Aircraft Wing Milling Tool Verification
Challenge:
Large scale aircraft plant milling systems utilize specialized cutting heads that machine operators have difficulty in identifying. The installation of a similar-looking, but incorrect, cutting heads produce erroneous parts that initially have the appearance of valid results. These errors can only be detected at a later date, just before assembly, leading to lengthy delays and expensive scrap.
Solution:
Newton developed a rugged, heavy-industrial machine vision system that was permanently mounted to the milling machines. When a new cutter was inserted, the vision system measured the tool and checked it against the machining program. The milling machine was only able to run if the correct tool was verified.