Precision and flexibility thanks to optical metrology

By Niraj M Wanikar, Chief Editor, CNCTimes.com, 2015-12-01 12:41:06

Founded in 1868, Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen GmbH operates in the power engineering sector and is a member of BG ETEM, the German institute for statutory accident insurance and prevention. Second-to-none standards and thorough attention to detail have made the company a global market leader in the production of tapping switches for power transformers. Today products from Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen GmbH control 50% of the global power supply. With 2,900 employees and over 30 branch locations worldwide, the company generated sales of 650 million euros in 2014.
The acquisition of new production machines at Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen called for the reconstruction of old components and spare parts for which no CAD data existed and the drafting of corresponding drawings. Use of the system was also of interest in the incoming goods area to enable integrated measurement and evaluation of cast blanks.
To solve this task, the purchase of an optical measuring system was considered for use in quality assurance as well as to create CAD models. Key factors in the decision for a particular system were a high degree of data accuracy and easy installation and removal of the 3D sensor to enable its use in various locations.
Solution and Product
To fulfill the aforementioned tasks, Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen GmbH opted for the COMET L?D 3D digitizing system and colin3D software from ZEISS Optotechnik.
This sensor operates on the fringe projection principle and delivers excellent data quality, making it ideal for high-precision measurement results. With this method, complex forms can be measured extremely quickly, in a nearly integrated manner, and reverse-engineered or evaluated dimensionally.
An extremely compact design, a simple, uncomplicated system configuration and a short working distance to the measurement object ensure maximum portability and flexibility. Working in confined spaces is thus also possible.
The colin3D software is designed to complement the COMET systems, making it a perfect complete package. Simple, userfriendly operation ensures short training and instruction times, and the intelligence of the software provides superb scanning results, almost independently of the user.
The system also has a built-in analysis tool, which offers quick false-color comparisons against the CAD reference model.
Reverse-engineering of STL data to CAD data, which can be processed on the production machines via the NC programming, takes place with the Geomagic DesignX reverse engineering software.
Result / Benefits for the customer
The COMET L?D opens up a number of new possibilities for Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen GmbH, particularly in the area of reverse engineering. The fast data acquisition of components and reverse engineering to CAD helps decrease process times tremendously, thereby increasing productivity. Particularly in the area of spare parts replacement, the company has become more responsive and capable of supplying the required data to the machine tools in very little time.
In the area of quality assurance, where the COMET L?D sensor is also used, the now integrated evaluations of cast blanks in the incoming goods department provides brand new opportunities, while taking the ambitious quality standards of MR duly into account.
The quick and easy installation and removal of the system makes it versatile for use in diverse company departments.
Alongside the high accuracy of the 3D sensor, the intuitive user interface is a particularly pleasing aspect of colin3D.
The high expectations of Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen GmbH have been completely satisfied.
Advantages / Statement
• High data accuracy
• Integrated evaluation of cast blanks in incoming goods area
• Easy portability of the system
• Intuitive user interface of colin3D

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