applications,” said Mr. Thompson. “For example, our newest piece of equipment is a DMG DMU 100 that we chose for machining aluminum injection moulds for short-run production. This is a growing part of our business and the results from the new machine have been very impressive.”
In contrast, in its18 years of using CADCAM, Bowes has always stuck with Delcam software.
The company now uses the PowerSHAPE modeling software to design all its different types of tooling from the CAD models supplied by its customers. Delcam’s PowerMILL CAM system is used for all the machining, whether it is the direct production of finished parts or the manufacture of tooling. Similarly, all inspection is carried out with the PowerINSPECT inspection software, both on a conventional coordinate measuring machine and on a portable FARO inspection arm.
Paul Beckett, who has been using the Delcam software for fifteen years and is now Managing Director, said “Delcam is established as the leading system for toolmaking and cutter-path generation. Now it is even more dominant. Our Delcam software always does the job. It is extremely flexible, which is essential for our variety of processes, and gets faster with every release, which we need when customers want projects completed the day before they place the order. Over the years, we’ve looked at other systems but we’ve never felt any need to change from Delcam.”
For more information on coordinate measuring machines go to http://www.cmmquarterly.com/
CAD Modeling The Basics
By Mark Boucher, CMM Quarterly
I want to cover some basics about CAD models that might help us understand what is happening with some model features when you program from a CAD model using your coordinate measuring machine. By understanding surfaces we can better evaluate any anomalies we may encounter when we import a model into our CAD base CMM software.
There are several model types and we will cover two of the most common ones you would come across today, solid models and surface models. To be more accurate, they are parametric models and freeform surface models.
Parametric Models
Parametric models are created from features that are defined by parameters, or dimensions. These dimensions can be changed and the feature moves with the change. Prior to parametric modeling if a change was made then the feature was recreated, extruded, trimmed, etc…, in the new position and the old feature was deleted. Parametric modeling maintains the relationship of part creation, assembly, to output of the blueprint and a change anywhere along that process will update the model at every level.
Parametric models are referred to as a solid model, as opposed to a wireframe model. A wireframe model is made up of lines that represent the part but have no surfaces on them and makes 3d viewing somewhat tedious.
Parametric modeling revolutionized the CAD industry and allowed more affordable CAD software to become available to anyone. You can now pick up parametric CAD programming software up at your local Best Buy right off the shelf.
Freeform Surface Models
The second model type I want to cover is the surface model. With surface models curves are used to define the surface area and surfaces are applied between the curves then they are trimmed and merged, to make a solid. The problem with this method is to make sure all the voids between the surfaces are filled in. The surface definition changes as the need requires. Let’s say, you have a plane that requires basically four lines to define the boundary of the plane. A chamfer merging into a radius requires a greater amount of defining to create this type of feature. While creating the surfaces you may end up with a small void as you try to fill in the feature. Point placement from your CMM program will be dependant on where it sees the plane boundaries and a void will not be inclusive in this plane so the boundaries are redefined not giving you a true representation of the surface. In parametric modeling these types of transitions are automatically resolved.Some CMM CAD based software have a ‘healing’ or ‘repair’ functionality that will mend some of these errors. It is always advisable to use healing when using this type of model. If your software does not include this functionality there are third party softwares that do the job for you.SurfacesCreation of surfaces begins with a spline, aka curve. Splines are single lines that make up the shape of the surface. Imagine points that make up the shape of your surface and spline will fit through these points. These splines are then used to create the surface through a method known as ‘swept’ (using the curves as a guide rail) or meshed (lofted) through. A ‘swept’ surface follows the shape of the curve line. If you had a helical curve the swept surface will follow that helical shape as it extrudes the surface.
If your engineering department does any sort of reverse engineering they will ask for a series of curve files that they can import into their CAD system. The curve files are then used to ‘mesh’ or ‘loft’ the surfaces. The density or frequency of the curve lines along the surface will depend on the complexity of the surface being scanned. For flat planes only several are needed but scanning the chamfer to radius transition we discussed before would require a greater amount of curves to define the feature.
