The precise measuring in a process is an indispensable instrument to deploy the best decisive choices of linear systems. TecnoCenter and CAM2 contribute to this target in equal measure.
Today more than ever it is necessary to eliminate the idle times of the productive process; this goal has been reached by Tecno Center and CAM2 (FARO Technologies Group) thanks to a precious collaboration, which has led to discover how the CAM2 Laser Tracker measuring system can guarantee a precise, and repeatable in time, testing phase of the linear Cartesian systems by Tecno Center.
Present on the market since 1971, TecnoCenter has become a reference partner thanks to the performances of its modular systems for linear automation and to the innovative applications in the various industrial sectors.
CAM2 develops and markets portable coordinate measuring machines (CMM) and 3D imaging devices, which grant high-precision 3D documentation and measuring.
Flexible systems for the linear automatic handling
The flexibility and the modularity of linear handling systems allow implementing in short times competitive integrated solutions, intended for all automation sectors; in that context find application machine tool servo-drives, assembly lines, palletizing lines in machining centres, products offered by Tecno Center (Venaria Reale, Turin).
Multi-grip pick & place and pilgrim-process feed systems for the industry of white goods, automotive and welding, pick & place for machine tool automation are just a small part of the standardized solutions offered by the Turin company.
The range of products is mainly focused on the use of aluminium alloy structural profiles, from the simplest applications, like frames for machines, up to linear systems with structural profiles available in stock up to 12 metres. Linear systems allow ranging from the versions with screw transmission up to linear motors.
The central issue of the cooperation with Cam 2 is the need of a highly reliable measuring system, because it is almost impossible to measure beams featuring 12 metre-length, especially concerning their flatness. Well, the Laser Tracker system supplied by Cam 2 allows reducing straightness errors at best.
Another line worth mentioning are Kanya aluminium alloy structural profiles, including much appreciated products for their structural quality and sturdiness.
They have recently developed a linear axis prevailingly used in vertical, characterized by compensation with pneumatic cylinder, which in case of load or traction prevents the beam deformation.
As far as drives and motors are concerned, TecnoCenter collaborates with the Japanese Shimpo, which manufactures a range of really interesting and competitive epicyclical reduction gears.
«This allows customizing linear systems and then engineering the customer’s machine – underlines Gilberto Laurenti, general manager of TecnoCenter srl – We can provide our support also in design, because we rely on a rich library of applications already implemented to understand the potentialities».
The measuring sense
Laser Trackers are extremely precise portable coordinate measuring machines, which allow manufacturing products, optimizing processes and providing solutions, by measuring in fast, simple and precise manner. The most common applications include the alignment, the installation of machines, the inspection of pieces and components, the fabrication and the setup of tools, the integration of production and assembly and the reverse engineering.
With the new and improved TrackArm technology, the users can couple the Laser Tracker with CAM2 Arm and form a flexible long-range measuring system with 6 degrees of freedom.
SmartFind: when the Vantage beam is interrupted or lost, a gesture towards the Laser Tracker is sufficient and the beam is pointed again towards the target.
MultiView cameras: they quickly and efficiently identify a target when it is not in its normal position.
We can find a quite impressive application of the Laser Tracker in aeronautics, to control the automated assembly of the various sections of the aircraft (wings, tail, etc). This is possible because the Laser Tracker follows its target in real time.
At TecnoCenter’s it is important to grant the straightness, the positioning of the axes, the calibration of the axis geometry. The process is comparable to a machine tool’s, consequently – like for machine tools – it is important that the axes are rectilinear and/or perpendicular one another, that the positioning is correct and everything else to grant that the geometry is exact. All these operations can be easily performed with the Laser Tracker.
«The Laser Tracker is not a collimator, which provides mono-dimensional information along one axis only. – states Fulvio Valenziano, technical/sales manager of CAM2. – The Laser Tracker always gives three-dimensional information.
Therefore, when I assess the straightness of an axis, I can have also all the information of the other coordinates. I get then higher data wealth».
