Hard Gauging

NN's Autocam Precision Components Group, has a facility in Marshall, Michigan (US) that is using the Instant Measurement system from KEYENCE for its quality control measurements.

The process to take measurements is as simple as placing a target on the stage and pressing the ‘measure' button. This operation enables hundreds of features to be measured in seconds, and Autocam has found a significant reduction in the time required for dimension measurement.

该系统采用专门设计的镜头来提供广泛的视野。加上自动对焦能力，IM系列可确保部分始终焦点，而不管高度差异如何。无论目标的高度差异如何，远心透镜都保持恒定的图像尺寸，允许准确地测量具有不均匀表面的目标。系统自动调整程序的照明，焦点和方向，以匹配舞台上的每个部分。它识别每个部分的轮廓和反射图像，将​​其与预编程的公差进行比较，产生每个维度的通过或失败，并将数据全部保存到网络中或者到网络。使用一个按钮按下，它打印出完整的检查报告;所有这些都在3秒内完成。

以新的方式使用经过验证的技术
The Instant Measurement system was designed on the concept of doing away with archaic measurement practices such as optical comparators that were limited by the technology of their time. At Autocam they were using a time consuming process of 5 different mechanical hard gauges, prior to getting the KEYENCE IM unit. According to Spencer DePew, Quality/Gauge Technician, Autocam Precision Components Group, “With the KEYENCE IM we can perform the checks of all 5 gauges, at more than twice the speed, providing more efficient data and allowing for more time to be spent at the process”

通过以新的方式使用经过验证的技术，即时测量系统为客户提供了标准化难度测量的附加值，以简化检查过程。

The system uses 24 internal lenses, four of which are large four inch telecentric lenses that provide the system with a four inch field of view. Telecentricity is desirable for inspection systems, as it provides constant magnification (object size does not change) over a range of working distances, virtually eliminating perspective angle error. This means that object movement does not affect image magnification, allowing for highly accurate measurements in gauging applications. This level of accuracy and repeatability cannot be obtained with standard lenses. The system is portable, due to its specially designed lens housing, allowing for transport from location to location, all without the need for recalibration or the use of a granite slab making this a machine that can be used in a quality lab or in a shop floor environment.

便于使用
IM系统的标志之一是其易用性。类似的系统通常需要具有CMM或OCMM体验的专用程序员。Depew指出用户界面非常易于理解和使用。一旦创建了程序，运营商就必须加载零件并按下按钮，并补充说，编程确实需要一些培训键，但他指出它不是太难，“特别适用于那些具有计量背景的人。”

根据不完美的洗涤过程，根据Depew的使用IM系统，使用IM系统的几个挑战。“由于我们的洗涤过程，由于防锈累积，我们存在虚假拒绝问题。我们必须改变我们的进程来容纳。“他说，他们还指出，机械硬测量之间的相关性有时会棘手。“The IM has more flexibility in how you can measure a part feature and so to correlate you have to try and mimic how and where the mechanical hard gauges measure.”

The bottom line in what the IM system has done for Autocam's quality control measurements is that they have improved quality by reducing damage from hard gauging. DePew concluded that “Operators can get quick feedback on their quality checks, which prevents unnecessary scrap due to waiting on a slower measurement system. The IM has given Autocam the ability to add additional quality checks as needed it a short amount of time without adding additional gauging or cost.”