Large processing equipment box type components Efficient detection solution

Large equipment box components&inspection
Box type components are generally used as the base for transmission components/assemblies, which integrate relevant parts such as shafts, sleeves, gears, etc. into a whole while maintaining correct positional relationships to ensure the safety, smoothness, and efficiency of the entire equipment operation. Its main types involve spindle boxes, feed boxes, gearbox boxes, reduction boxes, and various machine bases of processing equipment. All of these processing equipment boxes have similar characteristics, namely: complex shape, multiple processing parts, and a cavity structure.
The complex structure, coupled with the connection and pivotal role of the box in the entire equipment, requires greater refinement in the measurement process during production and manufacturing. Generally speaking, in the production and manufacturing of large box components, the measurement accuracy of flatness and positional accuracy of each machining position, as well as the coaxiality and positional relationship between each opening, often needs to reach 0.1mm. In some equipment with higher precision levels, accuracy requirements of 0.05mm or higher are set.

In the actual operation of measuring and detecting box components, due to their complex structure, usually large size, and high precision requirements, using traditional measurement methods for measurement is often affected by objective factors such as measurement range, measurement accuracy, operator experience, and on-site environment, making it difficult to achieve the desired effect.

Radian Laser Tracker Measurement Solution
Radian laser tracker is an instrument used for precision detection of large-sized components. It has the characteristics of high accuracy, wide measurement range, high integration, good portability, strong on-site adaptability, and easy operation, making it an excellent solution for detecting large-sized box components.
During measurement, the operator holds a high-precision laser tracker ball (SMR) with a built-in prism, and the laser emitted by the Radian tracker will shoot towards the center of the SMR ball and lock the tracking in real-time; The operator only needs to touch the tested part on the box with the SMR, and Radian will accurately measure the three-dimensional position data of the tested point at a collection rate of 1000Hz (1000 points/second), and feedback it to the Measurement Software for recording and analysis; After the data collection of all the points to be measured is completed, the operator can use the spatial data of these points in the software to construct corresponding lines, surfaces, and bodies, thus implementing the analysis of geometric tolerances between various components or positions to be measured.
Measurement software can quickly generate inspection reports in various forms, including tables, bar charts, pie charts, arrows, color difference charts, etc., making measurement results clear at a glance and providing reliable improvement data for production.
Measurement examples
This measurement example records the entire process of data collection and analysis of large grinding ring chassis components using Radian laser tracker.
1. Measurement requirements
Measure, inspect, and evaluate the position and coaxiality of the two faces A and B of the grinding ring chassis components. Please refer to Figure 2 for a schematic, specifically:
(1) Measure and evaluate the coaxiality of holes A1 and B1;
(2) Measure and evaluate the coaxiality of holes A2 and B2;
(3) Measure and evaluate the coaxiality of holes A3 and B3;
(4) Evaluate the positional relationship between the above holes and the parallelism of each axis;
(5) The measurement accuracy requirement is 0.1mm.
2. Implementation process
(1) Equipment in place
According to the on-site environment, place the Radian laser tracker around the components of the test box, connect the laptop, and start the measurement by turning it on.
(2) Deployment of transfer stations
Due to the fact that only target balls are used for measurement, the laser tracker needs to be placed in a position that is visible to the measured point in order to unobstruct the laser and smoothly collect data.
In this case, after completing the visibility measurement for holes A1, B1, A2, and B2, due to the large depth of the measured box, it was not possible to conduct a comprehensive visibility measurement for holes A3 and B3 at the same location. At this point, it is necessary to set transfer stations P1, P2, P3, and P4 at fixed positions (please refer to Figure 4). After measuring the positions of each transfer station at the initial station, the tracker is transferred to a location where inter visibility measurements can be made on holes A3 and B3. Then, the four transfer stations set up at the new station are measured again. Through these four common transfer stations, the measurement data of the two stations are substituted into the same coordinate system for unified analysis and evaluation.
(3) Measurement data collection
Holding the target ball and touching it at the position to be measured, the tracker's green light flashes to achieve the collection and recording of three-dimensional coordinate data of the position to be measured.
(4) Data analysis



The three-dimensional coordinate data collected by the Radian laser tracker will be sent to the measurement software and recorded. Taking this case as an example, through the data of several three-dimensional points, corresponding circles, cylinders, and surfaces can be constructed. The axis of the cylinder can then be calculated, achieving the detection of hole coaxiality and the analysis of axis parallelism; Based on coordinate data such as points and centers on the circumference, the positional relationship between each hole or machining surface can be analyzed.
(5) A one-stop measurement solution for hidden locations
As mentioned in step (2) of this process, when using only the target ball for measurement, the laser tracker needs to be placed in a position that is visible to the measured point in order to unobstruct the laser and smoothly collect data.
In addition to setting up transfer stations for transfer measurement, API has also designed and developed multiple laser tracker function expansion attachments for various on-site measurement environments and needs. Among them, the vProbe hidden point intelligent probe can be used in conjunction with a laser tracker to measure hidden parts that are not directly visible without changing stations. (Please refer to Figure 9)
The vProbe hidden point intelligent probe can be installed with probes of different length specifications such as rubies and sharp points from 50mm to 500mm. During measurement, the laser receiving device on the vProbe host is used to receive the Tracker Laser, and then the top part of the probe is used to replace the traditional target ball, touching the position to be measured, which can achieve measurement and collection of coordinate data of the position to be measured.
The use of vProbe hidden point intelligent probe further provides convenience for users with hidden part measurement needs.
conclusion
The API brand Radian series laser tracker, with its characteristics of high precision, large range, high integration, and convenient operation, fully meets the measurement needs of box components. At the same time, it greatly improves efficiency compared to traditional measurement methods, ensuring measurement quality while saving production time and cost for customers, and creating benefits.
About API
The API brand was founded by Dr. Kam Lau in Rockwell, Maryland, USA in 1987. It is the inventor of laser trackers and holds multiple patents for leading global measurement technologies, making it a leader in the field of precision measurement technology; Since its establishment, API has always been committed to the research and development and production of precision measurement instruments and high-performance sensors in the field of mechanical manufacturing. Its products have been widely applied in advanced manufacturing fields around the world, and are leading in high-precision standards for coordinate measurement and machine tool performance testing.