OptiPro Metrology Lab is using a system supplied by New Scale Robotics to inspect small parts. (See video below.)
The optics manufacturer is using New Scale’s Q-Span technology, based on its “precision gripper / caliper”, to automate measurement and machine tending.
The optics measuring solution involves a collaborative robot from Universal Robots and end effectors developed by New Scale.
The gripper not only picks up and moves the part, but it also makes a preliminary measure of the part.
Part handling can be an issue when using a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) to inspect small parts.
New Scale Robotics says its solution not only solves the part handling issue, but adds the significant additional new benefit of providing in-line measurement to improve CMM throughput.
In this case study with OptiPro Systems, New Scale’s precision gripper / caliper tool is installed on a UR3e cobot, and paired with a Zeiss O-Inspect CMM system.
Several different types of parts within a family of optics are to be inspected. The robot gripper / caliper has the following features:
- picks a part
- accurately loads it into the CMM
- takes a preliminary measurement
- relays the measurement data to Zeiss Calypso software
The Zeiss CMM uses the measurement information to identify the part type and determine which measurement procedure to perform.
After measuring the part, the CMM relays information back to the robot indicating whether the part is good or bad. The robot sorts the parts accordingly when placing them in the output trays.
