Blue Light Laser Sensor Integration and Point Cloud Metrology

Dimensional measurement has been used as a part of manufacturing systems for many years. However, although shop floor measurement equipment can be used next to a manufacturing machine and its measurement data can be digitally interfaced to change some manufacturing parameters, machine tools themselves are also being utilized to do more and more of the dimensional measurement tasks.

Touch probes can be found on most manufacturing systems, which can be utilized to automatically perform dimensional measurement tasks. Several manufacturers are now introducing analog probes that can scan parts to collect fast and dense measurement data directly on the machine. This article discusses integration of noncontact blue-light laser sensors directly within the manufacturing system for fast data collection during the manufacturing process. This technique uses the point cloud generated from this sensor for measurement and metrology tasks, and ultimately generates feedback to the manufacturing system to achieve adaptive manufacturing with point-cloud metrology.

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On Machine Measurement

There can be no doubt that the use of "on machine" measurement can lead to great improvements in quality. However, to rely upon these measurements for final acceptance is a dangerous path. When generous tolerances are involved, the issue is probably only a minor annoyance but, as tolerances become tighter and tighter, the need for an independant measurement becomes more and more a necessity.

In all likelihood, the on machine system will greatly reduce the number of independant measurements required, but will never eliminate them.

From an operational standpoint, it would appear logical that a properly implemented scanner has inherent advantages over other technologies. It should be possible to easily build and maintain system safeguards at a much lower cost than for other technologies.

Great info

Thanks Ray for this very technical, in depth article. Although most of it flew over my head, it's exciting to read that this sort of technology is making it's way into manufacturing.