SHOP SOLUTIONS
capability for fi rst-piece inspection is essential for us. We can also see the surface fi nish on the tool. Because the device tells the user where to align the tool point for inspection, everyone is checking the same feature the same way every time, taking the human error out of the situation.” For process-oriented measurement of edge radii on cut- ting tools, the bench-top, carbon fi ber pomSkpGo assures high precision due to its stiffness. It is simple to use, and it’s busy all day. “We use Zoller pomSkpGo for all edge prepara- tion inspection, checking K-lands and radii,” Brothers said.
about fi ve minutes. On pomSkpGo it is a 30-sec inspection and it is more repeatable while providing more information. Alignment is fussier on the probe-based checker because the probe tip has to be normal to each feature being mea- sured, but the noncontact inspection on pomSkpGo is based on depth and it takes the alignment issue out of the equation—very important when the tolerance on a K-land is 0.0005" [0.0127 mm],” Brothers said.
Zoller’s pomBasic universal tool inspection machine is a compact bench-top device that uses incident light for checking tool geometry and tolerances. It is installed on the shop fl oor—right next to the tool grinding machines.
Edge preparation is a big part of tool inspection at North-
ern tool. With the ability of CNC metalcutting machines to run continuously and untended, cutting tool performance demands are increasing. The need to produce more predict- ably performing tools is essential. Although microscopic, tool edge defects can lead to erratic tool performance or tool failure, eliminating these defects helps optimize tool perfor- mance. Tool edge preparation can strengthen the tool cutting edge, lengthen usable tool life, reduce the likelihood of the edge to chip, improve part quality and consistency, and enhance workpiece surface fi nish. Northern Tool precisely grinds a chamfer—K-land— along the cutting edge of its carbide cutting tools that reduces the stress concentration on the tool edge during machining, thereby preventing edge chipping and increasing tool life. The K-land is vital to the quality and performance of the Northern Tools product. “pomSkpGo on the shop fl oor lets us check a K-land fairly quickly,” Matt said. “With a our touch probe it would take
98
AdvancedManufacturing.org | February 2016
“pomSkpGo has been a big time saver for measuring K-lands. We save the tool data under the ID number, orient the tool in the fi xture, and capture images. The inspection data we get is extremely helpful. We get a trace of the edge preparation and a live image, actual radii over 100 cross-sections, and we can print out fi nal inspection data. Previously, we had some data; now we have more fi ne data plus mul- tiple images and it is defi nitely helping us achieve the quality we need as a tool manufacturer.” “The shop standard is to inspect the fi rst-piece and then 10% of the whole lot pre-and post-coat- ing. Sometimes we check each one, depending on the tolerance. The impact of the tools not being perfect is enormous. That’s why the investment in the Zollers. We want to be able to check the tools better than the customers can. Most of our customers accept the Zoller report as confi rmation the tool is right.
“The POM machines are key to our in-process inspec- tion and data collection. All the data collected with the Zoller machine are scanned and saved in inspection reports by lot number which is then shared with the customer certifying the tool. With this information we can go back and see what made the tool run well or with diffi culty, feature by feature,” said Brothers. Another recent Zoller innovation is caz software—
computer-aided Zoller, the virtual measuring machine. “It’s going to be a huge time-saver,” Brothers said. “Previously we would have to create the inspection program in front of the inspection machine. Since our Star Cutter tool grinding machines come with Numroto operating software, we can export the tool model from the Numroto machine program- ming software as an STL fi le, including a 3D image, and write the inspection program from that before the tool is even ground.” For more information from Zoller Inc., go to www.zoller-
usa.com or phone 734-332-4851.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116