February 10, 2016

HEIDENHAIN’s new VS 101 camera system for automatic machine setup monitoring

CONTACT:

Julian Renz, Product Specialist, Machine Tool, 847-884-4761
Kathleen Stoneski, PR Manager, North America, 847-519-4702

SCHAUMBURG, IL (February 2016) – In order to automatically monitor the setup situation and machining result with HEIDENHAIN’s flagship TNC 640 mill-turn control, the innovative accompanying VS 101 camera system is now introduced.

The TNC 640 is HEIDENHAIN’s versatile contouring control, especially well-suited for HSC and 5-axis machining on machines up to 18 axes.  The new VS 101 camera system now enables the TNC operator to not only monitor setup and machining result, but also view faulty situations that are displayed on the control.  Visual Setup Control (VSC) is an effective means of preventing faulty parts because it is setup to identify incorrectly positioned workpieces and incorrectly mounted or missing fixtures.

To detect faults, the operator can use the camera system to run nominal-to-actual value comparisons. After starting the VSC function, the cover of the camera is opened and the camera starts recording images. The data is transmitted to the control that compares the images to a reference image. If a wrong setup is detected, the process is stopped and the faults are displayed. If everything is alright, the camera lens is closed and machining is continued.

VS 101 hardware components included are:

  • Industrial camera (1.31 MP) with Gigabit Ethernet and either 6 mm or 4.5 mm prime lens
  • Protective housing with proximity sensors, affixed to spindle housing
  • Integrated cylinder with valve that opens/closes the cover
  • DA 400 compressed-air unit for sealing air and air curtain

The camera has a 12V to 24 V voltage supply and a LAN connection for image data transmission to the control. The camera’s hardware components were specifically designed for HEIDENHAIN controls and rough ambient conditions in the machine’s working space.

For more information, contact HEIDENHAIN’s Product Specialist for Machine Tools, Julian Renz at (847) 884-4761 or write to us at HEIDENHAIN CORPORATION, 333 E. State Parkway, Schaumburg, IL 60173. HEIDENHAIN can also be accessed directly via our web site at www.heidenhain.us.

HEIDENHAIN CORPORATION is the North American subsidiary of DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GmbH, a leading international manufacturer of precision measurement and control equipment. Our product line includes linear scales, rotary and angular encoders, digital readouts, digital length gages, CNC controls, and machine inspection equipment.