Early inspection prevents costly 3D printing equipment manufacturing errors

The leading additive manufacturing company 3D SYSTEMS uses professional metrology software to check supplier parts before assembly to avoid costly errors or delays
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As the founder of 3D printing and the developer of future 3D solutions, 3D Systems has spent more than 30 years helping professionals and companies optimize their designs, transform their work processes, bring innovative products to the market, and drive new business models.

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The company's business also benefits from 3D technology solutions

Bryan Rough, project manager of 3D Systems, used Hexagon AICON MoveInspect XR8 optical coordinate measuring machine and Geomagic®Control X™ 3D inspection software to inspect the ProX®SLS 6100 3D printer frame
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High-quality components make high-quality products

ProX SLS 6100 is a precision industrial 3D printer.
In order to ensure that it provides accurate and reliable high-quality products 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the printer must meet strict specifications
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In order to achieve this quality requirement, the control of dimensional tolerances is extremely strict.

In order to ensure that all products are developed, delivered and continuously improved to the highest standards, the entire team is committed to quality control
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Bryan Rough, 3D Systems Manufacturing Project Manager, provides support for the ProX SLS 6100 manufacturing process, including component inspections, such as printer frames

3D inspection saves time and cost

According to Rough, if a frame is out of tolerance and no problems are found before assembly, it may lead to manufacturing errors that can cost tens of thousands of dollars to correct—not to mention that the customer’s printer delivery time has been delayed

The combination of Geomagic Control X and AICON MoveInspect XR8 portable optical CMM from Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence Group allows Rough and his team to measure the flatness, parallelism, perpendicularity and other geometric dimensions and tolerances (GD&T) of products on the factory floor.

The new workshop site AICON MoveInspect XR8 is designed for high-precision detection, tracking and positioning applications.
The new integrated camera coordinate tracking system can provide three-dimensional insight into almost all dimensional deformations
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AICON MoveInspect XR8 consists of two 8-megapixel high-resolution digital cameras

"MoveInspect XR8 is very suitable for measuring these large welded frames, because I can use wireless hard probes in large areas
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I don’t have to worry about line of sight, because the XR8's dynamic reference capability allows me to move the device anytime, anywhere without recalibration.

Use LiveInspect real-time inspection function for flexible and easy 3D measurement

Rough 3D CAD files using the framework to define the precise content of his to be measured in the Control X

"In terms of quality, we can now remain proactive rather than passive, because we can foresee problems before they happen," Rough said
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"The use of MoveInspect XR8 with Control X will enable us to always have the conditions to improve quality for 3D Systems customers, and it will be of great benefit to the launch of the new ProX SLS 6100 printer
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  3D Systems' use of Control X for the quality control of its self-produced products is another example, showing that simple and intuitive inspection software can help companies ensure quality in all aspects, so that more people can measure more products in more places
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  Introduction to 3D Inspection Software

  Geomagic Control X is a comprehensive inspection software platform that integrates a variety of industry's strongest tools and a simple and clear workflow
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Quality supervisors can use Geomagic Control X to realize revolutionary simple operation and intuitive all-round control, so that the quality inspection process has a traceable and repeatable workflow
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Its fast, accurate, and informative reports and analysis are applied in the manufacturing workflow, which can create extraordinary productivity and quality
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  Geomagic Control X can be accurate, fast, and digital inspection results driven quality management and measurement workflow
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This new intuitive software provides a comprehensive set of innovative tools to improve various manufacturing workflows
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Geomagic Control X also includes traceable, accurate custom reports and analysis tools to quickly confirm and document quality inspections
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  "Geomagic Control X has inherited the tradition of developing top-level inspection software for more than 20 years, and has become the most reliable and flexible inspection software in the world
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" said Scott Green, director of product management at 3D Systems in the United States, "Control X is a very simple operation and easy to learn.
The easy-to-use solution can meet the various measurement and analysis needs of global manufacturers
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  Subvert existing testing procedures

  Geomagic Control X adopts a brand-new user interface, provides creative measurement and inspection new tools, workflow-driven pre-planning process, and gradual advancement of inspection and other rich content, creating unparalleled all-round 3D inspection, easy to operate, and suitable for all manufacturing workflows
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Make precise measurement and rapid analysis of manufacturing parts and assemblies handy, and achieve the extraordinary quality of manufactured parts and assemblies
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  Quickly and easily obtain reliable results, freely choose the inspection order and method as you like.
At the same time, the powerful synchronous inspection system can capture the data hierarchy and automatic processing in the background for repeated editable processes
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Enjoy the powerful features of Geomagic Control X and spend more time focusing on the results obtained, without having to bother about how to use the software
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Use CAD-based measurement tools to quickly perform first-piece inspection, get information with your fingers, and directly engage in communication
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In addition, standard local CAD import tools are also provided, including import tools defined based on model GD&T (geometric dimensions and tolerances), without any additional costs, so you can start working right away
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  Ensure that every test result is clear at a glance

  Use multiple result systems and result navigation tools to improve your quality problem investigation ability and find component problems or potential later problems
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Through simultaneous use of multiple results in different alignment scenarios, the source of accumulated errors in welded parts or assemblies is identified, and useful actionable information can be extracted from the analysis
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Using portable measurement equipment, optical scanners, and computer tomography technology to collect a series of parts or assemblies in a single inspection item, you can make cross-part reference and understand potential problems related to the parts
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It is also possible to retain a single item containing a single component and its long-term accumulated measurement information, and use the chart to investigate the problems of different suppliers
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  Show accurate data to all relevant personnel to make communication more effective

  Geomagic Control X’s new powerful reporting function can generate clear, multi-chart reports
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The result-oriented workflow allows you to pay more attention to the project settings to meet the communication needs with relevant personnel without spending too much effort to improve the measurement process
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Utilize custom viewpoint control and view >
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