Solution Proposal from Mitutoyo

Creating a System that Connects Design to Manufacturing for Quick Market Launch

　 -Automatically creating measurement procedures for CMM　 MiCAT Planner

In today’s manufacturing environment, international competition and diverse consumer needs drive the demand for high-quality, cost-competitive products and rapid market launches. Meeting these demands requires precision and efficiency at every stage of production.

However, inconsistencies in measurement techniques during the inspection process and the inability to prepare until the workpiece is ready often create challenges in understanding the process. It can feel nearly impossible to fully grasp the nuances of the process without firsthand experience, adding complexity to production workflows.

Mitutoyo’s MiCAT Planner software offers a powerful solution. By automatically creating part programs using 3D CAD data, it streamlines the measurement process, reduces setup time, and enhances overall efficiency. This innovative tool ensures precise and consistent inspection results, helping manufacturers stay ahead in a competitive market.

Challenges:

• Part programming takes a long time, causing significant backlogs on machines.

• Standardizing quality control at overseas plants is difficult, leading to inconsistencies in measurement procedures.

• There is a need to provide uniform measurement procedures by aligning quality control levels at all plants.

We Do Not Stop Inspections and Prepare Measurement Procedures for Design Changes

Do you need to change a measurement procedure due to a design change but can’t afford to halt inspections?

With MiCAT Planner, you can automatically set up measurements offline using 3D CAD data from a design drawing. This allows you to prepare measurements in parallel with ongoing inspections, enabling you to adapt to design changes quickly without interrupting production.

Additionally, the measurement optimization function minimizes the measurement path, reduces the number of probe angle adjustments, and limits the need for probe changes. This streamlines the process and improves efficiency.

Even users unfamiliar with Coordinate Measuring Machines can create optimal measurement procedures that consider all necessary measurement items. This ensures consistent measurement quality, eliminating variations between operators and enhancing overall reliability.

For example, in a comparison of measurements taken for an injection molded product, the measurement using a blueprint took about 60 minutes, whereas the MiCAT Planner automatically created the measurement in about 3 minutes—resulting in a reduction of up to 95% in man-hours.

Why not use 3D CAD data of blueprints to shorten the time required to create measurements, and reduce the skills needed to operate Coordinate Measuring Machines?

MiCAT Planner Delivers Quick and Easy Measurements

Connecting Manufacturing Design to Production

Unrealistic processing instructions from designers or excessive precision requirements can often lead to design changes at the processing site, negatively impacting efficiency, evaluation, and profitability.

To address this, it’s essential to establish a seamless connection between design and production to accelerate the final output. MiCAT Planner leverages 3D CAD data to automatically set up measurements, bridging the gap between these two critical phases.

During the design stage, conducting a simulation allows the measurement procedure to be tested. If the procedure can be executed without issues, the design is deemed valid. If not, it highlights a design problem that needs to be resolved. Using this approach ensures the design team is directly connected to the manufacturing site, fostering collaboration and efficiency.

This process aligns with Mitutoyo's principle: "To be measured is to be manufactured." At the pre-production evaluation stage, the required measurements are provided alongside the 3D CAD design data. This enables optimal production preparation and facilitates faster output, ensuring a more efficient and cohesive manufacturing process.

Need help solving a measurement problem? Contact us anytime!

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