Application Notes
Automating QC Inspection
Best Practices for Optimizing QC Measurements
Nine tips to optimize part measurements, ensure good results for repeatability and reproducibility (gage R&R), and capture data.
.
“How It’s Measured” – Using a Q-Span® Workstation
Glass Bottles and Delicate Parts – Inner and Outer Diameters, Body Widths
Parts made from glass or thin-walled plastic require special handling. A Q-Span Robotic Workstation can pick glass bottles or other delicate parts from a tray, use robotic calipers to measure multiple dimensions on each bottle, and record the data to a PC. The direct contact measurement is insensitive to glass transparency and reflectivity.
This application note details the design of the gripper and caliper fingertips, controlling grip strength to avoid deformation or surface damage on parts, and calculating return on investment.
Inner Diameters (ID) and Outer Diameter (OD) on a Medical Filter Housing
Medical device regulations often mandate 100% inspection of parts. A Q-Span Workstation reduces the cost, time, and staffing needed to meet this requirement. Measurements are precise and repeatable. Automatic data logging strengthens part traceability.
This example also highlights a key feature for inspecting plastic parts for any industry: programmable grip force prevents deformation of the part during measurement by the robotic gripper/caliper. We discuss considerations for fingertips, fixtures, measurement, data capture, and return on investment.
Opposing Angle (Dovetail) Feature
Dovetail features are measured using gage pins that seat into the angle of the dovetail. Manual measurement introduces process variations due to inconsistent grip location and force, operator fatigue and other factors. CMM measurement uses a single stylus probe to sequentially measure part profiles, but is generally slow and often not practical.
In this example we automate measurement of a dovetail feature on a machined rail, and discuss considerations for fingertips, fixtures, measurement and data capture.