A US manufacturer of pipe fittings and couplings casts these parts in sand molds. The automated process uses several pneumatic cylinders to put the molds into a properly “stacked” position. It is imperative that these molds are properly positioned so the front and back sides are aligned.
Continue readingLaser scanners are used to verify weld joints for ample filler metal and gaps. Similarly, engineers choose laser scanners to follow pneumatic sealant or glue dispensers to verify bead presence and dimensions.
Continue readingA global manufacturer of self-contained drill rigs uses the AccuRange 1000 laser distance sensor to automatically gage the depth of drilled holes. Their drill rigs are equipped with powerful down-the-hole hammers for high-capacity rock drilling in quarries, opencast mines and construction projects. The operator, sitting in a climate-controlled cabin, can know the exact hole depth on a digital console display.
Continue readingSteel mills producing large coils of sheet stock store their inventory on the floors of huge warehouses. Modern factories automate the pick and place of their inventory in 3D space by equipping their overhead cranes with multiple laser distance sensors.
Continue readingDemonstrating the capabilities of the new AccuProfile 820 Laser Scanner at the Quality Expo in Chicago, operators scanned an individual car key to produce an elevation map.
Continue readingIn this application, engineers tested the Acuity AP620-7 laser line sensor to make dimensional profiles of a small polymer part used in an industrial applications. Currently, the company uses calipers and comparators to measure this part. The area to be measured is a diameter at the circumferential “shoulder” formed by the floor of the part and an interior wall. Proper detection of the joint between the 30° wall and the horizontal surface was very important. Additionally, it was critical to align the laser line with the diameter of the circular part and not a chord. Any misalignment would result in a shorter diameter measurement. Engineers suggested scanning the part as it passed beneath the scan line and then capturing several cross-sectional frames. Software algorithms could be used to determine the maximum dimension of all collected and this number would be the diameter.
Continue readingA manufacturer in Brazil designs and builds tanks and vessels for use in various chemical and petrochemical industries.The company approached Acuity to assist in improving their dimensional measurement practices.
Continue readingEngineers frequently use a precision scanning confocal displacement sensor to inspect the surface of a steel brake line tip for scratches and defects.
Continue readingThe “wing up-bend test” is a test of the mechanical integrity of composite wings as they are displaced upwards. Hanging from the end of each wing is a laser distance sensor, mounted on a gimbal to ensure the laser would be pointed perpendicularly to the floor as the wing is bent upwards.
Continue readingProject M was a proposed project to land an operational humanoid robot on the moon in 1000 days (M is the Roman numeral for 1000). As with most autonomous vehicle projects, the design of the NASA RR-1 Lander required many sensors to fully control its flight. Design engineers contacted Acuity for a solution to measure the altitude of their RR-1 Lander.
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