THIS WEEK IN QUALITY: A 3D Scanner, Coordinate Measuring Machine, Thermal Camera and More

New products from Creaform, Hexagon MI, Jenoptik and Vision Engineering.

Creaform Laser 3D Scanner

The MetraSCAN 3D laser scanner.

The MetraSCAN 3D laser scanner.

Creaform recently unveiled its new 3D scanner for shop-floor operation, the MetraSCAN 3D.

Re-engineered to address increasing manufacturing quality standards, enhancements to the MetraSCAN 3D include:

  • Volumetric accuracy of 0.064 mm (0.0025”) regardless of environmental instabilities
  • 480,000 Measurements per second—12 times faster than the previous generation
  • New design for shop-floor hardware reliability
  • Available in 350 and 750 models in Standard and Elite versions

Thanks to TRUaccuracy, the MetraSCAN 3D’s optical-based data acquisition process provides measurement accuracy for small to large parts and assemblies that are insensitive to the instabilities of the environment. Efficient on black, multicolored and shiny surfaces, the system is designed to help manufacturers address potential quality control issues at any stage of the production cycle.

For more in-depth quality control procedures, users can add single-point measurements with Creaform’s HandyPROBE Next portable CMM, which, along with the MetraSCAN 3D, is compatible with VXinspect, Creaform’s dimensional inspection software.

For more information, visit the Creaform website.

Hexagon Coordinate Measuring Machine

The GLOBAL EVO coordinate measuring machine.

The GLOBAL EVO coordinate measuring machine.

Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence recently unveiled a new model of its GLOBAL coordinate measuring machine (CMM) designed in collaboration with the design house Pininfarina. This new machine is tailored specifically to offer process speed and efficiency to manufacturers requiring accurate tactile scanning and high throughput.

Built on the foundation of the GLOBAL family, GLOBAL EVO features several new technologies.

Central to the design is Compass, a vibration reduction technology which acts like a suspension system for the CMM. With Compass, the machine can compensate for vibrations caused by its own movements, enabling higher-speed scanning with no loss of accuracy.

GLOBAL EVO is also the first CMM from Hexagon to include Fly2 Mode, a new trajectory-optimizing technology that generates the most efficient path between points. Fly2 Mode automatically calculates the most efficient route between measurement points and generates the trajectory, minimizing non-value added motions.

GLOBAL EVO is available in three models: 09.12.08, 09.15.08, 09.20.08 from local Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence sales staff and dealers.

The EVO will be shown at HxGN LIVE, Hexagon’s International Conference, June 13 – 16, 2016, in Anaheim, CA.

For more information, visit the Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence website.

Jenoptik Thermal Camera

The IR-TCM Basic thermal camera. (Image courtesy of Jenoptik.)

The IR-TCM Basic thermal camera. (Image courtesy of Jenoptik.)

Jenoptik’s IR-TCM Basic thermal camera is based on a 640 x 480 pixel uncooled micro bolometer with 17 μm pixel pitch. The camera outputs detailed radiometric images with a thermal resolution of 40 mK NETD at a frame rate of up to 30 Hz.

The IRC-TCM Basic is calibrated to measure over a temperature range of -40C to 600C and can capture thermograms in real-time in GigE Vision, DVI, and composite video.

Camera setup, integration and control can be done through a variety of interfacing options, including wireless connectivity (Bluetooth and WLAN) and standard GigE-Vision. Third-party control and analysis software packages, along with a Jenoptik Software Development Kit (SDK), are available for customized solutions for advanced applications.

The IR-TCM Basic can be used for a broad range of thermal imaging applications, including:

  • Quality control
  • Process monitoring
  • Thermal test benches
  • Monitoring and optimization in automation or safety engineering

For more information, visit the Jenoptik website.

Vision Engineering Rotational Viewer

The 360° rotational viewer on an EVO Cam digital microscope. (Image courtesy of Vision Engineering.)

The 360° rotational viewer on an EVO Cam digital microscope. (Image courtesy of Vision Engineering.)

Vision Engineering Inc. has announced a new 360° rotation viewer for the EVO Cam digital microscope. Specifically designed for quality control, testing, inspection and documentation, the rotating viewer for the EVO Cam delivers an oblique view of the subject that can be rotated 360° degrees around a central point, making it well-suited for working with engineered, electronic or precision parts.

Vision Engineering’s 360° rotation viewer combines 360° rotating views (up to 105x magnification) with full-HD imaging. While obtaining true 3D imagery can only be achieved with a stereo microscope, the new EVO Cam accessory gives the user a better understanding of the 3D nature of the subject using 2D digital technology.

The EVO Cam was designed to allow the user to seamlessly switch between 360° rotating views and a conventional direct-top view.

The viewer is capable of live video streaming and full-HD 1080p/60fps image quality. The EVO Cam has built-in full auto focus capabilities and image capture that can be saved to a USB memory stick and displayed on a screen without the need for a PC.

In-built LED ringlight illumination is designed to provide optimum illumination at all times and the wide range of stand options allow EVO Cam to be configured to suit a variety of work environments.

For more information, visit the Vision Engineering website.


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