Decatur, Georgia – Newcomb Spring Corp. has implemented three-dimensional (3D) printing technology to assist in quality control measurement tests for its custom springs, stampings and wire forms. The new technology enables Newcomb Spring to quickly produce stands used in part dimensional checks and to understand the function and fit of parts.
3D printing reads CAD specifications and uses a process called “additive manufacturing” to convert them into solid, physical objects. The printing process adds material layer by layer to form a 3D shape. The printed material is usually made of nylon or plastic, which can be clear or opaque.
In one of its 3D printer applications, Newcomb Spring combines 3D technology with the Keyence Instant Measurement (IM) image dimension measuring system to check part dimensions. The Keyence IM system uses optical technologies to capture hundreds of part dimensions and accurately measure them in seconds.
Many parts are nonlinear or oddly shaped and are not level when placed on a flat surface. With 3D printing, Newcomb Spring can quickly produce a stand that holds a part at a certain position. The stands allow for precise digital image measurements and the comparison of specific part dimensions to customer print requirements. Stands can even be printed with clear material, which enables the Keyence IM system to measure “through” the stand.
Previously, the stands were hand-tooled, which was a more time-consuming process. With the 3D printed stands, adjustments can be made quickly to check part dimensions and prototype changes.
“We can use exact measurements from the customer’s CAD drawings to rapidly print stands,” explained Don Jacobson, III, Technical Salesperson at the Newcomb of Tennessee division. “This means parts can be accurately checked in less time.”
The company also uses 3D printing to test part fit and review spatial concerns. For example, Newcomb Spring recently used the 3D printing technology to test the locking mechanism in a customer’s industrial door. Instead of shipping the bulky, heavy door, Newcomb Spring asked the customer’s engineering team to send the door’s CAD specifications. From there, Newcomb Spring printed a 3D model of the door mechanism and then performed initial size and fit testing. This streamlined the prototyping process, enabling Newcomb Spring to make adjustments in house before sending the part to the customer.
"Newcomb Spring has been at the forefront of technology for more than a century. Incorporating 3D technology into our manufacturing process reinforces our commitment to continually and efficiently deliver high-quality, precision parts,” continued Don Jacobson, III. “Our team is pleased to be using a unique, advanced system that produces fast, accurate results.”
Source: Newcomb Spring