Hexagon's Manufacturing Intelligence division announced the availability of an update for the structured light scanning automated inspection platform. In continuation of the turnkey PartInspect L unit, launched in 2019, the extension of the ScanControl software that equips the PartInspect platform now makes it possible to manually refine measurement plans as well as to set up personalized automations configured by integrators. specialized third parties. This launch goes hand in hand with a new high resolution version of the turnkey PartInspect L cell.
The new HiRes version of the PartInspect L cell is based on the high-resolution (16 MP) structured light StereoScan neo scanner. Thus the cell can provide an X, Y resolution of 58 microns in addition to its measurement accuracy of around 10 microns and thus becoming, according to Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, “ the best in this category of equipment. » Updates to the ScanControl and OfflineProgramming platforms bring improvements to the entire PartInspect range. This software, custom designed to control automated structured light measurement systems, is an essential component of PartInspect. The new equipment brings a lot of user-friendliness through its manual learning module, which gives users more freedom to define measurement plans in the turnkey cell and forms the basis for custom configurations of automated inspections with PartInspect.
“We sought to make the system more flexible by tailoring it better to user needs ,” notes Dirk Rieke-Zapp, Sales Manager for Structured Light Scanners in Hexagon's Manufacturing Intelligence division . The integration of the new very high resolution StereoScan system into the PartInspect range was a first step in this direction, as was the extension of the product range with the introduction of configurations based on the StereoScan neo version of medium range, characterized by a visual field of 550 millimeters. But that was just the start. Our enhancements to the ScanControl platform allow users of the PartInspect system to directly customize their equipment. "
Turnkey PartInspect L systems benefit from the productivity benefits of Hexagon's OfflineProgramming tool, with automated scan planning, robot path generation and collision protection functions based on data CAD. This tool can also generate complete measurement plans up to 15 times faster than manual planning methods. New features of the OfflineProgramming software encompass interactive planning functionality, including improved trajectory generation, fast scan definition and positioning functions, as well as the selection of new tuning parameters, making the definition of a new more intuitive measurement plan. Advanced users who want to combine the productivity gain of automated planning with the flexibility of manual planning will appreciate ScanControl's new Manual Teaching module, which allows them to refine plans created with the OfflineProgramming module.
“Our standardized, turnkey PartInspect L models still offer high-speed quality assurance, tailored to production units and accessible to all operators in the workshop without extensive training,” Rieke-Zap continues. But with the new changes to ScanControl, PartInspect becomes a broader platform that allows advanced users to fine-tune their PartInspect system to perfectly suit applications beyond a standard PartInspect L cell. For example, operators can optimize automated scan plans based on special knowledge or by using an integrator to customize inspection automation based on key operating principles of a PartInspect system. "
The PartInspect L HiRes and HiEnd models based on StereoScan neo now also benefit from Smart Phase Projection technology, which provides even more high-quality data when scanning parts that are shiny or difficult to measure for other reasons. Other enhancements extend to standard PartInspect L cell configurations. These include the Smart Data Capture option, which enables faster scanning at reduced resolution, alongside faster prediction of scan times, shorter calculation of the planned path, the use of custom turntables and a system built-in climate monitor, which detects cell temperature and alerts users when a recalibration of the scanner or photogrammetry unit is required. There are now also new fixtures for all PartInspect L models for clamping workpieces and performing sensor validation tests in the cell.
The DPA Online system, which improves the overall accuracy of the PartInspect system using a photogrammetry system working in tandem with the structured light scanner, remains available as an expansion option and comes standard with gauge bars and benchmarks.