Magnet thickness with opposed 3D profiles
Magnet thickness measurement with opposed profiles should measure the separation of the two material surfaces. Confirm thickness stability despite changing absolute height.
// Short answer
Machine vision can measure visible outlines, hole spacing and slot widths on a located machined part, then compare the results with its drawing limits. The station needs a stable datum, suitable optics and a validated measurement method. It is suited to repeated checks on accessible features. Hidden bores, full three-dimensional tolerances and material properties may need other instruments. A sample study establishes the achievable measurement uncertainty before the station is specified.
// At a glance
The station in three lines
- Inspection point
- After the operation that creates the visible feature; before it is hidden.
- Release
- PLC quality hold or confirmed rejection, defined for this line.
- Validation
- Your good, faulty and borderline production samples.
// Fit & limits
What this station will not do, and what it needs
What it will not do
- Full GD&T A planar image does not establish every geometric tolerance or full three-dimensional form.
- Hidden features Deep bores and internal steps require accessible views or other metrology.
- Fixed accuracy claims Resolution alone is not accuracy; uncertainty must be demonstrated on the actual setup.
What makes it work
- Drawing Provide the revision, datums, critical dimensions and tolerances.
- Reference parts Provide good, marginal and failing parts with independently measured values.
- Loading Define fixture contacts, temperature range and contamination condition.
// On South African lines
Dimensional inspection for machined housings, flanges and brackets: where the check belongs
A housing or flange can have the right external outline and still have the wrong hole pattern. Start with a characteristic list from the drawing: feature, datum, tolerance, accessible face and reference measurement. A fixture presents the same face to the camera and locates the part without distorting it. A camera result only becomes a dimensional decision when scale calibration, distortion and positioning errors have been assessed. This is a fixtured multi-feature inspection task; single-file bolts and pins belong on the fastener inspection page.
This is an engineering scope for sample assessment, not a report of a completed customer installation. The sources below support measurement, imaging or test-method principles; station performance must be established on your products.
What the line reports, and what the station checks
| What the line reports | What a station checks | Where it stops |
|---|---|---|
| The bolt holes do not line up at assembly | Measure visible centres and spacing relative to agreed datums | A top view cannot establish the complete axis of a deep bore. |
| Slot width varies between batches | Measure edges under a defined lighting and focus condition | Surface burrs and rounded edges can move the apparent boundary. |
| Parts pass on one shift but fail on another | Check reloading, fixture seating, reference part and temperature effects | Repeating the same image is not a reproducibility study. |
| The supplier wants every critical feature checked | Map each characteristic to its view and reference method | Unseen features stay on a separate inspection operation. |
// The complete solution
Hardware, software and installation
[Schematic]Plan view, not to scale
Swipe sideways to see the whole drawing →
[1]: Trigger
[2]: Lighting
[3]: Image
[4]: Hold / reject
[5]: Confirm
Hardware
| Component | HIKROBOT example | Role in this station |
|---|---|---|
| Imaging | HIKROBOT area-scan cameras | Capture each accessible measuring face; additional views are separate calibrated measurements. |
| Optics | Telecentric lens where the geometry requires it | Control perspective sensitivity within the specified working range; select from field of view and feature size. |
| Illumination | Backlight or controlled front light | Create a repeatable edge instead of measuring a moving reflection. |
| Presentation | Datum fixture and part-present sensing | Seat the component consistently and prevent measuring an empty or incorrectly loaded nest. |
Software and vision tools
| Tool or software | What it does here |
|---|---|
| Locate | Find the agreed datum and confirm the part is seated. |
| Measure | Apply calibrated edge/centre measurements to the characteristic list. |
| Decide | Compare each characteristic against its approved drawing revision. |
| Record | Retain part/recipe reference, result, measurement and exception image under an agreed retention policy. |
Installation and integration
01
Define the inspection contract
Agree the defect/feature list, acceptable variants, reference samples, failure response and excluded checks.
02
Establish optical access
Provide the revision, datums, critical dimensions and tolerances. Provide good, marginal and failing parts with independently measured values.
