Port Machinery and Precision Measurement
Port machinery, encompassing a range of equipment like quay cranes and loaders, requires high-precision manufacturing for optimal efficiency and safety. The complexity and size of these machines necessitate precise laser tracker measurements, which are vital for their large-scale operations.
Enhancing Port Machinery with Laser Tracker Technology
API’s Radian Laser Tracker series, known for its precision, plays a crucial role in the design and manufacturing of large-scale port machinery. This portable, wireless metrology equipment ensures that all components meet strict quality and performance standards.
Case Study: Wheeled Cranes Precision Alignment
Wheeled cranes exemplify the need for meticulous alignment of structural parts, with key components demanding errors less than 0.2mm. The Radian Laser Tracker ensures these parts comply with design specifications, enhancing performance and safety.
The measurement and testing requirements for the connecting structural parts of the wheeled crane mainly include the following points:
1. Verification of size and shape, digital-to-analog comparison of key parts, the error is required to be less than 0.2mm;
2. The detection of the coaxiality of the hinge point holes of the structural parts requires an error of less than 0.1mm;
3. The flatness detection of the support position of the structural parts requires the error to be less than 0.1mm.
API Metrology’s Solution for Precision Measurement
1. Structural Part Verification with Radian Laser Tracker
Using the Radian Laser Tracker, operators can efficiently verify the size and shape of structural parts within 80m, leveraging the SMR for line-of-sight measurements. This process facilitates precise digital-analog comparison against CAD models to ensure parts meet tolerance requirements.
2. Hinge Point Coaxiality Assessment
The Radian Laser Tracker captures the coaxiality of hinge points by constructing spatial relationships in the software, providing clear data visualization. For challenging-to-reach points, the vProbe tactile sensor steps in, enabling comprehensive measurement without the need for repositioning the tracker.
3. Support Position Flatness Analysis
Combining Radian with vProbe or SMR, API’s solution measures and records the flatness of structural support positions, comparing point data against theoretical planes to assess deviations and ensure the accuracy of the assembly.
Conclusion
In the field of port machinery manufacturing, the use of API Radian Laser Trackers and their various accessories can accurately and efficiently ensure the smooth implementation of measurement operations in each machine. These fast and accurate measurements can be taken wirelessly both on the shop floor and at the installation site to ensure accuracy while saving cost, time, and effort. To learn more about Radian Laser Trackers or request a quote, fill out the form below to contact us and speak to a Real Metrologist today.
