LK Metrology’s Ergonomic Rotary Index Table Improves Portable Arm Metrology

Castle Donington, UK – LK Metrology, Inc, a manufacturer of coordinate measuring machines, presents the FREEDOM Index Table, a new Ergonomic Rotary Index Table for use with Portable Measuring Arms. When a component is placed on the new Index Table, the speed with which it can be inspected using a portable, multi-axis measuring arm is increased by up to 40 percent. Furthermore, not only is inspection more efficient, but in some cases, a smaller, less expensive arm can be used to access all areas of a component, increasing the effective measuring volume of any arm. Rotation may even avoid having to relocate the arm to enable sufficient access to the back of the part, which would lengthen the measuring cycle and could introduce inaccuracy. Additionally, the operator is not fatigued by repeatedly having to stretch to reach around the component, which can weigh up to 220 lbs (100 kg).

The portable, manually operated, metrology grade index table requires no cables and is compatible with any make of portable measuring arm, not just the company’s 6- and 7-axis FREEDOM arm range, which comprises 34 models. The 11.8-inch (300 mm) or optional 19.6-inch (500 mm) diameter table is quick to set up on a work surface, after which the operator secures the part to be inspected onto the surface with the aid of pre-drilled, threaded fixing holes or integral clamping magnets.

Similarly rapid is the initial calibration of the start position by telling the coordinate system in InnovMetric Software Inc’s PolyWorks|Inspector™ software where the table is. The speed of this procedure is down to clever positioning of randomly placed, alphanumerically labeled fiducial dimples machined into the top of the table and around its periphery. By probing three or more of them using the arm, the software recognizes the irregular pattern and automatically knows the orientation. It is then a simple matter to click the on-screen FREEDOM Index Table macro in the software to update the coordinate system, then continue the part inspection.

When the far side of the part needs to be accessed, the table is rotated through 180 degrees (although any intermediate angle is also possible), three or more different reference dimples are probed to update the software as to the new position, and measuring continues seamlessly. Both sets of inspection data are aligned automatically by the software. Measurement of geometrical features, evaluation of surfaces using advanced point cloud analysis, part-to-CAD comparison, and full reporting in the PolyWorks™ 3D dimensional analysis and quality control software all follow in the usual way.

Image Source: LK Metrology, Inc