Challenge
When Kelmith Lopez was in charge of looking for an optical comparator in 2016, he knew he could handle the challenge. Part of his job as a mechanical engineer at Artifex Solutions is to check the quality of the final product and ensure that the parts are sized correctly. Based on his experience with comparators, Kelmith knew that ARTIFEX Solutions, the best approach is to find a more powerful optical comparator -- one that reduces inspection time, generates electronic chart overlays, and reduces measurement changes from multiple operators. With these goals in mind, Kelmith and his ARTIFEX colleagues set off for IMTS 2016, a top notch manufacturing technology exhibition held every other year in Chicago. During their visit to the exhibition, they saw many of the latest technological metrology systems. Their search led them to Quality Vision International (Qvi) , a company that specializes in optical metrology systems. More specifically, they were introduced as c-vision TM VIDEO CONTOUR projectors.
OGP Solution
C-vision video profilometer is a measurement system that uses advanced automatic video metrology technology for measurement and quality inspection. After watching a live demo of c-vision, Lopez is convinced that this is exactly why his company needs to take part inspection to the next level. It is a high-precision video comparator that creates reble parts routines, thereby reducing operator changes, shortening inspection time, and improving the overall speed and accuracy of the quality approval process. C-VISION is the solution they are looking for. In the past, Artifex used optical comparators that could not create an electronic part overlay or reble measurement program for a specific part; c-vision solves this problem. As an additional key advantage, c-vision has the precision to determine whether parts are within the specified tolerance range.
C-vision is kept in a controlled room isolated from the manufacturing area to keep it away from any grease, dust or material that may alter the measurement results. The parts are then machined to ensure that primary and secondary diameters, pitch and length are within the design specifications. Parts routines for pitch diameter measurements are even implemented in the c-vision system, allowing quick sizing of parts. The c-vision measurement results are then output to the ARTIFEX Solutions quality control documentation. ARTIFEX Solutions shares these documents with customers to document and ensure the quality of their medical products.
As a result,
“The great thing about C-VISION is its simplicity. It’s great when you know you have the right machine to ensure the highest quality.”
Improvements followed with the implementation of c-vision in their quality inspection process: • The scrap rate for production parts dropped sharply from 10 per cent to less than 5 per cent, because parts can now be measured with less uncertainty using the vCAD virtual chart measuring tool function to reduce batch inspection routine times in the process by more than 90% repeatable measurements of bone screws, tolerance down to 0.001 inch ARTIFEX Solutions quality inspection process is efficient and easy. The timeliness and ease of use of c-vision is attractive to Kelmith. In order to use the machine effectively, the operator only needs basic computer knowledge to make the product easy to use and anyone can use it. Kelmith also says his confidence in the quality of finished products has increased greatly since c-vision was introduced into his control process. “The great thing about c-vision is its simplicity,”Lopez comments. “It’s a good feeling when you know you have the right machine to make sure your product is of the best quality.”