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Measuring Success: KPIs for Digital Marketing in Startups

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Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are a useful way for digital marketers to set expectations. It helps them gauge whether they’re having a positive impact on the business.

Outsiders might not understand how to measure digital marketing activity. But a digital campaign can use metrics and be easier to measure than a traditional marketing campaign.

KPIs are especially helpful to startups so they’re not groping in the dark. They’ll have quantitative proof of whether they’re doing well or not. As a result, they can plan the appropriate measures to address any weaknesses. [Read more…] about Measuring Success: KPIs for Digital Marketing in Startups

LK Metrology launches new range of robotic measuring arms

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LK Metrology has launched a new range of portable 6-axis and 7-axis measuring arms to replace the 34 original versions it introduced in 2021.

Unlike their predecessors, 6-axis Freedom Arm v2 products offer full IP54 protection from water splashes and the ingress of dust and particles, delivering reliable, repeatable, 3D tactile inspection and measurement in harsh industrial environments.

Available also is a new range of 21 stainless steel-tipped probes with a stainless steel or carbon fibre body, as well as updated RDS software v6.2 running on Windows for communicating with the arm via WiFi or USB. [Read more…] about LK Metrology launches new range of robotic measuring arms

Ritsumeikan University develops ‘soft microfingers’ for robots

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Ritsumeikan University researchers develop a soft robotic microfinger that enables interaction with insects through tactile sensing

Human-robot interactions not only allow robots to interact with humans but also with the environment. Microrobots, for instance, can interact with insects and measure the force exerted by them during flight or walking.

However, this interaction is not direct, with the microrobots measuring insect behavior primarily. Now, researchers from Japan have developed a soft micro-robotic finger that allows humans to directly interact with insects. This could enable human-environment interaction at previously inaccessible scales.

Humans have always been fascinated by scales different than theirs, from giant objects such as stars, planets and galaxies, to the world of the tiny: insects, bacteria, viruses and other microscopic objects. While the microscope allows us to view and observe the microscopic world, it is still difficult to interact with it directly. [Read more…] about Ritsumeikan University develops ‘soft microfingers’ for robots

Danfoss installs 3D scanner robot that can measure components to within a micron

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Danfoss Power Solutions, a supplier of mobile and industrial hydraulics as well as electric powertrain systems, has invested in an advanced 3D scanner robot for its joystick manufacturing lines in Nordborg, Denmark.

The company says the new device is boosting inspection routines by measuring component dimensions to “micron-level precision, providing customers with even higher product quality”.

Danfoss Power Solutions’ Nordborg facility manufactures thousands of joystick variants for off-highway vehicles, such as forestry machines, harvesters, cranes, tractors and more. With the new 3D scanner robot, operators can tell immediately if a joystick component is within specifications. [Read more…] about Danfoss installs 3D scanner robot that can measure components to within a micron

Hexagon launches ‘world’s first’ wireless laser scanner

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Hexagon’s manufacturing intelligence division has launched what it claims is “the world’s first wireless laser scanner” designed specifically to work inside computer numerical controlled (CNC) machines.

The cutting-edge scanner allows for data to be efficiently, accurately and securely transmitted wirelessly, which improves production quality.

Hexagon’s new integrated wireless laser scanner, the m&h LS-R-4.8, does not require traditional touch probes and captures around 40,000 measurement points a second to provide information about the complete part, compared to the status quo of taking individual points with traditional touch probes. [Read more…] about Hexagon launches ‘world’s first’ wireless laser scanner

LK Metrology introduces ‘ultra accuracy’ portable measuring arms

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LK Metrology has introduced what it describes as “ultra-accuracy” portable measuring arms.

The company has expanded its Freedom arm range of 3D articulating arm metrology systems, or portable measuring arms, with the launch of five models in both 6-axis and 7-axis variants.

The 10 new arms bring the total number of different varieties available from LK to 34. [Read more…] about LK Metrology introduces ‘ultra accuracy’ portable measuring arms

SICK launches new product for contactless measurement of speed and length

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SICK Sensor Intelligence has launched a new system for contactless measurement of speed and length.

With the SPEETEC sensor solution, SICK says it is expanding its product range for speed and length measurement of objects moving in a linear path to include technology that measures directly on the material surface.

