testing and metrology,” explained Dr. Marcin Bauza, director of new technology and innovation for Zeiss. It resembles the high stability and repeatability of a met- rological system while providing high speed, enabling 100% inspection capabilities. Each VoluMax instal- lation is unique for the customer and circumstances. VoluMax was introduced by Zeiss to North America in the last year, according to Bauza. “It can perform metrological tasks when neces- sary because its technical base is similar to the Me- trotom CT,” he explained. “The key advantage is I do not have to calibrate this machine during each scan with, say, NIST traceable artifacts, such as in a master gauge process. I can inspect a part and provide detailed analysis of internal defects and compare the part geometry to a solid model of a nominal part.” He also noted that with its emphasis on speed—criti- cal for in-line inspections—it may not have the same level of resolution as Metrotom. However, it can measure and inspect parts in seconds or even obtain subsecond throughput with multiple part scans. It measures certain metals such as cast aluminum, even titanium, as well as the common plastics often used in medical devices.
Another Zeiss offering in customized inspection systems that Bauza noted would be useful for medi- cal devices is their SurfMax line of surface defects inspection systems. Using optics, automatic loading and a “white light based approach”, defects, blemish- es, cavities or pores typically hard to observe by hu- man inspectors as well as vision systems are detected on a wide range of surfaces and materials. These include matte to gloss surface fi nish and plastics to metals. Knee implants and other devices where sur- faces free of infl ections and defects are critical would be an ideal application. “It does not measure surface roughness so much as it analyzes the entire surface for abnormalities,” explained Bauza. The intent is to remove variance in today’s human inspection while dramatically improving consistency of judgment and throughput all in a manufacturing environment enabling 100% inspection.
The Equator
Another production intent metrology device is the Equator gauging system from Renishaw (Hoffman Estates, IL). Unique since its introduction in 2012, it “looks and feels like a CMM, since it drives a little
stylus around,” explained Dave Emmett, business manager, Gauging Products. However in reality it is a high-speed comparative gauge for inspection of high- volume manufactured parts. “We do metrology based on the hard gauging
technique of the master measure process,” said Em- mett, “it takes a little preparation, but is well worth it in a production setting.” Its parallel kinematic machine design allows for high-speed scanning and rapid moves between features, while retain- ing stiffness. “In the medical industry, there are a number of ideal applications that are currently using the Equator,” said Emmett. One such application is measuring bone screws, since they are made in high volume, are uniform in size and shape, and have unique and varied precision features. Another are the components within X-ray and CT scanning machines that are becoming more popular, as previously noted. “They want more resolution out of the detectors,” he said, which means fi ner, even more precise parts. Measuring syringes today is particularly interesting.
Now that the medical community is starting to use these as automatic and mobile means for delivering controlled dosages, small sizes and extremely tight tolerances go hand in hand. “Maintaining the repeat- ability of the swept volume of the syringe is extremely important. It may only be a one millimeter stroke, but if you vary by even a couple of microns, that could be quite detrimental to the patient,” he said. The Equator is capable of repeatable measurements from a master to ±2 μm. “It is often capable of even more. We have had gauge R&R studies that exceed that specifi cation on well-formed diameters,” he said.
Exact Metrology 866-722-2600 /
exactmetrology.com
Fowler High Precision 800-788-2353 /
fowlerprecision.com Jesse Garant
855-962-5300 /
jgarantmc.com
Nikon Metrology 810-220-4360 /
nikonmetrology.com/en_US/
Renishaw Inc.
847-286-9953 /
renishaw.com Starrett Kinemetric
949-348-1213 /
starrett.com
Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology, LLC 800-327-9735 /
zeiss.com/metrology
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