Moving coil actuators remove operator error

Automated inspection system employs moving coil actuators to remove operator error when inspecting critical suspension parts.

SMAC was approached by a leading automotive parts manufacturer to solve what had been a long term inspection problem.

A key component used in the air suspension system had a critical tolerance which was dictated by the height of a rubber insert.

Traditionally this was inspected by hand with a digital gauge but variance caused by operator error was too great.

Therefore automation was essential but accurate and repeatable 100% measurement of this rubber part had proved impossible until SMAC moving coil actuators were chosen as a solution: "We explained the SMAC's inherent combination of force sensing and position reporting although the customer remained skeptical that the SMAC system could be as repeatable as we claimed".

Therefore a test batch of parts was requested for trials using the customers own R and R criteria.

The trials were carried out at SMAC's UK branch using a standard 5um LAL20-015.

The tolerance on the part was 0.1mm.

The R and R study was carried out by three appraisers and the maximum single error was 10um and the "repeatability equipment variation" was calculated to be 0.0078%.

Needless to say these results removed any remaining scepticism which the customer had.

The next step was to incorporate the SMAC actuator into the testing process and ultimately this involved fitting it into the press head of a 1kN servo press.

This was successfully completed at the customer's facility and the unit was easily integrated with their own control system and SPC data collection software.

The customer was equally impressed with the capability of SMAC system and this has led to further enquiries.

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