Setting up an aerospace tool properly is crucial to the accuracy of the final product. 3D measurement tools such as a laser tracker assist in this very important task.
Changing ambient temperature is a situation in which a laser tracker simplifies tool setup. Every 5 seconds, the instrument samples the ambient temperature, pressure, and humidity, automatically compensating for any environmental changes to ensure accurate results from the laser tracker. As the environment changes, the tool will expand or contract. Software allows the user to compensate for tool expansion/contraction based on the alloy or previously measured reference points that were obtained during the certification/qualification process. The job can then be scaled based on this data.
Fixtures for riveted parts are set up similarly. Most begin as a flat plate onto which holding brackets are arranged to fix the loose parts. When “best fit” positions are determined on a model reference tool, the laser tracker becomes the tie between the reference and the working tool. With the laser tracker, engineers make sure that brackets on the tool mimic those on the reference. Once setscrews on the brackets are locked, the tool is ready to produce a first-article part.
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