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Back to NewsNew Uses of Noncontact Metrology in Aerospace
In a recent article published at advancedmanufacturing.org, an inside look is given to a variety of technologies that meet the challenges of metrology in the aerospace industry, regarding speed, accuracy and data collection.
Below is a section of the article written about the Laser Design CyberGage 360 3D Scanning and Inspection System that has proven to meet and exceed the required standards. The fully-automated, non-contact CyberGage360 provides unprecedented combination of speed, ease-of use at a 7um accuracy – far better than competitive solutions.
February 6, 2017 by Bruce Morey – Contributing Editor, Advanced Manufacturing
Changing Requirements, Measuring Accuracy
As marketers often say, perception is everything, and 3D noncontact metrology has ridden a wave of acceptance in just the last four to five years, according to C. Martin Schuster, CEO for LaserDesign (Minneapolis), makers of high-accuracy laser scanners. LaserDesign provides individual scanners, both the XLP and SLP line of scanners, as well as integrating them into CMMs and cabinets.
“We have done that by proving to be better than, or faster than, existing technology, which has typically been touch probes on CMMs.”
This acceptance also comes at a time when there are not only more airplanes needing to be built, but more inspection required as well. “We have heard from some of our customers that the FAA is mandating up to eight times more inspections than in the past to provide in-process inspection of batches,” said Schuster. He notes that there are some turbine blade manufacturing companies that have over 100 CMMs at a single location to keep up with the demand for 100% in-process inspection.
Laser Design Inc. offers theCyberGage360 3D Scanning and Inspection System. Powered by Laser Design’s parent company CyberOptics’ Multi-Reflection Suppression Technology (MRS), a full 3D volumetric scan and output report can be generated in less than 3 minutes—with simply one click of a button, according to the company. For part volumes of 200 mm D × 100 mm L (8 × 4″), the CyberGage360 measures to a system volumetric maximum permissible error (MPe) accuracy of 10 μm + L/10,000 mm (per ISO 10360.) <The CyberGage360 accuracy is now 7um>
Accuracy specifications in terms of an adapted ISO standard written for CMMs equipped with touch probes can be done, but Schuster points out that such a specification is not well suited for a noncontact technology.
“ISO 10360 is based on measuring from point to point, but scanning measures the entire shape of the part—it measures the mating surfaces and how the part functions,” he said.
What is needed, he said, is a standard methodology to measure against the ISO 17450 GD&T standard, which measures form and function.
