Delcam To Show New Versions Of PowerINSPECT Software At Quality Expo
Delcam demonstrated three new versions of its PowerINSPECT inspection software at the Quality Expo. The latest release of the main PowerINSPECT program incorporates collision detection, an enhanced Geometric Explorer, additional best-fit options for analysing the results, and improvements to the software's already industry-leading graphics and report generation. Two new versions have also been introduced – an entry-level on-machine verification option for use by machine tool operators after only a half-day of training and an offline manual version for metrology departments to develop inspection sequences for application on the shop floor.
PowerINSPECT is already the world's leading hardware-independent inspection software. Recent OEM agreements, including contracts with leading metrology companies such as FARO, Renishaw and Romer/Cimcore, seem certain to consolidate that position during this year.
The new collision detection functionality in PowerINSPECT is based on that used for gouge prevention and collision detection in Delcam's PowerMILL CAM software. As the inspection sequence is being developed, the software provides protection against stylus and probe collisions by flagging a warning if any move between measurement points will violate the part being inspected. When the routine is completed, a more comprehensive check of the whole sequence can be undertaken with a simulation on a computer model of either a co-ordinate measuring machine or a machine tool operating on-machine verification.
The new Geometric Explorer, which is now fully integrated within PowerINSPECT, makes it easier to extract nominal data from CAD models. More detailed information can now be extracted about the geometry and placed into the sequence tree of operations.
Current versions of PowerINSPECT only operate best fitting of data based on "least-squares" averaging. The additional options will offer maximum or minimum material conditions to ensure the measured data is always either inside or outside the nominal CAD model. Similarly, the collected data can be forced to lie within a minimum and maximum tolerance band from the nominal data. The new options will be especially useful for scrap-or-save decisions carried out on damaged parts using on-machine verification.
The improved graphics result from the ability to store view orientations within the sequence tree of operations. This allows the software to move immediately to the correct orientation relative to the model when taking measurements and removes the need for manual adjustment of the view. Other information can also be stored in the sequence tree, such as text, graphics or even videos, so making it easier for offline programmers to explain the inspection sequence to the operator.
One of PowerINSPECT's most important attributes has always been the clarity of its reports. This is being further improved with the addition of an HTML template editor that makes it much easier to create customised reports. This can be used, for example, to establish a series of different templates so that each of the company's customers can have their reports in a specific format.
SOURCE: Delcam plc