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CMM-Manager Metrology Software – What’s New Version 3.1 – 042512 – Missed our Webinar? Watch it here……

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For more on our CMM-Manager software technology Click here!

Nikon Metrology NV Exhibits at Control Show 2011 in Stuttgart, Germany

 

Date	May 3-6, 2011
Booth	Hall 7 – Booth 7412
Location	Stuttgart, Germany
Hosted by	Nikon Metrology
Official website	http://www.control-messe.com/en/control

Come and see us at the Control Exhibition in Stuttgart

At the Control exhibition (Stuttgart, DE), Nikon Metrology features its entire product portfolio. Visitors are welcome to discover the new HN-6060 multi-sensor measuring system, learn about the complete portfolio of 3D laser scanners, explore latest CT technology, and much more. Large scale demonstrations include the recently launched Laser Radar MV330, iSpace and Adaptive Robot Control. In the microscope portfolio, the portable ShuttlePix is a new experience for analyzing samples in the field or in the lab.   
 
Nikon Metrology solutions on display:

• HN-6060 multi-sensor system for measuring intricate parts such as gears
• Ceramic LK CMMs equipped with high-performance LC60Dx and XC65D laser scanners and Focus software
• MCA II articulated measuring arms fitted with handheld digital MMDx and MMCx laser scanners
• Industrial XT H 225 and electronics XT V 130 inspection systems
• NEXIV VMR AND iNEXIV VMA vision inspection systems providing (sub)micron accuracy and inspection automation
• Dedicated microscope solutions such as ShuttlePix and NeoScope benchtop SEM
• A range of measuring microscopes and profile projectors
• Laser Radar and iGPS large-scale metrology, including Adaptive Robot Control
• Latest software releases on CAMIO, Focus, CMM-Manager 

 

HN-6060 multi-sensor  metrology system

CMM scanning  and  Feature inspection

Handheld scanning

X-ray and CT inspection

 

Vision systems and Microscopes

ShuttlePix

Laser Radar  & iSpace Large volume Metrology

Adaptive Robot Control

To obtain your free Nikon Metrology entrance ticket, please click here.

Rapidform XOV2 Makes 3D Scan-Based Verification Faster and Easier

INUS Technology, Inc. just announced the release of Rapidform XOV2 Service Pack 2, which brings major improvements to the application’s reporting and 3D scan measurement capabilities. Rapidform XOV takes data from any 3D scanner, including Nikon Metrology 3D laser scanners, and enables manufacturers to quickly verify that parts are within specification. This latest release sharpens XOV’s focus on allowing fast, easy inspection of parts and seamless interoperability with popular CAD software.  Highlights of the 50+ enhancements include: New 3D scan measurement tools: All of XOV’s extensive GD&T (geometric dimensioning and tolerancing) tools are available for use on 3D scan data, without the need for a CAD model. Users can now freely measure scanned parts, and XOV will automatically define features and calculate results for flatness, cylindricity, circularity, straightness, etc. Virtual calipers: Any part can be measured in the same way as with physical calipers inside the software. A part can quickly be scanned, and saved for future measurement at any time. Imagine taking a measurement on tooling that is on the factory floor, without having to stop the line! Streamlined virtual CMM: Like virtual calipers, XOV can also simulate a CMM’s measurements on a scanned part, offering the same time-saving benefits. Two new 3D scanners added to liveScan: XOV can control 18 of the most popular 3D scanners, and with SP2 that now includes Nikon Metrology’s handheld scanners. Enhanced automation: XOV’s batch process tool gains several enhancements, including the ability to process groups of scans automatically. It will also automatically print out complete inspection reports after processing each scan or group of scans. The new service pack will be released the week of November 10, 2010.  For more information or to request a demonstration of the new features, visit www.rapidform.com/xov2sp2.

Hoskin Scientific Features Nikon Metrology Solutions at Canadian Manufacturing Week – Booth # 5022

October 5-7, 2010
Toronto Congress Centre, North Building
650 Dixon Road
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Canada’s LARGEST and MOST COMPREHENSIVE MANUFACTURING SHOW is back and packed with MORE NEW TECHNOLOGIES than ever before!

