All Measurement articles – Page 5
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ArticleHuman-robot gap and flush measurement
Nextsense says its Calipri model series for the gap and flush measurement now includes a model variant (C12) suitable for the use in the human-robot collaboration (HRC) area.The company says the C12 variant has been applied to an HRC robot operating with a German premium segment car manufacturer. The HRC ...
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ArticleTouch and go
The diversity of parts produced by automotive tier suppliers sees them use both contact and non-contact measurement techniquesCompanies involved in contact and non-contact measurement operations have to make a fundamental decision about the type of coordinate technology they will utilise – either a contact technique involving a touch probe or ...
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ArticleBarometric pressure sensor
Bosch has launched the SMP580, a new barometric pressure sensor for ambient pressure and temperature measurement in automotive engine management applications. The company claims the SMP580 is the smallest sensor of its type available on the market - measuring 4.9 x 3.9 x 1.5mm³.According to Bosch the new sensor delivers ...
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ArticleVision of the future
OEMs' use of optical metrology techniques in fully automated robotic cells has increased significantly in the last couple of years aided by the development of a number of essential technical capabilitiesVolkswagen’s latest plant at Wrzesnia in Poland is one site where the use of vision-based inspection systems for quality control ...
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ArticleGet the insight inside
With shorter lead times and constant cost pressures, OEMs are adopting CT scanning to analyse internal structures without the disassembling of countless prototypesToday’s automotive OEMs and suppliers face ever shortening lead times for introducing new products at a lower cost. Consequently, fewer prototype iterations are required and destructive testing is ...
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ArticleMetrology meets automation
Portable systems have made high-accuracy measurement possible across all plant areas – the next step in this evolution is the integration of metrology with automationIn years past, automotive manufacturers have been forced to choose between very different paradigms in the search to improve the quality, shorten design-to-launch times and better ...
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ArticleBraking point
The last decade has seen the most dramatic and potentially disruptive burst of innovation in braking system developmentWith new vehicle power sources, increased viability of extensive ‘Driver Assist’ technologies, and a movement towards electronic control and actuation, the challenges facing suppliers and the opportunities offered to designers perhaps seem greater ...
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ArticleFull speed ahead
Solutions such as 3D smart snapshot sensors are offering faster, more data-rich automotive quality controlThe main challenge in automotive quality control today is acquiring sufficient data and processing it to measure complicated geometries in the shortest cycle time. Established laser line solutions do not offer enough data to fully determine ...
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Article
New multi-sensor CMMs
The Optiv Performance 663 and 664 Dual Z are the latest multi-sensor coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) from Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence.The multi-sensor concept of the Optiv Performance line enables a variety of sensor configurations for tactile and contactless measuring and scanning tasks in a single system, says the company. Different workpiece ...
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ArticleMulti-axis calibrator
Renishaw claims its new XM-60 multi-axis calibrator is capable of measuring all six degrees of freedom from a single set-up, in any orientation for linear axes. Designed for the machine tool market, the XM-60 will capture angular, linear and straightness errors in a single set-up, says the company.The calibrator incorporates ...
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ArticleConfocal chromatic controller
The new confocalDT 2471 chromatic controllers feature an integrated LED light source, and are designed for high-speed distance and thickness measurements of mirrored, transparent, shiny and diffuse surfaces, says Micro-Epsilon.It’s claimed the high light intensity enables reliable measurements on low reflectivity surfaces such as dark, matt objects or for multi-layer ...
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ArticleSpectrophotometers for the automotive industry
Konica Minolta has introduced two new handheld instruments for the automotive industry: A two-in-one spectrophotometer that measures colour and gloss for interior measurements, and a multi-angle spectrophotometer for measuring metallic and pearlescent paints.The CM-25cG model offers 45°c:0° geometry and a 60° gloss sensor for simultaneous colour and gloss measurements, says ...
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ArticleAt the head of the convoy
Mercedes-Benz’s largest truck plant is piloting new production technologies and transitioning into the lead manufacturing facility for heavy commercial vehiclesGerald Jank, head of Wörth plant and production at Mercedes-Benz Trucks, has much to say about the challenges of producing a huge variety of models in series production while also developing ...
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ArticleInfinite possibilities
Mexico’s firm footing in the automotive industry makes it an ideal market for additive manufacturing technology Additive manufacturing, sometimes known as 3D printing, is a revolutionary technology able to produce complex shapes which cannot be produced by traditional techniques such as casting, forging and machining; expanding the possibilities of ...
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ArticleBalance of power
For its vast new Pesqueria plant, Kia needed a comprehensive, reliable and flexible electrical distribution system. Siemens’ Totally Integrated Power provided the solutionIn July 2015, Kia Motors began distributing their cars in Mexico. In addition to establishing a close-knit network of car dealerships in the country’s ten largest cities, Kia ...
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WebinarNikon Webinar: An insight into microfocus computed tomography
As automotive manufacturers and suppliers continue to produce components with more intricate structures it proves impossible to inspect them comprehensively with standard surface measurement. Yet the crucial task to verify the structure and dimensions remains.In this webinar, we looked at solutions provided by microfocus computed tomography (CT) such as: non-destructive ...
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ArticleMaking light work
Strong, stiff and light, these properties make composites a compelling proposition for the manufacture of tooling and production aidsIn sheet metal forming, epoxy resin dies were first used in the 1950s. These thermosets were often filled with steel powder or sand to increase their wear resistance and mechanical properties. Filled ...
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Webinar
Hexagon Webinar: Big Data metrology and 3D process control
From the progressive assembly line to lean manufacturing principles, the automotive industry has always led the way in manufacturing technology. As the industry faces ever shorter design-to-production times, automotive manufacturers and suppliers have embraced industrial metrology and 3D measurement as enablers of quality and productivity.Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence is combining ...
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ArticleNew machining centre
Hermle says its new C 250 machine offers X,Y,Z axis travels of 600, 550 and 450mm. The company claims on the 3-axis version, the rigid table can accept workpieces weighing up to 1,100kg, while machining of components up to 450mm in diameter by 355mm tall and weighing 300kg is possible ...
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ArticlePacifica progress
As FCA US smoothly implements a $744m upgrade at its Windsor plant in Canada, AMS focuses on the new equipment in the paintshop, including innovative oil separation technology and a robotic sealing system“What we were asking the Windsor team to do had never been done before,” said Brian Harlow, vice ...