Renishaw offers a range of modular fixtures to hold parts securely on coordinate measuring machines (CMMs), Renishaw Equator gauging systems and vision systems. Using high-quality metrology fixtures can improve throughput, reproducibility and accuracy of inspection processes with repeatable fixturing set-ups, the company reported.
"Rapid product innovation and shorter product lifecycles mean that flexible fixturing is more valuable than ever," said a company spokesperson. "Renishaw's modular fixturing range is designed for workholding flexibility; components can be configured and reconfigured to secure the latest iteration of a workpiece."
Fixturing components can be purchased in preconfigured kits or individually, providing a quick and easy-to-use fixturing solution. To secure a workpiece of any size, fixturing components are available in M4, M6, M8 and 1/4 20 thread sizes and cast aluminum base plates with NiTuff hard coat anodized coating.
To minimize unproductive set-up time while maintaining fixturing flexibility, workpieces can be fixtured on a base plate away from the CMM, vision machine or Equator gauging system. The fixtured workpiece can be loaded onto the inspection device with ease, immediately prior to measurement.
Filling the measurement area of a CMM with multiple fixtured parts is another way to minimize set-up time. Multiple workpieces on the CMM bed can be measured in one batch, without the need to start and stop the measurement cycle to load more fixtured workpieces.
For CMM users who need a fast, easy and repeatable method of loading multiple plates onto the CMM at the same time, Renishaw supplies the QuickLoad rail system. The specially designed QuickLoad base plates attach to the QuickLoad rail, on either side, using quick release magnets and location pins. "This design ensures the plates are located and secured for maximum throughput and unrivalled repeatability," said the spokesperson.
Renishaw's FixtureBuilder 3D CAD software can be used to design and document any modular fixture using Renishaw components, including multiplate fixtures, using the QuickLoad rail system. Once a fixture is designed, the software can output build instructions, allowing operators to swiftly and accurately reproduce a fixture design. The software also allows users to export a model of the fixtured component, for use in measurement programming software.
If a modular fixture is not appropriate for a CMM, Equator gauging system or vision application, custom solutions can be designed and manufactured by Renishaw's expert team of custom fixture design engineers. Custom fixtures are suited for high-volume applications where a bespoke, dedicated fixture is needed.
For more information contact:
Renishaw, Inc.
1001 Wesemann Dr.
West Dundee, IL 60118
847-286-9953
usa@renishaw.com
www.renishaw.com/fixturing