Testing Equipment

Injection molded components with textured surface finishes can be checked for defects, classified, and their surface texture assessed during the manufacturing process with a new vision software package for inspecting the surface of materials from Cognex Corp. (Natick, MA).

Coordinate measuring can be carried out quicker with the latest development from Carl Zeiss (Maple Grove, MN). Its Contura G2 coordinate measuring machine (CMM) line now comes with dynamic navigator technology that delivers a considerable improvement to scanning speed without sacrificing measuring accuracy.

Portable gloss meters now come equipped with Bluetooth for transmission of measurements on the go. The micro-gloss family from BYK-Gardner (Columbia, MD) also feature improved continuous and difference modes and transfer data with a USB cable interface or wireless with Bluetooth. An automatic check of the calibration standard ensures long-term, stable calibration. The measurement range is up to 2000 gloss units. Data is also temperature stable, and Easy-link software is provided for direct data transfer to Excel.

The latest spectrophotometer from Konica Minolta Sensing Americas Inc. (Ramsey, NJ) enables basic color control of granules and samples without the need for a personal computer. The CM-5 can display everything, including numeric data, spectral graphs, and colorimetric plots. The unit integrates a sliding body panel to expose a large transmittance chamber capable of measuring plates up to 60 mm thick. The sliding body panel design, with no sides, allows for the measurement of an object with no length limitation.

High-precision inspection of part dimensions has never been easier than with the IM-6000 Series visual system, according to its maker Keyence Corp. of America (Woodcliff Lake, NJ). The IM-6000 eliminates the need for optical comparators, x-y stages for part positioning, CNC measuring devices, and measuring and stereomicroscopes. Innovative Pattern Registration and Pattern Search functions provide simplified place-and-press measurement operation.
 

Contactless measurement of internal and external part surfaces enables molders to check dimensions and nondestructively inspect plastic parts in a jiffy.

Structural and component testing, drop tests, and general vibration work can now be conducted more precisely at elevated temperature with the Isotron model 65HT and 67 triaxial accelerometers from Endevco Corp. (San Juan Capistrano, CA), which can operate up to 175°C. The 65HT models are offered in 10,000g (0.5 mV/g) and 500g (10 mV/g) versions in a low-noise, low-impedance, 10-mm welded titanium cube design weighing just 5g and offering milli-g resolution.

Looking to align equipment precisely at right angles? The 90-Line Square Plane from Pinpoint Laser Systems (Peabody, MA; www.pinlaser.com) may be the right solution. The vendor says that when coupled with its Laser Microgage system, the 90-Line Square Plane forms a precise right angle laser reference beam that allows quick and precise equipment measurement and alignment.

IND131/331 terminals are a family of industrial process weighing terminals that provide connectivity in a small footprint with a versatile form factor, according to supplier Mettler Toledo (Columbus, OH). They are described as an economical solution for weighing using analog scales in applications requiring fast data exchange with a process control.

Sample-PreWatcher vision inspection system for PET preforms from Intravis GmbH (Aachen, Germany) is part of a turnkey system that can be placed directly behind an injection molding machine. Complete shots are automatically withdrawn periodically and fed into the system, where they undergo inspection at five stations. The inspection comprises measurement of critical dimensions, spectrophotometric color analysis, and analysis of the presence of UV blocker and barrier material.