April 6th, 2011 - SPM-Automation (Canada) Inc.

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April 6th, 2011

News > Press Releases

NEW SURFACE SCANNING TECHNOLOGY ELIMINATES SCRAP AND IMPROVES OEE

WINDSOR, ONTARIO, CANADA  - SPM Automation (Canada) Inc. - a respected supplier of special-purpose machinery and automation systems - has launched its patented 3C (Complete Contour Compensation) surface scanning system to inspect parts prior to processing which eliminates scrap and improves Overal Equipment Effectiveness.

The SPM 3C System can be used for various surface scanning applications but specifically addresses part-to-part variation problems typically encounterred in the production of blow-molded containers or other large plastic parts. "We noticed our scrap went to virtually nothing with the SPM 3C System," says Trae Atkinson, Manufacturing/Automation Engineer at ABC Group Fuel Systems.


The flexibility of a robot-mounted scanning and processing unit eliminates hours of set-up and fine tuning work which is necessary with conventional fixed tooling machinery.  Part-to-part variations can be compensated 'on the fly' during production runs, because the 3C System detects positional and angular variations and automatically adjusts a particular processing unit as required.  

Jeff Yager, Director of Engineering and Sales, ABC Group FSI, says: "Several years ago we had a vision of creating a piece of equipment that would process our blow molded product in a flexible and adaptive manner.  We found that there was a large gap in what we envisioned and what was actual reality due to our process variability.  The SPM 3C technology was the missing functional element required to complete our vision of an adaptive flexible down line."  


In addition to positional and angular corrections, the SPM 3C System can be used to measure surface flatness variations and automatically adjust process parameters to ensure consistent product quality.

SPM's patented 3C System utilizes the latest technology in 3D vision hardware and software. It is accurate to +/- 0.3mm X/Y/Z positional accuracy and +/- 0.3 degrees axially.

The system has been tested to ensure reliable operation under varying environmental conditions and has been successfully implemented for plastic part welding and boring operations.

SPM is actively pursuing other manufacturing sectors which would benefit from its patented 3C System.
Hans Oxenfarth, Vice President of SPM is convinced that the 3C System can be used effectively in many different applications where positional accuracy is important but challenging because of part-to-part varations.
This technology will change the landscape of hard automation and dedicated assembly machinery, it takes the guess work out of process set-up and adjustments.

"With the SPM 3C System we can now overcome many of the shortcomings we had before.  I have to say we have arrived at the future and it looks great.  
This is a true step forward in processing equipment that will improve any user's quality and performance," says Yager.

The benefits of the 3C System can be realized in various manufacturing processes applications where positional accuracy is important but challenging because of part-to-part varations, such as

- automatic assembly
- part sorting
- quality inspection
- machining
- welding

The development of the 3C System has been carried out by SPM's team of dedicated professionals who are continually striving to find the most effective solutions for their customer's problems. "We are very proud of our team's achievements" says Oxenfarth.   

With many years of industry experience, SPM Automation (Canada) Inc. is uniquely positioned to design and build custom machinery as well as provide full-service Systems Integration for small and large automation projects.


 
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