Rochester, New York - The opportunity to improve efficiency, capability, and quality by introducing new technology into a manufacturing environment is exciting; however, acceptance of new technology at the shop-level greatly impacts the success of the introduction and implementation of any new method. One example is the challenge of introducing video measurement instruments into a shop which has historically depended on traditional optical comparators for measurement. The simplicity of optical comparators is the primary reason for their universal acceptance. Although they add significant measurement capability to a shop-level environment, video measurement systems increase complexity and can hinder acceptance.
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Simple comparators are perfect for inspection, whether using overlay charts for go/no-go decisions, or crosshair measurement using a modern DRO controller. They measure size and location on a wide variety of parts. CCP has a solution that “bridges the gap” between traditional comparators and video measurement systems. VidiProbe, available exclusively on CCP comparators, transforms a traditional comparator into an automated video measurement system by configuring a digital video camera inside the comparator’s optical system. VidiProbe presents the comparator screen image on a video monitor, allowing automatic measurement on a variety of features, including surfaces. In addition to providing the opportunity for automation, VidiProbe’s digital zoom allows for much higher magnification of small features like those found on manufactured parts, without the need for extra lenses.
VidiProbe is a hybrid system which can be used either as a shop-hardened, traditional comparator, or as an automatic vision system – “bridging the gap” to provide exciting new technology. As a traditional comparator, the system is readily accepted, while offering the opportunity to utilize new video technology as needed. In time, this new video technology becomes embraced as part of the quality control process due to its ability to increase capability and eliminate operator error.
Source: Quality Vision International Inc.