Canadian Manufacturing Week (CMW), is the event that Canadian manufacturers have relied on for over 20 years to improve and strengthen their business. The show you look to for innovative products, technology, equipment and services has evolved into something even better. A new, state-of-the-art venue, convenient location, and more new technologies than ever before combines to form the most efficient and effective way to source the solutions you need to succeed – all under one roof.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hoskin Scientific will be exhibiting at CMW 2010, Booth#5022. In their booth they will feature the Nikon Metrology 6-axis portable arm with touch probe and CMM-Manager software as well as the SMZ-745T stereoscopic microscope.

Visit http://www.hoskin.ca/ for more information or visit http://us.nikonmetrology.com/ to learn more about our products.

Hurel Hispano Uses Camio Software for Inspection of Aircraft Components

The level of after-sales service provided by coordinate measuring machine (CMM) suppliers is sometimes limited to a few days training and the supply of spare parts if the machine breaks down. At the opposite end of the scale is the service provided by Nikon Metrology, which as a CMM manufacturer and software developer is well placed to support a customer’s metrology function in its entirety.

A good example is the relationship with commercial aircraft component manufacturer, Hurel Hispano UK, Burnley. LK, now Nikon Metrology has not only supplied two CMMs, but has also written part programs, supplied fixtures to clamp components for inspection, and regularly supported the customer by providing an on-going service contract, telephone helpline and machine calibration.

In a recent project, Nikon Metrology produced a suite of 24 programs to inspect key parts, made predominantly from 1 mm gauge aluminium sheet, that go to make up the thrust reverser blocker door used to slow a regional jet on landing. Hurel Hispano UK had seen a dramatic increase in production volumes from two dozen blocker doors in total to 36 per month as sales of the regional jet grew rapidly. At the original volumes, it was easy to carry out minor reworking on the production line to make the parts fit together, but as orders continued to roll in it was clear that this approach was not sustainable, as it would have delayed deliveries. So the company embarked on a production capability study to ensure that all parts assemble first time.

This initiative injected a sudden urgency into an ongoing project started mid 2001 by Julian Rishton and Mike Mitchell, the engineers in charge of Manufacturing and Development at Hurel Hispano UK, to analyse thrust reverser production with a view to reducing manufacturing costs. The idea was to review the real tolerances of the manufactured components in relation to the design tolerances in the light of their accumulation as the product is assembled, a technique known as error budgeting. As the company’s CNC programming section is responsible for writing programs for machine tools on the shop floor as well as for the CMMs, the sudden increase in metrology workload to support capability studies as well as product development meant that additional programming resources were needed.

So CAD models with datums and inspection points for each of the 24 key parts for the regional jet blocker door were sent to Nikon Metrology, which wrote the inspection programs for running on the G-90C CMM on the Burnley site. A set of flexible fixtures was also provided by Nikon Metrology to enable a majority of the parts to be clamped on the machine table; only four special fixtures had to be made.

Checks were then carried out by Hurel Hispano UK on batches of 16 thrust reverser components to verify the capability of the manufacturing process, which involves stretch wrap forming and fluid cell pressing. Inspection cycles, entailing measuring of between 30 and 150 discrete points, took up to 20 minutes. Considering that the parts are of sheet metal that has been heat treated and quenched, tolerances on surface profile, edge of part and machined features are very tight at ± 0.50 mm, opening slightly to ± 0.75 mm for the larger components.

Included in the Nikon Metrology package, in addition to inspection programs, was a pictorial front-end called Launchpad that allows the operator simply to click on a photograph of the component to be measured in order to select the correct inspection routine. Another bespoke feature was automatic generation of hard copy graphical reports to suit Hurel Hispano’s requirements and those of its customer. As well as containing the raw results, without any manual intervention the reports link them to easily understood illustrations based on the CAD model and include ‘traffic light’ colour-coded results for each dimension measured.

The process capability studies included CMM inspection of each component at various stages in its production, and investigation and improvement of the tools used in the forming and pressing operations and in subsequent blocker door assembly. As a result, manufacture is now considerably faster and there is less rework. Overall component quality has been improved and there is a significantly higher level of repeatability, as confirmed by the hard gauging used for 100 per cent inspection of the fully assembled thrust reverser at the end of the production line.

