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Why is a Portable Measuring Arm Necessary for the Tire Industry?
In recent times, as tire performance requirements continue to rise in response to the automotive industry’s evolving demands, tread patterns have also become increasingly complex, which has driven the need for higher precision in tire mold manufacturing. However, traditional inspection tools such as calipers and micrometers are no longer adequate for ensuring accuracy, especially when measuring complex geometries and fine surface details. In this context, the accuracy of tire molds is not just a technical requirement but a key factor in a tire’s overall performance and market competitiveness.
What are the Advantages of a Portable Measuring Arm?
Portable measuring arm, also known as portable CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine), is a high-precision device that simulates the flexible movements of a human arm through multiple joints. As an advanced portable measurement solution, the PMT measuring arm offers significant technological advantages for tire mold inspection.
- High Precision
A portable measuring arm is equipped with high-precision encoders on each axis, ensuring micron-level accuracy, comparable to the thickness of a human hair. This advanced feature enables the portable CMM to sustain exceptional precision even for on-site measurement, thereby fully satisfying the high accuracy requirements for tire mold inspections.
- Great Adaptability
The ergonomics design of the PMT portable CMM makes it portable and easy-to-use, ensuring any complex structures and fine tread patterns in tire mold inspections can be covered.
- Quick On-site Inspection
The portability of the measuring arm removes the need for fixed measurement scenarios, allowing rapid setup and inspection directly at the shop floor, leading to a more than 40% increase in overall production efficiency.
- Rapid Data Analysis
By enabling a comparison between the collected measurement data and the CAD model, the PMT Arm can quickly output data automatically, help reduce human errors, refine manufacturing process, and significantly enhance quality control efficiency.
How to Measure Tire Mold with Portable Measuring Arm?
Steps for measurement of tire molds：
- Establish Coordinate System through 3D Measurement Software
During on-site measurements, workpieces are typically complex and vary in size. After connecting the portable arm to the computer, the following steps are usually carried out:
- Import the CAD Model. After importing the CAD model, the PMT engineer will remove unnecessary components (such as cylinders, connecting blocks, valve islands, brackets, screws, etc.) based on the measurement requirements, retaining only the modules that need to be inspected.
- Establish the Coordinate System. Make sure the measured data is aligned with the nominal data and construct positional relationship between PMT Arm and measured object. (usually using methods such as the surface point alignment, center point of the plane axis, iteration, etc.).
- Capture Data on Your Parts
- Data Collection. Take points from the measured object through probe of the Measuring
- Data Analysis. Based on the technical requirements, perform an analysis of the positions of holes and surfaces. Evaluate the shape deviations, positional accuracy and other parameters of the measured object. Additionally, highlight the critical dimensions within the 3D measurement software for clear identification.
- Data Comparison. A color map is assigned to the workpiece surface points based on tolerance requirements. By comparing the map’s colors with preset tolerance indicators, engineers can quickly identify dimensional deviations in the tire mold cavity and determine if they fall within specified limits, making adjustments as needed.?
- Mass-measure Tire Molds vs Manual Inspection
Since tire molds are often mass-produced, random sampling or batch inspections of the same product are frequently required. Different from manual inspection, the New Piece command in 3D Measurement Software can be applied for repeated inspections using a portable CMM. This approach eliminates the need for data editing or processing, allowing measurements to be taken according to the procedure established during the initial inspection. The report can also be exported with a single click, ensuring both efficiency and accuracy.
- Generate Required Reports for Factory
All measurement results from the portable arm can be batch-generated into PDF reports based on actual requirements. These reports include the establishment of the coordinate system, basic information of the measured workpiece, measurement parameters, results, and error analysis. Afterwards, the inspectors can share the measurement results with relevant departments and personnel to support improvements in production processes or design, thereby enhancing product quality.
What Our Customers Think about the PMT Measuring Arms?
From a Quality Manager in a Leading Tire Manufacturer:
“PMT’s portable measuring arm is convenient and easy to use in our daily quality check for tire molds. Its user-friendly design enables our new operators in completing measurement tasks very fast. We consistently benefit from its great stability and high-precision throughout the inspections. Beyond the excellence of PMT Arm, the 24/7 technical support in PMT Technologies has been vital in solving our critical production issues, reducing the defect rate of tire molds, enhancing the quality control standards and production capacity.”
Conclusion
With the continued advancement of global Industry 4.0, the PMT portable measuring arm is expected to play a significant role across various industries through its latest technologies, portability, easy operation, stability, and high-precision. As part of China’s push for independent innovation, intelligent inspection solutions – such as portable CMMs – will help enterprises overcome critical quality bottlenecks, offering essential technical support for China’s progress on the global stage forward.
