Installation and assembly of complex large parts

Introduction

Are you involved in the installation or assembly of complex large parts? How to understand how dimensions behave under different external conditions and change over time? It is not enough to take simple measurements to verify the dimensions of an object once and for all. Instead, in order to properly monitor changes in the controlled assembly/part, a series of repeated measurements should be taken at specified intervals. With a combination of hardware and software, we provide a measurement solution with high accuracy and high repeatability that is capable of such tasks. We provide automatic monitoring, tracking and documentation of how part/assembly points move or drift over time. Typical applications of this functionality are measurements of deformations – caused by:

• By temperature changes, mechanical impacts (pressure and loads),
• Changes in materials, such as “creep and shrinkage.”
• settlement measurements, such as differences in the position of the machine bed compared to the surrounding building foundation.

How does our solution work?

Depending on the complexity of the part being measured, we need to determine the optimal number of points to monitor with the Laser Tracker. It is always desirable to locate targets according to the most critical geometric features of the object. In general, this is especially important for parts and assemblies with complex surfaces and forms. After defining the points to be measured and connecting the targets, we start the programming that manages and controls the Laser Tracker.

In the first step, we measure all relevant points and record their 3D coordinates. When the coordinates of each point are available, the software has all the spatial information it needs to create a program to automatically take measurements sequentially of all the different points. This allows us to get the drift of each point in time. Before starting a full measurement cycle, we can also specify how many times the system must repeat the same sequence of measurements and the time interval between one series and the next. Laser Tracker is now ready to take measurements: it can follow a defined “path” and automatically measure points at any defined intervals. In this way, we are able to monitor, track and document the movement or drift of individual points over time.

It is very important to understand how the variability of external conditions affects the relative position of different points in time (such as temperature and humidity).
A corollary of position changes can be distinguished for different points. Maximum differences in the position of a point and average values resulting from different measurements.

Application examples:

1. Automotive industry. Checking the repeatability of sheet metal clamping in the welding fixture.
   If we spread several repeatability targets on different sheet metal parts, we can check the position of these targets when the terminals are closed and opened. This allows you to control and monitor the stability of the mount over time.
2. Machine measurements. Checking the 3D behavior of the machine during warm-up.
   If the machine heats up over time, we can see how the positions of the targets change over time.
   In addition, users receive a report with a graphical representation of the various positions in Excel or text format.
3. The stiffness of the part or fixture.
   If we check any part over time with a wide range of targets, it is easy to make bending, twisting or other 3D movements.
   Machined parts, welded structures or base frames can change if the mechanical force affects the 3D geometry.
4. Machining, metalworking and amp; Assembly – toolmaking.
   Example: we can also take tool deformation measurements on which parts of the planes.

As a result, we show how we use Laser Tracker as a direct, systematic and intuitive solution to:

• data logging,
• monitoring,
• geometry control,
• reporting,

In summary, geometric changes are a key part of the complex manufacturing process. If you would like to find out how we can help you with the installation and assembly of complex large parts, please contact us HERE.