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Inspection/Measurement 26 MoldMaking Technology November 2014 6. Unnecessary addition of safety stock on components to ensure their acceptance. This can also generate unnecessary waste in raw material, increased energy required to provide pre-finished components and additional material removal. A Digitizing Solution These potential issues have driven manufacturers to search for a more effective inspection/measurement solution. One technique being rapidly adopted is the use of finished-part CAD data in conjunction with a 3D digitizer (laser scanner, photogrammetry, imaging systems, CMM with rapid-probing, etc.). The 3D measurement system can be used to collect data in all critical areas of the supplied component, then 3D mea- surement software is used to compare this collected data to the finished part model. This is a slight variation from the tra- ditional methodology of comparing a pre-finished part to its pre-finished model (or print). However, comparing to finished geometry allows the supplier or customer to quickly and clear- ly see where the pre-finished component is heavy or short. Most of today's 3D software packages make it readily appar- ent where the supplied component has either too much or too little stock. This could also be visually apparent in a part that may simply require a re-alignment. Too much stock. This can lead to wasted machine hours and unnecessary material scrap. It could also be an indication that the upstream process (mold, casting, etc.) needs to be altered to reduce excess raw material (reducing costs and scrap, etc.). At the very least, the excess stock can be accounted for in the shop's schedule and in the lead time given to the customer. LEARN MORE Visit our Inspection/Measurement Zone for more information on coordinate measurement machines and software, probes, vision systems, balance machines, calibrators and scanners. Go to moldmakingtechnology.com/zones for a complete list. CONTRIBUTOR Trevor Murcko is a senior account manager for Faro Technologies. Too little stock. This could mean that the ideal finished part will not be realized from the sup- plied component, so the component should not be set up on the machine to avoid generating a scrapped part. It could also mean that the com- ponent must go through remediation before it can be post-processed. Either way, the parties involved have a heads-up on this condition and can make decisions without incurring further scrap or delays. Re-alignment/re-layout. If the part analysis to CAD shows heavy in some areas and light in oth- ers, there may be an opportunity to save these components by digitally re-aligning the part to the CAD. Many available software packages (with varying degrees of ease and effectiveness) can digitally best-fit the collected part data to the fin- ished CAD model. This can transform a part that was considered in failing condition and allow it to proceed through the value stream. In fact, some available 3D digitizers can be used to identify the new, ideal setup locations for machining. The digitizer can determine and often even scribe the key setup locations onto the part, ensuring proper setup downstream and proper clean-up. Answering the Question The amount of data, and ultimately the 3D hardware/software solution, required to get a good part analysis to CAD will vary from part to part, based on geometry, complexity and toler- ance. However, employing CAD data and 3D digitizing can be a fast, effective and almost error-proof solution for suppliers and downstream manufacturers. So, to answer the question, "Will this part clean up?" and improve manufacturing process- es upstream and downstream, consider 3D digitizing. It can lead to lean layout and scrap reduction. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Faro Technologies Inc. / 800-736-0234 info@faro.com / faro.com The use of CAD data and 3D digitizing technology can signifcantly improve overall inspection and layout accuracy, effectiveness and effciency. Pratt & Miller Engineering uses portable measurement and contact inspection on parts for the Corvette Racing program.