www.ADandP.media
AD&P; ∕ APRIL 2017
QUALITY
SENSORS MEET AUTOMATION
When you take parts from two words and combine them to
come up with a new coinage, it is called creating a "portman-
teau" word. Brunch. Infotainment. Guesstimate.
And the people at Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence
have come up with a portmanteau word that they're probably
hoping will catch on among people in the metrology commu-
nity: "Senmation."
Senmation brings together "sensors" and "automation."
So what do they mean?
Senmation is a universal sensor interface for coordinate
measuring machines (CMMs) that allows fully automatic
sensor exchange within a part program.
There are several things packed into that. For one, this
means that the CMM can become a multisensor device.
For example, Hexagon has established exchange capability
for HP-S-X5 HD scanning probes, full 3D fixed scanning
heads capable of simultaneously measuring in X, Y and Z to
precisely define the orientation of workpiece surfaces, suited
for measuring mechanical part tolerances and geometries;
the HP-S-X1 scanning probes that, when combined with the
HH-AS-2.5 indexable probe head, provides simultaneous
probing in all axes while staying orthogonal to the contact
surface; the PRECITEC LR optical sensor which uses focused
white light for measurements on a variety of materials with
submicron-level accuracy. These various probes can be used
within a single measurement program without any operator
intervention.
Senmation is integrated directly into the CMM quill. A
probe recognition system (Component Identification System)
identifies the probe and its status. It isn't necessary to
recalibrate the sensors as the switch is made from one type to
another. An exchange in the CNC mode requires less than 45
seconds.
Hexagon is undertaking what it is calling a "Future Ready
Concept" for its machines wherein equipment will be prepared
for Senmation. Updated Leitz PMM-C and PMM-Xi machines
won't require engineers to switch pre-cabling for the deploy-
ment of the sensor-changing system.
According to Holger Fritze, general manager at Hexagon
Manufacturing Intelligence ( http://www.hexagonmi.com/
en-US ) Germany, "By introducing the Future-Ready Concept
our aim is to eradicate unnecessary downtime for our
customers, speeding up measurement routines and allowing
more flexibility in their workflows now, and in the future."
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