The Essentials of Integrating a Robot into your Process
We know many companies are considering flexible automation solutions to solve a variety of challenges such as labor shortages and safety concerns. Cobots are a type of flexible automation solution that boast easy deployability and the potential to be repositioned and repurposed within your facility. While some might believe that anyone can deploy a cobot due to its simple interface, setting up a dependable and consistently functioning cobot cell might still require the expertise of a skilled programmer.
But where to start? Do you buy a cobot and integrate it yourself? Do you hire an integrator? Something in between? The experts at Cross Automation built this complexity calculator to help you decide. Simply rate your application on a scale of 1 to 10 in areas like throughput, reach, payload and connectivity to discover the best path to automating your dull, dirty or dangerous tasks.
Make Inventory Quicker and Easier with Counting Scales
With the end of the year quickly approaching, it’s time to start planning for your annual inventory. During this busy time, a state of the art counting scale can help speed up the count while ensuring accuracy. Counting scales are easy to use and feature a variety of data storage, reporting and printing capabilities to suit your particular operation.
Cross Precision Measurement has decades of experience working with counting scales. Read our article Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Counting Scale to ensure your inventory is as smooth and accurate as possible.
If you only use counting scales once or twice a year, consider renting the scales from Cross Precision Measurement. Our technicians bring the scales to you, set them up, calibrate them and train your team how to use, if necessary. Once you’re finished, we pick them up, eliminating the expense and the storage of owning your own scales.
What's New at Cross
Cross is now Certified for ISO 10360 Portable CMM Arm Verification
ISO 10360-12 is a standard to verify the accuracy of articulated arm CMMs. Unlike previous standards, this standard doesn’t just verify up to the joint. It ensures a thorough verification across the full range of the arm when it is extended. This sets ISO 10360-12 apart from other standards such as B89.4.22, providing greater accuracy, reliability, and precision.
Did you know?
Custom fixtures improve efficiency and maintain repeatability when inspecting a high volume of parts
If you are inspecting a high number of parts, whether with a vision machine, a CMM or a force testing stand, a custom fixture could help you improve your efficiency while still maintaining the highest standards of repeatability.
Cross Company has significant experience in working with customers to understand what measurements they need and what the unique challenges are of the part they are trying to measure.
Our engineering team then develops creative yet simple fixture solutions which are easy to load and hold the part for measurement. We’ve used vacuums, clips, magnets and more to secure the parts. Read about four particularly complex features we designed in this case study featuring Technimark, an injection molder working with the healthcare and consumer products companies.
Understanding Autofocus in Optical Measurement
Focus in optical metrology systems is critical as it is the image of the part, not the part itself, that is being measured. If you have poor focus, the system will misinterpret edges and provide incorrect dimensional values. For fixed focal length optical systems, focus plays an additional role – the ability to optically measure depths. This is done accurately and repeatable through the utilization of autofocus. While the autofocus function itself seems logical, it can be quite technical. A correct understanding of the fundamentals of Autofocus for measurement will greatly improve utilization and reliability of the Autofocus function.
This is a comprehensive guide from Cross partner OGP to understanding focus in optical measurement, as well as how autofocus features work and how accurate they are
Cross Provides Tangible Value for You
Improve Efficiency
Need precision measurement on your production floor? Consider the FREEDOM arm from Cross partner LK Metrology. Choose from three models and levels of accuracy which best suits your application.
All models are completely portable with wireless connectivity and battery power. They’re lightweight, with the largest model weighing less than 25 pounds, with infinite rotation and zero-G counterbalance to reduce user fatigue while maintaining accuracy.
Improve Efficiency
With increasing levels of automation on the plant floor, gripping components must be both flexible and easily networked. The new EGU universal gripper from Cross partner Schunk has a long stroke and integrated gripping force maintenance, to reliably load or unload rough or finished parts of different sizes. It has a sealed design which can stand up to harsh temperatures or contaminants in the environment.
Raise Quality
As calibration providers, we know how critical record keeping is for both quality and compliance. Cross’s award-winning, cloud-based calibration software GageSuite® is user friendly and available anywhere.
It’s also ideal for visibility of multiple production locations. Whether those are across the street or across the country, GageSuite® allows you to track every gage and ensure that all of them are within calibration, with one single log-in.
