Product category:
CMMs (co-ordinate measuring machines) and software
News Release from: Europac Metrology | Subject: Black Box EPC 010, 40-bit CNC system
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 30 April 2004
Retrofit CNC upgrades CMM capabilities
Retrofit CNC system enables high-speed scanning, faster inspection routines and data processing to be accomplished on existing CMM hardware while facilitating far higher levels of accuracy.
Co-ordinate measuring machines (CMMs) can now be easily upgraded following the development of a complete retrofit package by EuroPac Metrology of Crewe, that is able, through utilisation of USB communication ports, transmit data some 500 times faster than conventional serial port based equipment and has the capability to control between three and nine axes As a result, the EuroPac Black Box EPC 010, 40-bit CNC control system based package enables high-speed scanning, faster inspection routines and data processing to be accomplished on existing CMM hardware while maintaining far higher levels of accuracy than before
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 27 Apr 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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In addition to the Black Box control system, the retrofit package incorporates a lightweight remote hand box with three-axis joystick, axis lock and hold, speed control and nine functional buttons which have the ability to communicate with EuroPac's EPC 010 software.
With Pentium IV computer base and fully approved EPC 010 software, tuning of the CMMs dynamic parameters to the control is simple enabling a quick and straightforward installation.
Also, the software can be integrated with all main CAD formats including IGES, CATIA, ProENGINEER and STL files for reverse engineering tasks as well as major CMM software packages such as PC DMIS and Matra (Prelude), Capps Advanced 2000, PowerINSPECT, MIRAI and Virtual DMIS.
The digital software enables machine characteristics such as velocity, acceleration and probing speed to be set via a digital screen.
As confirmation of any input or settings, control graphs are displayed of the machine performance.
Graphical reporting through the retrofit packages 17 inch monitor is clear and concise with a choice of pictorial, graphical and tabulation formats and the system will support Renishaw TP2 and TP20 probing systems.
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