Medical implants serve an essential purpose in healthcare, providing solutions to failures or defects in human body parts. These medical implants often possess coatings that significantly enhance their functionality and compatibility with the human body. ASTM F1854 is a standard that outlines test methods for such coatings, particularly porous coatings, on medical implants. In this […]
Most companies that have a need to digitize parts ask the “Make/Buy” question. Do I purchase part scanning equipment and train staff (Make) or do I find a good service provider (Buy)? Or are there levels in between this?
We have all seen prints with many datum reference frames on them. The fact that there are multiple sets of datum’s is not an issue and is put in place for functional design reasons. There can be so many that they look like an alphabet soup. But what about raw castings? Generally the functional part […]
A common question that we are asked is: what is the resolution of a CT scan for determining gaps or voids or true surface locations? We are also asked: How can you measure a gap between two parts that may be closer than 1 voxel in size? The answer lies in sub-voxel surface determination and […]
Modern Additive Manufacturing (AM) methods often employ subtractive machining to achieve precise dimensional and surface finish characteristics. This is due to current AM limitations in build precision and surface quality. These hybrid AM / subtractive components also demand a hybrid approach to measurement. Internal features on AM parts are difficult or impossible to non-destructively measure using solely traditional metrology methods and so industrial computed tomography (CT) must also be employed. CT scanning not only allows for precise measurements using metrology CT, but allows for detection of internal defects that are not otherwise able to be seen. However, well machined portions are best served through other measurement methods due to precision requirements and data characteristics. This can necessitate a hybrid measurement approach. However, traditional CT scanning and service providers are not trained as metrologists and do not follow particular standards related to metrology – especially ISO17025. Also complicating measurement is the design and datum reference frames used for additive parts that typically follow a traditional machined component print layout. A layout method following best practices from the casting industry is suggested here. This article explores the methods (GD&T), issues, limitations and current solutions associated with good metrology practices for AM and hybrid AM components.
COVID 19 has literally shut down a majority of the world’s production. As we have talked with our customers over this time, we have found that many have reduced their workforce or have implemented rolling furloughs. The problem is that once you let that skilled person go, they may actually find other work before you […]
First Article Inspections (FAI) are used to ensure that parts off of new or modified tooling or processes conform to the part design requirements. This even includes changing the location of manufacture! Yes – this can make a difference sometimes (usually due to different equipment, the same equipment setup slightly differently, environmental conditions, different manufacturing […]
Your Molds and Dies are critical to your business. They were meticulously created and iteratively tuned until the parts they produce are within specification. At that point, they were put into production and no documentation of the final tuned geometry was captured. This is actually the standard operating procedure for most of the world. The […]
Many measurement and reverse engineering requirements require more than simple caliper or micrometer measurements. Whether you are conducting a First Article Inspection (FAI), troubleshooting a manufacturing issue or reverse engineering a legacy part for improvements, one or multiple of the modern data collection methods may work – but what is best and what are you […]
Contact measurement devices constitute the majority of what is traditionally used for dimensional metrology. These consist of devices that must be in physical contact with the object to be measured. Below is a listing of general types of contact measurement devices. This covers the vast majority of what is used today and is a good […]
