CMM-Manager 3.5 Software Available for iNexiv Vision Measuring Equipment

Published: Thursday, November 12, 2015 - 14:16

(Nikon Metrology: Brighton, MI) -- Quality inspection is an integral part of bringing parts to market. From pacemakers to aircraft engines, detecting flaws in critical parts before final products are completed and mass produced can save lives and ensure product performance.

The traditional problem is that inspection takes time. Inspecting a first-off product can take hours on its own and hold up the entire production process. Inspection technology such as coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) and vision inspection systems continue to add sophisticated features, but at times these systems’ software packages have not been particularly user friendly.

One modern development has been inspecting a component’s 3D CAD model to save time and improve efficiency. “Inspecting CAD and 3D is definitely a ‘checklist’ item,” says Mike Provenzano, applications engineer for vision products at Nikon Metrology. “If you don’t have it, you’re off a customer’s checklist.”

Well, check off another item. Nikon Metrology has released CMM-Manager 3.5 for its iNexiv vision measuring equipment. With a powerful and user-friendly interface, CMM-Manager 3.5 integrates vision measuring, autofocus laser scanning, rotary indexing, and touch probing to provide a true 3D multisensor system for inspecting physical products based on 3D CAD models.

“Interfacing with the CAD model is now an integrated part of measuring and inspection with the iNexiv video measurement systems,” says Nate Frost, Nikon Metrology product manager. “This allows users to take programming and inspection offline, and facilitates the programming work. As such it saves significant time to bring new products to market.”

Historically, vision measurements assumed users were working in a 2D template on an X-Y workplane, and 3D CAD-based measurements were not allowed. The latest CMM-Manager software imports a broad range of 3D CAD models, and users can pick features to create automatic probe paths for both vision and tactile measuring. Regardless of part complexity or geometry, parts are automatically aligned for the most efficient inspection and measuring. Simulations can be run, and inspection results can be verified in real time.

“The combination of vision, autofocus laser, rotary indexer, and tactile input allows users to measure even features and geometry they can’t see,” says Frost. Measurement can be expressed as 3D reports in the forms of charts and models, as opposed to long tables of X-Y data. This makes reporting and decision making much faster and easier.

CMM-Manager 3.5 is not only available for iNexiv equipment; it can be retrofitted onto existing CMMs and articulated arms from Nikon Metrology and other technology providers.

About The Author

Nikon Metrology Inc.

Nikon Metrology Inc. offers the most complete and innovative metrology product portfolio, including state-of-the-art vision measuring instruments complemented with optical and mechanical 3-D metrology solutions. These reliable and innovative metrology solutions respond to the advanced inspection requirements of manufacturers active in aerospace, electronics, automotive, medical, consumer, and other industries. Systems are available in both fixed and portable configurations, equipped with single or multiple sensors.