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Sylke Becker
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Speeding up quality assurance in ICT tempo
Scanner-based quality checks: industrial computer tomography
Frankfurt am Main, 17 December 2015. – Lightweight construction also
affects quality assurance: customers are demanding multi-material
components, e.g. made of aluminium and steel, whose interior – as the
Quality Area at the METAV 2016 in Düsseldorf from 23 to 27 February will
show – can be particularly effectively scanned and checked using
industrial computer tomography.
New development themed around metrology are of particular interest
to Andrea Buratti, a research assistant in the Model-Based Systems
Department at the Machine Tool Laboratory (WZL) of RWTH Aachen
University, not only because of his daily hands-on involvement with
state-of-the-art metrology. Which is why he thinks a Quality Area at the
METAV 2016 is definitely a good idea. There, he can take a long hard
look at state-of-the-art metrological equipment in close interaction with
production technology. He’s very interested in industrial computer
tomography (ICT).
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What are the attractions of this technology, which has proved its worth
in the field of medical technology, in particular? It provides a complete
three-dimensional reconstruction of the object being tested, with which
the tester can analyse minuscule internal structures and defects,
without destroying the object concerned. For the scan, the object
concerned is placed in the computer tomography unit between the Xray source and the detector, and the test piece is gradually turned by
360 degrees. After every step, a two-dimensional radiographic image,
known as a projection, is created on the detector. From the individual
two-dimensional images, the electronics finally create a volume model,
from which the computer calculates surface data.
The Machine Tool Laboratory in Aachen can draw upon long years of
experience with ICT, since it’s been working and researching on one of
the first prototypes since 2007. The primary focus of ongoing research is
on operator control. To quote Andrea Buratti: “Nowadays, we’re
primarily working on simplifying the handling involved in the scanning
operation.” Hitherto, before scanning a component, operators have
had to laboriously re-enter the characteristic values of the ICT device
each time, in order to obtain optimum measurements and to minimise
measuring uncertainties.
Automatic scanning of multi-material components
The goal of the development work in conjunction with the industrial
sector is to automate the manually elaborate calibration process. The
research work is based on a knowledge-based system developed at
the Machine Tool Laboratory, which has already proved its worth with
automatic calibration of components made from one material. “In our
ongoing research work, in the EU’s “Interact” research project, for
example, we’re dealing with multi-material components,” explains the
Machine Tool Laboratory’s scientist. “We’re currently attempting to find
a solution together with the industrial sector.”
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ICT has already proved its worth in production operations for doorlocking systems in automobiles, i.e. classical multi-material components.
To quote Andrea Buratti: “The interior of these systems, with their
complex geometry, can basically be acquired in detail only by means
of scanning. Computer tomography is the right solution for this.” With an
automated calibration process, automotive component suppliers
would no longer have to laboriously make manual changes to the ICT
parameters with every new variant. Our design enhancements make
working with computer tomography faster and more reliable,” is
Andrea Buratti’s verdict.
Quality Area: a specialised fair within the METAV
This kind of research is entirely in the interests of CT manufacturers like
Wenzel Group GmbH & Co. KG from Wiesthal, who are exhibiting at the
METAV for a variety of reasons. “I really like the METAV’s fresh and more
focused concept”, explains Managing Director Frank Wenzel. “We’ve
also had discussions ourselves whether it’s worthwhile participating in
the METAV. But now that the fair has been refocused, the matter is
settled as far as we’re concerned.” His company represents the
category of metrology, which after all in future will be integrated with
the Quality Area in its own zone at the METAV. Wenzel thinks it’s a good
idea to create thematically harmonised areas at a large trade fair
featuring numerous different technologies. As he says: “This makes it
easier for visitors to find their way around.so you have a sort of
specialised fair embedded in the event. This concept has proved its
worth at other international trade like the Hanover Fair.” In Düsseldorf,
Wenzel will be showcasing new solutions from coordinate and toothing
metrology, plus industrial computer tomography.
