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Metrology and Inspection

Metrology and inspection involve the measurement and analysis of products or components during production to ensure they meet design standards. The inspections can occur at various stages of the manufacturing process, including incoming materials, in-process evaluation, and final checks.

Metrology is the science of measurement and can be divided into three areas, scientific, applied, and legal. This ensures measurements meet regulatory standards for consumer protection.

Capability overview

  • Laser-optical, point probe, and scanning coordinate measuring system
  • Model to build validation leveraging surface profiling and CAE software
  • Industrial X-Ray - CT (computed tomography) scanning
  • Surface profiling and metallurgy microscopy
  • Statistical process control methodologies

What the AMRF can offer

  • Geometric and dimensional inspection of completed parts with larger geometries or throughput requirements to single micron accuracy
  • Reverse engineering of components for re-manufacture, inclusive of technical drawing creation and digital models
  • Industrial CT scanning of larger composite and metal parts and assemblies
  • Access to industry relevant inspection machine tools and software
  • Development of fit for purpose inspection regimes, tolerancing and process control systems
  • Our specialised metrology and inspection capabilities equipment 

Our specialised metrology and inspection equipment

Hexagon Global S SCAN+ 12.15.10 Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM)

Technical specifications

Bridge Style coordinate measuring machine configured with the following features:

  • Measurement envelop 1200mm wide x 1500mm long x 1000mm high
  • Maximum work piece mass 1800kg
  • Touch trigger, scanning probe and laser scanning measurement
  • Automatic tool changer and style rack
  • Offline programming and simulation
  • Standardised quality reporting for point cloud and touch probe inspection 
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The Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) has the ability to utilise both contact and non-contact sensors, allowing for precise inspection of geometric features and intricate free-form surfaces to single micron accuracy and repeatability. The system employs various probe options, including touch trigger for high-accuracy measurements, continuous scanning for rapid data acquisition, and laser scanning for capturing intricate free-form geometric details with high point densities.

Its industry configuration makes access suitable for many organisations as an entry point for exploring CMM capability in:

  • situations where 100% precision inspection cannot be compromised
  • production validation and digital recreation of obsolete or hard to source parts
  • enabling tool path development for a range of other CMMs
  • supporting informed design for manufacturing and technology decisions.

The benefits of accessing this equipment include:

  • part geometric inspecting and reporting of prototype and production parts
  • surface dimension and contour mapping of as-built parts for design comparison
  • accurate surface finish measurement and reporting
  • streamlining existing or future manufacturing value streams

How could Coordinate Measuring Machine capability help your business?

The availability of our CMM capability in a supportive, non-production environment, provides you with the opportunity to develop coordinated measuring application knowledge. Testing the machine, styles and scanning function with your own parts provides relatable insights into precision measuring and the practical benefits of automated inspection. 


 

Evident OLS5100-EAF Confocal Microscope

Technical specifications

Reflection-type confocal laser-DIC scanning microscope with motorised stage, configured with the following features:

  • Staging area 100mm x 100mm x 210mm high
  • Maximum work piece mass 3kg
  • Magnification 54x to 17,280x
  • Field of view 16µm to 5,120µm
  • Display resolution 1nm width x 0.5nm height measurement 
Render of Evident OLS5100-EAF Confocal Microscope

Our confocal microscope is designed to deliver highly accurate 3D shape and surface roughness measurements at the submicron level. The software and controls support fast and efficient staging and microscopy workflows, enabling practical inspection activities and reporting outcomes with minimal training and microscopy expertise.

Accessible confocal microscopy at the AMRF provides you with the opportunity to apply this technology to manufacturing related inspection scenarios.  

The benefits of accessing this equipment include:

  • material composition inspecting and reporting on prototype and production parts
  • roughness inspection and contour mapping of surface finishing processes
  • observation modelling and image generation to support quality control compliance requirements

How could a confocal microscope help your business?

Development of reliable parts can require a detailed inspection at the sub-micron level, to analyse a material’s surface or the outcomes of a manufacturing process. Accessing confocal microscopy at the AMRF takes the guess work out of refining a process by validating a material's response to processing.


Evident DSX1000 Digital Microscope

Technical specifications

  • Staging area 300mm x 300mm x 295mm high
  • Quick change objectives with motorised 10x optical zoom
  • Working distance 0.35mm to 66mm
  • Observation modes cover BF, DF, MIX, DIC, Oblique and Polarisation
Render of Evident DSX1000 Digital Microscope

Digital microscopes provide an intuitive entry point into industrial microscopy. Accessing the technology located in the AMRF will provide you with opportunity for a hands-on application using their parts.

The configuration of our digital microscope enables comprehensive capabilities, from quick inspection, to detailed analysis activities.

The equipment is designed to measure and record detail from component surface mapping to material microstructures. The heavy-duty staging capacity, coupled with multiple quick-change observation functions and a wide range of objectives, delivers a flexible platform to inspect and analyse a wide range of parts from electronic assemblies to composite matrix structures

Whether utilisation is for a quick examination of tool edge wear, or a detailed analysis of a fractured material underpinning product improvement. Access provides insight into how modern industrial microscopy is applied to enhance inspection and quality control.

The benefits of accessing this equipment include:

  • inspection of finished parts or process valuation for compliance prior to production
  • measuring physical features directly from a part and image capture of inspections
  • comprehensive reporting of part conformance for meeting contract obligations

How could a digital microscope help your business?

Digital microscopy connects manufacturers like you to an advanced quality assurance capability for part and assembly inspection, where reliability and compliance are needed to meet commercial obligations and mitigate production risks. Engagement with the digital microscope and our process control team can build relevant QA/QC technology awareness in your team. 


Other AMRF capabilities

Explore some of other capabilities below.

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