Another method is direct creation of the surface with manipulation of the surface control points. Points are created along the curves that can be grabbed and drawn in any direction to create a new surface shape. This inherently will create new surfaces to fit the new configuration.
It is important to note that the majority of CMM software in the market today do not have true CAD functionality and thus do not have the ability to manipulate surfaces as described above but it is important to know what is happening during model creation.
This article is copyrighted. For permission to reprint this article please contact Mark Boucher at info@cmmquarterly.com
I want to cover some basics about CAD models that might help us understand what is happening with some model features when you program from a CAD model using your coordinate measuring machine. By understanding surfaces we can better evaluate any anomalies we may encounter when we import a model into our CAD base CMM software.
There are several model types and we will cover two of the most common ones you would come across today, solid models and surface models. To be more accurate, they are parametric models and freeform surface models.
Parametric Models
Parametric models are created from features that are defined by parameters, or dimensions. These dimensions can be changed and the feature moves with the change. Prior to parametric modeling if a change was made then the feature was recreated, extruded, trimmed, etc…, in the new position and the old feature was deleted. Parametric modeling maintains the relationship of part creation, assembly, to output of the blueprint and a change anywhere along that process will update the model at every level.
Parametric models are referred to as a solid model, as opposed to a wireframe model. A wireframe model is made up of lines that represent the part but have no surfaces on them and makes 3d viewing somewhat tedious.
Parametric modeling revolutionized the CAD industry and allowed more affordable CAD software to become available to anyone. You can now pick up parametric CAD programming software up at your local Best Buy right off the shelf.
Freeform Surface Models
The second model type I want to cover is the surface model. With surface models curves are used to define the surface area and surfaces are applied between the curves then they are trimmed and merged, to make a solid. The problem with this method is to make sure all the voids between the surfaces are filled in. The surface definition changes as the need requires. Let’s say, you have a plane that requires basically four lines to define the boundary of the plane. A chamfer merging into a radius requires a greater amount of defining to create this type of feature. While creating the surfaces you may end up with a small void as you try to fill in the feature. Point placement from your CMM program will be dependant on where it sees the plane boundaries and a void will not be inclusive in this plane so the boundaries are redefined not giving you a true representation of the surface. In parametric modeling these types of transitions are automatically resolved.Some CMM CAD based software have a ‘healing’ or ‘repair’ functionality that will mend some of these errors. It is always advisable to use healing when using this type of model. If your software does not include this functionality there are third party softwares that do the job for you.SurfacesCreation of surfaces begins with a spline, aka curve. Splines are single lines that make up the shape of the surface. Imagine points that make up the shape of your surface and spline will fit through these points. These splines are then used to create the surface through a method known as ‘swept’ (using the curves as a guide rail) or meshed (lofted) through. A ‘swept’ surface follows the shape of the curve line. If you had a helical curve the swept surface will follow that helical shape as it extrudes the surface.
If your engineering department does any sort of reverse engineering they will ask for a series of curve files that they can import into their CAD system. The curve files are then used to ‘mesh’ or ‘loft’ the surfaces. The density or frequency of the curve lines along the surface will depend on the complexity of the surface being scanned. For flat planes only several are needed but scanning the chamfer to radius transition we discussed before would require a greater amount of curves to define the feature.
Another method is direct creation of the surface with manipulation of the surface control points. Points are created along the curves that can be grabbed and drawn in any direction to create a new surface shape. This inherently will create new surfaces to fit the new configuration.
It is important to note that the majority of CMM software in the market today do not have true CAD functionality and thus do not have the ability to manipulate surfaces as described above but it is important to know what is happening during model creation.
This article is copyrighted. For permission to reprint this article please contact Mark Boucher at info@cmmquarterly.com
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