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Chino Hills, California - Shadow Automation, Inc., is now shipping ground breaking inspection software for machine tool probing, called "Metrolosys". Combining any machine tool with probing ability, a high accuracy probe, volumetric machine tool calibration (reducing uncertainty of machine tool error), and Metrolosys software, creates one of the most versatile and efficient inspection solutions today. No need to tear-down and set-up your job repeatedly, wasting time and man-hours. Let your machine-tool do the inspection, while the part is already set-up. The graphical user interface allows quality personnel to easily program an inspection process for the machine-tool, off-line. The machine tool operator will run the program and send the probing results back to quality to automatically create GD&T inspection reports, per the ASME Y14.5 standard.

Calibrating your machine-tool is the first step towards acceptance or buy-off. Metrolosys has revolutionized this process by adding Volumetric Compensation, which is an error map of the entire work envelope of the machine-tool. Calibration is performed independently using Optodyne's error mapping laser system. Optodyne systems and services are offered at extremely affordably prices. Quality Managers are now buying-off this complete and sound solution for on-machine inspection of parts.

Simply read in the CAD Model using a variety of common and native CAD interface formats, or graphically layout features to be measured per a blue print. Quickly tab through a couple of windows, while intermittently selecting graphical feature types and tolerances, all structured according to the industry-standard DMIS programming language, to create the probe motion. Producing the CNC probing G-Code program is as easy as selecting the desired machine tool from a list and clicking the mouse. Use the same method to send the program to the machine as you would a part program. The probing results are typically saved to a file in the control and sent back when complete. Probing results will arrive from the CNC in a DMIS format that Metrolosys uses to automatically create an inspection report, just as you would get from a CMM!

Probing on machine-tools has been around for years, but the total solution for inspection has not. The solution calls for independent volumetric error mapping, advanced high-speed probing methods, and inspection software that quality personnel can adapt to quickly, while maintaining ASME Y14.5 and DMIS Standards

The total solution also requires the ability to import 3D CAD Models via IGES, Unigrahics parisolids, DXF, VDA, NFL, MC and optional Native CATIA, Pro/E and Unigraphics formats. A 3D CAD front end provides viewing or creating of models, while Metrolosys adds graphically selected GD&T feature control frames with adjustable leaders to described features.

CMM type alignments of the machine-tool to the 3D CAD model and machined part are accomplished with ease, using the same machining setup. Customize your inspection alignment process using multiple datum designations, user-definable datum labels and material condition modifiers. Day-to-day changes in your own product designs will reveal the true flexibility of Metrolosys, especially after-the-fact modifications or editing of existing inspection programs. Metrolosys documents an inspection process during its creation, in an editable historical tree. Each measured feature is listed, and when selected the dialog box containing the original information will appear. Minimal steps are required to modify, delete, insert, and save. Just complete the necessary edits, re-post, and the modified probing program is ready to run.

Machine-tools today are CMM quality, or volumetrically calibrated for accurate inspection results. Machine-tools typically have larger work envelopes over CMM's, therefore are able to measure larger parts. "Lean Manufacturing" is the definition of Metrolosys, efficiently eliminating operations of tear-down and set-up for first article or any other inspection requirements. Implementing quality during the machining process allows for critical errors in the actual design, CNC program, or set-up to be caught on the fly! Additional time is saved when machines no longer sit idle during the inspection process, nor will machine operators or inspection personnel. Costs to design or build custom CMM fixtures are factored out, as the part is already fixtured on the machine. Budget considerations for capitol expenditures to purchase or upgrade a CMM is saved or redirected, while efficiency and productivity dramatically increase!