measurement

Hokuyo releases upgraded safety scanner

June 17, 2020 by Elaine Leave a Comment

Hokuyo, a global manufacturer of sensor and automation technology, has announced a new firmware update on the safety laser scanner “UAM-05LP-T301”. (See video below.)

The firmware has been updated periodically since the product release in 2015 and this is the fifth update. The firmware is updated to meet every challenging customer’s requirement and to adapt to the fast changing market trends. The newest version is 2.4.0.

With its small profile and 5 metre protection range, UAM-05LP-T301 is “the world’s smallest, longest protection range safety laser scanner”, says Hokuyo. [Read more…] about Hokuyo releases upgraded safety scanner

SICK launches new sensor for ‘accurate leak detection with one device’

May 13, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

SICK has launched a new sensor that it says enables “accurate leak detection with one device”.

Energy efficiency and transparency are playing an increasingly important role in the manufacturing world.

To help improve energy management, SICK has developed the FTMg, a multifunctional thermal flowmeter sensor for the detection of gas flow, temperature, and process pressure. [Read more…] about SICK launches new sensor for ‘accurate leak detection with one device’

Laser interferometry: An enabling technology for optimized automated manufacturing

May 12, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

By Tyler Steele, product manager – laser interferometers, Zygo

In this article, precision Beryllium mirror manufacturer Cambridge Technology explains how the use of interferometry hardware and software solutions has streamlined its manufacturing processes and added efficiencies as well as time and cost-savings across the company.

Technological advances over recent years have elevated metrology from being a “necessary evil” in manufacturing scenarios to enabling technologies, allowing the measurement of previously impossible part characteristics and therefore driving innovation across numerous industry sectors.

It is arguable that best-in-class metrology solutions are the catalyst that drive the trend towards miniaturization, higher precision, faster throughput, and fewer rejects.

As the old adage goes, “If you can’t measure it, you can’t make it”, but if you can measure to the required accuracy repeatably, then the sky is the limit in terms of producing cutting-edge parts and components. [Read more…] about Laser interferometry: An enabling technology for optimized automated manufacturing

Overcoming metrology bottlenecks in additive manufacturing

April 13, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

By Eric Felkel, product manager optical profilers, Zygo Corporation

Undoubtedly there are many benefits associated with the use of additive manufacturing as a production technology.

Across industries, manufacturers exploit the fact that through the use of additive manufacturing they can not only build complex parts – in one piece – which were previously impossible, but they can also build stronger, lighter weight parts, reduce material consumption, and benefit from assembly component consolidation across a range of applications.

These advantages have been well documented during the last 10-20 years as additive manufacturing has emerged as a truly disruptive technology for not just prototyping but also production, and are invariably seen as being enabled by the additive hardware that builds the parts. [Read more…] about Overcoming metrology bottlenecks in additive manufacturing

Q-Span Workstation Kit becomes first UR+ Application Kit for quality inspection to be certified by Universal Robots

March 17, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

New Scale Robotics has launched its Q-Span Workstation Kit, the first application kit for quality inspection to be certified by Universal Robots and featured on the UR+ platform. (See video below.)

The Q-Span Workstation Kit allows quality teams to automate measurement inspection of small parts. Deployed on a UR3e collaborative robot (cobot), the Q-Span Workstation Kit increases measurement consistency and helps quality teams to achieve gage R&R targets.

David Henderson, CEO of New Scale Robotics, says: “New Scale Robotics is pleased to be in the vanguard of Universal Robots’ new UR+ application kits for quality inspection processes. [Read more…] about Q-Span Workstation Kit becomes first UR+ Application Kit for quality inspection to be certified by Universal Robots

New Scale Robotics earns UR+ certification for its components

February 21, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

New Scale Robotics says its NSR-PG-10-20-URe Gripper/Caliper and NSR-MTM-3-URe Multi-Tool Mount have received UR+ Certification from Universal Robots.

With this certification, UR confirms that it has tested and approved the products to work with UR e-Series collaborative robots to provide fast deployment, simple programming and reliable operation.

The NSR-PG-10-20-URe Gripper/Caliper is the smallest parallel gripper and the first robotic digital caliper for collaborative robots. [Read more…] about New Scale Robotics earns UR+ certification for its components

Aceinna launches ‘smallest’ high-precision localization tech

January 8, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

Automotive electronics company Aceinna has launched the new OpenRTK330L, which it describes as a “low cost, state-of-the-art, high-performance” triple-band RTK/GNSS receiver with built-in triple redundant inertial sensors.

Designed to replace the expensive and bulky precision RTK/INS systems used in today’s autonomous systems, this compact navigation solution meets the challenging performance, reliability and cost requirements of the automotive market along with the needs of robot, drone, construction and agriculture systems.

Mike Horton, CTO of Aceinna, says: “The combination of a triple-band GNSS receiver and a high-precision IMU has enabled us to make a remarkably accurate, small, reliable and cost-effective GNSS/INS solution. [Read more…] about Aceinna launches ‘smallest’ high-precision localization tech

OptiPro uses New Scale Robotics system to inspect small parts

January 3, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

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. [Read more…] about OptiPro uses New Scale Robotics system to inspect small parts

SICK launches its ‘most powerful and accurate’ 2D LiDAR sensor yet

December 19, 2019 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

SICK has launched what it describes as its “most powerful and accurate 2D LiDAR sensor yet”.

The LMS4000 is designed for materials handling and intralogistics applications, and is said to maintain its high degrees of accuracy and power even at high speeds, in low ambient light or when goods, packages or parcels are matt black or glossy.

SICK says its LMS4000 2D LiDAR Sensor’s “exceptionally high” laser scanning frequency helps to produce more than half a million measurement points per second to calculate the position, shape, volume or surface quality of goods, packages or components over a wide depth of field, and at ranges up to 3 metres. [Read more…] about SICK launches its ‘most powerful and accurate’ 2D LiDAR sensor yet