Measuring arms
OnyxAceMeasuring arms
with 3D scanners
Onyx SkylineAce Skylinewith 3D scanners
A 3D measuring program comprises a program used in the inspection process which includes a series of steps necessary to control the industrial parts from data acquisition to report generation. It plays an important role in streamlining the whole inspection process by automating measurement tasks to avoid any errors made by operators.The 3D measurement program ensures that operators follow every step without uncertainty during inspection.
The measurement program is an advanced procedure that requires the operator to comply with a strict framework. When a CAD model is loaded, the software displays the part's entities in real time, guiding the operator to carry out the measurement process. On a CMM, the program automates all measurement operations, including using the scanner or probe suited to the area to be inspected.
This program ensures that all manufactured parts or objects adhere to acceptable tolerable limits, avoiding any errors and defaults that may lead to the scrappage.
A program involves various processes to prepare a measuring horizon that allows the industrial components to ensure their conformity. A proper formation of the program includes the following steps :
The process begins with importing the CAD file of the part into the metrology software. This file serves as a reference model against which the actual measurement will be compared. The software typically supports various file formats such as .STEP. IGES etc.
Alignment is a crucial process created during the measurement program setup. Once the CAD file is loaded, alignment is achieved by matching 3D measurements with the CAD model.
Acquired data, such as points, point clouds or meshes are then aligned with the CAD model to compare the physical part with its digital reference.
There are several types of alignments and the choice depends on the type of 3D measurement data and the desired position of the reference points. Multiple alignments can be performed on the same part.
If an alignment change is required during part inspection, the program will automatically account for the new alignment.
Choosing an appropriate measuring method, whether contact (probing) or non-contact (lasers canning) depends greatly on your measuring requirements and parts. Laser scanning permits you to scan the complete surface and inspect the globality of the part. This non-contact method is also relevant for deformable parts like thin metal sheets or soft surfaces. Tactile probing, contrarily, can provide more accurate results by examining a specific zone on a part for geometries with tight tolerances and deep cavities.
The program can be configured to any measuring method whether it is probing or scanning depending on the specific needs of the engineered piece. The measurement program even permits to manage of the probe diameters, guiding the operator to choose the right probe.
The dimensional measurements enable metrological analysis through the comparison of the nominal (CAD geometry) and measured data. Advanced features such as geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) and color mapping can also be well integrated into the measuring program to achieve the assessment of certain specific needs such as surface quality, assembly fit or deformation analysis.
A detailed inspection report is then generated to document the measurement results and findings. The report typically includes metrological analysis and anomalies detected during the inspection as a critical record of the part’s dimension conformity. It provides valuable information for quality improvement and decision-making purposes for further engineering.
Any engineering modifications made to the part can be updated in the measuring program. The updated program ensures that new modifications will be implemented for the inspection of the next parts. This flexibility allows for significant time savings, avoiding the need to redefine the entire procedure for each product revision.
The offline inspection allows the engineers to prepare all the required specifications for the measurement program in advance. With modern metrology software, engineers can integrate different measuring machines including 3D laser scanners, measuring arms or CMMs into the measuring program. An engineer can, for example, stimulate the trajectories of a scanner on a CMM to optimise the number of passes and prevent possible collisions. The metrology engineers optimise the measurement processes even before the first part is produced making the inspection process quicker and more efficient.
A 3D measuring program is a step-by-step program that automates the inspection process, from data acquisition to report generation. It includes importing CAD files into metrology software, aligning parts, and generating inspection reports. Engineers predefine the measurement program with specifications to ensure components meet quality standards. As the metrology industry grows, the measuring program becomes a new basis for ever greater productivity.
