The latest release of Delcam’s PowerINSPECT inspection software includes improved ease of use, support for multi-axis On-Machine Verification and compatibility with the AIMS Metrology System used by leading aerospace companies, such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin.
The main improvement to the system’s ease of use is the introduction of a colour-coded scheme for the points to be measured – an enhancement known as the ‘bouncing ball’. Under the scheme, all points to be inspected are initially coloured blue, apart from the position for the first measurement which is shown in red. As the inspection proceeds, the next position to be measured is always shown in red, while each point that has already been taken is turned to grey.
The new scheme can be applied either when using teach-and-learn inspection of the first item in a production run or when programming a sequence for a number of parts off-line. In both cases, it will make it easier for any user to reproduce exactly an inspection sequence developed by a different operator. Similarly, it will help when duplicating an inspection last undertaken some time before, when the user cannot remember the complete sequence.
The multi-axis option for On-Machine Verification will allow companies with four-, five- or six-axis equipment to undertake comprehensive verification of their parts on these more complex machine tools, both during and after machining. The main advantage of the new option will be the ability to check undercut regions, without any need to re-position the workpiece, and to inspect deep features with shorter, more accurate probes.
The new compatibility with AIMS will allow seamless sharing of CAD geometry, inspection plans and measurement results back and forth between PowerINSPECT and other hardware and software platforms. It will, therefore, make it easier for companies to introduce the Delcam software alongside any existing inspection systems. Similarly, it will simplify the comparison of results obtained with PowerINSPECT with any legacy data collected using older systems.
