Delcam’s latest PowerInspect release includes adaptive edge method

The Delcam PowerInspect 2013 R2 adaptive method of edge inspection on CNC CMMs provides improved measurement of thin-walled, flexible components, including sheetmetal pressings such as automotive body panels, thermoformed plastic parts and composite parts. It uses a two-touch measurement sequence. The first touch is made on the surface of the part close to the edge being measured. This gives the true position of the surface and the related edge so that a second touch can be made on the edge with the centre of the probe. The two-touch approach allows accurate, automated inspection of edges, even on components that have been distorted relative to the nominal CAD geometry. It can be programmed, simulated and edited offline. During measurement, the software adapts the probe paths for the edge points automatically, according to the actual position of the measured edge of the part. Options to display the deviation of probed points from their nominal positions, says Delcam, makes PowerInspect reports easier to understand. If PowerInspect's coloured 'confetti' is being used, the deviation of each probed point can be shown alongside its disc. Alternatively, if the results are shown as deviation lines, the value can be displayed next to the deviation arrow. In both cases, the display of the values makes it easier to identify the seriousness of the deviation for each point and so to highlight the location of any major problems. Construction options extend the range of geometric features that can be measured. These include an ellipse feature and two new torus-based circular intersections that can help in the measurement of tubing and pipework, engine ports and casings for turbo machinery. In addition, a line can be created at a fixed distance parallel to a reference line and then used to check clearances. Options have also been added for the measurement of full or partial radial features. The software can now display the major and minor circles when dimensioning a torus, display the radius or diameter when measuring a cylinder, and display the half-angle of a cone. Simulation of all inspection options in PowerInspect has been made more flexible with the ability to speed up or slow down the progress of the simulation while it is running. This allows any moves that come close to a collision to be checked in more detail by running the simulation at a slower speed. Similarly, if a change is made to an existing routine, the user can run the unchanged sections of the inspection at high speed and only check the new moves in detail. PowerInspect works with all types of inspection device. It can be used to take simple measurements, inspect geometric features as well as analyse complex 3D surfaces. The easy-to-read format reports present detailed information that can be understood by engineers not just inspection specialists.