An Arm for (nearly) all measurements at BMW
Quality control departments employ more frequently flexible measurement systems, which allow them to measure large parts of limited access, as well as having to measure during production, without having to interrupt it.
THE PROBLEM:
The mechanical specialists of the BMW plant in Dingolfing, Germany are regulary confronted with the task of measuring in machines without having a real reference face. Different mounted parts avoid having a linear line to the surface. As these parts are not accessable, they have to be surrounded by an articulation. The results are very complicated geometries, with which one has to work. Traditional manual measurement machines, supports, rulers or calipers are unable to provide these figures.
THE SOLUTION:
Franz Feix, foreman of mechanical maintenance, has found the solution for the problem with the portable FaroArm. The measurement arm can be manoevered free in the space and can reach over a part in areas of difficult access and to measure behind. Further the portable measurement system offers the maintenace department the possibility of bringing the arm to the machine and to fix it there in order to measure, for example, an alignment of two spindles or the height or the the angularity. With its precision of +/- 0,005 mm the Gage is a very interesting alternative towards traditional cordinate measurement systems, other portable measurement machines and hand tools.