Automation Of A Shaft Measuring Machine

2023 Author : Hannah Pearcy | [email protected] . Last modified: 2023-05-24 11:12

Whether turned parts with a safety-relevant function in the automotive industry or bone screws in medical technology: Many industrial products have to meet particularly high standards - and therefore require precise and reproducible measurement for quality control. Various optical measurement methods have proven their worth, especially for large throughputs or for applications with a high test depth, since the measurements are usually carried out very quickly.

Especially for rotationally symmetrical workpieces

Such a measuring system is offered by Mahr GmbH, which, as a specialist in industrial production measurement technology, covers a wide range of applications in the field of quality inspection, with the Marshaft Scope 750 plus shaft measuring machine. The solution is specially designed for the automated testing of rotationally symmetrical workpieces, such as shafts and other turned parts, in rough workshop operation.

The measuring system scans the workpieces to be checked optically - and therefore without contact - and analyzes their contours within a very short time. The measuring accuracy can be up to 0.0001 mm or 0.0001 ° depending on the task or execution. The system can measure many different geometries and also large workpieces up to 600 mm in length and 120 mm in diameter. The Marwin Easy Shaft software has also been specially tailored to the measurement of rotationally symmetrical workpieces and thus to the hardware.

In particular, their high throughputs predestine the measuring machine for automation, for example for loading and unloading by a robot: In practice, the measuring machine and robot are right next to the production machine or the production line with the workpieces just produced. The robot automatically places the parts to be checked in the machine and removes them after the - also fully automatic - measuring process.

Book tip

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The advantages compared to conventional, manual assembly are manifold: The entire quality assurance process runs faster and more reliably with consistently high measurement reliability. Since operator errors are almost impossible, a consistently high level of measurement reliability and exactly reproducible measurement results are guaranteed. At the same time, round-the-clock operation is also possible without the need for major personnel.

Robot takes over handling tasks

Mahr and Yaskawa presented such a fully automatic optical shaft measuring system at the Hanover Fair 2019. The measuring machine is equipped with a Motoman HC10 industrial robot from Yaskawa with the YRC1000 control. The hybrid robot has a range of 1.2 m and a handling weight of 10 kg. With a flexible gripper, it meets the requirements of the large variety of possible workpieces when handling. Communication between the robot and the machine control takes place via a Moto Logix Profinet interface, which allows the robot to be programmed in the IEC61131 environment and thus directly via the PLC.

As an HRC-capable hybrid robot, the model allows direct contact with the operator as part of a human-machine collaboration (HRC). If this is not necessary, the Motoman HC10 can also be used as a full-fledged industrial robot and can then be driven at full speed. Tailored to the application, it does not require any additional protective measures, such as a protective housing, which saves space and costs. The installation can be carried out extremely flexibly and is therefore possible at different workplaces and in different concepts.

The Yaskawa Motoman HC10

As a collaborative robot, the Motoman HC10 complies with the requirements of the European Machinery Directive (Directive 2006/42 / EC). Its controller YRC1000 with FSU and PFL board also fulfills at least performance level (PL) "d" category 3 according to DIN EN ISO 13849-1. The now available type examination certificate (“EC Type-Examination Certificate”) from TÜV Rheinland confirms the conformity with these specific requirements. From the point of view of German and European safety standards, the Motoman HC10 can be used as a robot with power and force limitation in the fourth type of collaboration in accordance with the technical specification ISO TS15066.

Increasing demand for automated measurement technology

Mahr is currently observing increasing demand in the field of automated measurement technology and therefore sees great potential for other measuring machines. If a robot is to be used, other models from Yaskawa can also be connected at any time - for example current handling robots of the Motoman GP series with loads from 7 to 225 kg. The optimal automation solution always depends on the specific task.

The right concept - and thus the choice of robot model - takes into account parameters such as test depth, weight and shape of the test objects, as well as production speed and measurement time. There are no limits to the system design. It is also conceivable that several measuring stations are supplied by a central robot.

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* Dr. Andreas Kelling, Product Manager Marketing Engineered Solution Systems, Mahr GmbH, Göttingen;

* Dirk Drehsen, Project Manager Rental & Fairs - YASKAWA Europe GmbH Robotics Division, Allershausen