3D Laser Sensor Optimized to Measure High-Performance Tooling

Walter Ewag UK has launched the Walter 3D laser sensor. It enables the Walter Helicheck Pro and Plus tool measurement machines to scan with four times the resolution than previously possible and to process that data four times faster, according to the company.

It is suitable for inspecting high-performance tools, as used in industries such as automotive, aerospace and medical, where cutting edge geometry, pitch and spiral pitch vary widely. The company says its 3D sensor could replace two separate machines traditionally used for measuring such tools.

The 3D sensor has swivel angle ranges from -55° to 90° to enable scanning of indexable inserts. It is available as an option on the Helicheck Pro and Plus machines and their corresponding Long versions, which can accommodate tools up to 80 mm diameter and 605 mm long.

It is designed to be easily and quickly programmed using wizard routines, enabling shorter setup times. The 3D sensor effectively visualizes the workpiece as a point cloud (in differing formats) and enables various measurements to be undertaken on the three-dimensional image.

When the resulting image is ‘placed’ on the tool’s three-dimensional design drawings, or a master part, any deviations can be clearly seen (via the integrated 3D Viewer) as three-dimensional comparisons of point cloud and target model, including surface reconstruction.