Production measurement: Meeting the key requirements

Production measurement technology – Meeting the key requirements

Modern measuring instruments ensure components are of a high quality, but to be effective there are a number of key requirements that they must meet.

The purpose of production measurement technology is to ensure component and process quality. The measuring instruments must fulfill a range of requirements. If modern production facilities also aim for integrated production strategies according to Industry 4.0, they already lay the foundation for self-controlling production through their choice of measuring equipment. Production measurement technology can manifest itself in various ways. Typically, optical and/or tactile measuring systems are used in the production line, set up in a connected measuring room, or outsourced to an external measurement service provider. Whatever the particular set-up, its task is to verify the dimensional accuracy of components and ensure they are of the required quality. In addition, production measurement technology often reduces set-up times. Bruker Alicona is one of the leading suppliers in the field of optical co-ordinate measuring technology and roughness measurement. The optical measurement solutions are successfully used in a wide range of industries to optimise manufacturing processes. The manufacturer provides the following tips on what is important when choosing the right measuring system. Measuring instrument capability

The measuring instrument must be capable of completing the measurement task adequately. To make sure that this is the case, it is necessary to verify the instrument’s measuring capability and accuracy. This is usually determined based on predefined Cg and Cgk values. Other important factors in the assessment of measurement quality include high repeatability of measurement results, traceability to national and international calibration standards, compliance with global ISO standards, and low measurement uncertainties. Long-term stability

The long-term stability of a measuring instrument is crucial for ensuring high process reliability at all times. When a component is measured at different points in time over a longer period, results must be consistent, even when environmental conditions such as temperature, vibrations or illumination vary. Usability

Since different machines are used in a production, the operator and/or measuring technician often has to operate several different machines. Therefore, the simple, intuitive operability of the measuring system is indispensable for ongoing operation. Singlebutton solutions and automated measuring procedures ensure constant measurements without user influence.

The optical µCMM coordinate measurement machine from Bruker Alicona is the first purely optical co-ordinate measuring machine. Users can measure dimensions, position shape and roughness also in production. The Bruker Alicona Cobot consists of a collaborative six-axis robot and a high-resolution optical 3D measuring sensor. Shown here is the system installed at MTU Aero Engines, where it is used for the automatic measurement of turbine blades.

Cost efficiency

Investing in a measuring instrument has to pay off. Quick returns on investment (RoI), low maintenance costs, and consumablesfree operation make a measuring system cost-efficient. The device should also receive regular software updates and come with other services to ensure flexibility and quick adaptation to new or adjusted production requirements. Speed

Measurement and set-up times are directly related to each other. Short set-up times demand high measurement speeds and repeatable, traceable measurement results. The faster a measurement result is available, the faster personnel can react and reconfigure machines. Therefore, measurement speed is a key factor in reducing downtime and ensuring fast response and process adjustment times. Flexibility

Flexible production requires flexible measuring instruments. It is becoming more common to produce small lots of different components, resulting in a difficult task for production measurement technology. Different component shapes, types, and sizes, often made of various materials and composites, must be measured fast and reliably. Measurement technology must be able to adapt to production and the varying components, geometries, and materials. One important requirement for this is quick and easy access to the component details that need to be measured. Future-proof technology

Modern production strategies are increasingly based on integrated production concepts. In Industry 4.0, production systems, machines, and measuring devices connect and communicate with each other. In this production concept, also referred to as SmartManufacturing, measuring instruments are integrated directly into production and are able to intervene in it. Measuring sensors recognise faulty components and automatically feed this information into the production loop. Production then automatically adapts to the new information and corrects the error. To ensure long-term implementation of self-controlling production, the measuring devices employed must fulfill various requirements. Among these are fully automatic measurements, high-precision sensors suitable for production environments, and interfaces for easy connection and integration into existing production systems.

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