The Nikon Metrology G-90C on which the measurements were made was installed at Burnley in 2000, but Hurel Hispano UK, formerly Lucas Aerospace, had been associated with the CMM supplier since the mid 1980s when a Nikon Metrology Metre Four was installed with a very large measuring envelope. In 2001, it was upgraded with new drives, controller and the latest CAMIO Windows-based, DMIS programming software that works directly from the 3D CAD model of the part to be inspected.

When the G-90C was purchased, Nikon Metrology’s customer support department was asked to supply fixtures and programs for carrying out pre-production interchangeability (ICY) checks on two types of blocker doors for a large passenger jet, so Hurel Hispano UK had early experience of the supplier’s capabilities in this area. It was followed shortly afterwards by Nikon Metrology providing four programs and fixtures for final inspection ICY checks using the Metre Four CMM. In this case, the whole profile was inspected of the upper and lower left- and right-hand blocker doors for another twin-jet aircraft, as well as key interface features such as edges, bushes and latch positions.

Programs may be swapped between the CMMs, both of which have been provided with a written driver to enable use of third-party geometric dimensioning and tolerancing software, a cornerstone of error budgeting when dealing with 3D assemblies.

Hurel Hispano UK proposes to upgrade another CMM on site with new drives, controller and CAMIO software to increase measuring capacity and flexibility. The machine will also be equipped with a loading system to assist handling of large, pivoting blocker doors on and off the granite.

CMM-MANAGER 3.0 Features New Windows 7 Style User Interface

 CMM-Manager 3.0 for Windows 7 is by far the most value-for-money tactile inspection software that runs on nearly all CNC and manual CMMs. The modern and intuitive Windows 7 graphical interface makes the software even more informative and interactive. Get more things done with CMM-Manager, by automating serial inspection or by easily taking a few points on the spot. And when combined with the new Renishaw 5-axis PH20 probe head, CMM-Manager 3.0 turns around inspection work up to 3 times faster.

Versatility to get the most out of your CMMs

The dashboard has been upgraded with intuitive new icons and a ribbon bar style layout. CMM-Manager 3.0 for Windows 7 also incorporates touch screen and multi-touch support and intuitive navigation paths. Simply walk up to the CMM, quickly align the part, and immediately measure geometric features and points on planes. When CAD is available, you can even take snap point measurements on the screen to eliminate manually probing the work piece – and automatically create dimensional charts with color-coded point deviations.

Docking and sliding panels provide a more open and simplified workspace, and inspection tools are simple to use. To create a serial inspection routine that runs on any CMM brand, you simply click points and features on a 3D part view and drag-and-drop them as icons on to a part program representation. CMM-Manager automatically converts the icon program into a collision-free touch probe motion path. Automated inspection results in graphic part-to-CAD comparison, a digital communication tool providing all the answers.

PH20 support triples CMM productivity

CMM-Manager 3.0 for Windows 7 supports the new Renishaw PH20 probe head that drives fast, infinite, rotary positioning for high-speed point measurement with minimal CMM movement. The new probe head brings five-axis inspection capability to smaller CMMs by optimizing the working volume of the measurement platform. Through PH20 support, CMM-Manager 3.0 for Windows increases touch-trigger CMM inspection throughput up to three times. CMM-Manager software operates on a PC or laptop running a Microsoft Windows 7 32-bit or 64-bit operating system.

Laser scanners expand Toolmaker’s service and profits

RAM Tool – a manufacturer of aluminum die casting tools, injection molds and prototype tooling – devotes part of its business to emergency work and turns repair jobs around quickly. Two CMMs equipped with Nikon Metrology LC50 laser scanners efficiently generate digital 3D copies of specimens with metrology level accuracy, providing detailed geometric feedback regarding the entire specimen surface. Using Nikon Metrology laser scanning technology, RAM Tool succeeds in finishing rush jobs much faster than before.

The Nikon Metrology LC50 laser scanner collects thousands of points at a time as the CMM moves the scanner in a smooth, continuous path over the workpiece

RAM Tool is a 60,000 square feet tool and die shop, with 100 employees, situated in Grafton, Wisconsin. Because rapid turnarounds are the bread and butter of the business, Roy Kannenberg, the company’s Founder and President, has significantly invested in high technology to shave hours – and sometimes even days – from each step of the process. Besides CAD/CAM systems in the engineering department, dozens of CNC machine tools fill a shop that has expanded twice over the last decade to fit them all. Among the most recent acquisitions are two Nikon Metrology LC50 laser scanners, one for each of the two coordinate measuring machines (CMMs).

