Surface quality control device for on-line applications

This paper details the development of a novel device for monitoring the quality of the metal surfaces sculptured by modern machine tools. The developed system, that can be proposed as a machine tool accessory, integrates the three functions of dimensional, roughness and waviness measurement. The measure is achieved, without contact, scanning the surface with an optical measuring probe handled like an ordinary tool, which is loaded from the tool magazine and then employed to perform the on-line measurement; a simple fibre connection to the control unit guarantees high immunity to disturbances. The experimental validation proved the capability of the developed solution to meet the severe requirements of the modern production systems showing the particular suitability of the inspection tool to the cases of Flexible Manufacturing Systems and Agile Production.