Advances in Vision Systems Will Enable Significant Improvements in Thread Metrology

Abstract

Advances in Vision Systems Will Enable Significant Improvements in Thread Metrology. Visions systems have had a profound impact on manufacturing productivity and quality over the last decade. These optical/laser-based systems will continue to enhance the speed, productivity, cost and quality within a broad range of manufacturing processes globally. “The global machine vision market is estimated at $3.1 billion in 2012, and is expected to grow with a CAGR of 8.2 percent to $5.1 billion in 2018. The major factors driving the market are paradigm shifts in the global market demand for machine vision products, emergence of smart cameras ……” according to Market and Market, a global market research and consulting company. This article is intended to increase the reader’s awareness of advances in vision systems that will impact the manufacture and inspection of thread forms and thread gage calibration. These unique systems can be found in the metrology lab, shop floor, or in the field, providing enhanced speed, productivity, quality and cost for their users. Thread forms are of particular interest and importance to metrology and manufacturing/ quality professionals since they are a fundamental component that virtually holds our manufacturing world together. Thread forms are available in a wide variety of geometric shapes and industry standards. They are a principal method of fastening manufacturing components, and they form a critical component within a variety of industries like defense/aerospace, automotive, and energy. These thread forms can be simple, or eloquently complex. Nevertheless, the accuracy of their geometric shape is critical to the quality, reliability, and safety in many applications. The traditional methods for measuring and inspecting thread forms can be slow and costly, requiring skilled, experienced personnel. Vision systems will allow greater quality surveillance, lower costs, shorter cycle times, improved reliability/safety and overall productivity. We will examine two totally different types of vision system designs to provide non-contact, high-speed measurement and/or inspection of thread forms.