The Nikon Metrology scanner heads and the supporting Focus software suite have become an important part of the services RAM has to offer. “Laser scanning brings in more work,” explains Kannenberg. The technology allows RAM to expand the number of services it offers customers, and in the process, become more competitive. Laser scanning played a central role in helping customers find and repair specific problems. RAM engineers compare the scanned data to the CAD model to investigate specific problems. After acquiring approval to execute their recommended solution, craftsmen on the shop floor execute repairs and ship a better tool back to the customer.

Scanning expedites rush jobs by eliminating most of the programming that would otherwise be necessary. When collecting data by touch probe measurement, the programmer would have to develop the CMM program. A laser scanner eliminates most programming and measurement time because it collects thousands of points at a time as the CMM moves the scanner in a smooth, continuous path over the workpiece.

Nikon Metrology laser scanning allowed RAM to expand its services to include contract inspection of first production articles

The CMM stops only to change direction. “We can scan a whole cavity in a matter of two to three hours,” says Nichols. “In another 10 hours or so, we have surfaces for the CAD department.” Moreover, the quality of those surfaces is much better because they contain significantly more data. Scanning saves additional time by streamlining the report generation process. Nichols estimates that generating inspection reports would add a day on top of the two or three days that it would normally take to program the CMM and run the measurements. “In the past, reporting bogged everything down,” he says. “And now, reporting represents just a small fraction of the entire project.”

On a job that previously took 30 hours with a touch trigger probe, Nichols reports that laser scanning takes only eight hours. The Nikon Metrology scanner helps cut job execution time by approximately 70%, while the software organizes measurement results into an intuitive and easy-to-read color map that puts each measurement into the context of the entire surface.

Scanning also enables RAM to generate accurate CAD files for tools that were either made too long ago to have a CAD file, or tweaked without having recorded modifications in the original file. Mike Kannenberg estimates that laser scanning eliminates over 60% of the time required to generate an up-to-date file. Besides being a highly efficient tool for helping customers troubleshoot their problems, Nikon Metrology scanner hardware and software provide the shop with the detailed geometric feedback it needs to control its operations and ensure quality.

For example, toolmakers now regularly request to scan a freshly hardened cavity if they suspect that heat treatment may have caused twisting or bending. “We now follow the strategy to scan the semi-finished product, compare it to the CAD model, and ensure that we have sufficient material in areas where specific problems may arise,” says Mike Kannenberg.

In other cases, scanning is a necessity, rather than an option. A scanner, for example, checks all of the electrodes before releasing them to electrical discharge machines. The scanner additionally inspects each of the components that go into the finished tools. “ Not a single die component goes out of the shop without being inspected,” says Roy Kannenberg.

What’s New in CMM-Manager 2.5

If you missed our CMM-Manager webinar back in March, you can now view it in our webinar archive. Click on the video below to view this webinar.

 

 Webinar Description: This is an Introduction to a highly intuitive CMM software package for both manual and CNC CMMs. CMM software offers flexible yet easy-to-use functionalities, including graphical probe configuration management, automatic tip calibration, cross section scanning and group feature measurement.

 

CMM-Manager version 2.5 features & benefits:

1. OP Planner – Operation Planner will allow an operator to easily run only a portion of a program by simply picking the features or dimensions from a program.  CMM-Manager will automatically re-calculate tool paths and run only the required portion of the program.

 

2. Shop Floor “Launcher” – This will allow easy access to an entire library of CMM-Manager programs.  From a simplified push button browser the operator can run CMM-Manager Programs.  This may be used in a shop floor environment and is designed to be Touch Screen friendly.

 

3. Clearance Plane Path Planning – Programmable setting allows to define a safe plane for joystick taught operation and path creation “Current Tip & Local Path”, which will be used to automatically add move points at start or/and end of measurement.

