Methods Machine Tools Introduces Latest Generation of Visiongauge® Digital Optical Comparators
Vertical and Horizontal Digital Optical Comparators Feature New Functionality, Streamlined Designs for Productivity Increases.
SUDBURY, MA. U.S.A. - Methods Machine Tools, Inc., a leading supplier of innovative machine tools, automation, and machine tool accessories has introduced hardware and software enhancements to the VisionGauge® Digital Optical Comparators (Patents Pending), developed by VISIONx INC. These upgrades are included on both horizontal and vertical comparator versions.
http://www.methodsmachine.com/machines/region/22/17
In addition to an attractive, redesigned enclosure, several other hardware enhancements have been made to the VisionGauge Digital Optical Comparators. A new motion control subsystem incorporates the latest technology to deliver smoother motion, finer control and faster accelerations. Optical end-of-travel limit switches have replaced magnetic limit switches to provide extremely repeatable homing operations for increased ease in creating automated programs. And scratch-proof glass has been added to vertical configuration machines.
Powerful software upgrades include a new and intuitive "CAD Navigator" tool which allows a large CAD file to be viewed in its entirety on one screen, coarsely aligns the CAD file to the part with a single mouse click and provides improved navigation for aligning the CAD file to the part and for working with large parts. Performance enhancements have been made to the CAD Auto-Align tool for faster convergence and finer user control.
In addition to working with uniform tolerances, the CAD Auto-Pass/Fail tool now supports linearly variable tolerances over CAD entities. This is useful in a number of different industries where tighter tolerances are required on some areas of the part and looser tolerances are required elsewhere. Supporting linearly variable tolerances provides smooth transitions between these different areas on the part. Also, several new automated measurement tools have been added to allow the VisionGauge Digital Optical Comparator to address a broader range of applications.
Performance enhancements speed up all of the comparator's calculations, resulting in higher throughput. And support has been added for "reason strings", allowing operators to indicate the reason why they might override a pass/fail result. Automated reverse-engineering capabilities have also been enhanced and optimized.
VisionGauge Digital Optical Comparators are a fully-digital drop-in replacement for traditional optical comparators. The comparators work directly with the part's CAD data and don't require any overlays, Mylars(TM) or templates. Available in industry standard 5X, 10X, 20X, 50X and 100X magnifications, systems are Windows-based and delivered network-ready in shop-floor convenient "rolling cart" configuration. VisionGauge Digital Optical Comparators are much more accurate"than traditional optical comparators and allow users to achieve a much higher throughput. The comparators can be setup to automatically collect complete electronic documentation and device history. VisionGauge Digital Optical Comparators allow users to compare a part to its CAD data in real-time, completely automatically.
First introduced in the fall of 2009, the VisionGauge Digital Optical Comparators have a large installed customer base spanning a wide range of industries including medical device and orthopedic manufacturing, aerospace, automotive manufacturing, extrusion, cutting tool manufacturing, general machining and more.
VisionGauge Digital Optical Comparators are distributed throughout North America by Methods Machine Tools, Inc. Methods Machine Tools, a leading supplier of precision machine tools and accessories for over 50 years, provides installation, parts, service, and training through a network of dealers throughout North America.
VISIONx INC. (Pointe-Claire, Quebec CANADA) specializes in automated image, visual inspection and high-accuracy measuring solutions. VISIONx develops, sells and supports software, systems and specialized hardware components for machine vision, image analysis, visual inspection, general detection and metrology.
For more information about Methods Machine Tools and VisionGauge Digital Optical Comparators, please contact: Mr. Steve Bond, national sales manager, Methods Machine Tools, Inc. 65 Union Avenue, Sudbury, MA 01776, TEL: (978) 443-5388, FAX: (978) 440-9405, Email: sales@methodsmachine.com or visit their website at www.methodsmachine.com.
Contact:
Mr. Steve Bond
Methods Machine Tools, Inc.
978-443-5388
sbond@methodsmachine.com
Contact:
Ms. Jayne Lederman
VISIONx Inc.
514-694-9290 ext. 610
jaynel@visionxinc.com
