MoldMaking Technology

MAY 2017

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Inspection/Measurement 22 MoldMaking Technology —— MAY 2017 around the mold area, as well as large patch scanning on the surface. Moving to very small molds, inspection can be accomplished using portable measuring arms with integrated scanners or white-light scanners based on the fringe projec- tion technology for precise 3D digitization of industrial components. While a laser scanner can capture indi- vidual object points, lines as polygons, and areas as a compact point grid or point cloud, the fringe projection system measures the entire surface of the object. Its high point density not only results in more precise area measurement data, but also in a higher level of resolution. The 3D optical scanner is ideal for smaller applications like measuring cell- phones or medical parts. Laser scanners and portable measuring arms. For moldmakers new to inspection, scanning can be performed with a laser scanner mounted on a portable measuring arm and used in many areas of a moldmak- ing operation. The articulated arm looks and moves similarly to a human arm, with ergonomic zero-G counterbalance for one-handed operation from any position in the arm's reach. The scanner works as if the operator is painting, but not touching, various angles of a mold or part surface. Thousands of surface points are gath- ered in just seconds. The points, in the form of a 3D point cloud, appear on the computer screen as the operator scans a mold, and the software enables the user to see the areas that have and have not been scanned on the computer screen. Portability around the shop floor is a major benefit, and the scanning arm is available in measuring volumes rang- ing from 8 to 12 feet. The noncontact scanning system enables a very detailed examination of both geometric and sur- face features for a broad scope of applica- tions in a mold shop. The arm scanner configuration also allows for tactile point data capture with contact probes when needed and is suited for point-cloud inspection, product benchmarking, reverse engineering, rapid prototyping, virtual assembly and CNC milling. Some of today's measuring arms are integrating scanners that offer a scan rate nearly 60 percent faster than older models. These scanners are optimized for measuring objects with challeng- ing surfaces such as machined steel or carbon fiber. With a higher point resolution, users can obtain greater point cloud detail of a mold in signifi- A portable measuring arm with a scanner is used to scan a Red Bull Racing helmet.

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