G and L Probing Tips
- 1. Metal Cutting | Composites Press release SEVEN TIPS TO ENSURE ACCURATE PROBING by Dan Silberhorn, Manufacturing Engineer – Programming Fives Giddings & Lewis The majority of customers who buy Giddings & Lewis machine tools also invest in probing. When used correctly, probing can have significant cost, efficiency and quality benefits. Our experience working with customers in the field, however, shows that probing is often underutilized because operators arenot familiar with best practices. The following tips areintended to help operators use probes to make machining processes more precise and efficient. 1. Cleanthe surfacesyouare measuring. Thisisimportantforbothcalibrationandpart measurement.Dirtysurfaceswill produce false readingsaffectingcalibrationoffsetsand subsequent partmeasurements.A cleansurface ensuresaccurate measurementresults and, ultimately,betterpartquality. 2. Maintain the probe qualityandgeometry. Isthe stylusassemblytight?Doesitlookoutof square?Was the probe droppedorhit? Any of these will cause measurementstobe off.Treat your probe withthe same care as anyotherprecisionmeasuringdevice. 3. Calibrate the probe regularlytomaintainaccuracy. Calibrationisperformedusinganartifact(a standardof known,measured size). If youdo nothave an artifact suchas a calibrationsphere,a qualifiedfeature onthe machine,tool orfixture canalsobe used.When our applicationexperts workwithcustomerswhomeasure withhandtools,theyoftenaskmultiple operatorsto measure the same feature. It’snotunusual to getdifferentvaluesfromdifferentoperators.The qualityof the data inputdeterminesthe calibrationof the probe andultimatelypartprecision. 4. Use an artifactor calibrationgauge asclose to the part or feature size aspossible.Thiswillyield the most accurate calibration. Forexample,if the parttobe measured is20 inchesindiameter, try to use an artifactthat is close tothat size. Ithelps to maintainthe aspectratio as close as possible. 5. Whenprobing,make sure the stylus tip, notthe probe shank,contacts the part. 6. Verify the accuracyof yourwork offsetsormeasurementreference.Thisestablishes the basis for measurementof feature location. If the measurementreference isnotaccurate,the probe measurementswill be skewed. Aninaccurate partsetup,notat part zerofor example,affects probingresults. 7. If the probe doesnothave automaticshutoff,turn itoff to save the batterylife. The next operatorwill thankyou. In addition to setup benefits, probing's in-process advantages include the automated measurement and updating of tool offsets. The alternatives to probing during setup – touching off with a tool, using an edge finder or manual measurements – are all less precise and more time consuming. Bottom line, probes
- 2. Metal Cutting | Composites Press release reduce cycle time and the opportunity for human error (and resulting scrap), while improving part quality. END
- 3. Metal Cutting | Composites Press release About Fives in Metal Cutting | Composites Fives designs and supplies machine tool and complete manufacturing solutions in a broad range of industrial sectors. With a strong foundation based upon renow ned legacy names such as Cincinnati, Giddings & Lew is, Forest-Liné, Liné Machines and Rouchaud, Fives is recognized as the preeminent provider of outstanding manufacturing solutions w hich are at the heart of its customers’ performance. Fives Metal Cutting | Composites dedicated teams – approximately 1200 people in over 15 countries – serve key industrial markets including aerospace, automotive and truck, heavy equipment, oil and gas, rail, w ind, energy and general machining. With manufacturing and support operations strategically located w orldw ide, Fives and its Metal Cutting & Composites businesses offer comprehensive lines of equipment and technologies including automated assembly, laser w elding and cutting, turning, milling, composites processing and softw are w ith the associated support services (maintenance, spare parts, retrofit, overhauling and upgrading). About Fives Fives is an industrial engineering Group w ith a heritage of over 200 years of engineering excellence and expertise. Fives des igns and supplies machines, process equipment and production lines for the w orld’s largest industrial groups in various sectors such as aluminum, steel, glass, automotive, logistics, aerospace, cement and energy, in both developing and developed countries. In all these sectors, Fives designs and manufactures equipment and innovative solutions, w hich better anticipate and meet the needs of its customers in terms of performance, quality, safety and respect for the environment. In 2014, Fives achieved a turnover of 1.560 million Euros and employed close to 8,000 people in about thirty countries. Press contact: Linda Kieckhafer Tel: 920.906.2328 linda.kieckhafer@fivesgroup.com Agency contact: Jeff Drum Tel: 513.871.4042 jdrum@kembledrum.com