Article by: FARO & MEGA Tech Magazine
When talking about Contact & Non-Contact Portable Measurement technology, factors that need be considered include the accuracy, precision and speed for quality inspection, especially in the automotive industry. The FARO® QuantumS ScanArm offers a comprehensive solution that can significantly speed up and simplify the quality inspection process. Let’s have a look at ITO Racing Service Company Limited’s experience with using the QuantumS ScanArm.
Headquartered in Okazaki, Aichi Prefecture, ITO Racing Service Company Limited is a manufacturing company that produces prototypes of automotive metal parts and made-to-order research items, as well as the parts for motor sports for all automobile manufacturers in Japan.
ITO Racing Service chose FARO’s 3D measurement devices to mitigate the challenges of the quality inspection process. Having used FARO products previously, the Company ordered the FARO QuantumS ScanArm in 2017 to further improve the efficiency of their production process.
FARO QuantumS ScanArm’s advantage is its ease-of-use, and this was a key factor that prompted ITO Racing Service to choose this model. Mr. Kouichirou Tanahashi, Managing Director of ITO Racing Service, commented that, “The convenience of the QuantumS ScanArm enabled fast results and an increase in operation speed. It also offered an incredible boost in accuracy when compared with the FaroArm Platinum, which we had been using previously.”
ITO Racing Service currently deploys the QuantumS ScanArm in work inspection rooms, where it is utilized for contact applications such as the measurements of jigs, products before assembly, products supplied by customers, and its own finished products. Apart from contact applications, the QuantumS ScanArm can also be used for quick non-contact measurements of press panels and automobile body.
Comparing the scan data with CAD at the job site
Generating useful information for later use
Mr. Tanahashi added, “The QuantumS ScanArm helps us to conveniently collect measurement data for further analysis. We are also equipped to record measurements that were previously impossible, such as comparing the numeric values of carved metal mold against the supplied data and the pressed product. This improves our control on product quality, aids us in identifying and correcting any defects and enables us to offer effective advice to our customers.”
Measuring precisely with a tolerance of 50 microns
Group Chief, Mr. Yuji Yamamoto, an expert in onsite inspection, remarked, “Offering more than double the accuracy of previous devices, the ScanArm easily obtains the geometric tolerance that was previously a challenge. It has also reduced measurement time by 50%, and our team can now complete the task of measuring parts for five automobiles within a mere 30 minutes. This has made the QuantumS ScanArm an indispensable instrument in our endeavor to provide prompt and flexible service to our customers.”
Formerly, measurements had to be done separately using the FARO Gage-PLUS and FaroArm Platinum, depending on the nature of work. The QuantumS ScanArm can reduce the measurement time by half because it is designed to combine the advantages of both tools into one.
ITO Racing Service is looking into new projects for products that tackles environmental problems. It is expected that 3D measurement devices will play an important role in manufacturing various products in many industries, including carbonization furnaces, incinerators, the ‘WCCS’ Water Mixture Combustion System, the ‘Cut-ene’ fuel-efficient house humidifiers, and the ‘Bladeless Rotary Blades’ for mowing machines. Though the type of product handled may change, ITO Racing Service remains determined to provide fast and flexible service, aiming to increase efficiency and rapidly advance businesses with FARO QuantumS ScanArm.