System Capable Of Optical, Contact Scanning

The O-Inspect multi-sensor measuring system from Carl Zeiss is said to increase efficiency during the inspection of small and complex parts in the plastics and medical industries, automobile technology and precision mechanics. Operators can alternate between optical and contact measurements without interrupting the CNC measuring run. The machine combines high flexibility with highly reproducible results in one measuring run and one setting, the company says.

The device uses the company’s Calypso CAD-based software, which features additional functions that integrate both scanning technology and optical application options and their capabilities into one software package. It is used to calibrate, program, measure and analyze. This integration also permits the use of the Calypso measuring program intelligence for optical measurements.

The device uses both the IP-CAM optical sensor with an accurate and flexible 12× zoom lens and the VAST XXT scanning sensor. The measuring system’s configuration allows the sensors to be automatically changed at any time during CNC operation. The optical sensor is used for small features, soft or sensitive materials and when part throughput is important. A multi-color illumination system with high-power LEDs, multi-sector ring light, coaxial light and transmitted and external light creates the optimum contrast needed for optical measuring, the company says.

Large bores and contours are scanned with VAST XXT or inspected using point-to-point measuring. Different stylus combinations increase flexibility during measurement. For automatic or manual stylus change, the sensor recognizes the stylus, eliminating the need for time-consuming recalibration. Calypso automatically displays the operating functions for optical measuring as soon as the optical sensor is active.