Game-changing measuring systems for Industry 4.0

The challenges faced by measurement technology inside machine tools are very different to those encountered when carrying out measurements outside the machine. Cooling lubricant and oil frequently become an underestimated source of incorrect measurements when using standard touch probes. This is the reason why many users have, until now, been of the opinion that precise measurements in a machining centre can only be carried out on workpieces which are dry and free from oil and grease. Blum-Novotest GmbH shows the opposite is true at this year's AMB event. The company will use several impressive live demonstrations to prove that current BLUM touch probes deliver reliable, efficient and ultra-precise measurements even when using coolants. The reason for this is the unique measuring mechanism technology: Pre-deflection and an increased measuring force ensure that coolant has no impact on the actual measurement even at a measuring speed of 5 m/min. The bidirectional measuring mechanism of the TC61 touch probe even enables pulling measurements of grooves and bars.

A further highlight of the BLUM exhibition at AMB will be the current capabilities of DIGILOG technology. To achieve high compression ratios in combustion engines, the contours of the sealing chamfer at the valve seat ring must meet strict tolerance requirements. The concentricity of the valve guide and the valve seat is also of major importance within this context. Until now these features have been measured much later and outside the machine; a process that resulted in high scrap rates of expensive cylinder heads. On the one hand, BLUM's TC64 DIGILOG touch probe measures the concentricity digitally; on the other hand, the system enables analogue scanning and thus monitoring of the sealing chamfer while the workpiece is still clamped in the machine.

BLUM will also be presenting its latest solutions that focus on the hot topic of 'machine-integrated surface roughness measurement': When machining blisks for aircraft engine turbines, there is a need not only for dimensional accuracy but also for a defined surface roughness. In this case, surface roughness gauges such as the new TC64-RG are used to ensure machining faults and poor surface qualities are detected during the process. If ultra-precise, basically DIN-compliant measurements as small as one tenth of a micron are required, the roughness gauge is guided across the workpiece surface at a comparatively slow measuring speed. When it comes to detecting machining errors in the micron range – a role for which the BLUM roughness measurement systems have been specially developed – measurements can be carried out up to 20 times faster. Even coolant or grease on the surface only affect the result slightly.

"Industry 4.0 has been an established practice at Blum-Novotest for many years, in fact we were actually implementing these processes before the concept even had a name," Heribert Bucher claims. "Ultimate reliability in the harshest environments is a matter of course for BLUM products. We can therefore offer a processintegrated, Industry 4.0 suitable solution for numerous measurement activities."