Nikon’s laser radar stations

Marketed as a ‘powerful new alternative to traditional CMMs,’ Nikon Industrial Metrology has introduced a new system for measuring medium-to-large parts, called APDIS Intelligent Quality (IQ) Stations. It promises to offer a range of laser radar solutions as alternatives to CMMs.

Key highlights

• Simple, fast installation
• Avoid CMM bottlenecks
• No robot programming required
• Four stations available for different size and measurement requirements

“Nikon’s non-contact Laser Radars are already used by major OEMs on a global scale to measure thousands of parts every day, both in metrology rooms and on shop floors,” reports Paul Lightowler, APDIS Global Product Manager. “APDIS IQ Stations now provide complete turnkey solutions from Nikon, utilising the speed and data quality improvements of the latest-generation MV430E Laser Radar to give fully automated measurement stations that are simple to program, fast to measure and flexible to install.”

There’s no need for robot programming after installation, as the system uses a predefined set of positions. This also counts for when modifying measurements or adding new parts. Defining and simulating measurements off-line, prior to the physical setup makes an already simple measurement program analysis even easier. The measurement routines can be selected through the inbuilt HMI, meaning all that’s required is to load a part and click a button. Direct feature measurements remove the need for adapters, while small data sets drive faster analysis, speeding up pre- and post-measurement times.

Nikon defines their Intelligent Quality (IQ) concept as “a smart, efficient and productive form of measurement, irrespective of a component’s colour or surface finish.” This aids in avoiding bottlenecks typically associated with traditional CMMS, resulting in faster analysis and thus more data for improved process quality.

Simplified programming and modification make the system flexible and easy to sue, while the entire installation, configuration and commissioning of the IQ Stations is also fast and simple. By choosing measurement routines based on pre-set robot locations and defined turntable positions, the inspection and analysis times are further reduced.

“Four robotic APDIS IQ stations are available, depending on part size and measurement requirements; from single Laser Radar and turntable setups, to dual Laser Radar and robot setups for ultimate measurement productivity. Each is a turnkey configuration that has been designed in response to customer feedback. Nikon supplies, installs and commissions the measuring stations as well as providing programs, training and after-sales support.”