Automated Surface Finish Measurement Reduces Part Handling

Until now fabricators conducting surface finish measurements had to use hand-held sensors or move a part to a dedicated measuring machine. To help shops reclaim lost production time, AIMS Metrology (Miamisburg, OH) equipped their Revolution Series LM coordinate measuring machine (CMM) with a Renishaw 5-axis REVO 2 head and SFP2 probe. Because the SFP2 is interchangeable with other probe options, it gives manufacturers the flexibility to inspect a diverse range of features on one CMM and automates surface finish measurement for reduced part handling and higher throughput. “When an operator has to size a part on a CMM then take it to a dedicated surface measurement unit, he or she is handling the part multiple times, delaying the measurement cycle and introducing the potential for error,” explained Mark Gearding, the co-owner and vice-president of AIMS. “We’ve seen an uptick in sales for the LM with 5-axis inspection and the new capabilities of SFP2.”

The SFP2 surface finish system is managed by the same I++ DME compliant interface as the REVO system and full user functionality is provided by Renishaw’s MODUS metrology software. The lab-grade LM is built with linear motors that work off of permanent magnets that don’t wear out. Electronic signals are sent to the motor, using the natural force of the magnet to generate a small magnetic field that interacts with the magnets. The result is precise positioning and reliability along with little to no maintenance. The LM has a granite work plate and aluminum mobile bridge for higher rigidity and lower inertia.

“Automotive suppliers in particular are opting to use a 5-axis LM integrated with REVO 2 and the SFP2 probe,” noted Gearding. “Parts for today’s vehicles are becoming increasingly complex, a trend that is making measurement cycles longer. The LM with REVO 2 and the SFP2 is able to reduce cycle time significantly and increase throughput. We engineered the LM to be used in the controlled environment of a laboratory, but we’re finding automotive customers who want to bring the LM onto the shop floor. We can do that by designing and constructing a protective enclosure around it. As a CMM OEM, we don’t just build equipment, we partner with users to meet their needs.”

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Advanced Industrial Measurement Systems, 2580 Kohnle Drive, Miamisburg, OH 45342, 937-320-4930, www.aimsmetrology.com.