The ergonomic rotating table increases the efficiency of portable arm metrology

The inspection speed of a component with a portable multi-axis measuring arm increases by up to 40% if the piece, instead of being static, is placed on a new indexed FREEDOM table by LK Metrology, Castle Donington, United Kingdom. The coordinate measuring machine manufacturer states that not only is the inspection more efficient, but in some cases, a smaller and less expensive arm can be used to access all areas of a component. In other words, the actual measuring volume of any arm increases.

The rotation can also avoid having to move the arm to allow sufficient access to the back of the piece, which would lengthen the measurement cycle and could introduce inaccuracies. Additionally, the operator is not fatigued from having to stretch repeatedly to reach the component, which can weigh up to 100 kg.

Wireless, the manually operated portable index table is compatible with any portable measuring arm, not just the 6 and 7-axis LK FREEDOM arm range, which includes 34 models. The table, with a diameter of 300 mm (optionally 500 mm), is quickly installed on a work surface, after which the operator secures the piece to be inspected on the surface using pre-drilled and threaded holes or integrated holding magnets.

Calibration of the starting position is equally quick, indicating to the PolyWorks|Inspector™ software’s coordinate system from Innovmetric where the table is located. The speed of this procedure is due to the skillful placement of fiducial dimples, labeled alphanumerically and arranged randomly, machined on the top of the table and around its perimeter. By probing three or more of these with the arm, the software recognizes the irregular pattern and automatically knows its orientation. It is then simple to click on the FREEDOM Index Table macro on the software screen to update the coordinate system and continue the inspection of the piece.

When it is necessary to access the opposite side of the piece, the table is rotated 180 degrees (though any intermediate angle is also possible), three or more different reference dimples are probed to update the software on the new position, and the measurement continues without interruption. Both sets of inspection data are automatically aligned by the software. Measurement of geometric features, surface evaluation through advanced point cloud analysis, comparison between the pieces and CAD, and drafting of a complete report in the dimensional analysis and quality control software PolyWorks™ 3D follow the usual procedure.

PolyWorks™ and PolyWorks Inspector™ are trademarks of InnovMetric Software Inc.

Source: Produzione aerospaziale