MULTI-PURPOSE WORKSHOP MACHINEMANUAL OR AUTOMATIC MODE – WHICHEVER YOU PREFER

CASE STUDY

The TESA MICRO-HITE 3D, an entry lev-el manual coordinate measuring ma-chine for rugged workshop use, is the fastest selling product in the compa-ny’s history. This user-friendly machine filled the gap between a traditional

height gauge and a sophisticated co-ordinate measuring machine. Now the MICRO-HITE 3D DUAL (MH3D DUAL) integrates both manual and automatic options to provide a versatile machine with increased flexibility for the user.

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The machine is equipped with the TESA-REFLEX tablet offering the operator an easy-to-use interface for the measurement of simple geometric elements such as points, lines, planes, circles, cylinders, cones or spheres. The software automatically cal-culates the measured element from the way points are probed (automatic recognition). Once the element has been validated, all its features are also displayed automatically and can then be processed in different ways.

To guarantee the flexibility best adapted to every user’s needs, the TESA-REFLEX tablet offers several options for the manage-ment of measured data. An inspection report can be directly printed or saved on a USB flash drive. It is also possible to send the data to a PC where it can be processed by the statistical software TESA DATA-DIRECT or TESA STAT-EXPRESS.

The main advantage of the MH3D DUAL is its way of creating and executing measurement sequences. Once a program has been created manually (learning process), it is possible to run it manually or automatically according to the requirements of the application. To increase productivity in an easy way, the opera-tor can reuse a program validated on small batches of parts on bigger batches delivered on pallets. In other words, the functions of the MH3D DUAL (manual or automatic mode) enable optimal use of this machine by increasing its operational time and so generate a quicker return on investment.

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WORKING SMART

IberPrecis, S. L., located in an industrial suburb near Zaragoza, was one of the first MH3D DUAL customers in Spain.

A family-managed company employing 30 people, IberPrecis supplies components and products to the aerospace and de-fence sectors amongst other industrials.

“We are a Tier 1 supplier to Schindler, supplying security system modules for integration into their elevator systems,” says David Andreu, the founder’s grand-son and commercial director of the company.“We also do subcontract machining and have customers in Germany, North and South America.”

David’s brother, Jorge Andreu, looks after manufacturing. From his office, adjacent to the plant, he uses CAD-CAM technology to process component drawings and generate CNC programs. There is a wireless network

to transmit CNC programs to machines for making parts in line with a produc-tion schedule. The latest manufacturing engineering methods are used to ensure optimal efficiency in manufacturing.

IberPrecis provides its clients with com-plete solutions in precision engineering projects and the MH3D DUAL is a vital link in this process. First the machine is used in manual mode to measure a prototype and validate the results of that measure-ment. Later, it operates in automatic mode to measure batches of parts during series production.

Sample prismatic component

The company has a range of CNC horizon-tal and vertical machining centres, CNC lathes and grinding machines to produce parts. Assembly of products for supply to customers is done in an adjoining plant.

With an accuracy of 2.5 microns, the MH3D DUAL 454 has proven to be the ideal inspection system for IberPrecis, where manufacturing components have to meet quality standards of the aerospace industry.

Mr David Andreu, Commercial Director

Mr Jorge Andreu Ibanez (left) Technical Director

Sample prismatic component

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Francisco Javier Lazaro, who has been with the company for 28 years, inspects machined parts on the MH3D DUAL, located in the gauge room.

“I prefer to work in manual mode when I am creating a program,” explains Francisco, as he mounts a component on the MH3D DUAL.

TWO-IN-ONE MACHINE

Integrated mouse on Z-axis

While manually maintaining the Z-axis, Francisco probes points on the part he placed on the grani-te table of the machine. He progressively creates a program by validating the measured elements. Without releasing the axis, he runs the software by distance via the mouse directly integrated into the machine.

At each step, the TESA-REFLEX software recog-nises the measured element and displays its features.

“Now I am going to measure two points on the adjacent surface,” Francisco announces.

Once the measurements are finished, Francisco uses a specific option to automatically align the component with the X- and Y-axes of the machi-ne. The entire process is very fast and takes less than a minute.

With a reference point now positioned on the part, the measurement sequence can continue. Francisco next measures a bore that is automati-cally recognised.

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Graphical display of a cylinder measurement

“I am manually creating an inspection program. The system is storing the sequence of measure-ments.”

Francisco measures six bores on the top surface and then probes a few points on two vertical si-des of the job. The different styli of the star probe came in handy for these measurements.

“I want to establish the parallelism between the bore axes and the vertical plane surfaces”, he explains.

After completing the creation of the measure-ment program, Francisco switches the machine

from manual to automatic mode, which now autonomously repeats the process that has been created manually.

One bore, two bores… In rapid sequence, the probe measures all six bores and the surfaces.

After the inspection is completed, a final report is displayed indicating that the component met the required specifications.

“We will print this report,” says Francisco, saving the measured results on his USB flash drive to keep a traceable record of his measurements.

“Before we got the MH3D DUAL, I spent a great deal of my time writing inspection reports by hand,” said Francisco.

“The machine is really reliable and fast. It has increased our inspection productivity many times over.”

Generating inspection reports on the PC

About TESA

Established in 1941, TESA SA manufactures and markets today more than 5 000 dimensional metrology products, ranging from high-precision hand-held tools to sophis-ticated measuring systems. CMM products and vision systems for non-contact measurement are now also included. Most of them are produced under the SWISS MADE label.

A worldwide direct sales and distribution network is one of the major assets of the Swiss company whose primary markets are the automotive, aerospace, watchmaking, medical and metal processing industries.

www.tesagroup.com

About Hexagon Metrology

Hexagon Metrology offers a comprehensive range of products and services for all industrial metrology appli-cations in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, energy and medical. By empowering our customers to fully control their manufacturing processes, we enhance the quality of products and increase efficiency in manufactu-ring plants around the world. For more information, visit www.hexagonmetrology.com.

Hexagon Metrology is part of Hexagon (Nordic exchange: HEXA B; www.hexagon.com). Hexagon is a leading global provider of design, measurement and visualisation tech-nologies that enable customers to design, measure and position objects, and process and present data.

About IberPrecis, S. L.

IberPrecis, S. L. was established in 1960 to manufacture industrial saws. The company was reorganised in 1991 and diversified to become a supplier of components and products to customers in the aeronautical, defence and industrial machinery sectors.

IberPrecis employs 30 people in its precision machining, surface treatment, assembly and metrology laboratory divisions.

The precision machining division has seventeen machine tools (mainly horizontal), vertical machining centres, CNC lathes and grinding machines.

The metrology laboratory has equipment for dimensional measurement, surface roughness inspection and hard-ness testing. In addition, it carries out metrotomography tests via a non-destructive approach using X-rays to analyse the internal and external structure of materials.

IberPrecis is an ISO 9001 and EN 9100 certified company.

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We thank IberPrecis, S. L. for their support and authorisation to publish this case study.