Mectron Debuts New Q5000 Flex System at Wire 2012

Mectron Inspection Systems – Saline, MI USA announces their participation in the Wire 2012 Exhibition in Dusseldorf, Germany. Mectron will be exhibiting their newly designed Q5000 “Flex” machine along with the First Scan 150R non-contact, automatic precision measuring unit which is revolutionizing first article inspection.

The new Q-Series “Flex” machines offer a new modular design with more user-friendly features, the ability for easy upgrades and a major improvement in serviceability.

In the past, the base and tooling for the 2 laser system and the 6 or 8 laser system were different. The new “Flex” machine series have a common base and tooling package. This allows customers with a 2 laser system to easily upgrade to a 6 or 8 laser system, add eddy current, a tilt laser array plate and/or a CCD vision camera with Mectron’s LED light ring illumination. These upgrades will provide total part inspection without having to purchase an entire new system.

Other improvements include our new ergonomic design for ease of operation. This new design provides a rack mount style computer that is separate from the display and touch screen, which adds to the ease of service and repair. With the integration of the Windows 7 operating system, this system provides the latest in inspection and reporting capabilities.

The FIRST SCAN 150R is a non-contact fully automatic precision measuring system designed for cylindrical components. The major benefit of this technology is the ability to perform non-contact measurements with accuracy and speed and is easily networked to provide data to a variety of SPC formats.

The First Scan 150R utilizes a telecentric backlight illuminator to produce a high contrast silhouette of the workpiece to be inspected. The illuminator increases edge contrast and measurement accuracy designed specifically for gauging applications. The silhouette from the workpiece passes through lenses that are computer designed for the best possible results in critical projection. The images are received by a high resolution digital line scan camera that can take measurement data from the part at rates of over 14,000 updates per second. This data is collected by 8160 sensitive pixels that can detect changes in the light pattern at sub-micron resolution. During the scanning process, a calibration cone (which is incorporated into the workpiece holder) provides the basis for all measurements to be automatically provided by the machine. The First Scan 150R self-calibrates on a certified precision cone. The calibration cone can be certified once per year by an outside company like any other gauge pin or gauge block set used in a factory.

Once the part image is scanned, an unlimited number of measurement zones can be pre-set along with the corresponding dimensional specifications and control limits. Each measurement zone allows you to input minimum and maximum tolerances, control limits, and displays actual measurement output by the machine. Specific thread tolerances are provided automatically via drop-down features for all standard and metric thread sizes. The custom reporting feature provides a visual graph that indicates where the measurement falls within the pre-set tolerances and control limits.
The First Scan 150R scans the part utilizing two separate servo drives. The first scans the part on the linear axis for geometric tolerances of features like diameter, width, radii, angles, threads, etc. The second rotates and scans the part on the radial axis and inspects for concentricity, flats, hex, perpendicularity and cylindricity, providing 360 º capabilities.

The First Scan 150R is capable of inspecting parts up to 35mm in diameter and lengths up to 150mm.

The new “Flex” machine series and the First Scan 150R keeps the Mectron equipment at the forefront of technology, design and serviceability. For a complete demonstration of these technologies, please visit Mectron in Stand 15A45 at Wire 2012 in Dusseldorf.