Methods Machine Tools Introduces New VisionGauge Digital Optical Comparator 700 Series

Methods Machine Tools, Inc., a leading supplier of innovative machine tools, automation, and machine tool accessories has introduced the new VisionGauge® Digital Optical Comparator 700 Series developed by VISIONx Inc., featuring 5-Axis inspection to efficiently view parts from all sides and angles.

“The 700 Series is ideal for the automatic inspection of parts with complex geometries found in aerospace and other industries where parts can be challenging to manufacture,” said Mr. Steve Bond, National Sales Manager, Methods Machine Tools, Inc. The 5-Axes of motion (X,Y, Z, Rotary, Tilt) enables quick, accurate inspection of all sides and angles on the part. Extremely powerful “adaptive” software locates features of interest on different surfaces with varying reflectivity and viewing angles. The 700 Series is very useful in checking EDM or laser drilled holes, found in aerospace or power-gen turbine components, for example. For both round and shaped holes, the VisionGauge 700 Series automatically verifies precise hole presence and accurately measures hole location.

The VisionGauge 700 Series is available in a high resolution 20x magnification and features a 38 in. diagonal image viewing area. Travels of 12 in. are standard on the X,Y,Z-Axes. An ultra-bright all-LED illumination offers stable, repeatable multi-angle and multi-quadrant illumination conditions via a programmable, computer-controlled system. The system comes with very flexible and general-purpose reflected illumination.

Featuring fully-automated operation to remove operator-to-operator variation, VisionGauge Digital Optical Comparators are fast, accurate and easy-to-use. The systems also feature CAD Auto-Align and CAD Auto Pass / Fail tools. The Auto-Align tool automatically aligns CAD data to the part in less than two seconds, producing repeatable and accurate results that are completely operator-independent. The VisionGauge Digital Optical Comparator’s powerful Auto Pass/Fail tool automatically determines, very accurately and in real-time, if a part is within tolerance. The Auto Pass/Fail tool can be point-based or can consider complete geometric entities and can perform both simultaneously, on the same part.

VisionGauge Digital Optical Comparators are a fully-digital drop-in replacement for traditional optical comparators. The comparators work directly with the part’s CAD data and do not require any overlays, Mylars™ or templates. Systems are Windows-based and delivered network-ready in a shop-floor, convenient “rolling cart” configuration. VisionGauge Digital Optical Comparators are more accurate than traditional optical comparators and allow users to achieve a much higher throughput. The comparators can be set up to automatically collect complete electronic documentation and device history for SPC and quality compliance purposes. VisionGauge Digital Optical Comparators allow users to compare a part to its CAD data in real-time, fully automatically.

First introduced in the fall of 2009, VisionGauge Digital Optical Comparators have a large installed customer base spanning a wide range of industries including medical device and orthopedic manufacturing, aerospace, automotive manufacturing, extrusion, cutting tool manufacturing, general machining and more. VisionGauge Digital Optical Comparators are available in vertical and horizontal configurations.

VisionGauge Digital Optical Comparators are exclusively distributed throughout North America by Methods Machine Tools, Inc. Methods Machine Tools, a leading supplier of precision machine tools and accessories for over 55 years, provides installation, parts, service, and training through a network of dealers throughout North America.

VISIONx INC. (Pointe-Claire, Quebec CANADA) specializes in automated image, visual inspection and high-accuracy measuring solutions. VISIONx develops, sells and supports software, systems and specialized hardware components for machine vision, image analysis, visual inspection, general detection and metrology.

For more information about Methods Machine Tools and VisionGauge Digital Optical Comparators, please contact: Mr. Steve Bond, national sales manager, Methods Machine Tools, Inc. 65 Union Avenue, Sudbury, MA 01776, TEL: (978) 443-5388, FAX: (978) 440-9405, Email: sales@methodsmachine.com