The non-contact sensor is able to measure a wide range of web and continuous materials, as well as blanks with an accuracy of just 4 µm. [Read more…] about SICK launches new product for contactless measurement of speed and length

How Does a Digital Height Gauge Work?

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Height gauges can be used to determine an object or workpiece’s height with extremely high accuracy and precision.

These precision measuring instruments also provide marked locations on an item relative to one reference plane for subsequent use.

Center-line distances, internal/external diameters, and step heights are some of the different measuring tasks that can be carried out by high-specification digital height gauges.

They claim consistency of ±0.0001 inch and can be extremely precise up to 0.001 inch. Of course, the consistency and precision of such instruments still depend on their overall quality, so it’s essential only to source one from websites of reliable manufacturers, such as eleymet.com.

Read on to learn more about a digital height gauge.

What’s In A Digital Height Gauge?

High-quality, hardened stainless steel is what makes the body of a digital height gauge. To ensure the instrument’s rigidity and stability, a digital height gauge comprises a solid cast iron base.

It also has a beam that extends from the base up, and includes a printed scale in metric and imperial format.

The metric scale usually ranges from zero to 300 millimeters, while the imperial scales range from zero to 12 inches. In some digital height gauges, metric and digital scales can even measure up to 2000 mm or 80 in.

The beam also has an electronic measuring slider, which comes with the Power ON/OFF, HOLD, TOL, SET, MM/INCH, ON/OFF/ZERO, and ABS buttons.

On one of the jaws, the slider also comes with a carbide scriber tip. Along the scale, the attached scriber, together with the slider, can slide up and down and be locked in place.

To be locked in place with the help of a second locking screw, a fine-tune wheel is used to make the final adjustment. Sending data to a printer or computer via a special cable is also possible through a data output port.

Uses Of A Digital Height Gauge

Electronic height gauges can perform several measurement types. They’re usually used in quality control applications of the manufacturing industry for the following tasks:

  • measuring the perpendicularity or squareness/straightness of parts;
  • angle measurement;
  • measuring flatness;
  • verification of center-to-center dimensions;
  • performing 2D measurements of part features;
  • scribing features from a datum place or a certain part with accurate vertical dimensions to make additional machining possible; and
  • verifying that specifications and tolerances are met by measuring the distance from a reference surface going to a part’s specific feature.

Preparing A Digital Height Gauge

The process of using a digital height gauge to take measurements is highlighted below:
The first step is making sure that the surface on which the instrument is to be set up is free from dirt and smooth.

Of course, cleaning the work area is a must, just like using any other equipment:

  • Dry the height gauge’s surface after cleaning it.
  • Clean the measuring jaw before attaching it to the instrument.
  • Make the slider on the scale free from moving by loosening the locking screws. Then, check if the display registers change in height by moving the slider up and down.
  • Finally, make sure that the surface of the object to be measured is clean and dry.

How To Take The Measurements

The actual measuring process can be started once the cleaning and preparation are done. Here are the steps to do it correctly:

The surface of working the platform usually becomes the point of measurement. Make the platform surface and the measuring jaw gently touch with a measuring force of about three to five Newton. Also, make sure that the LCD shows a value of zero. To make it zero, press the ON/OFF/ZERO button.

Adjust the movable jaw to its nearest inch or centimeter by holding the rod against the surface plate.

Check the large LCD screen to get the reading.

Taking Caution When Using The Digital Height Gauge

Lift the base using a block when measuring an object that’s beyond the height gauge’s range. That way, the surface of the object or block becomes the starting point, and the platform surface becomes the zero point.

Preset the block’s height if it’s the starting point (a more accurate measurement is needed to measure the height).

Preset the height of the surface when the measured object’s surface is the starting point.

Final Notes

After the measurement, take off the jaws so that they can be cleaned and dried with a cloth that’s soaked with cleaning oil. You can use a clean, dry cloth before storing the instrument in the fit case.

During storage or while in use, it’s important to maintain the temperature between five to 40 degrees Celsius. The protective sticker shouldn’t be in contact with any hydrous liquid.

Finally, prevent damage to the electronics, such as an electrical circuit overload, by never applying voltage or engraving with an electric pen any part of the depth gauge.

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

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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’

OptiPro uses New Scale Robotics system to inspect small parts

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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