Benchmark for quality assurance

This year, too, the trend is moving further in the direction of production measurement technology. This means that measurement technology is being integrated ever closer to or directly into the production environment. This means that control interventions to correct the production processes can be made even faster.

Closer to production
With the Atos Capsule, GOM has expanded its Atos series with a new fringe projection sensor for full-surface detection of contoured component geometries. Thanks to its innovative housing design, the sensor is protected against dust and water splashes. This means that the sensor is also suitable for harsher environments, for example directly in the industrial environment. As with the Atos II TripleScan, the measuring ranges of this system can be changed. The sensor can be used automatically in the standardized measuring machine Atos Scanbox for measurements and inspection. The system is used not only for the creation of surface deviations to CAD, but also for the inspection of dimensions, shape and position.

Firmly under control
The universal clamping device introduced by Maprox, called 3D-Flex-Fix, solves a problem that most metrology engineers have probably encountered: how to securely and stably mount constantly changing workpieces in the coordinate measuring machine.

The clamping device can be equipped with various attachment jaw systems according to a special modular principle. These enable use as a vice or as a two- or four-jaw chuck and are more flexible than comparable products.

Absolute measuring laser interferometer
With the Absolute-Multiline-Technology Etalon presents a solution for the precision measurement of lengths up to 20 meters.

This technology makes it possible for the first time to measure absolute lengths with interferometric accuracy. The measurement uncertainty in air is only 0.5 ppm (parts per million = μm per meter of measurement length). Unlike conventional interferometers, the measuring beam can be interrupted at any time.

Each channel can detect movements and vibrations of the measuring object with a temporal resolution of over 500 kHz. Up to 100 measuring channels can be operated simultaneously. Metrological traceability is ensured by an integrated gas cell whose molecular absorption spectrum is sampled with each measurement. This spectrum is stable over decades, so that a regular recalibration of the wavelength is not necessary.

For large measurement objects
MaxSHOT 3D Next from Creaform is an optical coordinate measuring system for large measurement objects between two and five meters based on photogrammetry. What is particularly striking about this system is the support it provides to the user. The device guides the user through the measurement by using a visual projection on the object in real time to guide the user to the correct recording position. This is intended to achieve higher quality results.

New test standards for optical measuring methods
Optical measuring methods are being used more and more frequently and are thus replacing tactile measurements. If existing test standards continue to be used, light rays from certain ceramics, for example, can reflect not only on the surface but also in the material itself, resulting in diffuse reflection. This will have a negative influence on the measurement result.

Based on this problem, Saphirwerk AG has developed two new types of test standards. The two test standards with the names Topic white and Topic black have a velvety surface. These are more suitable for use with optical measuring methods than the usual high-gloss finish of aluminium oxide.

In order to test the new test standards in practice, comparisons of optical and tactile systems according to VDI 2617 were carried out by a certified laboratory. This has shown that the new test standards, especially for measurements with image processing, laser, HPO systems or fringe light projection, show significant improvements compared to conventional materials such as glass, aluminum oxide or silicon nitride. It is therefore worthwhile to carry out your own tests with the new test standards in order to use the optimum product.

Renewable energies
The Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) is establishing a new competence centre on the subject of wind energy. In this centre, a coordinate measuring machine with a measuring volume of 5 m × 4 m × 2 m will be available for calibration purposes from the end of 2017.

In 2015, wind energy had a share of 44 % of renewable energies in Germany. At present, there are apparently only a few wind turbines that reach the targeted service life of 20 years without suffering at least two operational failures due to main drive components (such as bearings, drive shafts and gears). This leads to a relatively high failure rate.

So far, however, neither national metrology institutes nor calibration services offer standards for drive components in this order of magnitude. For this reason, PTB, together with other European metrology institutes and partners from industry and science, is developing various transmission component standards and calibration strategies within the framework of an EU project. For this purpose, measurements are performed on high-precision drive components.

Computer tomography for all
With the new To-moscope XS, Werth Messtechnik offers the technology of the big ones in the format of the small ones. A major advantage of the new system is the combination of the "open" construction and the monoblock design. This enables an unlimited service life with long maintenance intervals and low operating costs. Due to its compact dimensions, the unit can be installed almost anywhere. With a simple upgrade the X-ray voltage can be increased to 160 kV and the X-ray power to 80 W.

A new operating mode (Onthefly-CT) allows continuous recording of the transmission images without interrupting the rotary movement. This leads to significantly shorter measuring times and enables measurements of plastic and smaller metal workpieces during production.