Cover shots

Form and roughness-measuring system

The fifth generation of the InfiniteFocus, a high-resolution optical 3D measurement system is now available. The form and roughness-measuring device – based on the focus-variation principle implying coverage of full functionality – combines a micro-coordinate measurement system and a roughness measurement, assessing all surface features with a single multifunctional sensor.

Differentiating the InfiniteFocus from the previous generations is the 20x increase of measurement speed of 1.7 million measuring points per second. Additionally, Alicona engineers extended the range of measurable surfaces and materials by using an LED ringlight with of 24 individual controllable segments.

Benefits include automatic setting of optimal measurement parameters, low maintenance, easy operation, a wide application range, and denser and more robust measurements. These features enable multiple inter-divisional usages for various materials and purposes.

FYI
Measurements are focused on cutting edge geometries, such as complete measurement of form and roughness of drills and cutters. By using non-contact measurement systems in materials research and process optimization, manufacturers can maximize their benefit in micro- and precision-production.

Alicona
www.alicona.com

Weld tinned wires ultrasonically

The Wedge-Reed system, designed for high impedance metal welding, combines low vibratory amplitude with high vibratory force, directed in a shear mode, parallel to the interface of the materials to be welded.

The system uses a vertical, vibrating reed, driven by a wedge-shaped coupler and transducer assembly that’s perpendicular to the reed. With the line of static clamping force directly above the parts to be welded, high clamp force can be achieved without bending stress or stalling. Tin coating is dispersed and copper wire is welded without compromising the conductivity of the copper.

Available varieties of ultrasonic welders handle a range of wire bundle sizes starting at 1mm2. The SpliceRite units provide one-pulse wire splicing of up to 100mm2 in stranded bare copper wire and tinned wire to 60mm2. SonoWeld and Dual Head Spot welders can be custom-tooled to suit special configurations such as wire-to-terminal applications. Sonobond’s equipment also welds tinned wire to other bare and coated wires or terminals, completing most assemblies in less than one second with minimal operator training.

Sonobond
www.sonobondultrasonics.com

Miniature, all-in-one focus module

The M3-FS focus module, a miniature all-in-one focus module for high-performance industrial, medical, and scientific OEM cameras is a drop-in replacement for the New Scale’s original M3-F focus module. An aluminum structure and ball-bearing lens guide mechanism gives the M3-FS a 3x improvement in tilt and accuracy compared to the original M3-F module. Dynamic stability from zero-clearance bearings minimizes pixel shift with changing camera orientation for use in miniature handheld, portable, and mobile systems.

It features embedded closed-loop control and takes simple, high-level motion commands from the camera processor for straightforward system integration. Operating on 3.3VDC, very low power is needed to move the lens, and zero power is needed to hold the lens in any position.

Compared to liquid lens systems, the M3-FS accepts a wider range of high-performance lens assemblies with larger apertures (up to M16) and higher transmissions, to gather more light and fit the unique optical requirements of the camera. It operates on 3.3VDC, while liquid lens systems require continuous internal drive of ~100V.

Module platform, key benefits
The M3-FS focus module is built on New Scale’s M3 micro-mechatronic module platform, which enables small, high-resolution, and repeatable closed-loop positioning solutions. These all in-one smart modules require no separate electronics and are ready to plug-and-play directly with the OEM system processor and power supply.

Each M3 smart module is a fully engineered solution integrating New Scale Technologies’ SQUIGGLE piezo motor, drive, sensing, guide, and control technologies.

The M3-FS focus module provides 10x better precision in about one-quarter the volume when compared to stepper motor focus systems. Compared to plastic camera mechanisms, the M3-FS has one-third the lens tilt with 10x less pixel shift.

New Scale Technologies
www.newscaletech.com