 

4. Hand Help API – Replaces MCA Utilities with built-in probe calibration.

 

5. Windows 7 – Compatibility with Windows 7 has been tested on both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

 

 

Visit www.cmmmanager.com to learn more.

Case Study: Tool Inspection Simplified by Nikon Metrology’s CMM-Manager software

Michigan-based tool maker BTM Corp. (Marysville, MI) opted for Nikon Metrology’s (Brighton, MI) user-centric CMM-Manager software to automate serial inspection on different coordinate measuring machine (CMM) brands. BTM quality technicians also rely on CMM-Manager’s walk-in measurement capability to quickly take points on prototype and first-part articles. Parts designed and produced by BTM serve process automation at automotive and other manufacturers.

“We have our hands full with quality control of diverse clamps, grippers, presses and locators for Chrysler, Ford, GM, Magna, Whirlpool and many other manufacturers worldwide,” says George Croll, quality manager for BTM Corp. “We’ve used the proprietary software of our Mitutoyo and Brown & Sharpe CMMs for a while, but we needed to increase our inspection efficiency by utilizing a single straightforward software tool that supports both CMM brands.”

Croll researched different CMM software packages and identified Metris CMM-Manager as the solution of choice. “Although the majority of CMM software packages offer all the trimmings you need, most software packages lack an intuitive feel. This is why CMM-Manager made the difference.”

Instant walk-in measurement

CMM-Manager organizes a part program using icons representing measure, construct and report tasks. Source: Nikon Metrology

In many instances, BTM quality technicians simply want to take a few measurements on prototype or first-part articles to feedback data to engineering or production. The CMM-Manager interface enables them to quickly align the part and measure planes and geometric features, such as hole patterns. They take snap point measurements on the screen, which virtually eliminates the need to manually probe the work pieces, and instantly create dimensional charts that indicate size, geometry and position information.

The software offers the opportunity to define color-coded marks that highlight point deviation before wrapping up the graphic report that can be passed on to the customer. “The software is very easy to use,” remarks Croll. “I would recommend CMM-Manager to any metrology system user who cares about measurement productivity. Even before attending any training sessions, we already figured out how to use most of the features the software offers.”

CAD-based Serial Inspection Saves Time

Enlarge this picture BTM runs CMM-Manager to save inspection preparation time and as a technical communication tool. Source: Nikon Metrology

“When producing small or larger series of rotary actuator or clamp piston pieces, for example, we follow a different inspection strategy,” explains Croll. “First, we load the SolidWorks CAD [computer-aided design] file of the part into the CMM-Manager software and subsequently pick the positions and features that we want to have measured. We simply click a point or feature on a 3-D view of the part, and drag-and-drop the icon in the part program representation. A smart software capability of CMM-Manager is the automatic conversion of the part program into a collision-free touch probe motion path, including optimum probing angles to measure deep pockets or through holes, for example.”

Croll confirms that this interactive pick-confirm-and-measure method is much more straightforward, time-efficient and error-proof than coding probe paths and angles manually.

“As a result, BTM inspectors only spend half the time preparing new measurement routines and spend much less time on serial inspection. Instead, they focus on metrology work that really matters, such as defining and evaluating inspection reports. Overall, CMM-Manager is more user-friendly than any other package that we have used so far. And through graphic part-to-CAD comparison, CMM-Manager is a better communication tool for us in timely resolving technical issues with our customers.”

View this case study in Quality Magazine

Learn more about CMM-Manager software at www.cmmmanager.com

Nikon Metrology creates dedicated CMM-Manager software website.

Nikon Metrology has several software options available for your Coordinate Measuring Machine.  One of the most user-friendly and cost-effective solutions is CMM-Manager. www.cmmmanager.com

CMM-Manager is a task-oriented, highly intuitive CMM software package for both manual and CNC CMMs. It is a fully integrated environment featuring walk-in quick-measure, one-click CAD-measure, collision-free CAD-teach, virtual simulation, real-time verification, advanced path planning, CAD alignment, datum alignment and many more smart functions.

Nikon Metrology now has a website solely dedicated to its CMM-Manager software product line. Take a moment to browse the new website, www.cmmmanager.com to find out how CMM-Manager software can be a powerful and cost-effective solution for your CMM.

Check out: www.cmmmanager.com