Highest precision from pacemakers to construction machines
The Wenzel Group GmbH & Co. KG has dedicated itself to the development of measuring solutions in the fields of coordinate measuring technology, gear measuring technology, computer tomography as well as optical high speed scanning. The following report shows an application in the measurement of molded parts.
Whether smallest components with a weight of only 0.02 grams for pacemakers or workpieces with a total weight of over one ton for heavy construction machinery - USD Formteiltechnik GmbH manufactures a wide variety of customer drawing parts for renowned companies all over the world. In order to meet the high quality requirements, the company from Meinerzhagen in Sauerland relies on coordinate measuring technology from Wenzel in Wiesthal (Germany). In order to measure even faster and more accurately, an LH 65 gantry measuring machine with Metrosoft QUARTIS measuring software was put into operation in 2014.
USD Formteiltechnik GmbH supplies around 6000 different customer drawing parts in the manufacturing processes investment casting, mould casting, die casting, sintering, MIM, drop forging, stamping and turning. There are no limits to the variety. The areas of application are also very diverse. Industries such as automotive technology, construction machinery, agricultural machinery, food technology, medical technology, optics or mechanical and apparatus engineering are served.
Universal and flexible measurement
Suitable for the diverse requirements of USD, the LH 65 from the measuring technology manufacturer Wenzel is a universal and flexible measuring device for a wide range of applications. Here it is important to reliably and quickly determine micrometer-accurate information on the length, shape and position of the parts. The required measuring accuracy is usually less than 10 μm, depending on the size of the component. No problem for the coordinate measuring machine from Wenzel. Equipped with the PH10M motorized rotary/swivel head and the compact TP200 probe from Renishaw, the gantry measuring machine measures with an accuracy of 2.1 + L/300 μm. The high mechanical accuracy and long machine runtimes are ensured by the use of high-quality components. For example, base plates as well as traverses and quills are usually made of granite for Wenzel's air-bearing gantry gauges. Its physical properties make granite the perfect material for measuring devices. The software used, Metrosoft QUARTIS, is the latest generation of measuring software with a future-oriented architecture. The comprehensive and at the same time intuitively operable software package is widely used in the market.
Time-saving measurements against 3D data
The new measuring solution can cope with the constantly changing demands on the quality of the diverse components. Even with complex workpieces, USD achieves meaningful measurement results quickly and easily. For example, the company was faced with the challenge of manufacturing a component for exhaust gas recirculation for a German automobile manufacturer and assuring the quality. The profile shape tolerance was of particular importance.
The new coordinate measuring machine was used to verify that the component met the fluidic specifications. Among other things, it was important to avoid the operator's influence on the measurement results as much as possible and to automate the measurement processes as far as possible. The measurements against 3D data were carried out in a time-saving manner and the production order was completed on schedule.
Automation of measurement processes and coherent service concept
The purchase has paid off for USD. But before the measuring device was installed in the temperature-controlled measuring room, which is designed according to the VDI/VDE 2627 guideline, quality class 3, there was a strict selection process. To this end, USD compared several measuring solutions from different manufacturers. "What was important to us was the possibility of automating the measurement processes while at the same time reducing operator influence on the measurement result," explains Christian Kosak, Managing Director of USD. Other decisive criteria were accuracy, measurement throughput, powerful and easy-to-use measurement software, and connection to the existing CAD and CAQ systems.
Flexible measuring device for a wide range of applications.
"Last but not least, the service concept, convenience and ease of use also contributed to our decision," adds Michael Seibel, Head of Quality Assurance. In addition to the classic service activities such as maintenance, repair and spare parts, Wenzel offers more advanced services such as the Wenzel Online Service as well as training and measurement services. Service agreements in the form of maintenance and software care contracts as well as software updates and upgrades are an increasingly popular offer.
