New products from FARO, Microscan, Titan Tool Supply and X-Rite.
FARO 3D Scanning Arm
FARO Technologies, Inc. has announced the launch of the FARO Design ScanArm, a portable 3D scanning solution tailored for 3D modeling, reverse engineering and CAD-based design applications across the product lifecycle management (PLM) process.
As a limited-time promotional offer, the FARO Design ScanArm will be bundled with 3D System’s Geomagic software at a reduced launch price. The available software options have capabilities that range from an automatic meshing software that delivers ready-to-use files without post-processing to reverse engineering software that combines history-based CAD with 3D scan data to create feature-based, editable solid models compatible with all major CAD platforms.
The FARO Design ScanArm features blue laser technology with fast scanning speed to deliver high-resolution point cloud data. The device is lightweight and maneuverable for desktop mounting in the design studio or engineering lab.
The FARO Design ScanArm is the 3D scanning solution for any organization that may have the need to manufacture parts without existing CAD models, develop aftermarket products that need to fit with existing products, reverse engineer legacy parts for design changes or replacement, create digital libraries to decrease inventory and warehouse costs, design aesthetically pleasing, freeform surfaces or leverage the power of rapid prototyping.
For more information, visit the FARO website.
Microscan Smart Cameras
Microscan, in collaboration with its distribution partner Axis New England, demonstrated flexible in-line inspection using the Universal Robots’ collaborative UR3 robotic arm and Microscan’s latest machine vision smart camera platform, at The Vision Show 2016 in Boston, MA.
The demo featured the world’s smallest Ethernet smart camera, slated for release from Microscan this summer, inspecting a small engine for the presence of critical components.
The UR3 robot demo was setup to read a Data Matrix 2D code and inspect the presence and position of several components on a small engine, such as a choke lever and a fuel cap. In this demo, if the Data Matrix code was missing or obstructed the robot would receive a failed result from the smart camera and use this data to trigger an action to “shake its head” and try to read the code again.
If the choke lever was released, the robot would receive a failed result based on the lever angle and would then use the robotic arm to reset the switch into position. Similarly, if the fuel cap was missing, the robot would use its gripper to pick up the cap from a programmed location and then place and secure it back onto the fuel tank.
Microscan’s latest machine vision smart camera platform was chosen for this demo due to its compact size and flexibility in terms of on-board image acquisition, vision processing and communications options. These cameras capable of barcode reading and complex vision inspection, enabling automatic identification, quality assurance and guidance applications.
According to the company, Microscan’s new imaging devices are the world’s smallest smart cameras and are up to twice as fast as competitive cameras in terms of vision processing performance. In addition, these cameras feature integrated liquid lens autofocus technology for optical working distance adaptability without any manual adjustment.
For more information, visit the Microscan website.
Titan Tool Supply 2D Optical Measuring Device
Titan Tool Supply, Inc. has announced the introduction of its second optical measuring device, the V-CAD 1. Developed in Germany by Schneider Messtechnik, the V-CAD 1 is capable of providing measurements of parts up to 76mm X 63mm in size.
According to the manufacturer, the V-CAD 1’s high resolution optical equipment ensures distortion-free measurement with excellent depth of field over the entire calibrated measuring range. This enables measurement of workpieces up to 60mm in height. The two-dimensional measurements are fully displayed in one window image.
Special features of the V-CAD 1 include:
- Large fields of view
- No axis movement to cause wear and tear
- High resolution camera with telecentric lenses
- Distortion-free calibrated measurement range
- Optional LED incident light source
A proprietary software tool enables measurement of several identical and different parts in a single operation. Measurement with the SAPHIR QD software is relatively easy since the parts are placed on V-CAD 1’s glass plate without the need for manual alignment.
For more information, visit the Titan Tool Supply website.
X-Rite Light Booth
X-Rite’s recently updated Judge QC light booth is designed to help optimize quality control operations. The Judge QC offers variety of lighting conditions, enabling users to determine how color will look in factory, as well as outside, in a fluorescent-lit store or the home environment. A lamp service indicator displays lamp functionality while multiple options for lamp replacement help ensure maximum up-time.
With 5 light sources, the Judge QC can help evaluate standard samples and batch-to-batch color variation. It features metal construction with a powder-coated surface for improved longevity. Other notable features include:
- Consistent fluorescent illumination that complies with international standards such as ISO, ASTM, DIN, ANSI and BSI
- Dual Daylight mode enables switching between D50 light source for print and packaging applications and D65 light sources for industrial applications in situations where operators may need to view samples under both lighting conditions
- Optional pre-certified lamp packs that include a calibration certification
For more information, visit the X-Rite website.
