Confovis calls on Digital Surf for measurement and analysis

By integrating Digital Surf's MountainsMap analysis software, the new gantry system from Confovis provides precise measurement and analysis of joint surfaces in the shortest possible time. This is in line with the Daimler MBN 31 007-07 standard used in the automotive industry.

The texture of the grooved structures printed on the shaft seal faces is of prime importance. It influences the fluid flow characteristics at the contact zone between the sealing surface and the lip seals (SPI seal). It also has a major impact on seal efficiency and tightness. Structures are made up of continuous or interrupted ridges comparable to a thread, oriented perpendicular to the axis, or very slightly inclined by a few minutes of arc. In the case of structures with a higher number of ridges, the angles can be wider. In addition, macro and micro structures at varying spatial frequencies are detected. In accordance with the Daimler standard, striae are measured with 72 2-mm profiles, using a rotation axis.

The measured data is then analyzed in accordance with Daimler's second-generation optimized evaluation algorithms. The Confovis gantry system enables a complete surface to be scanned at very high speed, all at once, rather than at a single point. As a result, processing times for this application are significantly reduced. The Confovis gantry system incorporates top-quality Nikon microscope components. Each 2 mm profile is measured in a single sequence using the integrated Nikon lens, with a field of view of 2.15 mm x 1.4 mm.

The complex stitching process is no longer necessary. High-resolution, sub-nanometer measurement is then achieved using a piezoelectric actuator for Z-positioning. Once the measurement has been acquired, MountainsMap automatically generates an analysis report in accordance with Daimler MBN 31 007-07. The software also executes the second-generation driver twist analysis algorithm licensed by Mercedes-Benz.

"The Confovis gantry system used with MountainsMap speeds up twist analysis. In 5 minutes, it measures conductive structures with a proven correlation rate of 99 % with tactile systems, and an analysis report is automatically generated," says Frank Thielert, Confovis Managing Director. "Automotive component manufacturers who use this system get reliable, fast and cost-effective results." "Thanks to the licensing agreement with Mercedes-Benz, MountainsMap is able to provide an automatic twist analysis report in accordance with MBN 31 007-07," says François Blateyron, Chief Operating Officer of Digital Surf.