Automated fixtures for maximum precision and efficiency in industrial metrology
Efficient, flexible, digital – automated metrology for the industry of tomorrow.
Industrial production is faced with the constant challenge of balancing a growing variety of models with short innovation cycles and high quality requirements. Sectors such as the electronics, automotive and aerospace industries are constantly developing new products with complex geometries and individual design features. In order to ensure the quality of these various components efficiently and economically, modern measuring solutions are required that can be flexibly adapted to changing requirements.
Housing for gaming console controllers is measured on a PRAFS 2410.
Modern measuring solutions master the challenges of model diversity
In the past, dimensional quality control required specific holding devices for each component, which had to be produced, adapted or replaced in a time-consuming and cost-intensive process. With frequent model changes, this required a high logistical and material effort – an approach that can no longer be ‘state of the art’ in today’s fast-paced manufacturing world.
The plastic part for a game console controller is safely measured on the universally applicable PRAFS 2410.
Flexible measuring processes thanks to digital clamping technology
The combination of automated fixture technology and virtual clamping opens up new possibilities in metrology. The PolyRobotAutomatedFixtureSystem (PRAFS) from PROTOS-3D replaces conventional, stiff fixtures with flexible, digitally controlled robot supports in the ZEISS ScanBox. This allows a wide variety of components to be positioned and measured without mechanical conversion or manual set-up time – highly precise, reproducible and resource-saving.
PRAFS: Modular, digitally controlled robot supports in the ZEISS ScanBox.
PRAFS: Scalable solution for a wide range of component types and sizes
PROTOS-3D has now developed two new versions of the PRAFS system that are specially designed for component sizes up to 1,000 and 1,400 mm. These new PRAFS versions 2410 and 2414 work with four robots and an integrated vision system that projects the component outlines and geometry on the screen in real time. The system works with augmented reality. The component is tracked by camera and visually confirmed when it is in the correct position. There is no need for time-consuming manual adjustment – instead, the ‘what you see is what you get’ principle ensures maximum process reliability. This distinguishes the two new variants from the PRAFS 3620, which was designed for component sizes up to 3000 mm and is equipped with six robots.
The integrated vision system projects the component outlines and geometry on the screen in real time.
Digitalisation improves efficiency
After placement, the measuring process is started by the operator and runs fully automatically. The recorded data is fixed, analyzed and documented in a stress-free manner using virtual clamping – without any physical clamping technology. In addition to saving time, this also reduces material consumption.
Future-focussed quality assurance for all industries
A single PRAFS system can record several thousand different components, whose data and measurement configurations are stored centrally and can be called up as required from any location. Whether in series production, for prototypes or in development, the universal applicability of PRAFS makes it a sustainable investment in quality assurance for a wide range of industries.
Advantages of Virtual Clamping and PRAFS in the ZEISS ScanBox
– No need to procure fixtures
– No storage of fixtures
– Enormously short set-up times < 1 minute
– No fixture logistics required
– Partially or fully automated processes
– Minimal worker influence
– Higher reproducibility
– Greater flexibility and variability
– Offline programming of PRAFS setups
– Measurement by any user or metrologist
– The use of ScanBoxes is much more effective
– Simple, fast change management
– Storage of several thousand PRAFS setups
– Full integration into the ZEISS ScanBoxes (SB5110, SB5120, SB6X, SB72X, SB82X, SB83X)
– Various clamping situations with just one measurement
– All-round measurement of components on the PRAFS 2410 / 2414 possible (no turning required)
https://www.protos-3d.de/prafs/prafs/
https://www.protos-3d.de/
