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Vision System Simplifies Tool Detection and Alignment

Released by United Grinding North America and Walter Tool, a measurement system for advanced grinding/eroding machines helps manufacturers optimize production of small, high-precision parts by automatically detecting and aligning tools, blanks, and other workpieces.

Posted: January 6, 2020

As part of a robotic cell, Walter Tool’s Vision System speeds production by automatically measuring the orientation of tools or blanks during idle time.

Developed by United Grinding North America’s (Miamisburg, OH) Walter Tool brand to simplify measuring operations for advanced grinding/eroding machines equipped with robotic part loaders, the Tool Vision System optimizes production of small, high-precision parts by automatically detecting and aligning tools, blanks and other workpieces.

The contact-free system quickly identifies the orientation of tools or blanks, such as those with brazed polycrystalline diamond (PCD) plates on the front, sintered PCD veins, or cooling channels. Detection is automatically performed during idle time, much faster than manual measurement and eliminating the possibility of human error or the risk of probe contact damaging the part.

A permanent part of robotic cells, the Tool Vision System may be equipped with two lenses depending on part size. One lens is appropriate for parts between 1.7 mm and 12 mm in diameter, while the other lens handles parts with diameters between 6 mm and 32 mm.

United Grinding North America, 2100 United Grinding Blvd., Miamisburg, OH 45342, 937-859-1975, fax: 937-859-1115, info@grinding.com, www.grinding.com.