Orthopedic
implant devices are some of the most challenging parts to inspect using
traditional methods; until now. Level 3 Inspection can use White Light Scanning
(WLS) with computer-aided-inspection (CAI) to compare the orthopedic components
to the CAD model, other components and/or the product die. This technology
gives our customers a new and profound insight into the size shape and
geometric conformance of their products that they have never had before. By
inspecting the entire surface of these components Level 3 can help their
customers significantly reduce errors, control quality and dimensional
consistency.
Level
3 Inspection’s SmartCompare and SmartFAI process gives their customers the
ability to identify problems with a particular area of the part and focus
efforts to improve problem areas without spending time and resources on areas
that are known to be conforming. This is especially helpful when dealing with
critical medical components, such as implants and broaches or rasps. The
ability to quickly compare the product to the nominal CAD model as well as the
ability to compare the products from multiple lots gives Level 3 Inspection’s
customers an advantage in regard to quality control and time to market.
The
Level 3 approach replaces traditional plate inspection or a CMM system with
WLS, which can capture and calculate precise 3D, coordinates for millions of
points in minutes.
CMM
captures only a few points in the time that WLS can capture hundreds of
thousands, so Level 3 is able to do a more thorough inspection. The results are
much more visual and therefore much more easily understood and interpreted.
Inspecting
medical implant devices with complex free form geometry poses some unique
challenges, such as analyzing the complex surface areas of a newly manufactured
part compared to the CAD model. This is difficult using a CMM system, which
depends on the operator to accurately capture the points that will show whether
or not the part is conforming within the allowable tolerance. Often, there is
not enough point data to make an accurate comparison.
The
new capabilities provided by computer-aided inspection have not come a moment
too soon for the competitive biomedical implant device market. Increasingly,
companies are facing the demand for more quality inspection results in less
time, with the ability to visualize the results.
Level
3 Inspection’s customers are moving quickly to statistically based inspections
in which the qualification is based not on a single piece, but on a sampling of
parts, new part inspection would take much longer to complete without the
ability to automate portions of the process.
Traditionally,
studies based on a sampling of parts are done using CMM to generate metrics on
dimensions for each part. This is a time-consuming process, since each part
must be measured individually. Data is then typically transferred to an
analytic program, evaluated, then published.
Level
3 is replacing the CMM-based process with automated trend analysis. Once a part
is scanned and a report is saved, Level 3 can automatically generate portions
of the capability studies defined by their customer or OEM specifications.
Batch processing enables Level 3 to collect data and generate reports on a
large number of parts. Statistical analysis tools allow Level 3 to compare
parts for pre-defined factors such as repeatability, changes over time, and
variations from part to part.
Speed
is the key. Speed of inspection is always Level 3 Inspection’s main challenge.
Everyone wants the results yesterday and our process is helping us deliver more
complete results much quicker.
Contact us today to start getting superior inspection results in shorter time with
easier understanding leading to higher confidence
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