03
Connect the quality decision
Define fixture contacts, temperature range and contamination condition. A result is valid only for its own part or pack cycle.
04
Control changes
Bind the program and inspection limits to the authorised product revision; record who changes them.
05
Commission on the real line
Repeat the challenge set under the agreed production conditions, then check cleaning, restart, bypass and rework handling.
// Budget and scope
What determines the station quotation
The optical test and integration survey define the scope before a rand budget is issued.
No numerical budget is assigned to this scope before optical feasibility and the handling/PLC requirements are defined. A shared camera model or similar product does not establish the cost of this complete station.
| Cost driver | What changes the scope | Information needed |
|---|---|---|
| Optics and views | Field of view, feature size, depth variation and accessible faces | Drawing and representative parts |
| Fixture and handling | Location, part loading and separation from coolant/chips | Cell layout and loading sequence |
| Calibration and validation | Reference artefacts, measurement study and recipe coverage | Tolerance list and acceptance plan |
Compare the scope with the cost guide. The quotation states its price date, VAT treatment, installation, commissioning and exclusions.
// Related technology
Which technologies this scenario uses, and why
The technologies behind this station, how much each matters here, and where each is explained in depth.
| Technology | Role | Why it matters in this scenario | Read more |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2D measurement (backlight, telecentric optics) | Core | Supports the machined part dimensional inspection task within the stated viewing and acceptance limits. | Dimensional inspection |
| Area scan cameras with a vision controller | Core | Supports the machined part dimensional inspection task within the stated viewing and acceptance limits. | Camera and lens selection |
| Lighting technique | Supporting | Supports the machined part dimensional inspection task within the stated viewing and acceptance limits. | Machine vision lighting |
| PLC link and reject with confirmation | Supporting | Supports the machined part dimensional inspection task within the stated viewing and acceptance limits. | PLC and reject integration |
// Acceptance
How the station is proven before handover
Every station is accepted on your products, against numbers agreed in writing before the build. How we deliver →
01
Reference agreement
Compare vision results with traceable reference measurements across the working range; assess bias as well as spread.
02
Reloading study
Include different loadings, fixtures or operators as applicable, and check repeatability, reproducibility and stability.
03
Borderline decisions
Define a decision rule for readings near tolerance boundaries and a controlled remeasurement path.
04
Evidence and handover
Record the challenge set, outcomes, recipe revision, inspection conditions and unresolved limits. Agree false-reject and missed-defect targets before building; no universal performance figure is assumed.
// FAQ
Questions about this station
What samples are needed for this inspection?
Provide the revision, datums, critical dimensions and tolerances. Provide good, marginal and failing parts with independently measured values. Include acceptable production variation and borderline failures, not only ideal parts.
Can the camera cover every defect?
A planar image does not establish every geometric tolerance or full three-dimensional form. Deep bores and internal steps require accessible views or other metrology. The agreed scope lists what is visible and what needs another method.
Can this be integrated into an existing line?
Assess optical access, available space, triggers, PLC signals and a safe physical hold or reject route first. The scope covers a new inspection station; it does not assume repair or takeover of an existing third-party vision system.
How is the station price established?
The sample study defines views and optics; the site survey defines handling, enclosure, PLC integration and validation. The quotation states the rand amount, price date, VAT treatment and exclusions. No transferable fixed price is implied.
Sources
- NIST/SEMATECH: Gauge R&R studies (Production measurement: repeatability, reproducibility, stability and bias; read 26 October 2026.)
- NIST/SEMATECH: Analysis of bias (Agreement with reference values is separate from repeated readings; read 26 October 2026.)
- HIKROBOT VisionMaster (Vendor tool scope, verified 25 September 2026 in the source ledger. Tool availability is not proof of performance on your products.)
Related:
More line solutions in automotive and engineering:
// Next step
Send us your products and the fault you want caught
Describe the line, the products and the fault. We test on your good and faulty samples and reply with a feasibility note and a budget.