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Dimensional Metrology and Quality Control - Home
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Dimensional Quality Control checks product
characteristics against specified dimensions and tolerances.
Dimensional Metrology (DM) is an important aspect in Quality
Control (QC), since measurement (i.e. metrology) is the basis for
quality control. The related activities of the division PMA of the
Mechanical Engineering department are of various kind: education,
research and development, measuring services offered to industry,
technological advise and assistance (TAD service), industrial
innovation through spin-offs, international cooperation (through
CIRP EU projects, etc.).
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Performance verification of a coordinate measuring machine using
a steel ball plate (PTB)
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Research and development is focused on 3D
digital coordinate measuring technology for reverse engineering
applications and quality control, and on reduction of geometrical
and thermal errors of 3D CMMs and machine tools. Among others,
research focuses on various probing technology for 3D measurement:
touch- trigger and continuous tactile measuring probes and non-
contact optical probes. The later involves laser scan probes
developed by PMA's spin-off company Metris, as well as large-scale
3D optical measuring systems as developed by the spin-off company
Krypton.
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During the past five years the research group on
dimensional metrology at PMA has been involved in the following
national and international research projects:
- MEDECOTHER:
Measure, design and compensation for thermal deformations
- ACCURAT: Accuarcy
verification of coordinate measuring machines, of all sizes, types
and configurations, using lasers and a universal artefact
- SEC&TEC: Static
and quasi-static errors measurement and compensation in milling
machines
- ...
Click here for more information
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PMA's expertise includes measurement of surface
roughness, roundness and straightness, measurement of dimensions on
1D, 2D or 3D measuring machines, calibration of geometrical and
thermal errors of machines (machine tools, measuring machines,
etc.), software compensation of such errors, interferometry,
reverse engineering, etc. Related services and expertise relies on
an extended temperature- controlled metrology lab equipped with a
wide range of metrological devices: 1D ABBE bench, 2D precision
measuring microscopes, 2D profile projectors, 3D coordinate
measuring machines (1 manual and 2 CNC CMMs, 1 full optical 3D
CMM), roundness testers, surface and profile measuring systems,
autocollimators and laser interferometers, light interferometers, a
whole set of small appliances and calliper (end gauges, step
gauges, cylindrical callipers, square edges, etc.), and many
more.
Click here for more information about the
facilities
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Two of PMA's spin-off companies are active in the field of
dimensional metrology and quality control: Metris, and Krypton
Electronic Engineering. Both have merged in 2005, and operate under
the Metris name.
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Advice and
assistance to industry |
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Advice and assistance to industry is provided through the
Technological Advisory Service (TAD) organised in cooperation with
WTCM/CRIF (Scientific and Technical Centre of the Belgian
Metalworking Industry) with financial supported by the Flemish
Government (IWT). This financial support provides for subsidies (up
to 80%) for companies calling on PMA's advise.
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Measuring services are offered, that include
measurement of dimensions, geometry or surface roughness on the
in-house equipment, and reception testing or calibration of machine
tool or measuring equipment of customer in their own
facilities.
Click here for more information about the
services
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Prof.Dr.ir. Jean-Pierre Kruth
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Division PMA
Celestijnenlaan 300B, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
Tel: +32 16 322490
Fax: +32 16 322987
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