LARGE TIME
Think Big, Really Big: This innovative CMM design created an inspection cell for ring gears and bearings used on large construction cranes. Next up: car bodies, aircraft and wind turbines.
Posted: May 16, 2009
When CMM builder Wenzel GmbH was presented the challenge of designing a CMM measuring solution for inspecting large ring gears and bearings used by a manufacturer of large construction cranes, they designed and built a special CMM machine that combined their standard components and dual-arm measuring technology with the precision air bearing mechanics of the WGT series of gear checkers and Renishaw scanning probes, (see Figure 1).
This inspection machine is capable of inspecting bearings and ring gears up to 6,000 mm (19.68 ft) diameter. The dual-arm design (see Figure 2) is similar to some previous applications used in the automotive industry to measure car bodies and body components.
In this design, the CMM measuring arms are each mounted to a table that is located and positioned on a large corresponding granite base. The measuring arms use high accuracy linear guideways for the X-axis. The Y- and Z-axes use finely-tuned preloaded roller bearings so there is minimum friction and operational wear. The base units are positioned opposite each other with a rotary fixture table in-between.
MORE TO COME
This "Large Ring" inspection solution is anticipated to have additional application in the aircraft engine, wind energy and construction equipment markets.
Both arms measure the large rings concurrently and the metrology of each measuring arm is harmonized through the use of a specially designed calibration tool. The ring gears and bearings are located and clamped on the 2,200 mm (7.21 ft) diameter hydrostatic rotary table that can handle loads up to 100,000 lb. The complete circumference of the rings are inspected by a single inspection part program.
The two measuring arms are equipped with SP80 Scanning probes. Application software calculates the optimum fitting tolerance for inner and outer bearing components. This "Large Ring" inspection solution is anticipated to have additional application in the aircraft engine, wind energy and construction equipment markets.
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Xspect Solutions, Inc., 47000 Liberty Drive, Wixom, MI 48393, 248-295-4300, Fax: 248-295-4301, www.XspectSolutions.com.
Renishaw Inc., 5277 Trillium Boulevard, Hoffman Estates, IL 60192, 847-286-9953, Fax: 847-286-9974, www.renishaw.com.
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