Product category:
Position, speed and torque measurement
News Release from: Micro-Epsilon UK | Subject: Turnkey measurement solutions
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 11 August 2006
Measurement systems for process
monitoring and QA
When it comes to helping end users solve their measurement application problems, being able to offer customers a full, turnkey measurement solution and technical support service is key
When it comes to helping end users solve their measurement application problems, being able to offer customers a full, turnkey measurement solution and technical support service is key Not only does it help the customer to reduce installation time, but it also means the task is made easier and lead times are reduced
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 16 Jul 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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The Systems Division of the Micro-Epsilon Group offers UK companies a complete turnkey precision measurement solutions service, drawing on the technical expertise of the complete Micro-Epsilon Group and its products.
Due to a lack of internal resource, more and more companies are preferring to outsource specific application measurement problems to a third party.
The Micro-Epsilon Systems Division develops and produces non-destructive and inline automatic measurement systems for process monitoring and quality control applications for its customers.
Further reading
Widest range of inductive displacement sensors
In its latest 52-page catalogue, precision sensor manufacturer Micro-Epsilon offers the widest range of inductive displacement sensors available, with around 250 different standard sensor types
Laser sensor filters out surface defects
A new non-contact laser profile displacement sensor is now available, which uses special software algorithms to filter out interference caused by very small (sub-micrometre) surface defects
Largest choice of current sensors in world today
A new reference guide is now available from sensor manufacturer Micro-Epsilon on the company's non-contact, wear-free eddy current displacement sensors
All the software, sensors, mechanical components and knowledge comes from within the Micro-Epsilon Group, resulting in a low cost structure and rapid solutions, supplied either direct to the end user or via a systems integrator.
Standard solutions offered include 'FilmControl', which is a complete turnkey solution that measures the thickness and profile of flat and blown film.
Traversing and reversing systems with fixed tracks are available for inspection and production control, ideal for the plastics and rubber industry.
The 'ThicknessControl' series offers customers a complete inline dimensional thickness measurement solution for web-shaped and plate material.
Specific applications to date include rubber, chip boards, mineral boards and foam material webs.
'DimensionControl' inline non-contact gauging solutions are used in the non-contact measurement of geometrical features, including parts handling.
One customer application included the non-contact measurement of thickness and profile on bearing shells.
The bearing shells are passed without contact on an air cushion through the measurement plane.
The measurements take place with up to three pairs of diametrically-opposed sensors.
The front faces of the sensors are matched to the radius of the bearing shells.
A reference shell is placed in the test device for automatic linearity calibration and supported on air at the measuring position under computer control.
The measurement system automatically linearises itself by pneumatically moving the shell in the sensor measuring gap in the direction of the sensor axes.
A Six Sigma deviation of 0.3 microns is achieved at up to 100 parts per minute.
When a simpler 'automatic pass/fail' system is required rather than full product gauging, Micro-Epsilon can also supply application-specific solutions.
These systems do not require a PC for operation, but instead use simple user interfaces to allow the operator to set up the system for a particular batch run or product line.
The system then grades the product into 'pass/fail/reject' groups.
The 'vacControl 810' has been developed for measuring the vacuum integrity of cans, jars and bottles in food and beverage manufacturing plants.
The vacControl 810 system measures the cap deflection caused by the vacuum.
An inductive sensor scans the cap shape while the individual jars pass the measuring point.
The micro-computer unit stores the values and uses them to calculate the cap deflection as a function of the internal pressure.
The system then compares the values with a pre-set deflection value and decides about the tightness of the jar.
If the cap deflection is not large enough, an eject pulse of adjustable length is generated.
This pulse controls a sorter which separates the jars into 'good' (sealed correctly) and 'bad' (leaky).
In combination with a light barrier or an optical switch, the system also sorts out jars that have no cap or lid.
Counters record the total number of containers tested and the number of rejects.
In parallel with the tightness check, the micro-computer runs a statistics programme that provides data on the corresponding actual throughput.
A Kent-based manufacturer is installing a similar turnkey system to monitor the vacuum integrity of its pickled fruit jars.
The firm has ordered two complete systems from Micro-Epsilon, which are capable of measuring throughput rates of up to approximately 700 jars per minute.
Glenn Wedgbrow, sales manager at Micro-Epsilon UK commented: "The company's original system for checking the lids used an optical sensor to measure the deflection of the metal cap.
However, the different colours of the lids, and the fact that water was finding its way onto the surface of the lids during inspection, were causing problems.
The company had to use special air blasting machines to blast water from the caps before they could be inspected reliably.
"Our system uses an inductive sensor that is not affected by water or the colour of the cap or lid. Request a free brochure from Micro-Epsilon UK ...
Now the company does not need to use air blasters and so extra cost savings will be made here.".
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