QUALITY & INSPECTION
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Breathe easy
King’s Lynn-based medical device manufacturer Bespak has installed a new SmartScope CNC 500 multi-probe compact
CMM from OGP UK, the company’s fourth such machine on-site. Used to measure a range of components for Bespak’s
range of inhaler and respirator products, the SmartScope CNC 500 is offering extensive programming, set-up and cycle
time savings. Solutions reports.
P
roduction is certainly a core focus at King’s “The operator will take a shot, allow it cool and mount it in a
Lynn, where products include inhalers and medical purpose designed fixture on the table of the SmartScope CNC
check valves. 500,” explains Mr Haken. “He then simply clicks an icon on the
As a division of Consort Medical, a leading group of healthcare Measure X menu and the program runs automatically. Most
companies focused on medical device technologies, the expansive programs take around two minutes to complete, although some are
Bespak site at King’s Lynn today employs around 500 people. longer at around five minutes. In comparison with conventional
“We have many conventional tactile-based CMMs on-site but for a CMM technology I would estimate the system is at least 25%
new project we were looking for a system that would be both quicker quicker, however, in some instances, features that might take three
and easier to use,” explains Bespak metrology engineer Peter to four minutes on a CMM only take around one minute using an
Haken. “Vision seemed the way to go as it provides more control OGP vision system.”
over the critical dimensions being measured. Once we had settled
on vision, OGP was top of our list of suppliers as they offer a good
Made to measure
production-based system that is both cost-effective and easy to OGP’s Measure X metrology software provides the user with all the
program. Many comparable systems seem only able to tools needed to make geometric measurements. The software
accommodate lab-based work.” quickly controls all probe changes, while inspection routines are
Most of the components for Bespak’s products are precision recorded automatically and edited easily using icon driven
plastic parts (typically polypropylene) manufactured on injection commands. Data outputs can be customised with reports available
presses in two, four or eight cavity moulds. The OGP SmartScope in printed or digital formats.
CNC 500 performs production acceptance checks on a four hourly Additional analysis of surface, profile, SPC and part to CAD
basis across a 24 hour operation. comparisons can be collated by using seamlessly integrated
companion application programmes. At Bespak, results from
Measure X are output to an SPC package called QC-CALC.
Bespak parts measured on the SmartScope CNC500 are typically
no more than 10mm long and no larger than 8mm in diameter, and
despite the inclusion of several complex features, programs are
quick to create using Measure X, as Mr Haken explains.
“Programming is definitely one of the system’s core strengths,” he mechanisms for higher accuracy and longer life than kinematic touch
says. “They can be created easily and quickly despite the fact that trigger probes. According to Mr Haken, the touch probe comes in
we need to test against all features, as well as validate fixtures and useful for features such as bores, where vision technology can
complete R&R (repeatability and reproducibility) studies. We need to typically only measure at the top or bottom.
ensure that the system and the operator do not take up more than SmartScope CNC can be fitted with a Renishaw touch probe and a
20% of the tolerance.” TTL laser probe facilitating the measurement of full 3D geometry and
Considering the parts are plastic, there are some challenging fast and accurate surface scanning.
tolerances, such as ±0.05mm and ±0.025mm in some instances. The SmartScope CNC range has a measurement envelope of up
However, SmartScope CNC has a high quality 12:1 zoom lens that to 1,500mm x 2,000mm x 400mm (XYZ) making the machines
provides excellent optical performance over its entire range. The suitable for large components or for multi-loading batches of
patented AccuCentric lens maintains accuracy by calibrating itself smaller parts.
automatically with each magnification change. Furthermore, Bespak has three other OGP vision systems on-site: two
illumination is provided by SmartRing, OGP’s patented vector light SmartScope ZIP 250 models that are both fitted with Renishaw
that gives total control of lighting angles, making it simple to pick tactile probes; and a SmartScope ZIP 400 with laser probe. With
out important features for repeatable and accurate optical probing. regard to the latter, the laser probe has yet to see much duty at
Customer satisfaction
Bespak, although this is set to change soon when a new device
comes on stream featuring high quantities of depth
Bespak specified its SmartScope CNC 500 complete with Renishaw measurement – the type of feature that can be measured rapidly
TP200, a compact, module changing probe that uses strain gauge using a laser probe.
“Overall I’m very pleased with the performance of our SmartScope
models, and of OGP,” concludes Mr Haken. “We very rarely have any
issues with our machines, but if we do need help, a simple phone
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call is nearly always enough to resolve the matter.”
> OGP UK
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26 March 2010 • Production Engineering Solutions
www.pesmag.co.uk
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