The new 2012 release includes a new mirror command that has been added to save programming time for symmetrical components. This allows the inspection sequence to be mir- rored from one half of a component to the other half, or from the left-hand version of a design to the right-hand copy.
meets the standards demanded by the car and commercial vehicle companies he represents, without fail. To do his job Nastasi has been using PowerINSPECT and PowerSHAPE for seven years and finds the tools very flexible, especially because they allow him to work with all the different data formats that the automobile manufacturers use. Trialling of parts is done at various stages with targets to be met at every stage. As it passes through these stages, a component must be accurate enough to meet the automobile manufacturer’s exacting standards. The last stage is trial fit- ment. If the part meets parameters, it moves into the manu- facturing phase at Metalsa.
The increased demand for inspecting parts and tools many times in multiple places within the manufacturing chain, requires a software program that can be used on a variety of
Using PowerINSPECT 2012 it’s now possible to measure edge points directly. It’s no longer necessary to measure the surface first. This makes the process both easier and faster. However, it is recommended that both the edge and the surface should be checked if there is any likelihood of the part being distorted, for example, when checking flex- ible sheet-metal components.
different inspection hardware platforms, including manual CMMs, CNC CMMs, inspection arms, and optical equipment. PowerINSPECT is Metalsa’s first choice because it deliv- ers a complete CAD-based inspection solution. It surpasses traditional 2-D inspection methods by offering the capability to inspect against all CAD data. With its on-screen feedback and detailed graphical displays, Nastasi can gain immediate feedback for each measured point and inspection reports can be generated automatically in a customized format. PowerINSPECT, a leading hardware-independent inspection software, uses CAD models to provide accurate geometry defi- nition for complex doubly curved surfaces and defines accurate nominal values for the shape. CAD files contain ever richer additional information, including detailed structure information Continued on page 107