Digital Optical Comparator
The Auto-Align tool allows users to reduce inspection times and obtain increased accuracy by lining up the CAD drawing with the part along one or multiple data points
multiple data points or doing an overall ‘best fit’ alignment. The auto pass/fail tool automatically determines, accurately and in real-time, if a part is within tolerance. It can be point-based or can consider complete geometric entities, and it can perform both operations simultaneously on the same part. In point-based mode, the part’s deviation from nominal is evaluated at precise user-specified crosssections to verify that the part is within tolerance at all of these locations. The geometry-based auto pass/fail tool verifies that the part is within tolerance over complete geometric entities. It supports bi-directional tolerances and imposes no restrictions on the
tolerance values. Therefore, tolerances can be either the standard “plus/minus” tolerances or “minus/minus” and “plus/ plus” tolerances. “We are very excited about the release of these new CAD Auto-Align and Auto Pass-Fail tools to enable the fully automated verification of a part against its CAD data,” says Patrick Beauchemin, VISIONx president. “These innovative new tools have been extensively validated at key customer sites, and all of the early adopters are delighted with the benefits that these new tools provide.”
Saving Time The digital optical comparator can act
The digital optical comparator is designed for precision part verification in a range of industries including orthopedics, medical device manufacturing, automotive, aerospace and energy
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as a fully digital, drop-in replacement for a traditional optical comparator. It works directly with the part’s CAD data and does not require any overlays, Mylars or templates. The comparators are available in industry standard 5×, 10×, 20×, 50× and 100× magnifications. Systems are Windows based and deliver a network-ready “rolling cart” configuration for ease of use on the shop floor. Built for speed and accuracy, the comparators can be set up to automatically collect complete electronic documentation and device history. Because the systems are software driven, all operations can be automated. As a result, it is possible to operate the system using only a bar code reader and a joystick, increasing productivity. The digital optical comparator’s camera produces a digital image that is sent to the system’s on-board computer. The software can then carry out further corrections on the image to eliminate the last minute geometric distortions and inaccuracies. The mathematical corrections to the image make it virtually perfect. Like traditional optical comparators, the VisionGauge uses collimated back illumination to produce clear and crisp images with sharp edge profiles. But instead of halogen bulbs, this system uses longer lasting LED technology that can provide stable illumination for as much as 10 years. As with traditional optical comparators, front illumination is also available for operations such as surface inspection. Since its introduction in September 2009, this innovative digital optical comparator has found its way into a range of industries, including medical device and orthopedic manufacturing, aerospace, cutting tool manufacturing, automotive and general machining. It is also appropriate for higher magnification and very high accuracy applications such as Micro ElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) device manufacturing, electronics and semiconductor. Courtesy: MMS Magazine