Hawk swoops on noncontact measurement

Vision Engineering has an all-new range of metrology systems for industrial noncontact measurement applications.

Vision Engineering has an all-new range of metrology systems for industrial noncontact measurement applications.

The Hawk family offers the greatest capability combined with ease of use yet available from Vision Engineering.

Not all noncontact measurement requirements are the same, and this is reflected in the new Hawk range of metrology systems.

From two-axis manual systems to fully automatic edge-detecting three-axis platforms, there is a Hawk solution for almost every metrology task.

The key to the new Hawk's power is flexibility.

Customers can choose from a range of options including two- or three-axis measurement, manual or motorised movement, manual or fully automated video edge detection (VED), microprocessor or fully geometric PC software and four different stage sizes.

The choice is down to the user and the type of application involved.

Even when using the most capable, fully automated Hawk, it is straightforward to set up simple, fast inspection using just manual tools.

This eliminates the danger of a system that is all capable, but never used because of the level of training and competence demanded of the operator.

Hawk is unique in offering both optical and video edge detection.

Whilst image processing can be used to automatically locate and measure most edges, there are many complex or low-contrast applications where the human eye and brain are more efficient and accurate at edge detection.

Patented Dynascope technology presents a clear, pure optical image to the operator through the expanded exit pupil display head.

This image has not been digitised and will not suffer from loss of colour rendition or contrast problems.

The human brain is by far the most powerful image processing system available.

For difficult optical subjects, the best results will come from a pure optical image being presented to a human operator.

Using a fully automated Hawk system, the majority of measurements can be controlled by the PC software with just complex parts being presented to the operator, who can input edge locations.

In designing the Hawk family, the best of the previous generation in systems is combined with the latest innovations in optical and design technology.

The result is a product that answers virtually every foreseeable noncontact measurement task.

Due to the large number of possible system options, a number of 'prepackaged' systems have been prepared.

These options cover the majority of applications and span a range of budgets.

If video edge detection (VED) is not required and only two-axis measurement is necessary, a Hawk system 1 would be recommended.

This allows customers to order the minimum system required for their immediate needs.

Should increased capability be required in the future, it is simple to upgrade a Hawk, for example from a two-axis to a three-axis system.

Every Hawk system includes a Dynascopic viewing head as standard, 20x magnification, rigid stand and nonlinear error corrected (NLEC) stage.

Lighting options include: six-point fibre-optic ring light, spotlights, substage and episcopic illumination.

Magnification options include: 10, 50, 100, 200 and 400x.

Image capture is possible using a high-resolution digital camera and video camera (for VED or live video).

Available stage sizes are; 150 x 150, 200 x 150, 300 x 225 and 400 x 300mm.

Measurement data can be calculated using either the industry standard QC200 series of microprocessors or QC5000 PC based geometric software.

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