In today’s world of manufacturing, micron-level precision is not only a standard—it’s a requirement. Whether making precision dies, molds, or gauges, toolmakers need to provide parts with tight tolerances on a regular basis.
To get to this degree of accuracy, they heavily depend on sophisticated dimensional measurement equipment that can identify even the slightest deviations. The increased usage of video-based technology has also seen training materials increase, with experts referring to videos of measurement operations to learn more about inspection methods and enhance accuracy on the shop floor.
Let’s see how modern toolmakers manage to achieve this amazing precision and the crucial role video of measurement technology plays in it.
Why Micron-Level Accuracy Matters in Toolmaking
Toolmaking is the core of industries like automotive, aerospace, medical device, and electronics. These industries require parts with very tight dimensional tolerances. A variation of a few microns can make a completed product non-functional, unsafe, or not fit. As such, maintaining dimensional integrity right from the start is critical.
It is impossible to attain such accuracy without the assistance of good-quality dimensional measuring equipment that gives consistent and reproducible results over the production cycle.
Types of Dimensional Measurement Equipment Used by Toolmakers
Toolmakers employ a broad range of measuring devices, from old-fashioned manual tools to sophisticated automated systems. Some of the most popular types of them are discussed below:
1. Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs)
CMMs scan the surface of a part in 3D using a mechanical or optical probe. They can measure complicated geometries with accuracy to a micron and are an essential tool in tool rooms and inspection labs.
2. Video Measuring Machines (VMMs)
Also referred to as vision systems, the devices employ high-definition cameras and picture-processing programs for non-contact measurements. Measurement by a VMM is displayed on video in a manner demonstrating the calculation of contours, edges, and angles to a precise extent, thereby proving suitable for small or sensitive parts.
3. Optical Comparators
These project an enlarged silhouette of a component onto a screen so that it can be compared with design dimensions. They’re useful for speedy inspections and are usually used in combination with digital displays.
4. Laser Scanners and 3D Profilers
These instruments employ laser beams to produce extensive surface maps. Toolmakers use them to perform reverse engineering as well as directly compare scanned components with CAD designs.
5. Precision Hand Tools
Micrometers, dial gauges, height gauges, and bore gauges remain popular in-process checking tools. Though manual, they provide outstanding accuracy when utilized by trained technicians.
The Role of Video of Measurement and Training
A video of measurement is not only a recording, it’s an instructional and operational gem. Such videos assist technicians in visualizing complicated measurement processes, understanding equipment setup procedures, and knowing how to spot measurement errors. In tool manufacturing, where learning curves and expertise are important factors, such videos are utilized to:
- Trained novice operators on CMM or VMM machines
- Standardizing the measurement procedure between shifts
- Showing inspection methods to clients or auditors
- Recording quality control procedures for traceability
Videos are also used as references during audits or troubleshooting, so measurements are consistently done and interpreted.
Digital Integration and Automation
Most dimensional measurement equipment systems are becoming integrated with CAD/CAM packages so that designers can compare measured data in real time with design files. This reduces feedback loops to make adjustments on CNC machines more quickly and lowers scrap rates.
Toolmaking environments also increasingly embrace automation, with robot arms and gantries delivering components to measuring stations. This both accelerates inspection and removes the potential for operator-induced errors.
Environmental Control and Calibration
To achieve micron-level accuracy, toolmakers must also be concerned with temperature, humidity, and vibration. Measurement devices are typically in controlled enclosures, and frequent calibration is necessary to ensure accuracy.
Written calibration processes, which can be augmented with a video of measurement or verification, verify that each tool and machine works within its designated tolerance range.
Conclusion
As the need for accuracy continues to grow, toolmakers must equip themselves with precise and reliable dimensional measuring equipment. Having the right dimensional measurement tools, from advanced CMMs to intuitive video measuring systems, is crucial for creating flawless components.
For industry professionals seeking dependable solutions in dimensional metrology, Sipcon offers a comprehensive range of dimensional measurement equipment designed to meet the specific demands of modern toolmaking. In innovation, quality, and ease of use of technology, Sipcon assists manufacturers to achieve micron-level accuracy confidently and consistently.
