Michigan-based tool maker BTM Corp. (Marysville, MI) opted for Nikon Metrology’s (Brighton, MI) user-centric CMM-Manager software to automate serial inspection on different coordinate measuring machine (CMM) brands. BTM quality technicians also rely on CMM-Manager’s walk-in measurement capability to quickly take points on prototype and first-part articles. Parts designed and produced by BTM serve process automation at automotive and other manufacturers.

“We have our hands full with quality control of diverse clamps, grippers, presses and locators for Chrysler, Ford, GM, Magna, Whirlpool and many other manufacturers worldwide,” says George Croll, quality manager for BTM Corp. “We’ve used the proprietary software of our Mitutoyo and Brown & Sharpe CMMs for a while, but we needed to increase our inspection efficiency by utilizing a single straightforward software tool that supports both CMM brands.”

Croll researched different CMM software packages and identified Metris CMM-Manager as the solution of choice. “Although the majority of CMM software packages offer all the trimmings you need, most software packages lack an intuitive feel. This is why CMM-Manager made the difference.”

Instant walk-in measurement

In many instances, BTM quality technicians simply want to take a few measurements on prototype or first-part articles to feedback data to engineering or production. The CMM-Manager interface enables them to quickly align the part and measure planes and geometric features, such as hole patterns. They take snap point measurements on the screen, which virtually eliminates the need to manually probe the work pieces, and instantly create dimensional charts that indicate size, geometry and position information.

The software offers the opportunity to define color-coded marks that highlight point deviation before wrapping up the graphic report that can be passed on to the customer. “The software is very easy to use,” remarks Croll. “I would recommend CMM-Manager to any metrology system user who cares about measurement productivity. Even before attending any training sessions, we already figured out how to use most of the features the software offers.”

CAD-based Serial Inspection Saves Time

“When producing small or larger series of rotary actuator or clamp piston pieces, for example, we follow a different inspection strategy,” explains Croll. “First, we load the SolidWorks CAD [computer-aided design] file of the part into the CMM-Manager software and subsequently pick the positions and features that we want to have measured. We simply click a point or feature on a 3-D view of the part, and drag-and-drop the icon in the part program representation. A smart software capability of CMM-Manager is the automatic conversion of the part program into a collision-free touch probe motion path, including optimum probing angles to measure deep pockets or through holes, for example.”

Croll confirms that this interactive pick-confirm-and-measure method is much more straightforward, time-efficient and error-proof than coding probe paths and angles manually.

“As a result, BTM inspectors only spend half the time preparing new measurement routines and spend much less time on serial inspection. Instead, they focus on metrology work that really matters, such as defining and evaluating inspection reports. Overall, CMM-Manager is more user-friendly than any other package that we have used so far. And through graphic part-to-CAD comparison, CMM-Manager is a better communication tool for us in timely resolving technical issues with our customers.”



Nikon Metrology Inc.
(810) 220-4360
www.nikonmetrology.com

Benefits

The software’s interactive pick-confirm-and-measure method is simpler than coding probe paths and angles manually.

As a result, BTM inspectors only spend half the time preparing new measurement routines and spend much less time on serial inspection.

Inspectors can now focus on metrology work that really matters, such as defining and evaluating inspection reports.