Production Metrology Optimizes Measurement Times and Improves Quality
Panelfisa S. Coop, founded in 1989, is a global supplier of fastening elements produced by cold stamping. They are specialized in the automotive sector and have a large international presence with 70% of production exported to more than 20 countries. Headquartered in Tolosa, Spain, Panelfisa is committed to innovation and to grow together with its customers.
In 2015 Panelfisa acquired its first Vici Vision MTL1 optical measuring machine to reduce measurement times and to make process controls more reliable by automating measurements previously carried out by hand in the cold stamping process (caliper, micrometers, etc.). Although the goal was to give direct support to production, initially the machine was installed in the quality lab and began to be used sporadically. Little by little people overcome the insecurities that they initially had with the new system.
Prior to purchase several different companies where visited where Vici Vision technology was providing direct support to production. Panelfisa engineers became aware of the advantages such a measuring system could bring and decided to launch a project with the aim of integrating a Vici Vision machine directly into its workshop.
During to the project, Panelfisa engineers obtained a great knowledge of the machine and were able to adapt it to the stamping process. Local Vici Vision partner, Sariki, collaborated in the project offering knowledge and support in the testing and programming of parts. During the tests, Panelfisa develops a program together with Ibermática to dump csv data from the Vici Vision to its production process control program. People began to see the advantages offered by the Vici Vision machine, the insecurities disappeared and it was thus decided to locate the Vici Vision into the production plant.
Panelfisa performs self-control depending on the frequencies defined with their customer. In the production set-ups, the defined dimensions are controlled with measurement frequencies agreed with the customer performed. In this way production traceability is available from beginning to end.
The Tolosa plant operates different cold stamping machines, threading, machining and laminating machines. A total of 5 Vici Vision machines now provide support to the production machinery. Measurement times of each part have been reduced to approximately 50 seconds, depending on the part, and achieve 100% traceability of the process while combining production orders with measurement data from the Vici Vision systems. A central program saves only the measured dimensions.
Today anyone can use any Vici Vision machine in the workshop and perform the control of any type of part overcoming measurement bottle-necks.
Currently, Vici Vision technology is used in all part approvals from the beginning with a person responsible for preparing offline all stamping, laminating and threading programs. The next step in the project is the implementation of Vici Vision technology in the threading section and standardize the stamping and threading process in the Mexico plant.
For more information: www.vicivision.com
