MICRO METROLOGY | CASE STUDY
Previously it had used 3D stereo microscopes to take pictures of the drill bits from differing angles. It would then use simple image analysis to identify metal burrs and damage to the drill bits. This methodology was very user dependent and was subject to varied part positioning and subjective user analysis. Surface roughness and its impact on the quality of the production grade product remained an enigma. Additionally, it was very difficult to compare new data to prior measurements due to these variables and resulting lack of gauge capability.
Smaller optical microscopes provided a challenge for positioning larger samples or imaging drill bits from an end-on perspective. Bruker’s NPFLEX resolves this issue with a large gantry capable of holding a 1 foot cubed part that weighs up to 150 pounds (see figure 1).
Part loading and manipulation on this system is very easy. Secondly, the NPFLEX has optimised long working distance objectives that allow the part being imaged to be in focus at a distance of 33 millimeters from the objective (see figure 2). This makes capturing images from difficult to reach geometries much easier. The long working distance combined with a crash mitigation device also gives everyday users a large margin of error and serves to ensure crashing of the objective does not occur, providing operators with peace of mind.
Continued on page 26 << Figure 2: Drill bit. >>
25 | commercial micro manufacturing international Vol 7 No.1
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