EuroPac CMC control retrofit package speeds up CMMs

Citation

(2004), "EuroPac CMC control retrofit package speeds up CMMs", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 76 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2004.12776ead.003

EuroPac CMC control retrofit package speeds up CMMs

EuroPac CMC control retrofit package speeds up CMMs

Keywords: Machines, Measurement, Software

Co-ordinate measuring machines (CMMs) can reportedly be easily upgraded following the development of a complete retrofit package by EuroPac Metrology of Crewe, that is able, through utilisation of USB communication ports, transmits data some 500 times faster than conventional serial port based equipment and has the capability to control between three and nine axes.

As a result, the EuroPac Black Box EPC 010, 40-bit CMC control system based package is said to enable high-speed scanning, faster inspection routines and data processing to be accomplished on existing CMM hardware while maintaining far higher levels of accuracy than before (Figure 1). Electronic digital tuning software and full 21 parameter error compensation software are included.

Figure 1 EuroPac Metrology's Black Box 40-bit control is central to its retrofit package for co-ordinate measuring machines

In addition to the black box control system, the retrofit package incorporates a lightweight remote hand box with three-axis joystick, axis lock and hold, speed control and nine functional buttons which have the ability to communicate with EuroPac's EPC 010 software.

With Pentium IV computer base and fully approved EPC 010 software, tuning of the CMMs dynamic parameters to the control is simple enabling a quick and straightforward installation. Also, the software can be integrated with all main CAD formats including IGES, CATIA, ProENGINEER and STL files for reverse engineering tasks as well as major CMM software packages such as PC DMIS and Matra (Prelude), Capps Advanced 2000, PowerlNSPECT, MIRAI and Virtual DMIS.

The digital software enables machine characteristics such as velocity, acceleration and probing speed to be set via a digital screen. As confirmation of any input or settings, control graphs are displayed on the machine performance.

Graphical reporting through the retrofit packages 17 in. monitor is clear and concise with a choice of pictorial, graphical and tabulation formats and the system will support Renishaw TP2 and TP20 probing systems.

Details available from: EuroPac Metrology. Tel: 01270 216000; E-mail: sales@europacmetrology.co.uk; Web site: www.europacmetrology.co.uk