While Verniers, Calipers and Rules etc still have their place, modern probes, cameras and lasers are now playing a bigger part in day-to-day production at East Anglian Sealing Co Ltd.
With a Renishaw probe fitted to our newest Kimla CNC 2mt x 2mt bed machine, we are able to accurately measure large parts during manufacture.
By measuring X, Y and Z dimensions, we can convert to machine code and replicate flat products direct from samples.
Along with the CNC probe, which can be used on either our 2mt x 2mt or 5mt x 2.2mt bed machines, a stand-alone machine with a multi-axis non-contact and contact probe, high-tech camera system and laser is able to measure most critical dimensions.
Some 3 dimensional parts (ie mouldings) may require destructive testing – typically cutting the part and then measuring the cross section profile. However, this if is not often necessary and we can even revert to X-Ray inspection where parts have to be kept intact.
Our CNC controlled Mitutoyo advanced Quick Vision system is capable of measuring all sorts of parts – both individually and in multiples.
Intelligent and Automated Processing Tools allow for unattended inspection of both 2D and 3D parts on the 404TP machine. With a measuring range of 400mm x 400mm x 168mm the majority of our products can be checked.
Any larger parts – typically gaskets, can be measured with our Renishaw probe attached to our multi-axis 2mt x 2mt CNC machine. With this we are also able to check flatness over this area, something often difficult to do with large parts where long-range gauges are not available. Products supplied to the Nuclear Industry and Electric Battery Industry for instance, often require critical thickness over large parts.
Using multiple colour cameras and lighting positions, the visual measuring system offers high speed, high accuracy and high throughput resulting in the software sending data direct to PDF forms for quality requirements such as PPAP reports etc.
The same dimensional capture can also be used to create drawings and CAD files for replication of both 2D and 3D parts, speeding up what is often a slow and tedious task for our draughtsmen.
