Project X Vision Machine Sheds New Light on Part Inspection
Aberlink’s Project X system has been updated with a new, green light, collimated backlight. This significant improvement to the backlight illumination of deep cross-section or turned components creates a crisp silhouette of the profile being measured. This clear contrast between light and dark ensures the automatic edge detection results in even better accuracy and repeatability of the part/features being measured.
Due to the in-house design and manufacture of all Aberlink measuring machines, this significant improvement comes at no extra cost to the customer, Chris Davies explains: “We investigated improving the capability of the Project X and we quickly designed a collimated backlight that followed the CCD Camera. The first prototype was an immediate success, so we were able to put it into production immediately thereafter, at no additional cost to our customers”.
Project X utilises a patented technology XY scale, that records not only X and Y position, but also any rotational movement of the camera system. The camera is free to glide around the measurement area mounted on a simple air bearing system, without any worry about constraining the mechanics to avoid losing accuracy. Project X utilises an absolute scale system, which means as soon as you switch on the machine it knows exactly where it is with no need for referencing. Components can be placed on a glass table and remain stationary, while the camera is moved around taking measurements above. There is no need to secure the component on the table as there would be on a moving stage machine.
This in-house design and manufacture capability has always enabled Aberlink to bring new innovative metrology products to the market every year. Their in-house software development also enables Aberlink to release new versions of their metrology software throughout the year, which can be downloaded free-of-cost by any Aberlink customer, for the life of the CMM.
Project X replaces the old technology of a profile projector while also easier and quicker to use than a profile projector. Project X is available as either a manual machine or with full CNC control.
For more information: www.aberlink.com
