Portable Measurement Tool accelerates tool alignment.July 12, 2007 -
Employing 2 cameras, SOLO TWIN offers point-and-shoot functionality and 70° field of view that lets operator get close to assembly tooling that needs to be measured for certification and alignment. Within 15 minutes, unit makes it possible to set-up measurement system; tie-in to coordinate system; perform measurements of critical assembly tool features; verify measurement data relative CAD nominal; and correct tool alignment issues of tool without interfering with production cycle.
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Original Press release
Metronor, Inc.
1109 First Avenue, Suite 210
Seattle, WA, 98101
USA
Metronor's Innovative SOLO TWIN Launched
System sets a new benchmark in the portable measurement market - uniquely combining large volume versatility, ease-of-use, accuracy and mobility - all at the lowest price point in the market.
Metronor has designed a new and highly efficient solution for assembly tool certification and alignment. Building on the very successful SOLO system by integrating a second camera into a single unit, the SOLO TWIN offers a larger, 70 degree field of view, making it possible for the operator to get very close to the tooling to be measured. Bringing the measurement system closer to the tooling improves accuracy, reduces the space required and allows the operator to quickly capture all critical points accurately and efficiently.
Today's challenges
In-line inspection systems detect product drift and process instability, but cannot determine precisely where in the line it is occurring or what misalignment is causing it. As soon as drifts are detected, corrections need to be carried out without impacting production flow. Hence there is a need for a metrology solution that offers accurate and extremely fast measurement operation.
Yesterdays production concepts were based on two shifts; the night shifts and weekends being assigned especially for maintenance. Today, the typical production line is in operation 24/7/365.
"This resulted in conflicting interests between keeping up the production and performing the necessary maintenance. Available time for line maintenance from a geometry perspective is now down to virtually zero, since running production is critical for the bottom line of the automotive manufacturer. We have designed SOLO TWIN to conquer these particular challenges", explains Oeyvind Roetvold, CEO President of Metronor.
SOLO TWIN; a unique system
The only opportunity for re-certification of tooling is in between shifts. These available time slots are typically only 15 minutes. However, within this quarter of an hour, SOLO TWIN makes it possible to set-up the measurement system; tie-in to the coordinate system; perform measurements of all critical features of the assembly tools; verify measurement data relative CAD nominal; correct alignment issues of the tool, and to get out of the station without interfering with the production cycle.
"Its unique "point and shoot" functionality is unmatched in the industry. No critical set-up is required, and no moving/mounting of heavy measurement systems into the station is needed. In addition, there is no need for pedestals to be mounted onto the tool, and there is no concern related to line-of-sight issues, or breaking of beams", Roetvold continues.
Affordable
The SOLO TWIN system is highly affordable; meaning if you can eliminate three minutes of line stoppage, the system has paid for itself!
Metronor's SOLO TWIN system sets a new benchmark in the portable measurement market, delivering excellent ROI and a flexibility that no other measure system in the industry can offer.
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