AWL-Techniek has own computer-controlled coordinate-measuring machine
AWL has recently become the proud owner of a computer-controlled
coordinate-measuring machine which enables AWL to quickly and accurately measure both the products provided by customers and the products made by AWL machines.
AWL previously used machinery such as a FARO measuring arm to achieve the 3D measurements. It is a technique that works well, but because of the manual control it is less accurate and more timeconsuming than the computer-controlled coordinate-measuring machine and therefore less suitable for repeated measurement of identical products.
Increasingly more customers, especially in the automotive industry, require a computer-controlled coordinate-measurement. In the past, AWL often outsourced these activities; but not anymore. With the new machine it is very easy to determine if supplied products are in line with the drawings. In addition, this also allows AWL to prove that parts produced on the AWL machine meet customer specifications and show no deviations outside the tolerances.
The major advantages of the 3D measuring machine:
• Fast measurement of products (lead-time)
• Accurate measurement of products (to 0.003mm)
• Automatic measuring programme
• Possibility to do statistical analysis
How does the principle work?
The machine consists of a steel base (the measuring table) on which products to be measured are stretched: a control unit with PC and related software and a probe on three linear guides for positioning the head in the X, Y and Z directions. In addition, the probe itself has the ability to get around a Z axis and Y axis. The measuring head of the machine contains a probe, which touches the product on the previously marked points and thus determines exactly where the item is located. The position of the measuring
points is recorded in the measuring machine’s software. The 3D model of the product measured is also loaded into the software. The measured product is compared with the 3D model. In this model, the 0 point is defined and all measuring points are marked. The points can be holes, surfaces or edges. The path that the probe has to travel is also programmed into the software. When a path has been defined, multiple products can be easily measured in an automatic sequence. The end result is a printed measurement protocol containing all measured points with their errors. It is also possible to carry out a statistical analysis.
The machine can measure products with a maximum dimension of 3 x 1.2 x 1.2 meters.