Custom solutions

Services

Novacam develops custom interferometric solutions to address particular inspection and imaging needs of specialized applications and OEM markets. Our modular interferometer components offer a superior and cost-effective platform for developing high-performance systems and assemblies. We will collaborate with your application experts to devise the optimal combination of inteferometric (OCT) hardware, non-contact fiber-based sensor probes, and system software.

As needed, Novacam engineers:

  • develop customized optical probes and inspection stations
  • develop inline probe fixtures for production environments
  • adapt Novacam standard interferometer component modules to suit your application
  • help integrate Novacam systems or components with third-party tools
  • write customized software

Examples of solutions and benefits

Novacam has a long history of success in developing custom solutions. Here are some examples:

1) Intra-ocular lens inspection

Intra-ocular lens on mold - 2D cross-section

Intra-ocular lens on mold - 2D cross-section

Novacam solution:

  • Customized application software determines lens curvature, thickness and smoothness
  • Flexible user interface permits operator control of data gathering at preset co-ordinates

Features and benefits:

  • Fully automated lens characterization
  • Sub-micron precision measurements at operator-set points
  • Lens inspection process sped up more than 10 x
  • Defect detection rate increased to 100%
  • Cost savings by early detection of defects
  • Simplified job training

2) Inner diameter inspection of cylinders (applicable to tubes, bores)

Inspection of valve interior walls with fiber-based optical probe mounted on a custom-built inspection station

Inspection of valve interior walls with fiber-based optical probe mounted on a custom-built inspection station - click for closeup

Novacam solution:

  • A customized inspection station helps acquire the inner surface of a cylinder in one continuous motion
  • A single probe is rotated to acquire micron-precision dimensional information of cylinder interior
  • Simultaneous dimensional and surface roughness check

Features and benefits:

  • Inspection time cut in half: dimensional and surface measurements performed in one single step rather than traditionally with two different instruments
  • Small lightweight probes easy to integrate into production processes
  • Non-contact technology improves system reliability and availability

3) Blade airfoil 3D inspection

Four axis inspection station for 3D inspection of machined component

4-axis inspection station for 3D characterization of machined components

Novacam solution:

  • Customized 4-axis inspection station with rotating platform scans blade from all directions
  • Simultaneous acquisition of:
    1. blade dimensions
    2. surface roughness
    3. inside-diameters of miniature cooling air holes created by Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM)

Features and benefits:

  • User-friendly interface for controlling and automating movement sequences
  • Inspection and reporting fully automated
  • Measurement rate 100 x faster than modern CMM rates
  • MicroCam profilometer scans at its maximum speed without any loss of precision. In contrast, CMMs must decrease scan rates for the highest precision.
  • In-process integration possible with TCP/IP-based protocols