Blogs
Grinding Process
Grinding Process Automotive Grinding Process Surface Description A cylindrical grinding process finishes most wheel spindle surfaces. It is essential that this grinding process leave a surface finish that is smooth and free of defects with minimal runout. No grinder produces a perfect surface. Grinder wheel runout, improperly dressed wheels and fixture vibrations can cause chatter on the spindle surface finish. Chatter is a series of microscopic, repetitive imperfections, or waves, in the surface of the material being machined. The required production environment sensor must have small spatial resolution, high frequency [...]
Spindle Run Out
Spindle Run Out Automotive Spindle Run Out Distance Description Rotating targets frequently have an intermittent, uncertain or nonexistent ground path. This introduces unwanted noise, instability, drift and reduces accuracy of the measurement. MTI Instruments offers a unique "Push-Pull" capacitance measurement system that does not require a grounded target. It utilizes two probes, built into one body, that work together to complete the ground path. One probe pushes current into the brake rotor while the adjacent probe pulls the current out. The result is a "clean", consistent electrical sensing path. As [...]
Thread Checking
Automotive Thread Checking Presence/Absence Description Manual thread inspection is slow, not always reliable and tedious for the inspector. Manufacturers have struggled to come up with ways to reliably automate the process at a reasonable cost. Automated systems are available that use “screw sensors” can quickly wear or be cross threaded, requiring operator attention and a tooling change. A worn screw can provide false rejections leading to the unnecessary scrapping of parts. Capacitance solutions are cost effective alternative which are becoming increasingly popular due to their high reliability and fast [...]
Oil Film Thickness Measurement
Oil Film Thickness Measurement Automotive Oil Film Level Description A top marine engine manufacturer commissioned MTI Instruments to design and manufacture a non-contact sensor to measure the microscopic oil film layer between the engine cylinder wall and the piston ring. Engine testing is normally performed through a range of low RPM's to high RPM's (400- 6000) with piston linear speeds approaching 500 inches/second and at various torques. A measuring system with high frequency response and small sensor size was essential to keep engine machining to a minimum while not altering the [...]
Sheet Metal Monitoring
Sheet Metal Monitoring Automotive Sheet Metal Monitoring Thickness Description Introduction: When sheet metal is formed in a continuous process it needs monitoring during the actual feed prior to machining or forming to prevent defects and scrap.  One way to accomplish this is to use a laser sensor to measure the thickness. Problem: A major electrical equipment manufacturer needed a way to monitor the incoming material just prior to shearing and forming. The device needed to be robust, non-contact, reliable, accurate, and fast. The client would be using their data acquisition [...]
Robotic Weld Inspection
Automotive Robotic Weld Inspection Presence/Absence Description
Thermal Expansion On Automobile Engine
Thermal Expansion On Automobile Engine Automotive Thermal Expansion On Automobile Engine Dimensions Description For years the sole purpose of the oil pan was to act as a reservoir for the engine lubricant. Some modern engines now utilize the pan as a structural component. It is machined from a rigid steel or aluminum casting and designed to support the lower portion of the crankshaft bearings and rear main seal. This development has introduced a potential problem area that must be analyzed. As engines go through heating and cooling cycles it is [...]
Tire Tread Inspection With 1D Laser Sensor
Tire Tread Inspection With 1D Laser Sensor Automotive Tire Tread Inspection With 1D Laser Sensor Depth Description Tire manufacturers wants to satisfy their customers, and protect themselves from liabilities, manufacturers are moving to 100% tire inspection for defects and abnormalities. Defects not only cause potential safety issues but they can also introduce unwanted vibration into the vehicle suspension system. Belts can be overlapped, or not cover the complete tire surface, causing weak or bubbled areas and imbalances. The tread depth can be too shallow, leading to decreased service life. An [...]
Torque Converter
Torque Converter Automotive Torque Converter Surface Description Since minute defects in the torque converter casing wall thickness can result in unacceptable and dangerous torque converter expansion, a precision measurement system was needed to measure the impeller hub displacement and thus the torque converter axial displacement. An AC dynamometer would be required to spin the torque converter at a high rate of speed while a fast response hydraulic system is needed to pressurize the converter to pressures up to 150 psi. MTI’s MicroTrak laser sensor was selected because it offered a [...]
Door Gap
Automotive Door Gap Tolerances Description