PowerINSPECT provides off-line programming so minimising the time
needed on the machine tool
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The new version offers all the advantages associated with
the existing releases of PowerINSPECT for use on dedicated inspection
equipment. It gives both quick and easy comparison of tooling and sample
components against CAD data, and produces clear, comprehensive reports
that can be understood by everyone involved in the product development
process, not just inspection specialists. This easy to understand reporting
allows reliable decisions to be made instantly at the machine tool.
The most obvious benefit of on-machine verification will be to companies
that do not have dedicated inspection capabilities. Most machine tools
now either come with, or can be retrofitted with, probing capabilities
to assist in the set-up of the job. With the new release of PowerINSPECT,
this same equipment can now be used for verification at little extra cost.
The ability to program complete verification sequences off-line means
that there can be minimal interruption of the machining operations.
On-machine verification can give huge time savings by enabling the quality
of the component being machined to be monitored at all stages in the manufacturing
process. This allows any errors to be detected earlier, and so corrected
more quickly and at lower cost. For example, it is possible to check that
the correct amount of stock has been left on the component after a roughing
operation, rather than having to wait until all machining operations have
been completed before discovering that an error has been made. Similarly,
the extent of any damage caused, for example, by a tool breakage, can
be assessed accurately and a decision made immediately on whether the
part can still be completed within tolerance or whether it will have to
be scrapped.
On-machine verification will also benefit companies with customers that
insist on independent inspection of their work. By carrying out an initial
verification on the machine, errors can be detected, and corrected, that
might otherwise not be found until after the component had been shipped
to the inspector.
Companies already having suitable equipment might think that on-machine
inspection is an unnecessary operation that can loose machining time.
However, if the whole process is considered, there is considerable potential
to reduce delivery times. If a part has to be transferred to a dedicated
CMM and the inspection shows any errors, the component must be returned
to the machine tool and re-clamped in position before being machined again.
This is time-consuming for any component but can take many hours for any
large, heavy item, such as a press tool for an automotive body panel.
In addition, any mistakes during the set-up back onto the machine tool
could result in a new series of errors in the component, and so lead to
a further cycle of inspection and re-machining.
With on-machine verification, the part can be checked at each stage of
its manufacture. The inspection on specialist measuring equipment only
needs to be undertaken once at the end of the manufacturing process. This
more regular verification ensures that there will be greater confidence
that the component will be produced within specification. In addition,
time can be saved that could otherwise be wasted on machining parts that
are already scrap because of, for example, a hole that has been drilled
in the wrong place.
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