Manufacturers in search of the most effective, fast and green way to keep coordinate-measuring machine (CMM) probes dirt-free and error-free should use a dry ice technique, known as carbon dioxide ‘snow’ cleaning.
This advice comes from the Manufacturing Metrology Team at The University of Nottingham which has designed and developed an in-situ snow cleaning method specifically for CMM styli after finding general cleaning solutions available on the market today were not fit for purpose.
A CMM is a mechanical system that measures the dimensions of a manufactured object, using a stylus that makes contact with its surface at various intervals to plot and record coordinates.
CMMs are increasingly used to verify the complex geometry of micro-scale components in the automotive, medical and telecommunications industries.
Measurement error can occur if the highly-sensitive stylus tip, contaminated with tiny debris particles, touches a surface. This can lead to errors that are 10 times greater than the standard error margin expected of the instrument.
In the face of a lack of industry-wide solution, Dr Xiaobing Feng, Dr Simon Lawes and Dr Peter Kinnell (now at Loughborough University) from the Manufacturing Metrology Team in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at The University of Nottingham began investigating the problem in 2014.
After testing various cleaning systems, they determined that using a high velocity stream of CO2 gas and small dry ice particles, a technique known as snow cleaning, is the best method.
The dry ice strikes and cleans the surface, clearing particles and thin layers of organic residue as effectively as solvents, but with the advantage of no chemical reactions or abrasive processes.
Dr Xiaobing Feng explains: "Solid dry ice particles possess greater momentum than air to dislodge and remove any size particles of debris from micro components in precision measuring equipment.
“Snow cleaning is effective and gentle so it doesn’t damage the very fragile stylus – which may cost up to around £800 each - and are easily broken. It is also an eco-neutral technique as the CO2 is extracted from air.”
The researchers developed the novel technique specifically for on-machine cleaning. As the stylus does not rotate, they used three nozzles, with identical geometry, symmetrically positioned, to clean the entire stylus tip and balance the impact force.
The technique also uses short pulses of stream to alleviate a ‘snow’ build-up on the tip surface, which can obstruct further cleaning.
“A particle just a few micrometres in size can cause significant dimensional measurement errors. Therefore, regular cleaning of the stylus tip is critical in maintaining accuracy and extending life expectancy. As any sacrifice on speed is worth taking as measurements are redundant if inaccurate,” adds Dr Feng.
To complement the snow cleaning prototype, the researchers are now working on developing a stylus contamination inspection system for in-line quality control of µCMM measurements.
Their next steps are to investigate and monitor how quickly probes get dirty and how often they need cleaning in different environments.
The project, entitled Multi-sensor metrology for micro-parts in innovative industrial products, is funded by the European Metrology Research Programme (EMRP).
Study opportunity
Nottingham’s MSc Manufacturing Engineering and Management course provides graduates with a broad knowledge and understanding of advanced manufacturing technology, manufacturing management and human factors relevant to industry.
For more information please contact Mr Richard Cobb on 0115 951 4014 or richard.cobb@nottingham.ac.uk
— Ends —
Our academics can now be interviewed for broadcast via our Media Hub, which offers a Globelynx fixed camera and ISDN line facilities at University Park campus. For further information please contact a member of the Communications team on +44 (0)115 951 5798, email mediahub@nottingham.ac.uk or see the Globelynx website for how to register for this service.
For up to the minute media alerts, follow us on Twitter
Notes to editors: The University of Nottingham has 43,000 students and is ‘the nearest Britain has to a truly global university, with a “distinct” approach to internationalisation, which rests on those full-scale campuses in China and Malaysia, as well as a large presence in its home city.’ (Times Good University Guide 2016). It is also one of the most popular universities in the UK among graduate employers and the winner of ‘Outstanding Support for Early Career Researchers’ at the Times Higher Education Awards 2015. It is ranked in the world’s top 75 by the QS World University Rankings 2015/16, and 8th in the UK by research power according to the Research Excellence Framework 2014. It has been voted the world’s greenest campus for three years running, according to Greenmetrics Ranking of World Universities.
Impact: The Nottingham Campaign, its biggest-ever fundraising campaign, is delivering the University’s vision to change lives, tackle global issues and shape the future. More news…