Digital Models Feed CMM Measurement Systems Offering Complete 3D Environment

In a Smart Manufacturing environment, the goal is to automate as many operations as possible to improve production performance. Quality control, and more specifically, measurement analysis, has to evolve at the heart of this production system. Digital models feed measurement systems with pre-established data such as measurement programs with optimized and secured trajectories, measurement rules… within the framework of quality performance management and quality problem anticipation. The control of the numerical model is a way to reduce the risk factors. The numerical data processed during the simulations allow to prepare the measurement process, while taking into account the expectations in the production workshop.

Optimization of Resources

The integration of the numerical model upstream of the process optimizes human and technological operational resources, and offers maximum flexibility to the operation. Developed at the beginning of the chain by a specialist, the measurement simulation programs are designed and adjusted part by part. On the basis of a digital file, the designer defines the required levels of detail, secures the trajectories of the measuring equipment and the formalisation of the measured data reports.

Fully integrated into the company’s internal quality process, the simulation software tool allows the user to project himself into the complete 3D measurement environment.

Silma X4, from Metrologic Group, offers a whole series of functionalities to assist the creation of automatic measurement programs. It generates time and resource savings compared to a traditional process of creating the range by the operator on the machine with the physical part.

Moreover, this virtual twin will allow to address all the customer measuring machines, whatever their brand or embedded technologies. The centralization around this universal solution will generate considerable resource gains. CAD models are becoming increasingly complex an may include a functional model, material requirements, assembly tolerances, shape, etc. The virtual tool must be able to address these requirements during use.

The programmer’s expertise is specialized and understanding of the process and key indicators is necessary.

A programming specialist with expertise in metrology and internal processes will be able to manage an entire fleet of measuring devices. Another advantage is that the measuring equipment is kept in a productive mode, since the machine utilization rate is exclusively dedicated to the execution of the measuring tasks. The machine utilization ratio is increased and the ROI of the machine optimized thanks to constant operation. It also becomes easier to calibrate the measuring equipment fleet according to the production work-load.

The data is directly transmitted and fed to the quality control system, alerting production to make necessary adjustments in real time.

Ideal for high production and measurement rates, the Silma X4 solution responds to the need to simplify, fluidify and optimize the inspection process by allowing much faster measurement cycles, with measuring equipment dedicated to its primary function, the measurement of parts. Once finalized, the program is sent and executed by the operator on the machine without any downtime, thus saving a considerable amount of time. This solution will allow the analysis and the edition of the control reports accessible by all the quality, metrology, design office/methods departments.

Development 0f Measurement Programs

The digital simulation software supports the evolution of performance control systems, through the secure development of measurement programs that meet all the characteristics of the model and the optimization of measurement resources. Metrologic Group’s Silma X4 software is a powerful and intuitive off-line programming tool that allows industrial companies to enter into Inspection 4.0 thanks to its various advanced simulation modules, which are characterized by the following features

➤ Automatic generation of the program based on geometrical nominals and tolerances.

➤ Automatic detection of collisions and alternative path positions.

➤ Automatic activation of the correct probe orientations.

➤ Optimization of paths to reduce measurement times.

➤ Automatic assignment of measurement strategy (customer template) according to the characteristics to be measured.

Programming time savings can be optimized up to 80% compared to traditional programming with the integration of path automation and anti-collision functions.

Supporting all native CAD formats, Silma is able to generate a program automatically based on the PMI integrated in the model. Path Planning avoids any input problems and ensures consistency between different departments thanks to the CAD PMIs, for a confident inspection.

No more programmer or operator errors: directly from the CAD, Silma calculates intelligently and autonomously the measurement paths, as well as the evaluation of its tolerances according to the standards in force. With the anticipation of the control process, with the realization of the measurement range before the production of the first parts, the software proposes a reactive approach to the manufacturing needs, and allows to answer to the different changes during the design and manufacturing cycle of the part.

In this context, the solution offers users a proactive/predictive and reactive control of their inspection process. It accompanies the future performance of the production system, thus ensuring predictive performance control.

For more information: www.metrologic.group