Tube and wire measurement with optical gauge
Efficient quality assurance in tube manufacturing with TubeInspect
- Programmable optical gauge
- Set-up and correction of bending programs
- Reverse engineering of sample tubes
Optical tube measuring system
Demand for ever more cost-effective tube production as well as the increasingly stringent requirement for product quality are constant challenges in today's tube bending industry.
TubeInspect, an optical tube measuring system, incorporates advanced technology for the high-precision measurement of tubes, the determination of set-up and correction data and quality assurance of the end product. TubeInspect can entirely replace mechanical gauges.
How TubeInspect works
TubeInspect, a contactless measuring system, merely requires that the tube to be measured is placed in an optical measuring cell. Several high-resolution digital cameras accurately measure the tube's geometry in a few seconds. The tube does not need to be moved. The geometry is reported in an easily understandable way, that is as sheath tolerance. The measuring range of TubeInspect is up to 2,500mm x 1,100mm x 700mm and this can be extended by repositioning the tube. Bends between 1° and 180° can also be easily measured. TubeInspect has a newly added capability of measuring tubes with connected bends or with flexible parts. A tube's measurement can be compared with a previously recorded sample part or with an imported CAD model.
TubeInspect models
TubeInspect
measuring volume: 2,500 mm x 1,100 mm x 700 mm
16 high resolution digital cameras with 1.3 megapixels each
tube diameter: 3.2 mm - 200 mm
TubeInspect S
measuring volume: 1,100 mm x 1,100 mm x 700 mm
10 high resolution digital cameras with 1.3 megapixels each
tube diameter: 3.2 mm - 200 mm
TubeInspect HS
measuring volume: 1,080 mm x 980 mm x 500 mm
10 high resolution digital cameras with 2 megapixels each
tube diameter: 2 mm - 100 mm
Accuracy
The system acquires the tube with fixed mounted high resolution digital cameras. Therefore no dedicated movement of the part or the acquisition device is necessary. A part is measured without the need for special fixtures or clamping devices.
With TubeInspect and TubeInspect S, the sheath tolerance can be determined to an accuracy of ±0.1mm. With TubeInspect HS, the accuracy comes to ±0.05mm. The higher accuary is generated thanks to the application of a spatial reference point field made from glas, being especially stable with respect to shape and temperature. Moreover, TubeInspect HS makes use of digital cameras with higher resolutions.
TubeInspect is suitable for high volume production
High volume production requires that product quality be maintained. A further requirement is the ability to switch production to new models or model variants with the minimum of production delays.
TubeInspect enables you to achieve this flexibility in tube manufacturing quality assurance. When switching production to new models or model variants lengthy set-up times are no longer necessary: TubeInspect is ready for use immediately after digital nominal data have been entered into the system. All component related measurements can be stored and analyzed with statistical process control programs.
TubeInspect provides on-line corrections to bending machines
TubeInspect may be directly linked to Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) bending machines. If tube measurements indicate that adjustments need to be made to the tube manufacturing process, corrections are directly transmitted to the bending machine via the CNC program.
TubeInspect eliminates test equipment and reduces change-over time
TubeInspect eliminates the need for numerous bending gauges and drastically reduces change-over time. TubeInspect, because it uses optical measuring technology, has proved to be very reliable and requires little maintenance, even when being used in a continuous production environment.
TubeInspect allows for efficient prototype production
Would you like to manufacture prototypes under production conditions? TubeInspect, as an optical gauge for bending machine set-up and quality assurance, is particularly suitable for the manufacture of prototypes. It is, of course, also suitable for the quick and precise measurement of sample tubes.
TubeInspect is suitable for all types of tubes
TubeInspect is suitable for all types of industrial tube manufacturing, from highly flexible thin brake lines to large exhaust pipes for heavy trucks. It can also be used for measuring tubes designed to carry hydraulic and cooling liquids or fuel. TubeInspect's unique measuring principle allows the measurement of any tube geometry, and is not affected by surface texture or coulor. Tubes with varying diameters or changing radii can be measured as well as fixtures, supports and attachments. Components with cylindrical profiles, such as bent wires, moulded tubes or even subassemblies of tubes and flexible parts can also be measured.
The optional software module TubeServer allows the creation, editing and maintainance of the bending programs of many bending machine manufacturers.
Case studies
Currently, you can read the following case studies on our website:
>> Report "TubeInspect at Daimler"
>> Report "EMW counts on TubeInspect S for prototyping"
>> Report "TubeInspect replaces articulated arm"
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