Coordinate measuring machines (CMM) are a key component to any quality control program with the ability to provide a level of accuracy that is difficult to achieve utilizing other inspection methods.
However, part handling can be an issue when using a CMM to inspect small parts. New Scale Robotics recently sought out to address this regular issue through robotic assisted in-line measurement in a case study including OptiPro Systems, New Scale’s precision gripper/caliper tool, a UR3e cobot and a Zeiss O-Inspect CMM system.
The result? A combined system that thrives when a manufacturer produces a family of parts that are very similar – yet have slight variances that ultimate translate to different measurements. When selecting from a family of parts, the inspection starts with the robot gripper/caliper picking up the part, doing a preliminary measurement, accurately loading it into the CMM and then relaying the measurement information about the part to the Zeiss Calypso software. This measurement information allows the Zeiss CMM to identify the part type and determine which measurement procedure to perform.
New Scale has positioned its offering for companies looking to automate small part inspection combined with pick and place style part handling, New Scale Robotics CEO David Henderson tells IndustryWeek.
“By taking advantage of small UR3 cobots, the system fits in spaces staff typically use. The result is a compact inspection instrument that fits QC labs without significant facility or workflow changes,” he says. “Our initial products are intended for QC labs or very clean production areas. However, our product roadmap includes systems with higher IP rating for placement next to production machines.”
According to Henderson, a technician can do the initial setup of the system within one day, which ultimately frees up a skilled operator to continue production activities on other pieces of equipment. Plus, this automated solution provides the data an operator needs to make part corrections or any other needed adjustments and continue to be productive.
