Spokes are one of the most critical components of a vehicle, playing a vital role in both the safety and visual appeal of the car. As the automotive industry continues to evolve, the demand for higher-quality and more reliable spokes has increased significantly. The challenge lies in enhancing the strength and durability of these parts through advanced technologies and manufacturing processes. This has become a central topic in the industry. This article explores how a section arm scanner can be used to measure the thickness of wheel spokes effectively. By employing this method, detection efficiency and reliability are greatly improved, offering valuable guidance for similar part processing.
Spokes are the structural elements that connect the rim to the hub, serving as a key support system for the wheel. To reduce weight while maintaining strength, they are often designed with varying thicknesses and strengths. These parts are typically manufactured from steel plates, which are first shaped using a spinning process, followed by punching and shaping. Ensuring accurate spoke thickness is crucial, as it directly impacts the strength and lifespan of the wheel. High-quality spokes not only ensure driving stability and safety but also help prevent issues caused by tire wear and tear.
In traditional auto part inspections, tools like dial gauges or calipers are commonly used. While these can measure flat surfaces effectively, they struggle with complex shapes, especially those involving curved sections. Additionally, these methods only provide point measurements, making it difficult to fully assess the overall condition of the part. As modern manufacturing demands higher precision, these traditional techniques fall short. The introduction of articulated arm scanners has provided an efficient solution to this problem.
An articulated arm measuring machine is a compact, high-precision coordinate measuring device that is easy to carry and operate. It works well in a wide range of environments, from laboratories to workshops, and offers all the functionalities of traditional fixed-coordinate systems. It can be equipped with either a hard probe or a laser scanning probe depending on the measurement needs. For measuring spoke thickness, where comprehensive data is essential, the laser scanning probe is the preferred choice.
To accurately evaluate the thickness of spoke parts, we must first obtain complete point cloud data. Using a ROMER RA7525SI series measuring machine, we can scan the entire structure efficiently. If a suitable fixture is available, the part can be mounted on both sides of the spokes for a single scan. If not, three steel balls can be fixed using hot-melt silicone on the surface of the spoke. These balls are positioned so that they can be scanned during both sides of the process, allowing for two scans that together capture full data.
Once the point cloud data is collected, it needs to be aligned and spliced. In Geomagic Qualify software, the steel balls on each set of data are defined as spheres. One dataset is set as the reference, while the other is considered test data. Using feature-based alignment, the two datasets are matched and combined into a single, cohesive dataset. Any unnecessary data, such as the steel ball areas, is then removed.
After splicing, the point cloud data must be converted into a face format for thickness analysis. This involves cleaning the data, retaining edge features, and sampling the data before converting it into a triangular mesh using the encapsulation command. The final data is saved in STL format for further processing.
Next, a planar feature is created on the bottom surface, and a circular feature is made for the center hole. A point feature is selected on the bottom plane, and the center and point are used to create line features. A coordinate system is then established, with the plane as the XY plane, the line as the positive X direction, and the center of the circle as the origin.
This detailed process ensures accurate and reliable thickness measurements, supporting the production of high-quality automotive components.
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