Author: Nikolaus Fecht, specialist journalist from Gelsenkirchen
Number of characters including blanks: 4,787
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Background
Faculty for Production Metrology and Quality Management, RWTH Aachen University
The Faculty for Production Metrology and Quality Management at the Machine Tool
Laboratory of RWTH Aachen University performs research and teaching in the following
core specialisms: development and optimisation of measuring processes and
instruments, production-integrated metrology and close-to-machine quality control
circuits, quality management systems, knowledge, innovation and improvement
management, plus methods and computer support for quality management.
Further information under: www.wzl.rwth-aachen.de/de/mq_lehre.htm
Wenzel Group GmbH & Co. KG, Wiesthal
The Wenzel Group offers a comprehensive product portfolio in the categories of
coordinate metrology, toothing metrology, computer tomography, optical high-speed
scanning and styling solutions. Technology from Wenzel is used in all branches of
industry, including the automotive sector, aviation, energy extraction and medical.
Nowadays, the company can point to an installed base of more than 10,000 machines
worldwide. Subsidiaries and agencies in more than 50 different countries support our
sales operation, and assure responsive after-sales service for our customers. Employees:
650
Further information under: www. wenzel-group.com
METAV 2016 in Düsseldorf
The METAV 2016 – the 19th International Exhibition for Metalworking Technologies – will
be held in Düsseldorf from 23 to 27 February. It showcases the entire spectrum of
production technology. The principal focuses are machine tools, production systems,
high-precision tools, automated material flows, computer technology, industrial
electronics, and accessories, complemented by the new themes of Moulding, Medical,
Additive Manufacturing and Quality, which are now permanently anchored in what
are called “areas” with their own nomenclature in the METAV’s exhibition programme.
The METAV’s target group for visitors includes all branches of industry that work metal,
particularly machinery and plant manufacturers, the automotive industry and its
component suppliers, aerospace, the electrical engineering industry, energy and
medical technologies, tool and mould-making, plus metalworking and the craft sector.
Quality Area auf der METAV 2016
Methods for quality assurance are developing at a rapid pace, belong in every
manufacturing process, and are therefore of interest to all production experts. One of
the crucial elements for quality is modern-day metrology. Users are demanding
progressively shorter measuring times, which is why more and more functions are being
integrated into the individual machines. In addition, consistent processing of the
measured results during the course of machine monitoring and process control is
gaining steadily in perceived importance. Industry 4.0 is now being complemented by
Quality 4.0. The Quality Area is ideally intermeshed in the keynote topics addressed by
the METAV, and the declared aim of ensuring high standards of quality throughout all
phases of the production process. It showcases the entire bandwidth of measuring and
testing technology, plus QM and analytical systems.
Further information under: www.metav.de
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Your contact persons
VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association)
Sylke Becker
Press and Public Relations
Corneliusstrasse 4
60325 Frankfurt am Main
GERMANY
Tel. +49 69 756081-33
s.becker@vdw.de
www.vdw.de
Wenzel Group GmbH & Co. KG
Steffen Hochrein
Marketing
Werner-Wenzel-Strasse
97859 Wiesthal
GERMANY
Tel. +49 6020 201-6114
steffen.hochrein@wenzel-cmm.com
www.wenzel-group.com
Machine Tool Laboratory (WZL) of RWTH Aachen
Reinhard Freudenberg
Press and Public Relations
Steinbachstr. 19
52074 Aachen
GERMANY
Tel. +49 241 80-27614
r.freudenberg@wzl.rwth-aachen.de
www.wzl.rwth-aachen.de
Press Agency Dipl.-Ing. Nikolaus Fecht
Technical texts à la carte – when words fail you
Nikolaus Fecht
Husemannstrasse 29
45879 Gelsenkirchen
GERMANY
Tel. +49 209 26575
nikofecht@erzfreunde.de
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