Data Collection software

[beege]

I'm looking for ideas. Currently, we're measuring at the machine, but not recording each measurement taken. Than, at the end of the job, a final inspection is done, repeating the measurements taken at the machine. I'd like to automate what happens at the machine so's I can reduce the verification time at the end (should never have to "catch" bad parts after the job is done). What software is available, hardware solutions? What do you use?

[t2436jf]

i would recomend QC-Calc by Prolink

[Hack]

We use to have everything go through our QC department whether it was a purchased item, machining, weldment, assy, everything. We have now moved 95% of that inspection to the shop floor.

We have made up a "process control sheet" for all personnel depending on department, and they measure and record whatever is required (the "whatever" is dictated to them). We usually test to AQL 2.5. Once the records have been filled out at the machine, we scan them to the server to have them on record. Basic exceptions to this are:

Set up personnel still get a first pc.
QC personnel are involved on any "first article" products.
Any vendor with a questionable history still goes through qc
Any new vendor / purchased item goes through QC until a determination can be made about thier quality history.

By doing this, we have cut down drastically the que time to get parts through QC.

By the way, if you are inspecting parts at the end of the run, that may be to late. By then the damage is already done. Inspect early and often.

Don't know if this helps, but if you need any clarification on anything, just ask.

[ace of spades]

Hi Beege

I use Wedgelink from Microridge, multiplexers and Mitutoyo instruments. Measurements are taken at the machine and wedged into a spreadsheet. Data is reworked to be usefull for the operator or setter and then the spreadsheet is synchronised with our checking computer. When the job goes to our QC, the spreadsheets gets controlled and a few systematic samples taken. Will post photos of the whole operation. We are constantly improving the system and currently I am looking to implement a thermometer reading of the ambient temperature automatically into the spreadsheet. At the moment it is done via keyboard by the operator. Any help on this will be appreciated. We machine polymers (Vesconite, Vesconite Hilube, Hitemp 150, etc.) thusd for accurate partstemperature is a major factor.

Set up personnel still get a first pc.
QC personnel are involved on any "first article" products.
Any vendor with a questionable history still goes through qc
Any new vendor / purchased item goes through QC until a determination can be made about thier quality history.

By doing this, we have cut down drastically the que time to get parts through QC.

By the way, if you are inspecting parts at the end of the run, that may be to late. By then the damage is already done. Inspect early and often.

Don't know if this helps, but if you need any clarification on anything, just ask.

we have 18 cnc machines in our shop and each machine has its own Aspire One on which we do our production QC as well as bacups of CNC progs.

By checking at the machines, you cut down on entire batches of parts being scrapped. Our sequence of checking is the setup part/s, the first five production parts and then every tenth part during production. Exceptions to this is when a part is found out of spec, the previous ten parts will be checked, after insert changes or if offset changes have been made.