German Inspection Laboratory See The Benefits of Galileo
Specialist inspection and testing house Böllinger Messtechnik (Germany) have recently installed a Starrett Precision Optical AV350 Galileo CNC Measurement and Inspection System.
Featuring a 350mm x 350mm x 200mm measurement X/Y/Z measuring range, 12.1 motorised zoom, Navitar® optics and the industry leading Metronics® QC5000 software, the AV350 is ideally suited for use in Quality Control laboratories, research, engineering and manufacturing environments. A full range of options and accessories are available to satisfy the demands of a majority of detailed measurement applications and the AV350 can be configured to combine camera, contact probe and laser technologies. The lighting options are multiple with a choice of LED or Fibre Optic 2, 3 or 7 channel.
Based in Oedheim north of Stuttgart, Böllinger Messtechnik are focused on initial sample inspection, freeform measurement, digitalisation and reverse engineering. Owner Michael Böllinger said of the purchase of the AV350:
“We visited the Control exhibition in 2008 simply to find information about the various CNC Vision systems on the market but we quickly became very comfortable with what we saw of Starrett as a whole and the Galileo range in particular. One of our key decision criteria was the accuracy of the video system and the AV350 has fully complied with all our requirements. We were also pleased to see the accuracy of the calibration standards that were delivered with the machine, as they are the highest accuracy standard possible in Germany.”
The unit supplied to Böllinger Messtechnik includes the optional dark field simulated LED quad ring light and Renishaw® touch probe. Michael says:
“What is really important to us is the combination of the video system with the touch probe, so that the machine can perform as a 3D coordinate measuring machine. Having the two measurement technologies combined saves a considerable amount of time. Previously we had to measure the 2D features on a microscope, and then take the parts onto the 3D CMM to measure the 3D features."
Since installation, users at Böllinger Messtechnik have found the machine quick to learn and easy to use. According to Michael:
“We have been using the Metronics® QC4000 software on our microscopes and so it was easy for us to get started with the QC5000 software supplied with the AV350. The machine itself is very easy to use – the joystick in combination with the trackball is a very good idea and makes it easy to fine position exactly over a specific feature.”
Starrett Precision Optical will be returning to the Control Fair in Stuttgart from May 5 – 8 2009 at the new trade fair centre, and will exhibit a comprehensive range of Galileo Vision Systems and Optical Profile Projectors.