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Differential Carrier
 Gage
Parameters
GAGING SYSTEM: Electronic (LVDT)
OPERATION: Automatic
NUMBER OF CHECKS: 5
READOUT: CAGTM
CLASSIFICATION: Good/Reject
FEATURES: Automatic measuring system to provide 100% inspection of a turning process with Feedback to multiple Okuma lathes.
The Challenge
Turning, in a production process, can often be a trying task
especially when the tolerances are controlled very close, and the
production rates are very high. Add to that a cast iron part, with
interrupted cuts, and changeable inserts as cutting tools. Keeping
the scrap rate low, while minimizing labor, and maximizing part
count per tool become three very important issues to consider. But
how can one control the process, with minimal labor, and max part
count without sacrificing quality?
The Solution
Automatic post process measurement immediately after the part has
been produced, and before the next part is machined, closes an often
open loop in the process with automated dimensional feedback. In
this application, a robot is used to load and unload the Okuma
lathe. The same robot places the outbound machined part into an
Edmunds Gages automated gaging system. Here, the part is handled,
measured, and returned to the deposit point by Edmunds Gages.
Likewise, an Edmunds CAGTM (Computer Aided Gaging) system records,
displays and reports the dimensional information back to the Okuma
controller for instant feedback of what was produced. The next part
machined is brought right back to process size, all without an
operator making a determining judgement. In the unlikely event a
part exceeds a process tolerance, an alarm signal is sent to the
Okuma to stop the turning process before another process limit is
violated. And as a quality inspector, the Edmunds CAG will also
determine if a part print limit has been exceeded, signaling the
robot to distribute the part into a reject area.
The Result
The benefits of Edmunds Gages post process feedback gaging are
plenty. First, because an operator is not required to make judgement
decisions, overall labor within the process is reduced. Now the
operator of an entire line is simply monitoring the output of
multiple
 machines, rather than typically one machine. Next, because a
limit can now be applied to this specific process, the amount of
remaining material can be better controlled for subsequent processes
down stream. And third, because of the Edmunds CAG having (2) sets
of limits (process and part print) the quality of the parts are
improved by removing rejects at the process rather than at the end
of the line. Scrap is reduced or eliminated.
Keypad Control
Operation of the CAG system is achieved by a 16-position keypad in conjunction with a menu-driven LCD display. Depending on
the type of application, and the software developed for it, the
operator can be told which task to perform, or be given a choice
of actions. In certain applications the operator will answer
YES/NO or key in the appropriate number, then ENTER, and the
system advances to the next step.
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