Industry's First Fully Automated Part-to-CAD Measurement Verification Software Reduces Inspection Time Dramatically
Methods Machine Tools, Inc. has announced new CAD Auto-Align and Auto Pass/Fail software tools for the VisionGauge® Digital Optical Comparator System (Patents Pending), developed by VISIONx INC. These innovative tools represent a breakthrough in noncontact comparative measuring technology, allowing users to compare a part to its CAD data in real-time, completely automatically - an industry first.
The Auto-Align tool automatically aligns the CAD data to the part. The tool typically takes less than two seconds to produce its result and its operation is very straightforward. The Auto-Align tool produces repeatable and accurate results that are completely operator-independent. It supports both X-Y and X-Y-Rotation alignment of the CAD drawing to the part.
The VisionGauge Digital Optical Comparator's powerful Auto-Align tool allows users to drastically reduce inspection times and obtain increased accuracy. It can line the CAD drawing up to the part along one or multiple datums, or it can do an overall "best fit" alignment.
The VisionGauge Digital Optical Comparator's powerful Auto Pass/Fail tool automatically determines, very accurately and in real-time, if a part is within tolerance. The Auto Pass/Fail tool can be point-based or can consider complete geometric entities, and it can perform both simultaneously on the same part.
In point-based mode, the part's deviation from nominal is evaluated at precise user-specified cross-sections 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. The Auto Pass/Fail tool supports bi-directional tolerances and imposes no restrictions on the tolerance values. This means that tolerances can be either the standard "plus/minus" tolerances, as well as "minus/minus" or "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. 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,” said Mr. Patrick Beauchemin, President of VISIONx INC.
VisionGauge Digital Optical Comparators are a fully-digital drop-in replacement for traditional optical comparators. They work directly with the part's CAD data and don't require any overlays, Mylars™ or templates. They are available in industry standard 5X, 10X, 20X, 50X and 100X magnifications. Systems are Windows-based and delivered network-ready in shop-floor convenient “rolling cart” configuration. VisionGauge Digital Optical Comparators are at least ten times more accurate than traditional optical comparators and allow users to achieve a much higher throughput. Furthermore, they can be set-up to automatically collect complete electronic documentation and device history.
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